Whether you’re looking for a causal bite in Barceloneta before a day at the beach, a mid-day vermouth and tapas break between perusing the eternally-winding Medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter, or an excuse to indulge in a long and leisurely upscale tasting menu for dinner at a more modern restaurant approach, Barcelona’s food scene can please just about anyone with any agenda.

Looking back at my 4 months spent abroad, I probably ate out in Barcelona only a handful of times. I usually saved meals out for weekends when we traveled to different countries, and when I was in Barcelona, I was usually too tired from cooking in class to wait on or consume any more food.

With that being said, I was sure to make nearly every time I did eat out in Barcelona worth it—including packing the 10-day period my parents came to visit with at least one restaurant a day. I think I ate out more that week than the entire rest of the time I was there.

While I only dined at a fraction of the restaurants that a foodie city like Barcelona has to offer, I did compile a list of some truly incredible places. Here are my top 12 favorite spots if you ever find yourself hungry in Barcelona, Spain.

For a tapas style dinner in a traditional style Spanish tavern:

Bar Cañete

Cañete is an absolutely amazing tapas bar for dinner. Featuring authentic and traditional Spanish and Catalonian dishes with a few modern-twists here and there. The vibe is fun, lively, and cozy and the staff are all so welcoming and helpful. It has definitely become a popular spot among both locals and tourists, but it still gives off that traditional Spanish tavern atmosphere with its long and narrow rustic entry way. Located just off La Rambla on a side alley, walk-ins are almost never possible, so make sure to book at least a few days or a week in advance. This is the only place I went back to more than once, and I wish I was able to have gone more.

Must get items:

Green Bean, Parmesan, Pine Nut Salad
Beef Tartare
Lobster Croquettes
Squid Sandwich
Cod with Ratatouille
Aged Beef Steak with Truffle and Foie
Stewed Santa Pau Beans with Squid

For casual tapas or a mid-day aperitvio:

Bar Jai-Ca

If you’re looking for a traditional, relaxed tapas bar, this is it. While I think of Cañete more of a dinner spot, Bar Jai-Ca is the perfect place to end up on a lazy Sunday mid-morning or early afternoon. Relax with some friends or simply enjoy your own company while snacking on olives, fried anchovies, and a vermouth or beer.

For the best paella and seafood:

Elche and Cheriff

These two sister restaurants offer some of the most elegant, traditional, and top-notch seafood and paella in Spain. Go to the more casual option, Elche, for lunch to share a pan or two of paella with friends and family, or dine at the more dressed up option, Cheriff, for dinner and indulge in some of the freshest seafood in Barceloneta. The seafood is so immaculate, simple, and comes with few sides, if any. It’s all about enhancing the flavor of the fish/shellfish itself (and sopping up any excess garlic-y lemon, butter, olive oil, or fish stock that it’s cooked in with bread).

Must get items:

- Rice with Chicekn, Sausage, and Beaten Egg (Elche)

- Black Rice with Small Squid and Artichoke (Elche)

- Clams and Sea Cucumbers Paella (Cheriff)

- Lobster Rice Casserole (Cheriff)

- Prawns with Garlic (Cheriff)

- Galician Oysters (Cheriff)

For elevated Spanish food, and for the less-adventurous eater:

Fismuler

Fismuler is a popular restaurant among tourists and locals, serving elevated traditional Spanish food. The food is modern and comfortable; it reminded me the most of a meal I would have here in America, and the menu offers a wide variety of options. This is a really good place to explore Spanish food if you’re a little more on the less-adventurous side, but still want to try some new dishes and dine in a nicer restaurant. The food is served in larger portions than most restaurants in Spain, but still has that gastronomic, “tasting menu” aesthetic. They’re famous for their cheesecake, so dessert is a must. They also have a Madrid location.

Must get items:

- Seafood Omelet

- Lentils

- Branzino

- Cheesecake

For a somewhat more affordable tasting menu experience, but in a casual setting:

Mont Bar

Mont Bar is a really unique concept. They serve high-end, tasting-menu style dishes, but in a more casual setting than most Michelin star/gastronimic-style restaurants. The atmosphere is still dressed-up and matches the high-quality of the food, but it doesn’t feel stuffy or cold. The food is delicious and very, very picturesque.

They have food a la carte, but I urge you to sit back, enjoy the tasting menu, and trust the chefs with choosing your food!

For authentic Italian comfort food:

Le Cucine Mandarosso

I’m switching from Spanish food with an incredible Italian place. Le Cucine Mandarosso serves dare I say better food than I’ve ever eaten in Italy. It’s a somewhat hidden spot tucked away in the Born neighborhood. The atmosphere is light and cozy, flaunting a grandma-esque aura. I can’t find a menu for it now, but I know you can’t go wrong with any pasta dish, and the cannoli for dessert is a must-get, not a suggestion.

For an Italian dinner along with a really fun atmosphere—and some really good music:

Benzina

Benzina is another Italian place, but definitely gives more of a weekend, night out vibe. The atmosphere is lively and funky with records displayed on the walls and a killer playlist going non-stop. The food is incredible, full of modern and unique spins on Italian classics. I tend to judge Italian places purely on the quality of their pasta, and both of these Italian spots have nailed their homemade doughs.

Must get items:

Confit Aubergine with Parmesan Ice Cream
Beef Croquette “Bomba”
Linguine Aglio, Olio, Pepperoncino, Clam Foam, Squid Ink Bread Crumble
Mezzi Pici, Asparagus, Smoked Burrata, Black Garlic Crumble, Saffron Fondue
Sea Bass al Cartoccio, Seafood “Cacciucco”, Fondant Potatoes, Vanilla Olive Oil

For an easy, quick sit-down lunch right off La Rambla:

Mirch

Mirch is the only Indian restuarant I went to the entirety of my time abroad, and I generally don’t eat Indian food often, so I don’t have much to compare this to. All I can say is I didn’t shut up about the butter chicken pav for a week after eating it. That, and the samosas, are the only thing I’ve tried, but they’re both a must. Mirch serves casual Indian street food and is a perfect quick lunch spot in between shopping on La Rambla and Passeig de Gracia.

Must get items:

Butter Chicken Pav
Samosas

For a picnic on or near the beach:

Bo De B

This might not be the quickest option because a line is usually filed out the door and down the street—and for good reason. Bo De B is a cash-only tiny Greek spot specializing in plates and these insane, over-stuffed Greek sandwiches (not a gyro, but similar flavors and ingredients).

Must get items:

the chicken sandwich with everything on it (trust me) - steak and falafel are runner-ups
patatas bravas with all of the sauces (again, trust me)
bird’s nest baklava

For tapas when you’ve over-dosed on Spanish food:

El Japonés Escondido

El Japonés Escondido serves Japanese-style tapas and great ambiance in a dimly-lit rustic-minimalistic restaurant. You order periodically as you want on a piece of paper, and—warning—it will be really, really hard to stop ordering. I think we ordered the pork sandwich three times.

Must get items:

Katsu Sando (pork sandwich, seriously insane)
Coal edamame
Chicken Tsukune
Mussels
Mackerell Tataki

For Middle Eastern tapas with a trendy, vibe-y atmosphere:

Bērytī

Ending this post with my favorite place that I went to over all of my travels, Beryti. It’s a quaint Lebanese tapas style restaurant (who’s surprised my favorite place would be Lebanese) in the Gracia neighborhood. Every dish is seriously so flavorful, fresh, and authentic. The atmosphere is cool, relaxed, and edgy. All of the staff are laid-back and will happily guide you through your dining experience with their recommendations. The menu is displayed on one chalkboard and features an array of spreads, vegetables, and meat dishes to share — go with a few friends, order some gin basils, and one of everything on the menu.

Must get items: