Eating in Barcelona by Budget

By Joan. I have lived here for 16 years and I have eaten at every level on this page, usually in the same week.

Quick answer: the best value in Barcelona is a weekday menu del dia at a neighbourhood bar, from about 13 to 15 euros for several courses. Do that at lunch, graze on tapas at night, and a short trip costs far less than the restaurant guides suggest.

You can eat in Barcelona for 10 euros or for 60 euros depending on where you go. Here is what each budget actually gets you and how I would split the spending over two days. Prices change, so check the current one before you plan around any of these.

Budget, under 15 euros

A bocadillo, which is a filled baguette, from 4 to 6 euros. A slice of tortilla, market stalls, or a weekday menu del dia at a neighbourhood bar from 13 to 15 euros. Markets like Santa Caterina and Sant Antoni have stalls and bars far cheaper than the famous Boqueria, and that is the swap I would make first.

Mid-range, 15 to 35 euros

Tapas bars and casual Catalan restaurants off the tourist streets. Shared plates, a glass or two of local wine or vermut, and a slow pace. This is where most visitors on a short trip should be, and where I eat most of the time myself.

Sit-down, 35 to 60 euros

Proper Catalan and seafood restaurants in the Eixample, El Born and Barceloneta, with paella, fideua, grilled fish and a real wine list. Book ahead at weekends. A tasting of regional dishes with wine sits at this level too.

What a typical item costs

Coffee from 1.50 to 2.50 euros. A beer or a vermut from 2.50 to 4 euros. A glass of house wine from 3 to 5 euros. A main course from 12 to 22 euros. Bread and water are sometimes charged, which surprises visitors more than it should, so read the bill.

My two-day strategy

Eat the big meal at lunch with a menu del dia, then graze on tapas at night. Spend one of your two dinners on something you chose on purpose. If the budget is tight, that one dinner is where the money should go. If you are travelling with children, the menu del dia is also the easiest option, because it arrives fast. A guided food tour can be good value because it bundles several tastings and drinks into one price.

Nobody needs to spend a lot to eat well here. Spend it once, deliberately, and let the rest of the trip be bread, tomato and a glass of something cold.