Top 10 Tapas Bars in Barcelona

Tapas may not have originated in the city but Barcelona is still home to some of the finest tapas bars in the world. Whether you’re a cautious gourmet or an adventurous-foodie, with its fusion of Catalan and Spanish cuisine, Barcelona is the place to be for sampling the best of these tasty bite-sized snacks. Take a look below to see how you can even grab free tapas in Barcelona!

[1] Quimet i Quimet

This quaint tapas spot, located in the quirky Poble Sec neighbourhood of Barcelona, is renowned for its scrumptious montaditos – bite-sized, baguette-style snacks filled with the tastiest ingredients from Spain! If you’re not sure what to order, the chef can even choose for you based on your drink order. With standing room only, Quimet i Quimet is a great place to grab a drink, some great tapas and catch up with friends. – Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, 25

[2] El Xampanyet

Located near the Picasso Museum, this tapas bar is very popular with the locals of Barcelona due to its sensational food and exceptional house cava. This old-school, authentic Catalan joint is renowned for its fantastic service and is a match for any top tapas bar in Spain. – Carrer de Montcada, 22

[3] Ziryab

Ziryab is a fusion tapas bar with an intriguing combination of rich and spicy flavours from the Arabic world and the strong, traditional tastes of Catalonia, making it a foodie’s paradise. Located within El Born, Ziryab serves up a fine section of wines and some of the best tapas around, complete with shisha pipes and live acoustic music to set the mood. – Carrer de Grunyí, 4,

[4] El Quim de la Boqueria

El Quim is the perfect pit stop during a trip to La Boqueria – the world renowned and Barcelona’s most famous food market. Absorb the market’s unique atmosphere from your bar stool while the chef, Quim, whips-up some authentic, Catalan tapas as he has been doing in the same market since 1987. – Rambla 91, Mercat de la Boqueria

[5] Tickets

Founded by world-renowned chef Ferran Adrià, and his brother Albert Adrià, Tickets has a somewhat 1950s Broadway vibe and represents the very best of Catalan cuisine. You’ll have to book in advance to ensure a table at this tapas bar, but we guarantee this is one place well worth the wait! – Av. del Paraŀlel, 164

[6] Bruc33Tapas

Located in the heart of Barcelona, near Plaça Urquinaona, Bruc33 is the go-to place for a relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and high-quality tapas dishes that are both affordable and tasty. From the more traditional patatas bravas and croquettes, to crispy artichokes with Iberian ham, Bruc33 has something for everyone. – C/ Bruc, 33

[7] Sagardi

Sagardi are renowned for their world-class pintxos (tapas on bread, pierced with a cocktail stick) originating from the Basque region of Spain. Pintxos are traditionally eaten as a small snack whilst socialising in a bar with friends, however they can also be enjoyed as part of a breakfast, lunch or even an informal diner. For tapas straight from the Basque-county, Sagardi is the place to be! – Carrer de l’Argenteria, 62

[8] Ca’l Chusco

Located in the beach-front neighbourhood of Barceloneta, Ca’l Chusco serve a free tapas with every drink and are renowned for their bombas – potato balls stuffed with cheese or meat. If you’re feeling extra hungry, you can even order larger portions from their menu. – Carrer l’Almirall Aixada, 5

[9] Bar Mingus

This well kept-secret is located within the winding alleyways of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and is very popular with the locals in the city. Bar Mingus might not be the most famous bar for tapas, but we promise their craft beer and tasty selection of bite-sized snacks won’t disappoint! – Carrer Ataülf, 6

[10] Pappa e Citti

This Italian restaurant serves tapas on the house with any drink ordered between 6pm and 9pm. With drinks ranging from 1,80-5,00€, this is a guaranteed tapas bargain in Barcelona you won’t want to miss out on. – C/ l’Encarnació, 38

Siobhan is a student from England currently working at Apartment Barcelona, an apartment rental company based in Barcelona, Spain. For more tips on visiting Barcelona, and seeing the local side to the city, visit their blog.