Girona
For pintxos (Basque tapas) accompanied with txakoli (sparkling white wine from the Basque coast) poured from high above, seek out this popular spot, 300m…
Must-see restaurants in Catalonia
Cadaqués
Tucked away from the main beach strip, this compact, family-run restaurant with check-cloth tables and a couple of tables on its small balcony feels like…
Barcelona
The waiters shout and rush about this classic place, while carafes of wine are sloshed about the long wooden tables. You can’t book, so it’s first in,…
Barcelona
In the upper reaches of Barcelona, this lavish health club serves excellent prix-fixe lunches (only – there's no à la carte). It feels quite elegant, but…
Tossa de Mar
Grilled prawns, pans of paella and bowls of local speciality cim i tomba (fish-and-vegetable stew) fill tables at this charming seafood place just over…
Barcelona
Opening to an elevated terrace, this buzzing space has mesmerising views over the Mediterranean – a key reference point in the all-organic dishes…
Costa Brava
Whether beneath the arches in the snug stone interior or out on the terrace overlooking the bridge, Cúria Reial delivers an atmospheric dining experience…
Costa Daurada & Around
Notably more rustic than its name suggests, Quinoa does a popular, good-value three-course lunch menu (€12) with bread and local wine, featuring simple…
L'Eixample
Balthazar offers a spacious and buzzy dining atmosphere and an extensive menu of Catalan and Mediterranean dishes. Locals converge here for economical…
Barcelona
For decades this former wine store has been dishing out dinner to often raucous groups. Traditional Catalan cooking is the name of the game. Surrounded by…
La Ribera
Carles Mampel is a wizard of desserts. It is difficult to walk by his patisserie (and adjacent tapas bar) without being sucked in to sample one of his…
Girona
Just off Plaça de l'Independència on the west bank of the river, Cuida't prides itself on making mouth-watering meals for vegetarians, vegans and those…
The Catalan Pyrenees
Between brightly coloured walls, this popular spot whips up galettes (buckwheat pancakes), along with French mountain favourites like tartiflette (a bake…
Barcelona
Styled with monochrome murals and an all-white interior, Flash Flash has a fun, kitschy pop-art aesthetic that harks back to its opening in 1970. Fluffy…
Girona
This trendy cafe-bar is as good for a takeaway coffee as it is for a full-blown sit-down terrace meal of speciality burgers, couscous salads and veggie…
Costa Brava
This cheery place is one of a clutch of quality restaurants crowded into Sant Martí d'Empúries' main square. Artistically arranged mains place an emphasis…
L'Eixample
Framed by big windows, this stylish corner cafe serves hearty breakfasts, tapas, burgers, salads, sandwiches (such as roast beef and mustard or Milanese…
Val d'Aran
With an attractive glassed-in riverside dining area housed inside a converted 19th-century mill, El Molí does a great line in steaks and other meats…
Barcelona
From the simple margherita to the more complex tartufo with gorgonzola and black truffles, delicious pizzas at this busy long-established Italian…
The Catalan Pyrenees
Torrades (topped toasts), salads, mixed tapas, Tex-Mex (quesadillas, nachos) and flavoursome veggie-friendly delights like wok-fried vegetable rice and…
Catalonia
This cheery student-packed place with an open-plan kitchen and daisy-print tablecloths does a range of tasty sweet and savoury crêpes, with lots of…
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
Stop in this bright corner bakery and cafe for fresh pastries, croissants, cheese, charcuterie, quiches and other light bites. Staff whip up a decent…
Calella de Palafrugell
Aside from grabbing a quick breakfast pastry or entrepà (filled baguette-like roll), the main draw here is the deliciously rich Sandro Desii ice cream;…
Girona
A sky-blue van welcomes you at the door to this crêpe-mad chain cafe. Galettes (buckwheat pancakes) are cooked to order with a tempting range of French-…
Tarragona
The Baron’s Palace provides a romantic 18th-century-mansion setting and a menu showcasing typical dishes from the nearby Ebro delta area. Specialities…
Calella de Palafrugell
Follow the metal boat sign on Carrer de Lladó towards well-priced local fare, including squid-ink rice and Catalan sausage. Xabec's interior, decorated…
Calella de Palafrugell
This well-loved beach-facing seafood place serves seafood with a bit of a modern twist: try grilled clams with paprika or one of a range of paellas. Leave…
L'Eixample
Framed by a fresco of blue sky, this vegetarian eatery serves simple menús del día (daily set menus) and two-course evening meals. Most mains (curries,…
Barcelona
Strung with Nepalese prayer flags, this simple spot serves dishes such as lamb curry, mixed grills with rice and naan, and lamb and vegetable momo …
