Barcelona’s Top Chefs Share their Favorite Tapas Restaurants

Barcelona may be famous for avant-garde gastronomy, but ask the city’s top chefs where they go on their days off, and you’ll often find them tucked into traditional bars, sipping vermouth and sharing small plates. Tapas—simple, flavorful, and rooted in local culture—remain a cornerstone of the Catalan dining experience. Here’s a look at some favorite tapas spots, as recommended by Barcelona’s most acclaimed chefs.

Jordi Artal (Cinc Sentits)

Michelin Stars: ★★
Cuisine: Modern Catalan tasting menus.

Chef Jordi Artal, whose restaurant Cinc Sentits is known for elegant reinterpretations of Catalan flavors, has a deep appreciation for humble yet authentic tapas. His favorite spots reflect his love of quality ingredients, traditional recipes, and unpretentious settings:

Gresca – Renowned for creative Catalan small plates and natural wines served in a lively open-kitchen setting within its dual fine-dining and casual bar spaces.
Bar Mut – A cozy, old-school venue known for off-menu specialties and a superb wine list. It’s a chef’s favorite for seafood tapas and timeless dishes.
Bodega Amposta – A local neighborhood haunt offering classic Catalan comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere.
Ultramarinos Marín – Famed for its house-made conservas and nostalgic charm, this revamped bodega strikes a balance between past and present.
Bodega Gol – A no-frills spot in the Sant Antoni that excels in honest, flavorful tapas at modest prices.

Josep Armenteros (Gaig Restaurant)

Career Highlights: A CETT-trained pastry chef, Armenteros spent fourteen years with Carles Gaig and was named Best Pastry Chef in Spain in 2007. He now serves as Gaig’s executive chef while also consulting and collaborating internationally.
Cuisine: Seasonal Catalan cuisine with refined tradition.

Chef Josep Armenteros of Gaig Restaurant draws inspiration from Barcelona’s authentic bodegas and modern bistros alike. His favorite tapas spots highlight balance—between tradition and creativity, simplicity and depth of flavor:

Bodega Solera – A casual atmosphere with unusual wines, cheeses, cured meats, and small plates. Armenteros swears by their fried almonds.
Palo Verde – Known for cuisine rich in grilled flavors without being overpowering. Seasonal produce, especially their peppers, stand out.
Casa Fiero – Presents itself as a “casa de comidas” with a relaxed, honest approach: dishes meant to be shared, a strong emphasis on product quality, and a warm, slightly irreverent ambiance.
Bar Omar – A Catalan-rooted bistro run by Chef Omar, where traditional cuisine meets international ingredients in thoughtful fusion dishes.
Petit Comitè – Celebrated for traditional seasonal menus and exclusive produce. The offal selection (veal sweetbreads, brains) and the boneless pig’s trotters are a must-try.

“Casa Fiero is a super-cool space with locally sourced cuisine for sharing at the bar or table. Special mention goes to their eggs with shrimp and guanciale & flan.” ~ Chef Josep Armenteros

Oriol Ivern (Hisop)

Michelin Stars: ★
Cuisine: Contemporary Catalan cuisine with seasonal ingredients.

Chef Oriol Ivern honed his craft in the kitchens of culinary greats Santi Santamaria, Jean-Louis Neichel, and Raymond Blanc before opening Hisop in 2001. The restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2010, recognized for Ivern’s refined yet soulful approach to Catalan cuisine. His cooking celebrates creativity anchored in tradition, pairing pristine local ingredients with elegant finesse. His favorite tapas spots mirror that philosophy—places where authenticity, balance, and the convivial spirit of Barcelona come together on every plate.

Glug – Catalan cuisine meets Italian flair, and diners can enjoy creative small plates at a lively bar surrounded by a rich selection of wines.
Gresca – Ivern cites the quality of its products, for always seeking excellence in quality, and for the personality of Rafa and Mireia who have managed to maintain the city’s top quality level for 20 years without often having the recognition from guides and lists.
Coure – The restaurant directly in front of Hisop. Ivern shares that it maintains a good part of its menu with traditional Catalan cuisine and executes it precisely and perfectly.

“My definitive tapas restaurant is El Glug. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it. Well, for its sensitivity, creativity, and the quality of the food, it’s amazing. Creatively, in terms of combinations, it’s extraordinary.” ~ Chef Oriol Ivern

Chef Dani Lechuga (Bardeni, el meatbar)

Career Highlights: Formed by Dani Lechuga (Chef of the Year 2011 and Young Chef 2010), his wife Maria Lluïsa, and chefs Víctor and Jorge, their project has evolved over 19 years, continually adapting to the times.
Cuisine: Product-driven cuisine focused on meat and market-fresh ingredients.

Chef Dani Lechuga, founder of Bardeni, el Meatbar, is known for elevating simple cuts into refined dishes that celebrate quality and craftsmanship. When he’s off-duty, his favorite tapas spots reflect the same spirit—places with honest cooking, friendly service, and deep respect for tradition.

Casa de Tapas La Cañota — We love their patatas bravas, Iberian ham, tomato bread, and spicy chicken wings. It’s a place we’ve been going to for over 15 years — a family-friendly atmosphere and it never disappoints.
Varmuteo — Great variety of vermouths and delicious toasted sandwiches, along with other tapas to nibble on. Informal atmosphere and good music.
La Forquilla — Tapas and small dishes for dinner and an extraordinary lunch menu. Run by a charming family who make you feel right at home.
L’Artesana Poblenou — Notable for its croquettes, tripe, sweetbreads, and its bikini sandwich. Informal atmosphere, ideal for evening tapas.
The Net Zero Wine Bar — Perfect for trying different natural wines while snacking on some of their tapas. An evening spot with good music.
Bar Verat — We love their patatas bravas, pig’s ear, baos and tacos, and their excellent wines. We’ve been regulars for years — without a doubt, one of our favorite places near Barcelona.