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Where to Eat in Barcelona — My Favourite Spots for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch & Dinner

Published on October 5, 2025 | By Elene Riordan | Last updated on November 25, 2025

If you’re wondering where to eat in Barcelona, you’re in for a treat. The city is bursting with flavour, from sunny terraces perfect for breakfast and lazy weekend brunches to lively tapas bars, seafood lunches, and unforgettable fine dining experiences.

After exploring Barcelona’s markets, neighbourhoods and restaurants, I’ve gathered my favourite spots for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner — a mix of local gems and must-try addresses that capture the city’s vibrant food scene.

Barcelona is a late-night city. Locals dine after 9 pm, so embrace the slower rhythm — have a leisurely evening walk, then settle in for a long dinner.

I have also a post on how to spend A Long Weekend in Barcelona including all the must see visits and a suggested 3 day itinerary.

Check out my map with all the highlights of Barcelona

Barcelona restaurants

Brunch & Breakfast

Brunch & Cake

Coco Social House

Nonna’s Brunch

Lunch & Dinner

Compartir

Cañete

lluritu

Lluritu 2

Vivo

Batea

La Llotja at El Nacional

Santagustina

Gloria Osteria

Food Markets

Mercat de la Boqueria

Mercat de Santa Caterina


Brunch & Breakfast in Barcelona

Brunch isn’t traditionally Spanish, but Barcelona has fully embraced it. Weekends get busy, so go early or book if the brunch spot takes reservations.

Brunch & Cake

Dishes are creative, colourful, and come in generous portions. Expect smoothie bowls, pancakes, and savoury options with a twist. Everything looks as good as it tastes. Be prepared to wait if you go on a weekend morning. There are a few Brunch & Cake spread all over the city of Barcelona, we just tried the one on the Via Laietana. Price range: €15 and €25 per person

Via Laietana, 54, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona

Coco Social House

Our top brunch pick is Coco Social House. It has a cozy, welcoming vibe with excellent chai and a menu that balances indulgence with lighter, healthier options. It felt less touristy than some of the other brunch spots. Price range : €6 and €12 per person

Avinguda de la Riera de Cassoles, 56, Gràcia, 08012 Barcelona

Nonna’s Brunch

A charming find right next to the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar. It’s a perfect stop if you’re exploring El Born, with hearty brunch dishes and good coffee to fuel more wandering. Price range: €10 and €15 per person

Carrer de les Caputxes, 4, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona

Lunch & Dinner in Barcelona

For lunch, aim to eat between 1:30–3:00 pm and dinner starts late in Barcelona, locals eat after 9 pm.

Compartir

Dinner at Compartir in Barcelona was an unforgettable experience. We chose the tasting menu, which turned out to be a perfect showcase of creativity and flavour.

We were even lucky enough to try two dishes that hadn’t yet made it onto the menu, a real treat! The highlight was ‘El Panchino’, a beignet stuffed with caviar served in their Michelin-starred sister restaurant Disfrutar, where we’re still patiently waiting for a table.

The food was simply incredible, and the service matched it — warm, attentive, and perfectly in tune with the relaxed yet refined atmosphere.

Price range : €40–€70 at lunchtime and for the full tasting menu €100 +

Carrer de València, 225, L’Eixample, 08007 Barcelona

Cañete

Cañete is a lively and beloved tapas bar and restaurant located in the heart of Barcelona’s Raval district, just off La Rambla.

Known for its bustling counter, open kitchen, and energetic atmosphere, it perfectly captures the spirit of traditional Spanish dining with a refined twist.

The menu celebrates top-quality local ingredients, featuring classic dishes like jamón ibérico, croquetas, and seafood prepared à la minute. With its mix of old-school charm and contemporary flair, Cañete has become a favorite among both locals and visitors seeking an authentic Barcelona dining experience. Gwyneth Paltrow sat where we had dinner and I hope she enjoyed it as much as we did.

Carrer de la Unió, 17, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

Lluritu

We went there for lunch and discovered a relaxed, no-frills seafood restaurant that locals love. The menu changes with what’s freshest, but grilled fish and seafood rice dishes are always good choices. Don’t miss their razor clams or a simple plate of grilled sardines with a glass of chilled white wine. Average cost is approximately €20–€40 per person

Carrer del Torrent de les Flors, 71, Gràcia, 08024 Barcelona

Lluritu 2

We love Lluritu so much that we decided to try out Lluritu 2 in the evening this time. Once again, the food was perfect. We had a table booked for 22h so we were disappointed when they told us they had run out of oysters and carpaccio of tuna. Instead we discovered the gambitas other starters and went all in and ordered a whole fish of the day. Average cost is approximately €30–€50 per person

Carrer de la Virtut, 11, Gràcia, 08012 Barcelona

Vivo

Fun, modern, and a little trendier, Vivo is a lively spot that mixes Mediterranean flavors with a creative twist. Perfect for a casual lunch before an afternoon of sightseeing. Expect to spend about €25–€40 per person

Carrer del Rosselló, 255, Eixample, 08008 Barcelona

Batea

Fresh, modern Mediterranean dining with a focus on seafood. The dishes are beautifully presented without being fussy, and the service is warm and friendly. Average cost is around €50 per person

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 605, Pl. Baja, Eixample, 08007 Barcelona

La Llotja at El Nacional

El Nacional is a stunning food hall with multiple restaurants under one roof. La Llotja specializes in fish and seafood and the atmosphere alone makes it worth a visit. It feels like dining in a glamorous train station from another era. Prices range from €30 to 40 per person.

Pg. de Gràcia, 24 Bis, L’Eixample, 08007 Barcelona

Santagustina

This is one of our favorite spot for dinner. Tucked into a quieter street, it’s intimate, cozy, and full of character. The food was exceptional, thoughtful, flavorful, and made with real care. Book ahead, as it’s small and fills quickly. Dishes range from €20 to €30, with some slightly higher.

Plaça de Sant Agustí Vell, 9, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona

Gloria Osteria (Big Mamma Group)

If you’ve dined at a Big Mamma restaurant before, you’ll know they never disappoint. Gloria is playful, stylish, and buzzing with energy, serving generous Italian classics with a modern twist. It’s perfect for a fun, lively night out. Expect to spend around €35–€50 per person

Carrer d’Enric Granados, 86, L’Eixample, 08008 Barcelona

Food Markets

Mercat de la Boqueria

While technically a market, it’s a must for a light lunch or snack. We grabbed fresh fruit juices and some slices of jamón ibérico. If you want something heartier, several stalls serve tapas and seafood cooked to order. Fresh fruit juices cost around €2, and tapas or seafood dishes are approximately €10–€20.

La Rambla, 91, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona

Mercat de Santa Caterina

Mercat de Santa Caterina is one of Barcelona’s most authentic and characterful markets — a true local gem just a short walk from the Gothic Quarter. With its colorful, wave-like roof and lively atmosphere, it’s where the locals come for fresh produce, seafood, and everyday essentials. Unlike the more touristy Boqueria on La Rambla, Santa Caterina feels, you’ll see locals chatting with vendors, chefs sourcing ingredients, and families doing their weekly shop. It’s the perfect place to wander, taste, and soak up the rhythm of everyday Barcelona.

Written by Elene Riordan

Welcome to Travelling Cooks! I’m Elene, a 50-ish-year-old British-Belgian woman living in Brussels, surrounded by my beautiful friends and family. This blog is a celebration of my three great passions—travel, restaurants, and cooking. Enjoy!

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