A guide to the best paella in Barcelona
Widely regarded as Spain’s national dish, what is more authentic than paella? This flavourful rice dish, packed with fresh seafood, meat and vegetables, is just about as delicious as it gets and should be an absolute essential part of your trip to Barcelona. The good news is that there are a huge number of fabulous restaurants worth checking out on your travels, each offering this iconic delicacy. So without further ado, here is our guide to the best paella in Barcelona!
7 Portes
At the top of our list is 7 Portes, located near Barcelona’s harbour. This restaurant is one of the oldest in the city with over 185 years of history, and it is home to some of the most delicious paella around. The menu is extensive. From paella and cannelloni to fish, meat, salad and tartars, it provides a truly authentic taste of Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine.
7 Portes is a great option for those looking to celebrate a special occasion. With its outdoor seating under fairy-lights and curved arches, the location is perfect for a beautiful and relaxed dinner. What’s not to love?
Our advice? Book in advance as it can get busy!
Address: Pg. d’Isabel II, 14, 08003, Barcelona
Terraza Martínez
Located in Montjüic, Terraza Martínez serves up some seriously good paella. This restaurant places high on our list of recommendations not just for its food, but for its unmatched views of the city. From up high in the picturesque area of Montjüic, be sure to soak in your surroundings, with vistas from the sky to the sea.
The menu has something for everyone. The à la carte menu features standout dishes such as lobster and monkfish casserole and beef tenderloin with foie escalope. Equally, the set menu is very appealing. Oysters and caviar are also available for the seafood lovers out there! At 45 euros a head, the menu provides a taste of everything, most important of course, the paella.
We recommend you watch the sun go down over a bottle of Martínez’ finest wine and tuck in to one of their seven fabulous rice dishes on offer. We’re sure you won’t be disappointed.
Address: Ctra. de Miramar, 38, 08038, Barcelona
Paella Bar Boqueria
Located in the iconic Mercat de la Boqueria, Paella Bar Boqueria is right in the heart of the action. Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the food market, this spot boasts an exciting vibe and even more exciting gastronomy. The paella is packed with flavour no doubt due to the restaurant’s incorporation of high quality, fresh ingredients. Paella Bar Boqueria is the restaurant for you, just off the Ramblas and full of character!
Be sure to explore the rest of the market after your pit stop. There are some fabulous stalls with many dessert options available, from waffles and fruit, to ice cream or Catalan cream.
Address: Mercat de la Boqueria – Pòrtics de la Boqueria, Locals 6-7, 08001, Barcelona
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Can Solé
Another fabulous restaurant located in Barceloneta, Can Solé is an institution in the Catalan Capital. This restaurant has been serving up delicious paella for over a century, with many loyal customers coming back year after year for more. Their fresh seafood is unmatched, so be sure to order some starters alongside your paella main if you have the appetite.
Our recommendation? The lobster paella. This authentic national delicacy, combined with succulent fresh lobster meat, is a joy for the taste buds. Dive in and explore their menu, there are so many classics to discover!
Address: C. de Sant Carles, 4, 08003, Barcelona
Bonus tip
Why not try your hand at cooking this national delicacy for yourself? There are a number of great cooking workshops available across the city that are worth giving a go if you’re looking to hone your culinary skills.
The Paella Club, located in the trendy Raval neighbourhood, for example, is a brilliant choice for the foodies amongst us. This workshop, starting with a glass of cava, teaches you all the best tips and tricks to help you cook a truly authentic paella for yourself.
Address: C. del Doctor Dou, 5, 08001, Barcelona
So there you have it! Our Guide to the Best Paella in Barcelona. From the iconic 7 Portes, to the exciting Paella Bar Boqueria, there are many amazing restaurants to try out on your travels. This national delicacy is not one to be missed in the Catalan Capital!
Sandra Roig
Sandra Roig is Marketing Director at AB Apartment Barcelona. AB Apartment Barcelona is an apartment rental agency offering over one thousand short and long term apartments across Barcelona. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
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I prefer my paella with more liquid like the one at Can Solé. It looks lighter than some of the others shown.
No, sloppy ain’t the way to have paella. Talk to a paella expert and they say the best bit is the crusty layer at the bottom. To get that you have to cook out most of the liquid in the rest of the rice.
That’s why you have to go to a good restaurant. An experienced chef gets the texture spot on without burning the dish.
I personally favour a paella with a bit of bite to it, but it is all down to preference. Luckily, there are many restaurants here to choose from!
One of our family traditions is that on our holidays, on our first evening in Spain, we have to order a gigantic paella, to tell ourselves that we are finally on holiday.
Hi Fiona, thanks for your comment. What a fun (and delicious!) tradition. I might have to start doing the same!
I’ve not been to any of these restaurants. And I’ve still had a couple of fantastic paellas in Barcelona which goes to show the standard of paella in Barcelona.
Hi Steven! Thanks for your comment. Yes, absolutely. You’re never short of decent paella options in Barcelona!