Best Tapas in Barcelona Old Town: where to eat in the heart of the city
What a powerful (and delicious) quest is finding the Best tapas in Barcelona Old Town.
Let me help you! Because while the Old Town (Ciutat Vella) is packed with tourist traps, it also hides some of the best tapas bars in Barcelona — if you know where to look.
This is a part of the city where locals do still come to eat and drink. But it takes a bit of strategy to find the gems among the flashy signs and overpriced menus.
Here’s how to do it right.
Why eat tapas in the Old Town?
It’s where history meets food culture
Barcelona’s Old Town — the Gothic Quarter, El Born, and parts of El Raval — is the most atmospheric part of the city. Narrow medieval streets, tiny plazas, ancient stone buildings.
And tucked between them? Plenty of great places to eat. Some of the best tapas in Barcelona Old Town are found in small bars that have been around for decades. Others are newer spots run by creative young chefs.
The vibe here is unbeatable. And while it’s true that the area attracts tourists, locals still come for the good bars. You just need to skip the obvious traps and follow the locals’ path.
How to spot the best tapas bars in Barcelona Old Town
What to avoid
Let’s get this out of the way: La Rambla is not where you’ll find the best tapas in Barcelona Old Town. Big menus with photos and English captions? Skip them.
A general rule — if a place is pushing a “menu turístico” or shouting at you from the street, it’s not the real deal.
What to look for
Small bars with a local crowd, short handwritten menus, jamón hanging over the bar. The kind of place where you can tell they take pride in what they serve.
Some of the best tapas bars in Barcelona are hidden on side streets in the Gothic or just inside El Born.
Where to go for the best tapas in Barcelona Old Town
Gothic Quarter
Yes — even here you can eat well. Just avoid the main tourist arteries and duck into side streets. Near Plaça Sant Jaume and around Carrer d’Avinyó you’ll find small bars where locals grab a vermut and a couple of plates. There you can eat the best tapas in Barcelona like locals do.
El Born
This is one of the best areas in the Old Town for a proper tapas night. It’s packed with excellent best tapas bars in Barcelona, from old taverns to modern spots.
Here you’ll find bars doing everything from traditional Catalan tapas to fusion small plates with international flair. The crowd is a mix of locals and in-the-know visitors — always a good sign.
El Raval
A little more raw, but with lots of character. There are some seriously good best tapas bar Barcelona spots tucked into the streets of El Raval — often at better prices than the more polished parts of town.
If you want a night that feels less touristy, exploring Raval can be a great move.
What to order at the best tapas bars in Barcelona Old Town
Whether you land in a classic bodega or a trendy new spot, certain dishes always deliver:
- Patatas bravas — a good test of any tapas bar
- Croquetas — ham, mushroom, or seafood
- Boquerones or anchovies — perfect with vermut
- Pulpo a la gallega — if they’re grilling it fresh, get it
- Seasonal veggies — artichokes, padrón peppers, mushrooms
And of course: jamón ibérico sliced fresh at the bar. In the best tapas in Barcelona Old Town spots, they take this seriously.
How locals do it: the tapas craw
Locals don’t stay at one bar all night. A real night of best tapas in Barcelona means hopping from place to place.
Start with a vermut and a couple of plates at one spot. Move on for a glass of cava and something seafood-focused. End at a bodega with a killer ham selection.
The Old Town is ideal for this style — everything’s walkable and full of atmosphere. . Remember to get to know all the info you need to know in out tapas experience in Barcelona blog.
Yes, you can Join our awesome Tapas tour in Barcelona
Locals don’t stay at one bar all night. A real night of best tapas in Barcelona means hopping from place to place. We are experts making tapas tour Barcelona Spain and while you eat you will learn.
Start with a vermut and a couple of plates at one spot. Move on for a glass of cava and something seafood-focused. End at a bodega with a killer ham selection.
we make the Old Town an ideal and unique experience — everything’s walkable and full of atmosphere. Book now before the tickets sold out.