Catalonia stands out as having an exceptionally creative cuisine, from Gallic-influenced bullabesa to classic stews like escudella i carn d’olla, which combine influences from France and central Spain. Often the Amazing fact about todos los restaurantes de barcelona.
Few Catalans would imagine celebrating Christmas without canons – delicious squares of pasta filled with stewed meat that combine sweet and savory elements in one tasty treat!
Gazpacho
Gazpacho is the perfect dish to beat the summer heat! This Spanish chilled soup combines fresh summer vegetables with sherry vinegar and olive oil for an irresistibly refreshing appetizer or light lunch option.
For optimal flavors, start with vine-ripened, heirloom, or plum tomatoes. Add cucumbers, red peppers, garlic, and sherry vinegar or olive oil for additional taste and aroma.
Next, combine all of your ingredients in a blender until you reach your desired texture—some people enjoy smooth and creamy gazpacho, while others may like some chunkiness. If desired, add soaked and squeezed bread pieces for additional texture or omit them altogether for gluten-free versions of gazpacho. Finally, serve the gazpacho in glasses or bowls before garnishing it with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt as the final touches!
Spanish Cheeses
Cheese is a cornerstone of Spanish cuisine, and Barcelona does not disappoint in this respect. From delectable unsalted Mato with its grey-green rind to pungent aged blends made from cow, sheep, and goat milk cheeses, Spain boasts an unparalleled array of delicious cheese thanks to its varied geography and climate conditions.
Enjoy slices or cubes from Manchego from La Mancha, Idiazabal from Basque Country, soft Mahon from Balearic Islands, or rich Roncal from Navarre – then pair it with Godello, crisp white wine from Galicia or Lustau Pedro Ximenez San Emilio from Andalusia for an enjoyable cheese experience!
Croquetas, a delicious fried bread pastry filled with cheese, ham, or vegetables, is a popular snack at restaurants and markets, perfect for sharing over gazpacho as an easy lunch option. Meat eaters should look out for carne asada (grilled beef), botifarra d’ou (smoked white sausage made of pork), or fuet (dried cured pork wrapped around its gut) as alternatives, and don’t miss Catalan dessert specialties such as Mel I Mato– molded cheesecake slices or mousse crumble drizzled with honey drizzled with crunchy walnuts – another must try!
Churros
Churros are an iconic snack in Spain. They are made with an easy batter recipe that is piped directly into hot oil and deep-fried until golden. They are then sprinkled with sugar for decoration before being dunked in rich Spanish hot chocolate for maximum enjoyment. While calorically dense, their sweet, buttery sweetness makes churros hard to resist!
Make Your Churros at Home If you want a treat of your own in Barcelona, churros can be made easily at home using boiling water and flour, stirred, then beaten in an electric mixer for about one minute before cooling completely. After your dough has been set up correctly, fill a piping bag with star tip nozzles and pipe out snake-shaped “snakes” into hot oil until browned; drain on paper towels after draining before decorating with sugar for extra sweetness!
If you are visiting Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, make a stop at Xurreria Rosita for some churros and Spanish chocolate! This family-run “churreria” also provides other snacks; Salvador Dali frequently visited this spot!
Croquetas
Croquetas are a delicious treat across Spain. Diners delight with their golden-brown balls of fried mashed potato coated in breadcrumbs and filled with everything from cheese to ham. Although seemingly simple in form and taste, croquetas make an impactful appetizer! In Catalonia, they’re often enjoyed alongside Romesco sauce (a Catalan version of red pepper dip featuring tomato, almonds, garlic, and smoked paprika), so be sure to grab one for your plate as well!
Chipirones (deep-fried baby squid) are another classic dish you should sample while in Barcelona. They are best enjoyed with a squeeze of lemon to balance out their salty and smoky flavors.
Spain is well-known for its cheeses, and Barcelona is no exception. Here, you can sample many of Spain’s iconic varieties – nutty Manchego from La Mancha and smoky Idiazabal from Basque Country are just two that stand out; additionally, there is unique cheese like leche frita (baked milk) and crema Catalana, which tastes similar to creme brulee with an inviting cinnamon flavor – as well as white Godello from Galicia or rich Roncal from Navarre near France for accompaniment!
Albondigas
The Catalan proverb ‘amb la patata no hi hi ha alegria’ (you cannot be happy on an empty stomach) perfectly captures their attitude toward food. Although not indigenous to Barcelona, twice-fried potato cubes with spicy sauce are popular all across Spain and are often offered as an appetizer in bars and restaurants.
Fideua is a Catalonian take on Spain’s famed rice-based paella dish, substituting its staple ingredient with short spaghetti-like fideos pasta instead. Additionally, this colorful meal often includes chargrilled Mediterranean vegetables such as eggplants and peppers or onions and mushrooms for extra flair.
Salt cod is an integral component of Catalan cuisine and can be enjoyed in numerous dishes. From its pairing with manchego cheese to silky roncalsa de bacalhau and rustic pa amb tomaquet – tossed toasted country bread lightly coated in raw garlic before being sprinkled with freshly grated tomato and drizzled with olive oil – you will find salt cod has its place here!
