Where to Eat Cheap in Barcelona: A Foodie Guide

Last updated on August 2nd, 2025

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Barcelona is a true paradise for food lovers, and this foodie guide will show you exactly where to eat cheap in Barcelona—while still having some of the best meals of your life!

While planning your Barcelona itinerary will surely be packed with activities—like visiting Sagrada Familia, exploring Park Güell, and strolling through the Gothic quarter—one activity you cannot miss is diving into Barcelona’s incredible food scene.

The first time I visited Barcelona, I was on a very tight budget, so, having to skip many paid attractions, I opted for walking the city instead and eating and drinking my way around it.

Discovering snug tapas bars, the best brunch spots, tucked-away vermuterias and cocktail bars, and hopping around the best coffee shops in Barcelona—and let me tell you, I fell in love with this city more than if I had made it inside Sagrada Familia.

Fast forward to 2024, and we’re back in Barcelona, this time with our circus job, and for two whole months—I feel like a kid in a candy store!!!

I’ve revisited all my favorite spots so many times, while discovering as many new places as I could. And all of that happy research has led me to this mega foodie list of the best places to eat well and cheap in Barcelona.

From neighborhood tapas spots to unique seafood bars, must-try food in Barcelona, tips and tricks on what to eat at what time, and more, this guide has everything you need to have the best and most delicious time in this city.

So, vámonos!

Where to Eat Cheap in Barcelona: A Foodie Guide

Things to know before visiting Barcelona

Barcelona is Catalonian

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous community in Spain that is very proud of its roots. So much so that they have been trying to become fully independent from Spain for a few years now.

This is why you’ll see the Catalonian flag hanging everywhere.

To play on the safe side of things and not offend anyone is better to refer to things, food, and people in Barcelona as Catalonian, not Spanish.

Just to be safe.

Spanish food stereotypes to avoid in Barcelona

For this reason, it’s very important to also understand that while Spain has a unique national culture, each of its particular regions has its own identity, and no one is as proud of theirs as Catalonia.

So whenever you are looking for where or what to eat in Barcelona, keep in mind that paella is from Valencia, and while you might be able to find it in Barcelona, it’s only because they are catering to tourists, so I would advise skipping it.

Also, tapas is not a meal, nor a particular dish—tapas just means smaller portions of food being served.

You’ll find this in most restaurants anyway, so for a more unique experience, avoid going into any advertised “tapas bar”; every restaurant will serve small dishes in its own way.

What to eat in Barcelona

Barcelona, as you probably already know, is located right on the coast, which means tons and tons of insanely fresh seafood, like, ALL kinds of seafood!

One of their typical breakfast dishes even includes baby squid(!)

Some of them, I’ll admit, I wasn’t adventurous enough to try, but I did try and loved anchovies. Turns out all I needed was pan con tomate to make me fall in love with anchovies, but let’s not get into the details just yet.

So, if you’re a seafood lover, you’ll seriously be spoiled for choice with the Barcelona food scene, and if you are not, don’t worry, there are still plenty of other delicious foods for you to try.

What time is lunch and dinner in Barcelona?

You might not get to try much of the amazing Barcelona food I was telling you about if you are going to eat at the wrong time.

Trust me, I learned this the hard way *sad face*

Contrary to popular belief, the people in Barcelona don’t close everything down because of the siesta—this tends to be more of a small-town kind of tradition—but instead, they close down because they have designated times for every meal.

Breakfast tends to be between 7-10 am, lunch tends to be from 12-3 pm, with restaurants closing after 3 pm and reopening at 7 pm until 11 pm for dinner.

I would highly advise you to check the Google Maps service hours before going anywhere…

But again, don’t trust them blindly, Catalonia seems to just go with the vibes, and opening hours are more of a suggestion than a fact, so have a plan B… and maybe C.

Make reservations!

Do as I say and not as I do, and make sure to make reservations for dinner because the best places to eat at are normally tiny and get packed fast!

Most of the time, I got lucky arriving at places early enough without even meaning to, which allowed me to go in without a reservation.

But then again, the meal—lunch at least—is fast-paced, and as soon as you are done eating, you are out and the next person goes in. Which was perfect for me since I was skipping my way through the city, eating at as many places as possible.

So book, book, BOOK those dinner spots!

Tipping in Spain

Okay, yes, I did emphasize not to call it Spain, but in Catalonia, as in the rest of the country, there is not a big tipping culture.

It’s accepted, but not expected or required at all, and if you do decide to tip, a simple one euro is more than enough, and some locals might argue that’s even a lot.

Choosing where to eat in Barcelona

While researching in advance is obviously a great way of arriving at your destination somewhat prepared, another great way of finding good places to eat while on the ground is to simply pay attention to the clientele.

At one point, I passed by a small corner restaurant that was packed with construction workers and some older local men. I checked my maps and realized I had already pinned it before—I was sold, I needed to try that place!

So much so that I had to return to it three times to find it open again, but it was so worth it!

Okay, now we are getting into the good stuff: where to eat cheap in Barcelona, and all the amazing Catalonian food you need to try:

Where to Eat Cheap in Barcelona: A Foodie Guide

When traveling and exploring a new city, I feel like lunchtime tends to get lost between jumping from attraction to attraction.

Or, it consists of something small and cheap and on the go—which I do a lot of times—but the one thing I particularly loved about Barcelona is just how casual meals can be.

This means that you can just stop somewhere by the bar to enjoy a tortilla de patatas for lunch and be on your way soon after, with no need for formalities or waiting for service to the table.

So basically, any place can be a good lunch or dinner spot, depending on how much time you have.

So here are some of my favorite options for where to eat cheap in Barcelona for lunch and dinner:

Lluritu: Best restaurant in Gracia for seafood lovers

Lluritu calls itself a marisqueria desenfada, a no-frills seafood joint, and I could not describe it better.

But don’t be fooled, the place is not the textbook definition of casual, with its white marble bar and tables, it offers a sense of elegance while remaining one of the best places to eat cheap in Barcelona.

Here you will see locals going in and out, having a few oysters and a glass of cava before heading off to their next destination.

Lluritu has two locations, both in the Gracia neighborhood. Lluritu 2 is way bigger than the original, so if you forget to make a reservation, you have a better chance of finding a table here.

We first arrived at Lluritu Original, and I had my heart set on oysters, but they sadly ran out, so they sent me to Lluritu 2, where I happily feasted on five salty (but not too salty) massive oysters, anchovies, accompanied by the staple crunchy pan con tomate.

Make sure to accompany your dinner with a bubbly glass of cava (the regional sparkling wine), and to top it all off, try their galleta Maria pudding (a vanilla-flavored cookie)—it’s so good!

I would recommend anyone to get on a plane to Barcelona just for that pudding alone!

…and the oysters were a nice touch too.

Bar Mendizabal: Where to eat cheap in Barcelona like a local

This is the locally-loved spot that I had to come back to 3 times to find open—and it was so good that I didn’t even mind.

I was SO intrigued after having seen this place packed with locals before, that I seriously made my way here with my backpack, on the last day, on my way to the airport… and luckily it was open.

Finally, I took a spot at the bar, ordered a delicious tortilla de patatas as my last meal in Barcelona, and a glass of vermouth. Quickly, I realized why this place is always busy with locals.

Bar Mendizabal is an El Raval neighborhood staple, a place where locals inevitably run into someone they know, share a beer standing by the bar, or have a quick bite before heading back to work.

The food is great, the service is warm, and the local, vibrant atmosphere attracts anyone who walks past it.

Croq & Roll Croqueteria: Best restaurant in Gracia for croquetas

If you’re wondering where to eat cheap in Barcelona, I would say this is one of the best places for that—cheap and delicious!

Croq & Roll was very high on my list of places I wanted to try while in Barcelona, and my interest piqued after walking past it a couple of times and seeing the place absolutely packed.

So if you come with a group, it’s better to show up earlier in the day or make a reservation.

This casual spot is one of the most beloved Gracia restaurants, where the star of the show is the famous Spanish croquetas.

And while you can normally find croquetas in many restaurants, you will not find the variety of unique flavor combinations that are offered here.

From the classic jamón ibérico to shrimp with garlic (langostinos al ajillo) and goat cheese with caramelized onions and walnuts, there are so many flavors to choose from—and they are all sooooo good!

A must-visit spot when looking for where to eat cheap in Barcelona.

El Xampanyet: Unmissable El Born restaurant and historic bar

An absolute favorite on this list is El Xampanyet, a small, cozy, casual bar and locally loved eatery in the heart of El Born.

With traditional interiors, walls decorated with stunning blue and yellow tiles, and old school bottles being displayed on the shelves, dining here feels like being transported to another era.

This iconic El Born restaurant and bar was founded in 1929 and is still a local favorite up to this day, and it is easy to see why—the food is incredible, the service is warm, and the cava is delicious, all for very affordable prices.

This is one of those places that literally checks all the boxes; a popular spot with the locals, a beautiful location that delivers amazing quality food and drinks, AND affordable—it’s just perfect!

I probably tried more than half of the menu at this point, and loved everything!

But if I had to choose, some of my favorite dishes at El Xampanyet include:

• Anchovy-stuffed olives
• Cream cheese-stuffed peppers
• Anchovies with pan con tomate
• Octopus
• Chickpea dish with Sanfaina
• Macarrones de la abuela (pasta dish)
• Chocolate truffles with olive oil and salt🫶
• House cava

Definitely one of the best places to eat cheap in Barcelona, and one I will visit over and over again whenever I’m in town.

Quimet & Quimet: Historic bar with sophisticated tapas

Quimet & Quimet is another historic bar and one of the best Barcelona restaurants. Similar to El Xampanyet, the place is small but energetic, casual in the service but with a more sophisticated menu.

An unmissable stop on our foodie guide of where to eat cheap in Barcelona.

Warning, though, if you don’t like seafood, this might be a tough spot for you to enjoy, but if you are a seafood fan, then you’d better come here with a big appetite.

The menu here consists of tapas, small portions of food that you can basically mix and match to form a meal. Which is a great way to explore the menu that is full of unique flavors and combinations—you won’t even know where to begin!

We decided on the peeled shrimp (langostinos pelados), a montadito of goat cheese and dried tomato, and their unique take on pan con tomate, and, of course, their bubbly cava.

Everything was rich and flavorful, and I would have loved to try half the menu, but this was just the first stop of the night, so I had to save some space for the next spot.

Bar Sanz Entrepans: No frills sandwich restaurant

Bar Sanz Entrepans is a casual little shop specializing in bocadillos (sandwiches), and it gets straight to the point with a menu offering a variety of simple but tasty sandwiches that you can order hot or cold.

From a basic jamón serrano and cheese to a cold tuna sandwich to a spicy chorizo one, you’ll surely find the perfect sandwich here for an easy lunch meal.

This is a great spot to eat cheap in Barcelona, and quick, if you’re trying to keep up with a busy sightseeing itinerary, and don’t want to have a time-consuming sit-down meal.

If, on the other hand, you are having a more chill day in the city, you could stop by Nomad Coffee for a coffee to go, pass by Bar Sanz for a sandwich to go, and have a little picnic at the beautiful Ciutadella park.

Pure bliss.

Mercado de la Boqueria: Barcelona’s most popular food market

Mercado de la Boqueria tends to be on every list of the best places to eat cheap in Barcelona, and it’s easy to see why.

This iconic Barcelona market is big, vibrant, and energetic, full of never-ending options; colorful candy, bright fresh juices, glistening jamón ibérico, fresh seafood, and more.

It’s because of all these amazing options that it can get quite overwhelming to actually choose what to eat.

The rule of thumb in this kind of place is to stay away from the stalls that are right at the entrance that seem to be tailored for tourists, and instead explore the inside and back of the market, where you will find more locals.

The two times that I made it to the market, it was almost closing hour, so I didn’t get to see it at its full capacity, but I did enjoy some reasonably priced fresh oysters—but honestly, Lluritu ones were better.

Some of the most popular places at Mercado de la Boqueria include:

• Bar Quiosco Moderno
• Pinotxo Bar
• El Quim de la Boqueria

Fella Pizza Barcelona: Pizza by the slice

Another excellent option for a quick lunch, or a midafternoon snack—if, like me, you always get hungry between the Spanish lunch and dinner time when everything is closed—is Fella Pizza.

Fella Pizza is located in the heart of El Born, an area that you’ll surely find yourself in at one point or another, either on your way out of the popular Picasso Museum or on your way to the Gothic Quarter.

There are a few seats inside, perfect to take a break from all that wandering around, but the service is quick and efficient as you order at the cashier, so no waiting around to be served by a waiter if you’re on a time crunch.

The pizza is delicious and definitely gets the job done of filling that void until the 8:30 pm Spanish dinner time.

Los Tortíllez: The best Spanish Tortillas in Barcelona

If there is something I love, it’s a niche restaurant.

Because it means that someone took the time to research this one particular dish and work on it until they created the best version possible. And that is exactly what Los Tortíllez is, the house of the best Spanish tortilla in Barcelona.

Los Tortíllez was a new find for me during my recent Barcelona stay. Still, it immediately became one of my absolute favorite meals in the city and a regular spot to visit during my almost three months of living here.

The charming Tortíllez is a family-run restaurant specializing in Spanish tortillas with an extensive menu of all kinds of flavor combinations, with each sounding more delicious than the last.

However, I’m a loyal Cayetana fan—a tortilla with jamon iberico, goat cheese, caramelized onion AND truffle.

I tried it on my first visit, and I basically ordered it every time since. It’s just that good!

Besides the most delicious tortillas, they also offer a variety of tasty tapas. And because I cannot praise this place enough, their croquetas de jamon are also one of the best ones I’ve ever had, best accompanied by their delicious vermouth.

Basically, the whole menu is amazing—and the locals know it. So, make sure to book in advance because it gets busy.

Palosanto: One of the best restaurants in Barcelona

Another very happy surprise we stumbled upon while looking for something to eat at almost 10 pm—yes, we are night owls—was Palosanto, a charming little restaurant that, for some unknown reason, was almost completely empty.

And I mean unknown reason because honestly, this was one of, if not THE best, meals I had during my first trip to Barcelona.

In the heart of El Raval, Palosanto has a homey and cozy vibe, with marble tabletops and mismatched chairs, and lots of framed “artwork” on the walls.

I use the term “artwork” lightly since I believe all of the framed art is drawings from customers… This suspicion was fueled by the fact that we got given a notebook to draw on.

This must have been one of the splurgiest meals I had on the trip, and not because it was that expensive, but because it was just that good we couldn’t stop ordering.

We started with patatas bravas, tortilla de patatas served with a side of pan con tomate, this beautiful burrata with salad and homemade marmalade, and the dreamiest artichokes with alioli and jamón ibérico.

And that was the first round.

After devouring all that, we got another round of artichokes (the star of the show for me), patatas bravas, anchovies with even more pan con tomate, calamari rings, and quite a few rounds of their delicious vermouth, which was also a very generous size.

Every bite tasted even better than the one before—the food was unbelievable, the service was attentive and friendly, and the location was cute and relaxed. Truly one of the best places to eat in Barcelona!

So do yourself a favor and add this place to the top of your list!

Bodega Vasconia: Traditional Spanish restaurant tucked away in the Gothic Quarter

Another one of my favorite finds during my most recent stay in Barcelona is the quaint Bodega Vasconia.

This little bodega is tucked away in a tiny street in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. The feeling of the place is traditional Spanish but with a modern touch.

The food is delicious, the vermouth it’s perfect, and my favorite part is that it seems to be an unknown gem, with absolutely no waiting time, especially when compared to the popular El Xampanyet—which I love and would always happily queue up for.

So if you are in a rush and don’t have time to wait in line for El Xampanyet, this little bodega is a great alternative with fewer crowds and delicious Spanish dishes.

We went with a classic order and had their tasty jamón iberico, pan con tomate, patatas bravas, olives, and vermouth, and it was all delicious!

365 Bakery: Affordable option for on-the-go meals

Lastly, 365 Bakery is a Barcelona-based chain that offers very affordable options for bites on the go, freshly squeezed orange juice, and coffee.

This was my go-to option whenever I knew I would be out and about all day, like when visiting Park Güell or going to the beach. It’s the perfect place to stop by and grab some bocadillos of jamón ibérico to go, some iced teas, and have a picnic.

The sandwiches are good, cheap, and they have locations everywhere in the city, so it’s quite convenient—a good place to keep in mind if you just need a quick meal on the go.

My absolute must-visit when in Barcelona:

Los Tortíllez: One of my favorite meals in all of Barcelona, try a tortilla, the croquetas and their tasty vermouth.

El Xampanyet: Stunning traditional looking bar, affordable quality food & delicious cheap cava.

Palosanto: The whole menu is just absolutely delicious!

Final thoughts on where to eat cheap in Barcelona

Since my first trip to Barcelona, this city has become one of my top favorite foodie cities in the world, and one I’m always happy to return to—to eat my body weight in jamón iberico and anchovies.

I simply love the food culture here; everything tastes fresh, the prices are very affordable, and eating is a social event, with locals gathering any day of the week to share some tapas and a bottle of cava with friends or family.

This is why I really tried to squeeze as much as I could out of my almost three-month stay in this foodie city—trying all the incredible neighborhood spots, historic bars, and casual eateries.

So I hope that my sacrifice of eating all this delicious food in the name of research was not in vain, and I hope it helps you plan the best and most delicious trip to Barcelona!

I hope you get to include some of these incredible places to eat in your activity-packed itinerary—something that I think is fundamental for a well-rounded trip.

Which one of these places are you most looking forward to trying? Let us know in the comments!