Looking for some of the best tapas bars in Barcelona? Start your journey in one of the city’s most historic and atmospheric neighborhoods: the Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic as locals call it. Just the name is enough to lure both visitors and locals alike. Stretching from La Rambla (Spain’s most famous pedestrian street) to Via Laietana, and from Ronda de Sant Pere down to the Mediterranean, this district forms part of the oldest area of the city.
Wander its maze of medieval streets and you’ll uncover layers of history. From ancient Roman remains, including sections of the old city wall, to centuries-old buildings that define its character today. And if the history isn’t enough to draw you in, the incredible selection of tapas bars that you can find in these winding streets will more than do the trick!
Tips for Finding the Best Tapas Bars in Barcelona
Our top tip on how to find all the best, tastiest, insta-worthy spots in the Gothic Quarter, and in some cases, the most frequented by locals, is to take a guided food tour in Barcelona.
You’ll visit at least three historic, taverns and tapas bars in Barcelona. You’ll sample classic Catalan delights while strolling the picturesque streets. You will be alongside an expert local guide, who will give you the inside info on the neighborhood.
If you want to visit this area and enjoy a DIY tour, be our guest. But, if you want to maximise your visit and amble around with a local expert, you’re also our guest. Whatever the case, below is a taste of what you’ll get as you explore the Gothic Quarter and tapas bars of Barcelona.
Our Pick of Gothic Quarter Tapas Bars
Bar La Plata
Point yourself to La Plata, one of the best tapas bars in Barcelona, for one thing: fried sardines. Don’t be put off by the usual line; it goes fast. Savour fried sardines, sip tapped wine, and check out the walls that are crammed with framed photos and art. La Plata is a family-run spot you don’t want to miss. It is often named as one of the best tapas bars in Barcelona.
Bar del Pi
When visiting this bar on the our Tapas, Taverns and History tour, you’ll hear all the intriguing details about the fact that for a century, local musicians, artists, and students hung out at Bar del Pi. It puts the “bar” in “Barcelona.” Walk to the back of the bar to spy some original art on the walls by Rafael Alberti, Mariscal, Serrat, and other artists. Cozy up to the bar, or if the weather is agreeable, grab a table outside on the terraza. Nosh on cod-stuffed peppers and make sure you order a “bomba” or two, which are the massive croquettes that are famous at Bar del Pi.
Bodega La Palma
Bodega la Palma began life at the beginning of the 20th century as a shop selling a little big of everything. Over the years, it evolved into the high-ceilinged ambient tapas bar you see today.
Stand at the original marble bar and indulge in smoked cod bandrada, a truffle-spiked fish dip. Try some of the best patatas bravas in the city and crispy squid croquetas.
La Alcoba Azul
This diminutive bar has stone walls and atmosphere to the nth degree. In the evening, candles light each table. La Alcoba Azul serves up a menu of traditional tapas, including cod carpaccio and a molette stuffed with curried calamari.
L’Antic Bocoi del Gòtic
People come to L’Antic Bocoi del Gòtic for a variety of reasons. They chill out in its dimly lit atmosphere highlighted by low brick walls, drink high-quality local wine, and bask in history (one of the walls supposedly dates back to Roman times). But there is one thing that unites everyone who comes to L’Antic: coca, a delicious Catalan flatbread that is topped with various seasonal ingredients. Don’t leave the Gothic Quarter without trying it at one of the best tapas bars in Barcelona.
La Vinateria del Call
For several decades, La Vinateria del Call has been feeding locals and visitors alike top-notch tapas in the form of tigres (fried stuffed mussels), tender veal meatballs, rich oxtail, and creamy jamon croquettes. The bar also has an enormous selection of local cheeses and wines. It is certainly one of the finest tapas bars in Barcelona.
Some Other Can’t-Miss Sites
Plaça del Rei – King´s Square
Plaça del Rei, or King’s Square, is a small space with a big history. For starters, it was supposedly here where Iberian monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel met Christopher Columbus upon his return from his first voyage in the New World.
The reason they met here? It’s because this is the location of the Palau Reial Major, the official royal residence in Barcelona, a 14th-century medieval complex of buildings and lavish rooms where Catalan monarchs lived out their days.
Plaça de Sant Felip Neri
Welcome to Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, or the Square of Saint Philip Neri. Named for Filippi Romolo Neri, a 16th-century Catholic priest from Italy. He founded the Congregation of the Oratory, a society of men who are bonded together by their vow to charity. The oratory is on this square. A church named after Sant Flip is also here. All the buildings are in the Renaissance and Baroque style.
In 1938, during the Spanish Civil War, Francisco Franco had the square bombed, particularly the church. The explosion killed 30 people. Most of these people were refugee orphans from Madrid, who had tried to escape the war by coming to Barcelona. Unfortunately, the war caught up with them. As volunteers were pulling victims from the wreckage, a second bomb landed and killed an additional 12 people.
If you join a guided walking tour, the guide will give more captivating details about the intriguing history of this square.
Plaça Sant Jaume
Sometimes referred to as the “lungs” of Barcelona! This large plaza is dominated by the Barcelona City Hall and Palau de la Generalitat, making it the administration center of Catalonia. The square was also the heart of Barcino, the ancient Roman city that is now Barcelona. The city’s Roman-era forum was here, as well as some important temples. On nearby Carrer Paradis (Paradise Street), you can still see four columns from the erstwhile Temple of Augustus.
The name of the square is taken from the Church of Sant Jaume. This medieval structure was razed in the early 18th century to make space for government buildings.
Taking a guided walking tour in the Gothic Quarter is the best way to spend your time in this Catalan metropolis. You will discover the neighborhood’s rich history as well as the rich tastes of the local tapas bars of Barcelona. Ultimately, you’ll know the city much better and experience local culture in the hands of a local expert guide.
FAQs – Tapas Bars in Barcelona
Why take a guided tour of tavernas and tapas bars in Barcelona?
You came to Barcelona to see historical sites and to eat delicious Catalan cuisine, right? So, make the most of it by going on a guided walking tour. A local expert will take you to a handful of places you may not have stumbled upon on your own. These include very local tapas bars and taverns where you’ll eat like a local Catalan.
What time does the tour start and how long does it last?
The tour lasts three and a half hours and you can choose from a range of times, to suit your overall trip plans. Depending on the day of the week, there are multiple start times, including 10:45 am, 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:30 pm. This allows you to either walk and feast at lunch or at dinner time. For more details and specific options simply click on the tours calendar here!
When is the best time of the year to go to Barcelona?
Shoulder season is the best time to come to Barcelona (April-May or September-October). The crowds are fewer, hotel prices might be slightly more affordable, and the weather is not too hot and not too cold.
Ready to explore the Gothic Quarter?
Dive into different tapas bars in Barcelona on our Tapas, Taverns and History Tour. Our local guides will lead you through hidden corners and historic streets, stopping at some of the neighborhood’s very best spots along the way. The perfect way to find the best places that youwould never know otherwise!
Experience Barcelona’s food, history, and atmosphere all in one unforgettable journey – come hungry and ready to explore!