Barcelona's streets are filled with sunny squares, lively restaurants and a wide range of shops. markets filled with Catalan food stalls.
Today I'm talking about Barcelona's favourite dishes!
Food in Barcelona: article summary
Food in Barcelona: paella
It's impossible to talk about Barcelona's cuisine without mentioning paella. Although the fragrant rice-based dish doesn't originate from Barcelona, but from Valencia to the south, it's a staple on the city's menus.
Flavored with paprika and saffron, and prepared in a large flat pan with rice, peas, broth, garlic, tomatoes and sherry or white wine, paella is one of Spain's must-try dishes.
One of the best ways to enjoy paella in Barcelona is with seafood.
Many of the city's culinary courses are combined with visits to the emblematic la Boqueria. You'll be amazed by the range of ingredients at your fingertips.
Plate of salted croquetas
When you decide what you want to eat in Barcelona, don't forget the croquetas. This popular Barcelona dish, served in an array of tapas or in a larger dish called raciones, is a mouth-watering blend of creamy béchamel sauce, ham and mashed potatoes, coated in crispy fried breadcrumbs.
Garlic, onion, Dijon mustard and even a pinch of paprika add spice to an already tasty dish. Occasionally, you'll come across croquetas with shrimp, ham or vegetables.
You can find them in the tapas bars on Carrer de Blai in downtown El Poble-Secone of Barcelona's best neighborhoods.
Food in Barcelona: Patatas Bravas
If you're wondering what to eat in Barcelona, this potato-based tapas dish is a crowd-pleaser, consisting of twice-fried potato cubes served with a spicy tomato brava sauce and a garlic and lemon aioli. You've found a good-quality version of patatas bravas when the potatoes are soft and fluffy in the center and crispy on the edges, topped with a little sea salt and rosemary.
A generous portion of bravas, combining tomatoes, sherry vinegar, onion, garlic, chillies, paprika and fresh herbs, adds to the intensity of this umami-filled dish, with the aioli served on the side.
Iberian ham
Jamon Iberico is a Barcelona must.
Some stores specialize in selling Iberian products. Such is the case of Reserva Ibérica, with two outlets in central Barcelona, one on Rambla de Catalunya and the other on Avinguda Diagonal. Here you'll find some of the best hams in the area.
Reserva Ibérica sells pure-bred, acorn-fed, free-range 100 % Iberian pork ham. The mouth-watering cuts of ham are served only after they have spent 30 to 60 months slowly drying. Note the almost marbled effect of the meat, with translucent lines of fat running through it.
You'll see ham labeled pata negra, a specific breed of Iberian pig considered the best of all.
Food in Barcelona: Gaspacho
If you're in the mood for a refreshing, healthy aperitif, opt for gazpacho, a tangy, icy soup that's one of the best things to eat in Barcelona. Originally from southern SpainGazpacho uses ripe tomatoes, peppers, garlic cloves, sherry vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil as its base.
Look for different ways to serve gazpacho, for example, in a shot glass. Some versions of gazpacho include stale bread mixed with raw vegetables to create a thicker texture.
Fideuà
Let your nose lead you to the smoky, flavorful cuisine of Fideuà near Barcelona's coastline. Similar to paella, this unique dish replaces rice with noodles, combined with garlic, tomato, bell pepper, saffron, fish stock, paprika and a wonderful selection of seafood such as squid, shrimp, clams and mussels.
Fideuà is a feast for the senses, offering rich, fragrant aromas presented with shellfish on top.
Your trip to Barcelona is the perfect time to introduce your palate to new flavors. Let yourself be carried away by all the city's specialities and I'm sure you'll have a great vacation!
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