Large pans cover nearly the entire table while the aromas of spice and the sea float up to your nose. Nothing beats this sensation as you take your first bite of the famous paella rice dish. This delicious culinary masterpiece is a must-try when in Barcelona. Even though paella originated in Valencia and is not a traditional Catalan dish, it has been recreated and modified in Catalonia to become a delicious staple in the cuisine, especially popular among visitors. Paella is served at restaurants all over Barcelona, so it can be hard to decipher where you can find the most authentic paella. Follow this guide to find the best paella in Barcelona for the freshest, most flavourful dining experience.
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5 best restaurants to eat paella in Barcelona
From squid ink rice to chicken and rabbit paella, there are many different versions of paella to enjoy while in Barcelona. This Mediterranean classic is a well-loved dish you do not want to miss out on. To find some of the most delicious paellas in all of Barcelona, check out these 5 best paellas that will not disappoint.
7 Portes
With a history going back to 1836, 7 Portes has spent almost 200 years perfecting their paella recipe. Located in Barceloneta, they have an ideal spot close to the ocean to get the freshest seafood for a flavourful meal sure to satisfy. While they offer many types of classic paella with lobster or squid ink, they also stay true to Catalan cooking with their dish of Paella Parellada, also known as arròs a la mandra, which means all of the seafood is peeled and ready to eat. 7 Portes also offers a fideuá paella, which takes the traditional Spanish paella and substitutes the rice with small pasta noodles. This is a traditional Catalan recipe that is also served with garlic allioli, similar to other Catalan specialties. Although 7 Portes can be a little pricey, it is worth the extra cost to dine on this delicious masterpiece, at one of the oldest restaurants in Barcelona.
La Mar Salada
Also located in Barceloneta near the sea, La Mar Salada serves only the freshest fish caught that morning. La Mar Salada prioritizes the quality of their product by purchasing their seafood at the Fish Auction, where they can get to know the history of the product, as well as the supplier. This attention to detail is obvious once you try their paella. La Mar Salada offers six different types of rice and paella dishes. The options range from Norway prawn rice to black rice with cuttlefish and cockles. They also have a traditional Catalan fideuá dish with white prawns and aioli. La Mar Salada’s fresh seafood and dedication to quality are why they make some of the best paellas in Barcelona.
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Diània
Diània, a hidden gem located in Gràcia, provides a gastronomical experience unlike anything else in Barcelona. While most paella restaurants in Barcelona are located close to the ocean in Barceloneta, Diània is set up more like a tavern in the narrow streets of Gràcia. If you are looking for some traditional paella, what better way to have it than cooked by a Valencian chef from the city than invented Paella? He will give you a truly authentic paella known to Valencia utilizing rabbit, chicken and beans. Over time, paella has lost its traditional recipe, but Diània uses classic styles of cooking paella that will leave you with a clean plate as well as more money in your wallet since they are so decently priced at less than 20 euros. Take paella back to its roots by enjoying Diàna’s paella dishes for lunch, the traditional time to dine on paella. It does not get more authentic than this!
Bo de Boquería
In the centre of Barcelona in Les Rambles sits Bo de Boquería. The convenient location and reasonable pricing of their spectacular paella make them a paella stop you cannot miss. Known for its wide variety of paellas and rice dishes, there is something for everyone. They have paella ranging from seafood to chicken to vegetable, as well as less traditional paella dishes such as soupy rice and black rice. There are even gluten-free paella options, and, of course, they also offer the traditional Catalan-style paella of fideuá. Aside from their paella, Bo de Boquería is known for their friendly staff and welcoming environment, crucial to an enjoyable dining experience.
Maná 75
Specializing in the famous rice dishes, Maná 75 has all of the secrets to creating the best paella in Barcelona. Maná 75 prioritizes using local produce from everything down to sourcing the rice from a delta in Catalonia. They also use extreme precision in creating their homemade broth to sauté the rice and create a beautiful mix of flavours. Maná 75 has a range of different paellas including the classic lobster paella or a vegetable paella. But they have created other unique types of paella such as meat paella which includes black sausage and pork rib. There is undeniably something for everyone.