My Favorite Tapas Bars

"The hugely popular modern bar Tickets dazzles with some of the most inventive tapas in Spain. Book as far in advance as possible."

Exploring the city’s tapas bars is an entertaining way to spend an evening in Barcelona. Invariably, I begin with the city’s two best traditional bars in the El Born district, then head to some of the new places that have opened elsewhere in the city. If you visit four or five tapas bars, you will have no need of dinner.

Bar del Pla

This friendly place in El Born serves tapas such as deep-fried cuttlefish croquettes and tuna tartare, accompanied by an excellent selection of wines by the glass.

Carrer de Montcada 2. Tel. (34) 93-268-3003.

El Xampanyet

This very traditional establishment in El Born has been owned by the same family since the 1930s. Don’t miss the anchovies, Serrano ham and grilled asparagus.

Carrer de Montcada 22. Tel. (34) 93-319-7003.

Tapas 24

The dish to try at Carles Abellan’s tapas bar off the Passeig de Gràcia is the “McFoie,” a small hamburger garnished with duck foie gras — you’ll want to eat two. Open evenings only.

Carrer de la Diputacio 269. Tel. (34) 93-488-0977.

Lolita Taperia

This spot is popular with the city’s night owls, who flock here for superb tapas such as deep-fried rabbit ribs with garlic mayonnaise — one of the best things I’ve ever eaten — and “La Bomba del Eixample,” a meat-stuffed ball of mashed potatoes.

Carrer de Tamarit 104, Local 2-4. Tel. (34) 93-424-5231.

Bodega 1900

Book well in advance for a place at this postmodern take on a vermutería (versoth bar), a classic Barcelona institution, by chef Albert Adrià, brother of the famous Ferran Adrià.

Carrer de Tamarit 91. tel. (34) 93-325-2659.

Tickets

Also owned by Albert Adrià, this hugely popular modern bar across the street from Bodega 1900 dazzles with some of the most inventive tapas in Spain. Try the “Queso Manchego,” a sphere of Manchego cheese foam with almond oil “caviar.” Book as far in advance as possible (online only).

Avinguda del Paral·lel 164.