Where to Eat Paella in Barcelona

Paella can definitely be hit or miss in Barcelona: with so many tourists eager to try it, most versions you’ll find at regular restaurants will, in all likelihood, be subpar. But if you head to the right place, such as those mentioned below — or even learn how to make your own paella masterpiece — then you’re in for a real treat.

Paella profile

But first, a little about the beloved rice dish, which most famously originates from the Mediterranean coastal community of Valencia (just south of Barcelona and its region of Catalonia). This is where the famous short-grain rice is grown; a rice that is especially absorbent, and therefore soaks up all of those delicious flavors. Paella can come in all sorts of versions, from meat (called Valencian paella), to seafood, vegetarian and mixed. Sometimes you’ll even see it tinged with a dark color, as it has been flavored by squid ink (this tastes so much better than you could ever imagine!). Then, you will also likely come across another dish similar to paella, called fideua, which is essentially paella, minus the rice, and plus thin, macaroni-like noodles.

Best restaurants for paella

Now that you’ve worked up a proper appetite, head to one (or several!) of Barcelona’s most-acclaimed paella-making restaurants. Set your sights (and appetite) on 7 Portes, a Barcelona icon dating back to 1836. There, you can enjoy live piano music in a traditional setting while scarfing down some of the best paella the city has to offer. Meanwhile, eat your paella al fresco at another favorite, Can Majó, located in Barceloneta, the city’s beachside district. Other paella hotspots abound, too, from nautically inspired Restaurante Barceloneta, to the waterside terrace of El Tunel del Port.

Whip up your own batch

Or get more up close and personal with your paella by learning how to make it yourself! During a Barcelona paella cooking class, you’ll not only have the opportunity to scope out the ingredients at the bustling Boqueria Market along with your personal guide, but afterward you’ll have the chance to concoct your own pan of rice-y goodness, which you will eventually dine on during a multi-course and wine-accompanied meal. Indeed, the best paella in Barcelona doesn’t have to be ordered at a restaurant, but could easily be enjoyed wherever you’re cooking skills are being put into action.