shopping & eating cheap in bcn

WHERE TO SHOP

• Stores like Lidl, Aldi, and your local/family owned shop will have the best prices. These are best for doing the bulk of your grocery shopping week to week. Mercadona, Condis, and Carrefour tend to be somewhere inbetween price wise, so depending on what you're buying each week, they shouldn't break the bank either.

• Stores like Veritas, Casa Amattler, and other specialty or "eco" stores are great for specific items but can get very expensive if you do all your grocery shopping there. Pick a few items that you really enjoy from these stories (especially if you're a vegan, vegetarian, or simply prefer to shop organic or ecological). 

• Local markets in each barrio are the best for picking up produce like fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish, and often have better prices than supermarkets. Every barrio has a local market, so be sure to look up the market closest to your accommodations in Barcelona. This is also a great way to practice your Spanish! 

WHAT TO BUY

• It's important to compare prices on similar items, regardless of where you shop, as this can make a big difference on how much you end up spending! For example, in Mercadona you may find one cereal box for 1.54 euros and another similar option for 4.25 euros. This is almost 3 TIMES MORE  for a similar product. While the extra 2-3 euros may not seem like a lot, if you choose the more expensive product on all 20 items that you buy for the week, this is an additional "unnecessary" spending of 40-60 euros each week.

• Bring your own bags whenever you go grocery shopping! It is not common to ask for a plastic/paper bag at the supermarket in Spain, as everyone tends to bring their own re-usable bags or carts. In fact, supermarkets will charge you extra for asking for bags. You can buy reusable bags at essentially any supermarket for very cheap. Not only is bringing your own bag more eco-friendly, but you'll save money! 

• Buy local and based on season! It's no surprise that food produced locally in Spain is better priced than imported products. Stock up on foods that are produced in Spain - oranges, olives, grapes, olive oil, meat, fish, Spanish cheeses, lemons, and more! If you shop based on season as well, your produce will not only be better priced but higher quality! Click here for a list of fruits and vegetables that are in season based on time of year.

OTHER TIPS

• Buy only what you need! Locals take food waste very seriously, and are very careful to avoid throwing away food. This also helps to save you money, as you're only buying what you need. Rather than do one big trip every week, it's very common for locals to do smaller grocery trips every other day, just to buy what they'll need for that day or two. This ensures that the produce, meat, and fish are fresh as well.

• Take advantage of the menú del día! With lunch being the biggest meal of the day in Spain, you can find many restaurants that serve 3-4 course lunches for just 10-15 euros.  Click here for a list of some of the best spots for a menú del día.

Can Eusebio 

Vilà i Vilà, 84 (Metro: Paral.lel) 

Stop by for one of the cheapest menus: Patatas bravas 1 euro, a bottled-beer 1 euro, and 1 euro pan tomàquet. A fantastic place to watch Barça continue its world domination on the big screen. In the area, there are many other “Cans” that have the same offer.

100 Montaditos 

Aribau, 242 (FGC: Gràcia); Plaza Urquinaona, 1 (Metro: Urquinaona); Avinguda Parallel, 69 (Metro: Paral.lel) 

This Spanish chain is almost always packed, especially on Wednesdays when everything costs just 1 euro. Here, they make over 100 ‘montaditos’ (little sandwiches) that cost between 1-3 euros. Order a jarra of beer for just 2 euros and get as many montaditos as you like until you’re full. 

El Petit Mos 

Calle Sepúlveda, 88 (Metro: Sant Antoní) 

Traditional Spanish and Catalan food where you’ll spend no more than 5 euros and get yourself stuffed. Try its famous tostadas! 

Bar Mendizabal 

Junta de Comerç, 2 (Metro: Liceu) 

A fantastic outdoor sandwich joint specializing in non-traditional Spanish-style ‘bocadillos’ (sandwiches). Take the sandwich para levar (take away) or take a seat in their large terrace. Try the sandwich with Spanish ham, rugula, goat cheese, and mango, it’s the local favorite. 

Taberna Blai Tonight 

Calle Blai, 23 (Metro: Poble Sec or Paral.lel) 

A great array of tapas and pintxos (Basque tapas) all for just 1 euro. The price is great and Blai Tonight is in a happening part of the city. 

Pim Pam Burger 

Calle Sabateret, 4 (Metro: Jaume I) 

Some of the tastiest and best priced burgers in town! Caramba Carrer de la Cera, 57 (Metro: Sant Antoní) Enjoy great low cost tapas in a cozy atmosphere. 

The Dog is Hot 

Calle Juaquín Costa, 47 (Metro: Sant Antoní or Universitat) 

Great variety and great flavor, some phenomenal hot dogs and frankfurts 

Pizzeria Nico 

Gran de Gràcia, 123 (Metro: Gràcia) 

For just 5 euros, you can get yourself a personal pan pizza. Can’t beat that price. 

Bar Fidel 

Calle Ferlandina, 24 (Metro: Universitat) 

Good sandwiches and salads at an even better price. This is a great place to go when you're hungry and don’t want to spend a whole lot. 

Bistró Rekons 

Comte de Urgell, 32 (Metro: Urgell or Sant Antoní) 

Try the Argentinian empanadas, they’re cheap and delicious. 

Bó de B 

Calle Fusteria, 14 (Metro: Barceloneta) 

Terrific place for a salad and a sandwich. Ideal for taking to the beach. Bocadillos from 3-4 euros and salads from 4-7 euros. 

La Pizza del Born 

Paseo del Born, 22 (Metro: Barceloneta) 

For just 4 euros, you get 2 slices of pizza and a drink. 

Sunrise Doner Kebab

Plaça de la Llana, 13 (Metro: Jaume I)

For just 4 euros, you can get a quick kebab/shawarma meal. There are many other kebab places around the city!