13 Must-Try Places To Eat Tapas In Barcelona

    Order up.

    Hannah Loewentheil
    by Hannah Loewentheil

    BuzzFeed Staff

    BuzzFeed

    Barcelona is one of the most exciting food cities in the world, offering everything from fine dining to local hole-in-the walls. But the best way to taste the city's best dishes and flavors is by trying lots and lots of tapas. Here are 13 tapas bars around Barcelona you don't want to miss.

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    1. El Xampanyet

    2. La Cova Fumada

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    This no-frills bar near Barceloneta beach is packed with locals all day long. Order an Estrella Damm, the house beer, to wash down a few plates of seafood. Just don't forget to order "la bomba," a ham croquette topped with mayonnaise and spicy brava sauce.

    3. Bar Cañete

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    If you're looking for an upscale tapas meal, Bar Cañete is not to be missed. The mirrored walls, sleek red sofas, and mahogany wood details feel like a step into the past, and the food is both creative and memorable. Expect dishes like beef with seared foie gras in a truffle sauce, red prawns in sizzling garlic sauce, and the star of the show: A single fried meatball topped with aioli and spicy brava sauce.

    4. El Quim de la Boqueria

    5. Bar Bodega Quimet

    6. Cal Pep

    7. Bar Jai-Ca

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    This neighborhood haunt in the Barceloneta neighborhood is the perfect pit stop after a morning at the beach. The portions are generous and the prices are low, which means there's usually a crowd. The jamon ibérico melts in your mouth like butter, and it tastes like heaven on a slice of pan tomate, toasted bread smothered in garlic, tomato, and olive oil.

    8. Tickets

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    Consistently ranked among San Pellegrino's top 50 restaurants in the world and a notoriously tough reservation to snag, a meal at Tickets can be a religious experience for food-lovers. Order from the menu or let the server take control. All of the dishes — from the mind-blowing liquid olives to the wagyu beef — are worth every pretty penny they'll cost you.

    9. Bar del Pla

    10. La Xampanyeria

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    You'll experience some mixed emotions after a meal at La Xampanyeria. On the one hand, you'll want to keep this place a secret, but you'll also want to shout about it from the rooftops. Fight your way through this loud, lively, and constantly crowded establishment to get your hands on some fried chorizo, ham croquettes, delightfully greasy sandwiches, and rosé cava.

    11. Dos Pallilos

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    If you find yourself getting sick of the same tapas, make your way to the bar at Dos Pallilos. While it's a bit pricier than your average tapas spot, the Asian-Spanish fusion bites here are well worth the splurge. The menu is made up of dishes like crispy tempura cherry tomatoes, wagyu beef sliders, and silky tuna sashimi.

    12. Quimet & Quimet

    13. Bar Mut