Tapas are a celebrated and essential part of eating in Spain, and Barcelona is no exception. These snack-sized foods can be eaten hot or cold and can range from a serving of Serrano ham to a dish of codfish croquettes. They are usually eaten before the main meal accompanied by a glass of wine or » Read more
Eating in Barcelona: Budget Travel Guide
Menu prices around Barcelona. have risen over the past few years, but fixed-price lunch menus still remain an excellent value throughout the city. That’s good news for Cheapos. Here’s a brief list of budget-friendly restaurants that offer great lunch deals. We’ve tried to cover all the central neighborhoods, so that no matter where you are in » Read more
If you’re a foodie, Barcelona can get spendy. To add insult to injury, it also has the unfortunate reputation of offering overpriced, mediocre meals. While there are some fantastic Michelin starred restaurants in the city, Cheapos in need of good grub require other options. No te preocupes (Don’t worry!). Here are five cheap eats that will ensure a » Read more
Now that spring is in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about outdoor activities around Barcelona. From strolling down buzzing Las Ramblas with tourists and locals alike to exploring Gaudi’s Park Guell or wandering El Born, one of the most exciting neighborhoods in the city, warm weather brings the whole city out onto the » Read more
Spring is here and powdery-pink blossoms hang heavy from trees in Barcelona’s parks. Although it won’t be swimming weather (by local standards anyway) until May, March and April bring sunnier skies, warmer nights, shorter sleeves and, most importantly, beer. Yes, beer. The Barcelona Beer Festival, now in its third year, will be held for three » Read more
We’ve all heard about the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, but do people in Barcelona actually eat this way? The answer is yes, on average. Here are a few foods that make up the daily diet of most people in Mediterranean Catalonia, which should be on your list of edibles to sample: 1. Ham » Read more
Yogurt is not for breakfast. Omelets are for dinner. Espresso after meals. Napkins not in your lap… These, and many other customs, have been part of my Spain dining education over the past eight years. I’m still not an expert, but these are a few tips on how to eat like a local when in » Read more
I mentioned in a previous post that I am trying to lose weight, which means eating less ice cream and going to the gym. Luckily for me, I’ve got nature and the season on my side. Barcelona in the summer is hot. And humid. And though this year has been colder than others, it’s 86°F » Read more
When I meet someone new in Barcelona, I prepare myself for the “Three Questions”: Them: “How long have you lived here?” Me: “Almost 8 years.” Them: “Do you like it?” Me: “Yes.” Them: “Why did you move to Barcelona?” Depending on my mood, I give some long-winded story about adventure and heartbreak, blah, blah, blah, » Read more
What’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Barcelona? (Not to mention tapas…) While we’ve gone on and on in other posts about recommended cheap eats, great lunch spots, and tips for saving on dining in Barcelona, sometimes a picture or two says it all. Here’s some photo inspiration of tasty bites and spots to dine » Read more
Vintage clothes, cupcakes, brunch and now burgers. These trends have swept over Barcelona leaving people well-fed and questionably clothed. Unlike vintage, which doesn’t get me going, burger shacks are a welcomed addition to the Barcelona food scene. Here are a few top diners for a double with cheese. Betty Ford’s Joaquin Costa, 56 Barcelona, 08001 » Read more
By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— Yesterday over dinner I asked my sweetie if he remembered the last time it rained in Barcelona. We both tried to remember. It’s been weeks. While the sun is shining and there’s not a cloud in the sky, mornings are crisp and chilly and it feels like winter. On » Read more
Spanish food and wine is as diverse as the many regions that make up the Iberian Peninsula. Here I narrow in on a few must-eats in Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain! 1. Tapas You can’t come to Spain and not have tapas, which are like appetizers. In some parts of the country (especially the south) when you » Read more
By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— One of the top five reasons I live in Barcelona is the weather. I’m from the Pacific NW in the United States, which is lovely when the clouds lift. Sick of the rain, I wanted to be in the sunshine which motivated me to move to Costa Rica, Guatemala » Read more
Bakeries are a tasty way to save big in Barcelona. There are SO many bakeries in this town that it’s hard to walk two blocks without running into one selling flaky croissants, baguettes, chocolate napolitanas, and large loaves of pa de payés, a Catalan farmers’ bread. Bakery sandwiches Bakeries also usually sell sandwiches, which are » Read more
By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— As much as I love Rioja wine, Manchego cheeses, golden olive oil and paella, there comes a time when one tires of Spanish food and wants a bit of curry or guacamole in life. Barcelona’s non-Spanish/Catalan foods scene improves each year (I’ve seen a big change in the five » Read more
When I moved to Barcelona five years ago, I thought yogurt was a breakfast food. Oh how wrong I was! It took some time, and I was not an easy convert, but I now eat yogurt (Greek yogurt if possible, with honey) for dessert. Other favored local desserts include Crema Catalana, panellets, mel i mató, coques, » Read more
I have lived in Barcelona for ten years, so visitors sometimes ask me, ‘What do you miss most about the United States?’ I never have to think long about this. Three words sum it up: family, salad dressing and American breakfast. A typical breakfast in Barcelona is a very simple combination of coffee with milk. » Read more
As of the San Juan parties held on June 23, 2010, it was officially summertime in Barcelona. From now until October, sidewalks, plazas and patios will be full of folks sipping cava, wine and refreshing claras under sun umbrellas. For most of the year, the Barcelones and tourists visiting the city block out the fact » Read more
I am not the first to make the cheap pun “BARcelona,” nor will I be the last. The city is filled with pubs, bars, bodegas (wine bars), cocktail joints, and cozy corners to “get your drink on.” The good people of Barcelona like to drink, which does not necessarily mean they like to get drunk. » Read more
At first glance, it may not seem like healthy options abound in Barcelona. The endless ham, the white bread and chocolate croissants, the fried and breaded tapas… and all of it, as one of my friends from North America put it, is “swimming in olive oil.” Fair enough. But remember that this is also the » Read more
There are two aspects of traveling in Barcelona that are particularly hard on the pocketbook: hotels and eating out. (EuroCheapo already has you covered on the cheap hotel front.) Even though Barcelona offers a fair amount of cheap eateries, eating out three times a day adds up. Instead of hitting up a café or restaurant, consider » Read more
Barcelona can be an à la carte aficionado’s dream. All those lovely bites stacked up on the bar… Hams, cheeses, mushrooms, omelets, seafood, salads, sausages. Sure, they’re all very tempting, and seemingly cheap, but for the price of two tapas and one beer (about €6), you could enjoy a three-course lunch with bread and wine! » Read more
