Skip the tourist traps in Barcelona: 6 local-loved restaurants to save now for good, affordable eats

Named by National Geographic as one of 50 places to visit in a lifetime, Barcelona is one of Spain’s most captivating cities. With its pleasant climate, rich cultural heritage, and spectacular beaches along the Mediterranean, it has plenty to offer. One quality that sets it apart from other European destinations is its authentic food, which is as delicious as it is affordable. Fresh from a trip to Barcelona, I’m sharing 6 local restaurants for every kind of dining experience – all places I still can’t stop thinking about. Save this list before your trip to avoid a disappointing meal.

1. El Quim de la Boqueria

Fine-dining-level enjoyment in a market? El Quim de la Boqueria is a seafood stall inside Barcelona’s famous indoor food market, Mercat de la Boqueria. Its high stools and bar counter give the experience a more polished feel, while the market-fresh seafood and house wine are excellent. Through the glass display, you can see the fresh ingredients and chefs cooking to order, adding a visual treat to the meal and a reassuring sense of what you’re eating. It’s no wonder the counter is always busy. Expect to spend some time in line, though it’s absolutely worth the wait. Order the potatoes, octopus tapas, Spanish red prawns, and oxtail rice.

Address: Mercado de La Boqueria, La Rambla, 91, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

Average spend per person: €20-30

2. Cerveceria Catalana

I usually steer clear of so-called Instagram restaurants while traveling, yet Cerveceria Catalana is a rare exception: a social-media favorite praised by visitors and locals alike. The reason is simple. The food is excellent, and the prices are surprisingly accessible. The foie gras and beef tapas, for example, arrive with a generous piece of fresh foie gras atop a freshly seared steak. The foie gras is tender and rich, while the medium-cooked steak is crisp on the outside and tender within; together, they create a deeply satisfying bite that makes it hard not to order another plate. There is plenty of seating, so even with the frequent lines, you’ll usually be seated within about 30 minutes.

Address: C/ de Mallorca, 236, L’Eixample, 08008 Barcelona, Spain

Average spend per person: €20-30

3. Casa Lolea Barcelona

Casa Lolea Barcelona is a restaurant run by a winery, with a red-and-white polka-dot motif running through its decor, table settings, and staff uniforms. The atmosphere has a strong retro, country-style feel. Still, the dish that impressed me most wasn’t the wine – it was the truffle risotto. In more than 30 years, I’d never tasted rice with this kind of texture: the grains have the bite of pasta while retaining their rice-like shape. It works beautifully with the sauce, delivering plenty of richness without feeling overly heavy. I highly recommend it, since I’ve never found this kind of rice dish in another country. The potatoes are also flawlessly prepared: each is the perfect one-bite size, and the egg-white sauce and tomato sauce balance each other perfectly, keeping them moist while letting their natural flavor come through.

Address: C/ de Sant Pere Més Alt, 49, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

Average spend per person: €20-30

4. Moreno Major 17

The next restaurant is in Sitges, a small seaside town on the outskirts of Barcelona, about 30 minutes away by train. Its beautiful, storybook-like architecture and clear blue sea, straight from a mermaid tale, make it a rare escape from the city. The dining is just as dreamy. Can you imagine ordering 2 entrees – a steak and a seafood platter – 2 appetizers, and numerous glasses of white wine for only around NT$ 2,000? Hidden in Sitges, Moreno Major 17 was my favorite restaurant of the trip. The interior’s upscale decor is a striking contrast to the town outside, while its outdoor tables sit casually on a slope, creating an unusual setting. The food is equally faultless, with flavors and portions that are even more impressive than those in the city center. I especially recommend the steak and the mushrooms with ham pictured here. Best of all, the staff are wonderfully attentive. It’s hard to describe just how good the service is – you’ll understand once you visit.

Address: Carrer Major, 17, 08870 Sitges, Barcelona, Spain

Average spend per person: €20-30

5. Cheese bakers

How could you visit Spain without trying Basque cheesecake? Most recommendations point to the same famous shop with a long line. If you’d rather not spend time queuing or follow the crowd, Cheese bakers may be a pleasant surprise. Near the Sagrada Família, it has an unremarkable exterior and only average Google reviews, so it’s easy to miss while traveling. Ask around, though, and you’ll find that it is a local favorite. Its cheesecake is dense and just as good as those from the famous shops, with a rich flavor that never feels greasy – unlike anything I’ve had in another country. The portion is just right, too. Look closely and you’ll see customers taking whole cakes home to enjoy; when we visited, there wasn’t a single tourist in sight, only locals dining there. The price is just as surprising: a whole 6-inch cake and 2 coffees came to a little over NT$ 200. We almost thought the calculator was broken.

Address: C/ de Bailèn, 154, L’Eixample, 08037 Barcelona, Spain

Average spend per person: €1-10

6. Churrería Laietana

Churros may be one of the easiest foods to get wrong in Spain. They’re practically a national snack, sold nearly everywhere you look, and quality varies widely – making an authentic version hard to find. Here’s the answer: if you’re craving churros in Barcelona, skip the search and head straight to Churrería Laietana. Located along a major road downtown, this decades-old institution occupies a century-old building that stands in sharp contrast to the neighboring shops. A business doesn’t last this long without flavors that stand the test of time. Freshly fried churros are dusted with sugar, then generously dipped in steaming hot chocolate. It may be the most indulgent way to eat them, yet it never feels too heavy. Take a bite and the crisp churros and rich chocolate sauce create such a satisfying contrast that even those who don’t usually like sweets may be hooked.

Address: Via Laietana, 46, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

Average spend per person: €1-10

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