Tapas

We encourage you to “tapear” in Spain… go from place to place trying all the tapas!

Since the best tapas places are small we’d recommend that you go out with a small group in order to be able to enter the restaurants and be served. Don’t worry if you can’t find a table to sit at - it's very common to eat tapas standing at the bar as well!

The difference between Tapas & Pinchos

TAPAS. This is the general name for small dishes of food that are served to be shared. They can vary widely and cover anything from a bowl of almonds or olives to a plate of grilled prawns.

Tapas were originally slices of bread or meat which drinkers in Andalucían taverns used to cover their glasses (the literal meaning of tapa is ‘lid’) between sips in order to prevent flies from crawling all over their tasty sherry.

PINCHOS. Coming from the Basque region of Spain, pinchos are bite sized tapas served on top of pieces of bread. They are also sometimes called 'Montaditos'.

The word Pinchos comes from the Spanish verb ‘pinchar’, which means ‘to pierce’ as the snacks are held together with a toothpick.

The best pinchos in Barcelona are found on Calle Blai in Poble Sec.

¡A tapear! Tapas may be cold (like olives or cheese) or warm (like calamares a la romana).

In some areas tapas have evolved into an entire, and sometimes sophisticated, cuisine. But traditional tapas are usually more simple.

Each tapas bar will have its own specialty, and it is worth going from bar to bar to sample a little of each. The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation and mingling as people can stay standing or can change who they are sitting next to as they change bars.

HOW TO ORDER TAPAS & PINCHOS

You will sometimes find on entering a tapas bar that the options on offer are displayed in glass cabinets along the bar top. These displays can be the closest that you will get to seeing a menu. Simply point at what you like the look of and let the bar staff plate it up for you. If it is something served hot, they will send it to the kitchen and will grab your attention when it is ready for you to eat.

If you go to a Basque style pincho bar the etiquette is slightly different. All of the pinchos are displayed on plates along the bar top. Simply ask a waiter for a plate and work your way along the bar and do not be afraid to squeeze between people standing there. Load your plate with the pinchos that you like the look of. Whilst eating make sure that you save the small toothpicks that are stuck in each one. This is how the bar staff will work out your bill - by counting the number of toothpicks on your plate.

TIP: If you are feeling overwhelmed by what to order and have no idea how much anything costs, it is often a good idea to place yourself in the hands of your trusty waiter or waitress. Simply tell them how much money you have to spend, any likes and dislikes and anything that you are particularly in the mood for (e.g. shellfish or local meats). Then leave it up to them to make the order on your behalf. They will know what is fresh that day and the house specialities. This can often be where the best tapas experiences come from.

WHERE TO GO FOR TAPAS OR PINCHOS

Quimet i Quimet

Bar Celta

Bar Tomás

Calle Blai (Poble Sec) on a Thursday evening. The street is packed with pincho bars and is a great place to meet people and mingle. A recommendation from our staff: La Tasqueta de Blai.
Bar Celta (C/ de la Mercè 9) in the Barrio Gotico specializes in tapas from Galicia and serves their wines in traditional little bowls… their pulpo is amazing!
L’Esquinica is a bit out of the way, but worth the trip. A popular place there is almost always a line to get in. Metro: Vilapiscina. C/ Fabra I Puig, 296.
Quimet Quimet in Poble Sec is a famous tapas destination. Be ready to compete for space! C/del Poeta Cabanyes, 25.
Bar del Pla Better if you call and make a reservation. C/ de Montcada, 2.
Bar Ramon on the corner of C/ Borrell and C/ Tamarit.
Bar Tomás Best patatas bravas in Barcelona (they say they were invented here)! C/Major de Sarrià, 49.
Bormuth C/Comerç, 1
Bitácora C/ Balboa, 1.
Cal Maño C/Baluard 12.
Bar Jaica C/Ginebra, 9.
Ciutat Comtal C/Gran Via, 603 // Rambla Catalunya, 18.
La Cervecería Catalana C/ Mallorca, 236.
Fabrica Moritz (Brewery) C/ Ronda de Sant Antoni, 39- 41.