tapas

Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten Free Barcelona

Just like most modern cities, Barcelona has a great variety of food to please everybody. Vegan, vegetarian or intolerant, you can still find a lot of options to enjoy a great meal in this great city. If you are looking for vegan paella or gluten free tapas here are some restaurants you can not miss:

Cat Bar

veggie-burger-and-patatas-bravas — (Credit: Barcelona Lowdown)

This small vegan restaurant is situated in the center of the city, next to one of its main streets, Via Laietana. It is known for some of the best vegan burgers in town. The lunchtime menu always features the mouth-watering veggie burger and other dishes that are not only tasty but also absolutely divine. On top of that, you can enjoy a large selection of authentic Catalan craft beers.

Veggie Garden

asian fusion vegan food in Barcelona — (Credit: The Dream Boat)

Placed next to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), this restaurant offers Asian-infused vegan food. Two of its specialities are gazpacho and Indian thali. It is an excellent choice for lunchtime as the menu includes an appetiser, a main dish, and a glass of water or wine.

Petit Brot

Vegan dish of one f the may vegan restaurants in Barcelona — (Credit: Plateselector)

You can find this restaurant a few minutes away from Les Rambles, in Raval. This is an organic restaurant and juicery specialised in raw vegan cuisine. It offers daily lunch menus, and also sweet and sour snacks. It is a great place to enjoy a seasonal menu with a variety of dishes, cold pressed juices and scrumptious snacks.

L’Arrós

gluten free and dairy free foo served in Barcelona — (Credit: Trending Barcelona)

Situated next to the seaside, in La Barceloneta, this paella restaurant is a great choice for people with particular type of food intolerant. The gluten-free and dairy-free dishes are clearly marked on the menu. It offers different varieties of rice dishes, including paella and arròs negre (black rice with seafood).

Cal Marius

This small bar situated next to Sagrada Família is specialised in pastrami snacks, bagels and hamburgers. Most importantly, all of the food served here is gluten free. There is also has a huge selection of beers available. At lunchtime, there are affordable menu options from 9€.

Allium

gluten free tapas cooked in Barcelona — (Credit: Allium Restaurant)

This restaurant has a splendid menu for gluten intolerant people. Situated right in the center of Barcelona, in Plaça Sant Jaume (Town Hall and Catalan Government), the menu has a large variety of dishes for everyone (gluten free and non-gluten free). All of the gluten-free dishes are marked clearly. You should definitely try the tapas, paella and salads; they are the best!

The Juice House

healthy vegan and vegetarian food prepared in Barcelona — (Credit: The Juice House)

Situated in Poble Sec (next to Montjuic Mountain), the menu of this restaurant offers a variety of Catalan, Spanish and Mexican dishes. All gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan dishes are clearly marked, so you know exactly what you are ordering.

Som Sacs

Situated in the central district of L’Eixample, this place offers a special kind of cannelloni made of rice and a variety of other dishes. The entire menu is 100% gluten free, so you can rest assure that there will be no mix-up with your order.

At Europea Residences we hope that you found useful our vegan guide for your getaway in Barcelona!

A Bar With A View: Wining And Dining In The Barcelona Sky

Barcelona is a varied city that you should experience on all levels; from the busy streets, to the markets and beaches, to right up in the air. Let me tell you about some high-flying places that allow you to enjoy a great meal or drinks with a view.

Bar/Restaurant El Corte Inglés

Situated in the very core of the city, this bar/restaurant on the top of the shopping mall offers a spectacular view of the centre of Barcelona. Ideal for a break during a shopping trip, the place offers a variety of foods from around the world, as well as local pastry and coffee. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it is a worthy stop if you are around Plaça Catalunya.

Isabela at Hotel 1898

Located in Las Ramblas, the bar has a stunning 360-degree view of Barcelona. It is a perfect place to spend an evening and enjoy the beautiful skylines of the city. Isabela also offers a great variety of local tapas (the most popular are the crunchy prawns, stuffed mushrooms with lobster and stuffed potatoes) and cocktails. You don’t have to book in advance, but it is recommended due to its popularity amongst tourists and locals alike.

A dip in the pool may be on the cards (credit: Hotel 1898)

Wet Bar at W Barcelona

The bar is located right on the beach, where the view of the Barcelona sea front is overwhelming. Although most of the tables are on the terrace, they are reserved for the hotel guests, so try to arrive early to get one that isn’t booked. Get there just before sunset.

The Pulitzer Terrace at Hotel Pulitzer

Also located in the ever-popular Plaça Catalunya, this bar is the go-to in the evening if you fancy vermouth, the new local trendy drink. It is even open before lunch! The terrace is decorated in a style reminiscent of a tropical paradise, enough to make you forget you are in a busy European city. Their menu offers a huge variety of Catalan and Spanish cuisine. Don’t leave without trying the kitchen’s crunchy chicken. The Pulitzer Terrace also stands out thanks to its carefully chosen selection of gins (like Williams Chase), as well as a wide choice of cocktails – from the classics to their own creations prepared by skilful bartenders (a must try).

pulibcn2012_terraza3 — Tropical haven (credit: Hotel Pulitzer)

Blue view at Hotel Casa Fuster

Located in Passeig de Gràcia (the equivalent of New York’s 5^th Avenue), it offers a great view of central Barcelona. From Thursday to Saturday, there is a DJ on hand to set the mood and accompany you whilst you sip one of the bar’s wide range of cocktails made with premium ingredients. If you want a different type of music scene, you can just head downstairs to the Jazz Lounge to see some great live music.

Restaurant Torre de Alta Mar

Situated not far from the beach, this famous Barcelona restaurant offers a 360-degree view of the city. You can find the restaurant at the top of a 75-metre high tower called the Torre Sant Sebastià. To get there, you can use an elevator or a cable car that goes from Mountjuïc Mountain to the beach. You can enjoy the view whilst eating some of the best dishes of local cuisine and the best seafood of the area. A must try is the daily menu (from Tuesday to Friday) with its lobster and red prawns, stuffed rigatoni seafood and cheese. A glass of wine is also included.

slider_home8 — Luxury dining (credit: Torre de Alta Mar)

Barcelona’s Best Eats

As the home of some of the best chefs in the world, Barcelona offers a great variety of places to eat. You can enjoy typical Catalan and Spanish food or try a new creative fusion cuisine. After reading our list of the best eats in Barcelona, you will never go hungry.

Morrysom

If you want to try something typical and not too expensive, go to Morrysom, in the Eixample district (Calle Girona, 162). This place still preserves the essence of old Spanish bars, with food options on display at the bar, making it easy for you to choose what you would like to try. This bar-restaurant offers a great variety of tapas. Gazpacho (cold tomato soup), ensaladilla rusa (Russian salad) and ajo arriero (traditionally prepared garlic dish) are their top choices.

La Esquinica

For tapas lovers, there are several options in districts of Barcelona that are less central. La Esquinica, located in the Horta quarter (Passeig de Fabra i Puig, 296), has a genuine local atmosphere combined with friendly service and excellent food. Don’t leave without trying their patatas bravicas (potato dish) or morcillica (black pudding with rice), best combined with the typical Spanish caña (draft beer in a glass).

Bar Tomás

Another option is Bar Tomás, located in Sarrià (Carrer Major de Sarrià, 49). This place also offers a great variety of tapas, of which their famed chipirones (small calamari). A piece of advice here – go early, before lunch or dinner, as it is small and popular. If you want to be seated right away, avoid the peak times.

Bacoa

For hamburger lovers, Bacoa, founded by an Australian chef, is a great place. What’s more, there are a couple to be found around the city. It is worth checking out the branch in Barcelonata, Carrer del Judici, 15. The 250 gram high quality beef burgers make it one of the best hamburger bars of the city. Don’t forget to try their roasted potato fries.

Cat Bar

Barcelona is a modern city. Vegans are not forgotten and can also enjoy great food. Cat Bar, next to the centrally-located Via Laietana (Carrer de la Bòria, 17), offers a variety of vegan dishes for a good price. The veggie burger is especially good. This is also a hotspot for trying Catalan craft beers. If you are looking for more vegan restaurants at Barcelona check our article: Vegan Vegetarian and Gluten Free Barcelona

La Mar Salada

If you are looking for some good seafood within walking distance of the beach, go to La Mar Salada, in Passeig Joan de Borbó, right next to the harbour. Typical dishes here are paella, arròs negre (black rice with seafood) and fideuà (short noodle paella). Desserts are also worth ordering. This restaurant is good value for money considering it is in the popular seaside Barceloneta neighbourhood.

plat-mar-salada — Seafood excellence (credit: knowingbarcelona.com)

Can Cullerets

If you want to try the best Catalan cuisine, Can Culleretes is your place (Carrer d’en Quintana, 5). The oldest restaurant of Barcelona offers an extended list of the most exquisite Catalan dishes. Among the most popular are canelons de brandada de bacallà (cannelloni pasta with fish), l’orada al forn (oven-roasted fish) and l’escudella (meat soup). This restaurant is located in Barri Gòtic, the gothic quarter.

Alkimia

For those who seek more fancy establishments, Alkimia is up there with the best (Ronda Sant Antoni, 41). Located in Eixample, in the factory of Moritz beer, it is considered one of the most modern restaurants in Barcelona. The menu selection is superb, creative and follows the latest cuisine techniques. Their arròs d’escamarlans i nyores (rice with fish) is considered one of the best in the city. If you are looking for a pleasant and chic evening, this is your place.

El Bitxarracu

El Bitxarracu is a restaurant owned by Víctor Quintillà and Mar Gómez. Here you can find a modern Catalan cuisine for a good price right in the centre of the city, in the district of Eixample (Calle Valencia 212). The main specialties are Curry Thai de pollo de corral con arroz basmati (Thai curry chicken with basmati rice) and Schiaffoni Garofalo gratinados y rellenos de boloñesa eco (macaroni filled with bolognese sauce). They also have a superb wine list of a Catalan and Spanish variety.

Top 10 Tips On What To Do When Visiting Barcelona

Barcelona is much more than La Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas and other sights that you see through a simple Google search. It is always better to try to see the city from the locals’ point of view. There is so much you can do and see off the beaten track

1. Must-see sights

Still, if you have never been to Barcelona before, don’t leave without visiting La Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell and La Pedrera, the three most famous landmarks of the city and the main sites of Gaudi’s architecture. Better to book the tickets for entry in advance if you want to avoid long queues (sometimes queues can be as long as two hours!).

2. Barcelona is not only the centre

The city is well-known for some of its iconic sights like Las Ramblas, La Sagrada Familia or La Pedrera, which are all located in the centre of town. Outside the city centre, there are other places worth visiting like Montjuïc mountain and its castle and the Turó de la Rovira and its breathtaking view of Barcelona.

3. Visit the markets of the city

Barcelona is a city of markets, where you can enjoy sampling fresh foods and the atmosphere of older times and often forget that you are in a vibrant 21^st century city. Visit La Boqueria, the most popular, central and the oldest market of the city, but also go to the other markets like Santa Caterina or Sant Antoni.

4. Eat tapas

You need to try tapas at least once in the local bars. It is one of the most famous types of Spanish food. Tapas are small plates with shrimp, jamón, some meat, sea food, croquettes, patatas bravas or fish. You can choose one or a few at the same time

5. Be aware of local eating times

If you are in the touristic places it should not be a problem, but if you are off the tourist track, be aware that locals eat at specific time. Don’t expect to have lunch before 1pm (usually, the Spanish eat between 2 pm and 4 pm) and don’t go for dinner before 8.30 pm (locals eat between 9 pm and 11 pm). Some restaurants could be closed at other hours or just serve drinks.

6. Leave tips

There is no written rule, but Spanish people usually leave tips after meals. No one knows how much you have to leave, but think around the 5% to 10% mark of your meal’s bill.

7. Barcelona is a walkable city

One of the best things to do in Barcelona is to walk. Distances are not as long as in the other main European cities. Walking also allows you to discover the city as a local and enjoy its splendid architecture in some districts like Ciutat Vella or Eixample. The Mediterranean climate makes the walks enjoyable all year long.

8. Take the metro to go further

If you don’t have enough time to walk around the city, take the metro. The fast and convenient subway gets to every place of the city (starting this year, it also goes to the airport). The opening times are also very convenient, from Sunday to Thursday from 5 am to 12 am, on Friday from 5 am to 2am, and Saturday, it is open 24 hours!

9. Local fiestas

If you are lucky enough to be in the city when a local fiesta is taking place, don’t hesitate and just go along like the locals do. Some of the main festivities of Barcelona are: ‘Festes de Gràcia’ and ‘Festes de Sants’, both held in August, when both districts Gràcia and Sants decorate their streets following a set theme. There is also the ‘Festes de la Mercè’ in September, when all of Barcelona is full of music and activities of different kinds. Another favourite is ‘Diada de Sant Jordi’, when the city turns red because due to the small stands selling roses and books. This happens on the 23^rd of April.

10. Football, football and more football

If you are a football fan, this is your city. If you are lucky and have got tickets, go to the Camp Nou to see Messi and his teammates playing. If you cannot get a ticket, go to a neighbourhood bar to see a game, the fun is also guaranteed. And if you are extremely lucky and Barça wins an important title, you will see the city transforming into craziness, so just out on the streets and celebrate it.