Barcelona is simply astounding; Catalonia’s cosmopolitan capital has a culinary scene as vibrant as its clubs and architecture as colourful as its culture -- all protected by a fiercely proud local identity that still welcomes all visitors. Modern and medieval buildings sit side-by-side overlooking beautiful beaches, luscious city parks and bustling plazas. BAZAAR's travel correspondent Jacob Weber puts together an ABC guide for first time Barcelona dwellers.
C IS FOR COOKING
Sightseeing and salsa dancing are hungry work. Happily, Barcelona has an outstanding reputation for food and drink. The coastal location means the menu is largely Mediterranean, with a focus on fresh vegetables and sumptuous seafood. However, the hilly inlands of Catalonia are major lamb and pork-producing regions, thus influencing the concept of ‘mar i muntanya’ – or, surf ‘n’ turf. In recent years, Barcelona has been a hotbed for creative cuisine; the infamous elBulli (now closed) was described as the most imaginative fine dining restaurant in the world, winning the world’s best restaurant award a record five times for good measure. Of course, traditional Catalan cooking is still very widely available: hearty meat dishes, plenty of wine and cheese, and delicious sweet treats. Creative flair has also uplifted and inspired the fast-food scene – that is, bocadillos (sandwiches), not Burger King – with an ever-increasing focus on fresher ingredients and artisanal craft quality. Fastvinic, the smaller sister to one of Barcelona’s most famous restaurants, serves up the finest sandwiches in the city, with high-quality, local and seasonal produce. Classic snacking staples such as pa amb tomàquet (toasted bread with tomato, olive oil, garlic and salt) are a mainstay on most menus.
Photo by Cel Lisboa on Unsplash
The massive Mercat de la Boqueria, on La Rambla next to the Liceu metro station, should be your first stop on a tasting tour of the city for a whirlwind introduction to the Barcelona buffet. Over 300 stalls boast a diverse range of regional delicacies, and it’s a great place to soak up some atmosphere. Otherwise, tourist trap eateries on Las Ramblas are best avoided. Another top tip: as with anywhere in Spain, avoid gaudy ‘paellador’ signs like the plague. The only thing it’s a sure sign of is that the paella is frozen and of poor quality.
Barcelona has a strong café culture, with an abundance of bistro-style breakfast eateries offering perfect pastries for indulging a sweet tooth. Escribà is the oldest and most famous, showcasing incredibly creative cakes and desserts. You’ll struggle to avoid crema Catalana, the local version of crème brûlée. And to wash it all down? Well, Catalonia is the capital of cava, Spain’s answer to champagne, so a glass of bubbles is essential. Check out Bobby Gin for an upgrade on the classic G&T cocktail, with over a dozen varieties of spirit and mixer.
Photo by Igor Ovsyannykov on Unsplash
