Best Barcelona Street Food: The Tastiest Top 10!
Last Update: 2/9/2025
From the very first time I visited Barcelona back in the 1990s, I’ve loved the city’s vibrant atmosphere, world-famous Gaudi architecture, and mouth-watering cuisine. So, during my most recent visit, I was thrilled to once again seek out the most classic flavors, unique dishes, and popular local specialties that this Mediterranean gem has to offer.
And although options within Barcelona’s culinary scene include plenty of Michelin-star restaurants and timeless top-notch mom-and-pop eateries, on this visit I decided to focus on the city’s delicious street food. But you should know: The Barcelona street food scene is unlike anywhere else.
How Is Barcelona Street Food Unique?
Much of the best Barcelona street food can be found at La Boqueria Market.
In Barcelona, what we think of as street food is still in its infancy—and that’s because the city has long had a culture of small bites that continues to work perfectly: tapas.
They are similar to chicchetti (Venetian small plates) and the street food in Venice, Italy. Sometimes you sit down to eat these delicious dishes, sometimes you eat them at the bar, and sometimes you take them to go.
Since they are small quick bites, most tapas are essentially street foods. So, in this article, I’ll be using the terms street foods and tapas interchangeably. And this style of Barcelona food offers some of the best flavors of Catalan cuisine at a reasonable price. That’s how Barcelona thrills the taste buds of food lovers without emptying their wallets.
So, even if this style of Barcelona food is less about street vendors and food trucks than elsewhere, it definitely provides amazing cuisine that can be enjoyed quickly—if that’s how you’d like to have it. But whether you want to go fast or slow, you’ll find the most delicious foods at bargain prices.
So, let’s jump right into the best Barcelona street foods you’ll have the pleasure of enjoying during your visit to this wonderful city.
The Best Street Food in Barcelona
1. Entrepá and Bocadillo: The Best Sandwiches in Barcelona
No-frills-but-fabulous bocadillos with Jamón Ibérico, among the most traditional Spanish tapas
Entrepá in Catalan means “between the bread,” so entrepás are sandwiches between any kind of bread, whether it be slices, rolls, or baguettes. Bocadillos are Spanish sandwiches specifically made from a loaf of bread.
The filling for entrepás can be made from a wide variety of ingredients, including anything from ham, to smoked salmon, to rice and black beans. There are also a wide variety of sauces used to create a more complex mix of flavors.
If you want to get one of the local favorites, try the Jamón Ibérico. This treasured local ham is the Spanish rival of Italy’s prosciutto, and it is as beloved in Barcelona as prosciutto is revered among the foods of Bologna.
For the best sandwiches Barcelona has to offer, try the very affordable Bo de B. And don’t let the lines deter you! This spot serves up some of the best street food Barcelona has to offer!
2. Tortilla de Patatas: The Best Barcelona Breakfast
The tortilla is a scrumptious staple of Spanish cuisine.
Tortilla de patatas is one of the most famous foods in Spain, and it is pretty much obligatory to try a tortilla if you are in the country. If you take a road trip through Spain, you are bound to have an opportunity at every stop.
But let’s get something straight right up front: The Spanish tortilla is completely different from the corn or flour circular flatbread used in many traditional Mexican foods. The Spanish tortilla is basically a potato omelette or frittata.
This simple but flavorful Barcelona street food is made with nothing more than eggs, potatoes, salt, oil, and sometimes onions. It can be served in triangles or in a sandwich—making it a perfect snack to grab for a quick bite as you tour the city.
Since the tortilla is primarily egg, many American and English visitors eat Spanish tortilla as a breakfast in Barcelona. However, this famous Spanish dish is eaten all day long; it’s even a traditional delicious tapas dish that comes on a stick and is known as a pincho de tortilla.
This famous street food in Spain can be found literally everywhere in Barcelona, but El Xampanyet is one of my favorite Barcelona spots for tortillas.
3. Bikini: A French-Influenced Barcelona Favorite
The Bikini is a night club bite that became a local favorite anytime treat.
To get into the swim of things within the Barcelona street food scene, you’ve got to try a bikini. We’re not talking swimsuit here, but one of the locals’ favorite handhelds.
This super-delicious Barcelona sandwich gets its name from a night club called Sala Bikini. This Barcelona landmark was not only a hotspot for music and dancing in the 1950s, it also introduced its own version of the French Croque Monsieur at this time, which became known as “The Bikini.”
Try our homemade Croque Monsieur Light !
The Bikini grew in popularity, and transcended the club to become one of the most sought-out street foods in all of Barcelona. This local sandwich is definitely one of the must-try foods to eat in Barcelona as you will not see it outside of Catalonia!
A great place to get a Bikini sandwich is Tapas 24, one of the best tapas bars in Barcelona whose fans include World Central Kitchen’s Chef José Andrés. And Sala Bikini? It’s not only Barcelona’s oldest night club, it’s still a key part of the city’s nightlife.
4. Patatas Bravas: Tremendously Tasty Taters
Patatas Bravas are bold potatoes spicily sauced.
Patatas Bravas, which translate to “spicy potatoes,” originated in Madrid and are popular as far away as the best restaurants of Boise’s Basque Block, so it should come as no surprise that they can be found on almost every menu in Barcelona.
The crispy fried potatoes of this Barcelona street food are topped with a savory tomato-based sauce that can carry some serious kick. These savory spuds may also be topped with garlic aioli.
To fully enjoy this dish, make sure you get the real deal. Unfortunately, some places have taken shortcuts and use straight mayonnaise and ketchup. No thanks! Instead, head to Rekons, in the Sant Antoni neighborhood, for delicious patatas bravas—and try their empanadas too!
5. Croquetas: Addictive Barcelona Snack
Croquetas are an addictive snack served all over Barcelona.
This street snack is perfectly crunchy on the outside, stuffed with a meat, fish, or veggie filling and a creamy bechamel-based sauce. The sauce may have tipped you off that this famous Barcelona food also has its roots within French cuisine.
When croquetas are well made, you’ll always end up making room for one more, no matter how many you’ve already eaten. They are a truly addictive Barcelona snack!
If you are looking for classic croqueta flavors, you may want to stick to jamon (ham) or ceps (mushroom), which are both typical Barcelona tapas dishes. If, on the other hand, you want to push the boundaries a little further, then you should try sepia (cuttlefish), one of the fresh seafood options the locals adore.
Other popular flavors include spicy chili with beans, ox meat, portobello mushroom with smoked scamorza cheese, shiitake mushroom, and shrimp and crab.
Croq and Roll boasts the best croquetas in Barcelona.
6. Empanadas: Top-Notch Turnover Turn-Ons
Barcelona empanadas come in many flavorful varieties.
In this delicious food, fresh-made dough is filled with the tastiest savory ingredients, folded into a half-moon shape with crimped edges, baked until golden brown—and then devoured with glee. That is the life cycle of the Barcelona empanada, a popular street food you have got to try!
Similar to their Argentine cousins, Barcelona empanadas have their own traditional fillings that set them apart. These include tuna versions that usually come with onions and peppers; cheese and spinach varieties that are perfect for vegetarians; and delicious options featuring seasoned pork.
But today, we’re living in an era of empanada mania, in which there are dozens and dozens of additional fillings available of, so be sure to try some tasty traditional versions and some cutting-edge creations too.
We had some excellent empanadas from the Moltbo Market stall within the Mercado de la Boqueria. As mentioned before, Rekons is a great choice as well.
7. Xarcuterie/Charcutería: The Meat of the Matter
Xarcuterie cones turn delicious meats into convenient handhelds.
One of the things that I love about roaming the streets of Barcelona is how much of the Catalan language you get to hear and see. You can absolutely get by with just English or Spanish, but that extra layer of culture and history fascinates me. It’s also the reason you see “charcuterie” signs spelled with an “x.”
And X definitely marks the spot for some wonderful cured meats in Barcelona. This includes, of course, the famed Jamón Ibérico that comes from southern Spain but is beloved throughout the country and, increasingly, around the world. But this also includes local favorites like girella (lamb) sausage, fuet pork sausage, Salchichón Ibérico salami, and chorizo, among other options.
A great idea for low-cost but delicious casual meals is to buy some charcuterie at La Boqueria Market and make a picnic lunch. Otherwise, you can buy the paper cones filled with a variety of cuts and just easily eat them on the go.
Besides the market, one of the best places to shop for charcuterie is at any of the Enrique Tomas outlets in Barcelona, including one right in the Gothic Quarter, a must-visit spot in the city.
8. Pa Amb Tomàquet/Pan Con Tomate: The Catalonian Staple
Slices of traditional, tasty, tomato-suffused pa am tomàquet
Pa amb tomàquet is a traditional Catalonian food of the simplest kind: It consists of bread (usually toasted) rubbed with tomato and seasoned with just salt and olive oil. It can be enjoyed on its own, or accompanied by anything from xarcuterie, cheese, or anchovies, to grilled fish or vegetables.
It can be eaten as a snack, a simple sandwich, or a tapa.
This bread is ubiqitous in Barcelona, so I’m not even going to suggest where to get some. Bars, restaurants, and street food markets will all serve this simple pleasure. So, be sure to try this absolute staple of being Catalonian.
9. Bombas: These Bites Are the Bomb!
Bombas pack an explosive burst of flavors.
Bombas are breaded and fried mashed potato balls filled with ground pork, beef, or both, and topped with a spicy sauce. They are very similar to arancini, the stuffed rice balls that are one of the classics of Italian cuisine, with the most obvious difference being the Spanish potato stepping in for the role of Italian rice.
These delicious beauties were first created in the Barceloneta neighborhood, in La Cova Fumada, a long-beloved tapas bar. And although you can find bombas in bars and markets all over the city, the best place to try them is during a tapas session in this iconic eatery where they were invented.
But come either at opening time or close to closing time, because this place is no secret and incredibly good despite being priced so reasonably. Unfortunately, this means that getting a seat at other times involves a long wait.
Besides being the ultimate spot for bombas, this eatery is also a perfect choice for an incredible array of superb seafood dishes.
10. Flores de Alcachofa: The Art of the Artichoke
Flores de alcachofa are artsy artichokes that taste divine.
I grew up in an Italian family, and we used to eat artichokes every which way, so it’s no surprise I instantly fell in love with the flores de alcachofa (artichoke flowers) made in Barcelona. They are reminiscent of the fried artichokes served in the restaurants of the Jewish Ghetto of Rome, but they definitely have a Spanish flair to them.
The hard outer leaves are removed and then the soft, edible, inner leaves are pressed down to make the artichokes look like a flower. The artichoke is then fried until it has both a crispy layer and buttery soft inner core.
These tasty tapas often come just as they are, or with a side of romesco, salsa verde, or aioli. The artichoke itself can also come with a variety of toppings. These include shavings of jamon, cheese, or other treats.
If you’re not familiar with artichokes, trying them in Barcelona is the perfect culinary adventure—nothing too scary, with an incredibly delicious upside.
You can find flores de alcachofa at the Mercado de la Boqueria or at most tapas bars and restaurants.
Turrón: The Unbeatable Barcelona Nougat
There is no bad time to try a tasty turrón in Barcelona.
Here’s a dessert bonus item that I just can’t leave off of the list because the folks in Barcelona are crazy about it—and with good reason!
Even though every culture has its distinct foods that should be appreciated for what they are, I can’t help looking at a lot of things through my Italian lens. And so it is with turrón, a nougat confection traditionally made with honey, sugar, and egg whites augmented with toasted almonds or other nuts.
Like the torrone I grew up with as one of my favorite Italian Christmas desserts, the Spanish turrón is a big-time treat throughout the Christmas season in Catalonia and the rest of Spain. But the turrón of Barcelona is so beloved and famous, it is sold and enjoyed all year round.
One of the most revered nougat artisans, Vicens, has shops all over Barcelona. This includes their outlet right in La Pedrera, the famous Gaudi apartment block on Passeig de Gràcia, one of the main shopping thoroughfares of the city.
Mercat La Boqueria: Street Food Paradise Under One Roof
Convenient cones provide a cornucopia of street food choices in Barcelona’s La Boqueria.
Eating in Barcelona can be a little overwhelming, so I recommend starting at Mercat La Boqueria, Barcelona’s most famous and wonderful food market, and a place I visit at least a few times on every visit to the city.
La Boqueria Market (entrance on La Rambla), dates back to 1217 and is a MUST for any foodie in Barcelona! No serious Barcelona food guide fails to mention this amazing culinary institution!
Strolling through La Boqueria, you will find many of the most popular foods of Barcelona, including amazing Catalan favorites with roots in the area. Your visit to La Boqueria is sure to be one of your best culinary experiences in Barna.
This is especially true if you’re in Barcelona for your first time, or if you’re not staying long in the city. That’s because La Boqueria is an impressively efficient and fantastically fun way to enjoy all sorts of Barcelona street food in one location! So, come hungry—and leave incredibly satisfied!
I truly hope the information I’ve provided in this article on the best street foods of Barcelona and where to find them helps you have the most amazing food experiences in Barcelona!
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