Planning a trip to Barcelona soon? Here's a list of food we tried and enjoyed while there last Christmas 2019 including prices and location.
It was 8 am when our Emirates plane landed in El Prat Airport in Barcelona. We were all exhausted , badly needed a nap, a hot shower and some hot food . But we were all excited and wanted to hit the ground running.
It was a cold 16C when we found ourselves on the prowl for brunch. We arrived at our airbnb abode at Avinguda Diagonal 325 at 930 am and the check in was smooth and problem free. Dropped all our luggage and promptly just passed out on our beds for a much needed power nap.
We were all set and ready for the cold with our heat tech shirts, wool coat, scarves, etc. We set out on foot towards Valencia Street just planning to hit the first resto we see.
Our very first meal happened in 365 Cafe which we did not know then was actually a chain of restaurants you can find almost at every corner in Barcelona.
It was our first of 10 days in this city. . It was a Saturday December 21 and will be our 6th Christmas vacation outside the Philippines in 6 years.
My first impressions?
1. Public smoking is allowed.
2.Architecture was amazing
3. It was a treat walking around in the cool weather
4. Freshly baked bread everywhere! Yay!
We ticked off the following in our list.
1. Pintxos
Per our Sommelier Javier Roquefort, Pintxos means tooth pick literally. To distinguish it from tapas, you actually order pintxos (pronounced pinchos ) by piece.
In the Food Crawl of 4 restaurants we booked via Viator Travel during our first night , the first stop was La Esquinita de Blai. The pintxos were laid out like a buffet . You get a plate and get what you want. Do remember to keep the toothpicks because those will be the basis for your la cuenta or bill in Spanish.
Delightfully surprised that there were dessert pintxos too!
My favorites are the ones with cod, boquerinos and there's another pintxos we tasted at Casa Lola in Rambla that has goat cheese,sesame seed and honey... sublime!
Best paired with Cava which is Spain's version of Prosecco in Italy and Champagne in France. A glass of cava starts at 4,5 Euros
Price range : starts at 1.50 Euro each (La Esquinita de Blai, Carrer de Blai 16, 08004 Barcelona Spain, IG @laesquinitadeblai )
Watch out for my blog post about our FOOD CRAWL IN BARCELONA soon at https://www.piggingoutonsundays.com
2.Bocadillos
The bocadillo or bocata, in Spain, is a sandwich made with Spanish bread, usually a baguette or similar type of bread, cut lengthwise. Traditionally seen as a humble food, its low cost has allowed it to evolve over time into an iconic piece of cuisine. In Spain, they are often eaten in cafes and tapas bars- Wikipedia
The first meal we had in Barcelona was at 365 Cafe along Valencia street a few minutes from our Airbnb abode along Avinguda ( also called Avenida, like how we call it in Manila) Diagonal 325.
Give me freshly baked bread anytime and Im a happy camper. I had mine with Iberico Ham of course and it was absolutely divine. That Iberico ham was just outstanding and it was not even the expensive kind yet!
First Spanish hot chocolate and Americano we tasted and both were amazing. The hot chocolate was really dark and dense. All of us dunked our bocadillo in that sinful pool and just about closed our eyes in pure rapture. Americano was strong and robust. Just the perfect cure for jet lag.
It was around 11am in Barcelona and about 8pm in Manila
Price : A 12' baguette sandwich with Iberico or Serrano starts at 4 Euros
365 Cafe, Carrer de Valencia, 321 08009 Barcelona Spain
3. Hot Chocolate
I think the best chocolates are in Barcelona.Why? All of the hot chocolate we ordered during our 10 day vacay were amazingly good!
Think dark chocolate ganache! Now if only I could find some churros right at that moment. There was none at the cafe so consoled myself with dunking a freshly baked chocolate croissant and bocadillos into that liquid dark pool...ambrosia
4.Churros
Omg churros! Finally had it on our second day at 7am still dark at Farggi Cafe along Placa Catalunya while waiting for the bus that will take the family to the amazing Montserrat. Sunrise is at 830 am (ish)
The churros were long , thick , not oily and chewy specially when you dunk it in that rich dark chocolate pool of sin.
If I were you though, I would eat them churros at Xurreria , a kiosk or stall all over Barcelona where you can have a cone of 6 churros and hot chocolate for 5,5 Euros.
Xurreria Passeig de Sant Joa 85 08009 Barcelona Spain
5.Xiuxio ^, 80 Euros ( or less than 1 Euro per piece)
Pronounced chucho, this pastry is reminiscent of our bicho bicho but with Catalan Creme inside.
What is Catalan Cream? Think Cream Anglais or Bavarian Cream. It is actually a famous staple in Girona ( of the GOT) fame where we went on our 3rd day.
Tried this at Martina Sweet Cake Carrer de a forca 1 Girona Spain
IG @martinasweetcakes
6.Huevos Rotos or Huevos de Corral Con Ceccina Iberica 9,50 Euros
Literally 'broken eggs' so named because this plate of what looked like french fries and ham was topped with egg which you break all over the dish. Bueno!
Tried this at Denassus located at Carrer de Blai 53, 08004 Barcelona
IG @denassus
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| Photo was taken during our lunch @casalolabcn |
The other version we tasted was @casalolabcn at Rambla Catalunya 70 which was a 15 minute walk from our airbnb home.
7.Paella Negra
Enjoyed this as one of our mains for our Christmas Dinner. This restaurant called Kook has not disappointed us yet.
Paella , a portmanteau of para meaning for and Ella meaning her or FOR HER was originally created for the Queen . Yes the her alludes to The Queen.
The 12' paellera was meant for two but can actually be shared by 3. Do not forget to squeeze some lemon all over it and mix in the aioli before attacking.
Omg , each rice granule just absorbed all the squid ink like sponge so that every mouthful gave you the taste of that cephalopod and the ocean. The aioli gave the whole ensemble another layer of flavor and texture elevating the dish to a whole new tier of gastronomic experience.
Price : 14 Euros for a 10' pan
Kook is located at Passeig de Sant Joan 85 08009 Barcelona Spain
8.Paella Mixta
That tomato based paella is reminiscent of caldereta in Manila marrying with the flavors of the sea. Another favorite of mine, I am amazed how succulent the shrimp, langostine, clams and mussels were.
When you order Paella in Barcelona, be prepared to wait at least 25 minutes for it. After all perfection takes time.
Price : 14 Euros for a 12' pan
Caffeteria Interval Placa Ajuntament 9, 17600 Figueres Girona Spain
9.Butifarra
Butifarra is a juicy, mild farmhouse sausage originating in Catalunya. Seasoned with black pepper and garlic, it is one of our favorite grilling sausages. - www. tienda. com
Tried Butifarra for the first time at Interval in Figueres just right after we enjoyed Dali's Museum. We were all famished and naturally we wanted to eat authentic Spanish food.
My Butifarra was huge, juicy and flavorful. I loved that the whole dish included grilled eggplant, red bell pepper and onion. You eat them all together and I was astounded how they all those flavors and textures blended together as one and basically became a party in your mouth
Price : 7,5 Euros
Adress; See Caffeteria Interval above
10. Pulpo
Nothing beats the palengke for fresh produce and bounties from the sea. That is why we can not leave Barcelona without trying Mercat La Boqueria along La Rambla.
Think Kuromon in Osaka and Tsukiji in Tokyo .Albeit a tourist trap, La Boqueria is an exciting and vibrant place one must try while in Barcelona.
Price :17 Euros for that pulpo.
Posting a blog about our La Boqueria soon. Check it out in my website https;//www.piggingoutonsundays,com
Check out Pez Gordo Marisqueria inside La Boqueria at La Rambla
11. Iberico Ham
Spent 4 Euros for that cone of Iberico. It contained about 4 slices. Nobody beats Spain when it comes to Iberico.
Check out the tags on those tasty legs. Black tags are the most expensive. Red is a little cheaper . White tag is the cheapest.
You can find Iberico in restaurants and groceries in Barcelona but the most exciting find is the one in Mercat de la Boqueria along La Rambla
12. Pimientos de Pardon
Also called Padron Peppers or blistered peppers., it is one of the must-try Spanish Tapa in my list. None of the piggery would even try however. So me and the handsome hubby had the plate all to ourselves.
It was tasty with Maldon salt.
Price: 4,7 Euros
Taller de Tapas Rambla e Catalunya 49 Barcelona. It has 6 branches all over Barcelona
13. La Bomba
Think mashed potato and beef formed into a ball then deep fried. Reminiscent of croquetta, it was really good with a little kick because of that red sauce on top tempered by the creamy aioli.
Price : 3,9 Euros
Enjoyed this La Bomba at Taller de Tapas at Rambla Catalunya
14. Cava & Wine
Cava is the Spanish version of what is known as Prosecco in Italy and Champagne in France. Had a taste of Cava and different reds and white during our Food & Wine with Sommelier Tour which I booked from Viator app and our Montserrat adventure via Klook which included a visit to a Winery and unlimited red and white.
Price of a glass of Cava & Red/White starts at 3,5 Euros
We would have wanted to try Cochinillo. I googled it and did not get anywhere. We were told it was best to try it in Madrid. Oh well good enough reason to visit Spain again soon.
Hasta lluego Espana!
For any questions you may have, just comment on the space below and I will answer as best as I can:)
Gracias to our generous and muy guapo sponsor -- the handsome hubby! haha
