Four of the best dishes in Barcelona you need to try
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As someone who is fully invested in what they eat on vacation, it's likely that you do plenty of research ahead of time to ensure you get access to all the...
As someone who is fully invested in what they eat on vacation, it's likely that you do plenty of research ahead of time to ensure you get access to all the best eats. If you're planning a trip to Barcelona, you're in luck. The city is renowned for its food scene, with fresh, local flavours all starring as hero ingredients on the plate.
Barcelona's culinary scene isn't fussy: while there certainly are Michelin-starred restaurants across the city if that's what you're looking for, you're equally likely to stumble across something delicious in a tiny, family-run restaurant on a side street.
But what are the dishes you should be trying? Here's four favorites to add to your app.
Patatas bravas
If you love roast potatoes, you'll love these even more. Small chunks of potato are fried in oil until they're crispy and hot (imagine cubed fries), which are then served with a "brava" sauce. The sauce is made from paprika and olive oil, and is thickened with cornstarch so it can be generously dolloped on top of the patatas, creating a crispy, spicy bite.
Patatas bravas are most typically served on a tapas menu, where you order multiple small plates. This is a great style of eating if you're traveling as a group, or if you want to try lots of different things during your meal.
Bombas
The second star of the show is another potato-based dish. Bombas are similar to an Italian arancini, except instead of risotto rice, mash is folded around meat or cheese to make a ball. This tasty little snack is then breaded and deep-fried, leaving you with a mouthful of deliciousness. Again, you'll often find these on a tapas menu.
Common fillings include spicy minced meat, Manchego cheese or mushrooms, although it varies from restaurant to restaurant. Bombas actually originated in Barcelona's Barceloneta neighborhood, so you'll get a chance to try it at the source.
Escalivada
A traditional Catalan dish, the name escalivada comes from the Spanish word escalivar, which means "to cook in ashes". In modern kitchens, this usually translates to roasting in an oven – but the result is still as delicious.
Escalivada is made of roasted eggplant, tomatoes, onions and peppers, cooking until soft and the skins are falling apart. It can be enjoyed on its own, or it's often topped with fish or served on a flatbread for extra heartiness. After several rounds of cheesy potato, escalivada is a fresh, light dish to help you squeeze in a few vegetables while not compromising on flavor.
Crema catalana
Every foodie knows there's always room for something sweet, even when you're feeling full. Crema catalana is the perfect dessert to wrap up your meal. Made from a thick custard that is flavored with cinnamon and lemon zest (rather than creme brulee's vanilla flavour profile), it's usually caramelized on the top so you get both the silky smooth texture from the custard as well as a good crunch. It's traditionally served cold – the perfect balance to the hot Barcelona weather.
Support the local food scene
Whether you try one of these dishes from a street food truck or in one of Barcelona's top restaurants, the most important thing is that you're a responsible food tourist. This means avoiding big chains and trying to support the locally-run restaurants as much as possible. This way, you can ensure that the dishes you love in Barcelona will be around for years to come.