Today Lindsey shares tips for a free self-guided tapas tour in Barcelona’s buzzing Poble Sec neighborhood. This 5-stop tour is a local experience that every foodie in Barcelona should try!

A tapas crawl in Barcelona is unlike that of nearly any other major city in Spain. Few, if any, other Spanish destinations have managed to combine such a wide range of culinary influences into one fascinating, delicious gastronomic scene.

Of course, you’ve got the traditional Catalan fare that’s been enjoyed by Barcelona families for centuries. But the region’s location on Spain’s northern border means that French influences are also quite common in modern Catalan cuisine.

Internal migration within Spain has brought culinary inspiration from as far as Andalusia. And Barcelona’s international appeal has resulted in an influx of gastronomic delights from around the world. 

The result: a beautiful, fascinating, diverse dining scene that makes a self-guided tapas crawl in Barcelona all but necessary. And the Poble Sec neighborhood makes a particularly good setting for doing just that.

This historic neighborhood at the foot of Montjuïc hill has gained notoriety for its fabulous gastro scene. From old-fashioned bars and bodegas to eclectic modern fusion spots, Poble Sec has it all.

The Best Free Self-Guided Tapas Tour in Barcelona

Ready to explore? Here are five spots for a free self-guided tapas tour in Barcelona to get you started.

Note: while the route is free, we estimate you’ll spend anywhere from €40 to €70 per person, depending on how many people are in your group (the more people, the more sharing!) and how much you like to eat and drink!

1. Quimet & Quimet

When it first opened its doors in 1914, Quimet & Quimet (Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, 25) was little more than a humble wine shop.

The original owner, Quim, sold the wine he produced himself in the foothills of the Montserrat range outside Barcelona. With the wine, customers could expect a small tapa, usually in the form of high-quality canned goods.

Four generations—each also named Quim—later, little has changed. The place is almost entirely standing-room only, with walls covered in wine bottles and colorful tins of gourmet conservas (canned goods).

What makes this place so great, however, is how they’ve adapted to Barcelona’s changing culinary scene without losing their heart.

Today, Quimet & Quimet serves up some of the most innovative tapas this side of Avinguda del Paral·lel with the same Catalan hospitality and commitment to quality that’s kept them going strong for more than a century.

What to order: You can’t go wrong with the salmon montadito (small sandwich) topped with yogurt and truffled honey. Wash it down with a glass of vermouth.

Estimated price: €6–7 for a montadito and the house vermouth.

Learn More: Here’s why Spain’s canned goods are of such excellent quality—you’ll never look at a can of tuna or anchovies the same way again!

2. La Chana

What if I told you it was possible to enjoy traditional Andalusian food right in the heart of Poble Sec? Believe it or not, you can. La Chana (Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, 8), will whisk you away to Cádiz, owner Natalia’s hometown.

Following in the footsteps of countless other Andalusians who made their way to Barcelona, she opened the bar as a way to share southern Spain’s culture and cuisine with residents of her adopted city.

Here, you can nibble on traditional Andalusian tapas paired with wines from Córdoba, Cádiz, Almería, and Málaga provinces.

What sets La Chana apart, though, is its refreshing, modern vibe. Rather than the soulful sounds of flamenco music commonly played in Andalusian bars, the soundtrack here is almost entirely rock ‘n’ roll.

The fresh, modern atmosphere combined with the typical Andalusian bites we know and love make this spot a must on any self-guided tapas tour in Barcelona.

What to order: You can’t get much more andaluz than cazón en adobo—fried dogfish marinated in a tasty spice blend—with a glass of crisp manzanilla sherry.

Estimated price: €7–10 for a tapa and a drink.

3. Blai 9

Pintxos bars are a dime a dozen in Barcelona. The Basque Country‘s answer to tapas has gained popularity in the Catalan capital, resulting in a slew of bars serving them all over the city. Unfortunately, most of them lean toward the touristy side, and the quality isn’t always great.

Blai 9 (Carrer de Blai, 9) is an exception. The colorful, inventive array of pintxos changes every day in an effort to highlight the freshest ingredients available. Just keep in mind that they may look a bit different than the Basque pintxos you might be familiar with.

While the customary toothpick is still there to hold everything in place, the typical bread base is often forgone in favor of other ingredients (like pancakes and nachos) to add variety. Everything comes beautifully presented with exquisite attention to detail.

What to order: You’ll never have the same thing twice at Blai 9 thanks to their changing menu, so it’s hard to recommend one specific pintxo. However, it’s pretty hard to go wrong here—anything you get is sure to be good!

To drink, go with a zurito, a small serving of beer that’s just enough to accompany a single pintxo.

Estimated price: €4–5 for a pintxo and a small beer.

4. Palo Cortao

Another fabulous spot that draws heavily on influences from southern Spain, Palo Cortao (Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 174) beautifully brings together Andalusian and Catalan cuisine and culture.

The name of this place comes from the palo cortado variety of sherry. True to its Andalusian heritage, the name of the restaurant is spelled in the way that it’s often pronounced in the southern dialect, eliminating the d.

Their dishes are modern while staying true to their roots, and everything is prepared to order from scratch with love. Their wine list is also unsurprisingly excellent, featuring a respectable selection of Andalusian and Catalan varieties.

What to order: The rabo de toro estofado (stewed bull tail) is to die for, and pairs beautifully with a robust red wine.

Estimated price: €22 for the rabo de toro and a glass of wine.

See Also: Get the complete guide to eating in Barcelona!

5. Casa Xica

Rounding out your free self-guided tapas tour in Barcelona is one of the most exciting Catalan-Asian fusion spots in the city. Run by a Catalan couple who have lived and traveled extensively in Asia, Casa Xica (Carrer de la França Xica, 20) masterfully brings regional flavors to life with fresh, local ingredients. 

It’s no secret that the fusion trend has made waves in Barcelona in recent years. However, few places have managed to pull it off as well as this one. Located in a cozy old house, the restaurant itself is friendly and inviting—a feeling that’s reflected in every one of their carefully prepared dishes. 

What to order: You can’t go wrong with the bao with glazed pork and pickles. To drink, go with one of their excellent natural wines.

Estimated price: €10–20 for a dish and a drink.

Craving More Tapas?

A self-guided tapas tour in Barcelona is a great way to get the lay of the land and start discovering this city’s fantastic blend of cuisines. But navigating the food scene here can be tricky for newcomers, especially when there’s seemingly a low-quality tourist trap for every authentic gem. 

To make sure you visit none of the former and plenty of the latter, Devour’s Tapas & Wine Tour is a must. Along the way, you’ll get plenty of insider foodie info that will make navigating Barcelona’s busy bars and restaurants a piece of cake throughout the rest of your trip!

See Also: Check out our tips for a foodie walking tour in Barcelona’s Eixample district!

Self-Guided Tapas Tour of Barcelona FAQs

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