“Food is life!” Ferran Adria once told me, and who am I to argue with arguably the greatest chef of his generation?
There are few places in the world where life tastes as sweet as in Barcelona, and any curious traveller will want to throw themselves into the rich culinary world of the Catalan capital.
While the Great Enchantress is bursting with great restaurants and vibrant local markets, the best way to sample as many of the city’s unique tastes as possible is on a food tour, where you’ll make multiple stops and sample dozens of tapas, treats and libations, as well as getting an expert guide’s insights on Catalonia’s rich culinary traditions and innovations.
7 of the Greatest Gastronomic Tours…
- Barcelona at Sunset: Wine & Tapas Tour (includes 5 different wines!)
- Barcelona Tapas, Taverns & History Tour (features 50 min walking tour)
- Local Food Market & Tapas Tour (best value for money, esp. for private groups)
- Tapas & Wine Small Group Tour (with optional flamenco show)
- Tapas Walking Tour w/Food, Wine & History (most affordable tour!)
- Paella Cooking Experience (learn how to cook Spain’s best dish!)
- Farm to Table Cooking Experience (an exclusive gastro excursion!)
1. Barcelona at Sunset: Wine & Tapas Tour
Evening activity by Devour Tours
This evening tour calls by three family-run tapas bars in the historic Born district, where you’ll get to taste a mix of classic and creative Spanish tapas, such as aubergine croquette with with goat cheese. There’s a strong focus on wine during this experience, and you’ll taste no fewer than five delicious Catalan wines. Indeed, at your final stop the restaurant owner makes his own wine, and you’ll pair that with melt-in-the-mouth Iberian pork, or tender braised beef. The tour runs daily, at both 5pm and 6pm, and you can find out more and book via Devour Tours. The price is €109 per person.
2. Barcelona Tapas, Taverns & History Tour
Day or evening time activity, by Devour Tours
Combine history with food, in this best-selling tour that tells the story of Barcelona from Roman times, without ever losing sight of the city’s culinary journey. After a 50 minute walking tour, that reveals the origins of the Catalan capital, you’ll call by three traditional tapas bars, some of which are over 100 years old. You’ll taste all manner of classic Spanish and Catalan delicacies like cured meats and hams, croquetas, patatas bravas and pan con tomate, paired with aperitifs like homemade vermouth, Cava from the Penedes region and red wine. Naturally, you’ll finish with a crema catalana, the traditional glazed crème brûlée style dessert beloved in these parts. The price is €119 per person and you can book directly with Devour Tours.
3. Local Food Market & Tapas Tour
Evening activity by Food Tours Barcelona
Available daily as a private tour, for just €95 per person (or less for larger groups!), the Market & Tapas Tour by Food Tours Barcelona is also available as a small-group activity every Thursday for just €69 per person, starting at 5pm. The tour begins with a walk around the wonderful Santa Caterina Market in the Born district, which is the perfect place to gain insight into the local food scene – and also talk to the traders and order some Spanish olives, Catalan cheese or fuet (cured sausage)! After that your expert guide will take you to two hidden tapas bars in the same historic district, where you will taste a variety of delicious local dishes, as well as learn how to make your own pan amb tomaquet and drink from the legendary porrón vessel (if you dare!). Price wise, this is probably the best option if you’re looking for a private tour, or a public tour in a smaller groups, as they accept a max. of 8 people even on the public tour. Find more info and book here.
4. Tapas & Wine Small Group Tour
Day or evening activity by Get Your Guide (Barcelona Local Experiences)
Coming in slightly cheaper than Devour Tours, this small group tour is of similar scope and quality, with four restaurant visits in the Gothic Quarter and Born district, and a total of 9 tastings and 4 different wines for €99 per person. You also get a guided walk through these Old Town barrios and enjoy the intimacy of a small-group. One unique selling point of this activity is that you can choose to visit a flamenco show at the end of the tour, for €25 extra, paid to the guide. One of the most popular and best-reviewed food tours on Get Your Guide, you can book it right here.
5. Tapas Walking Tour w/ Food, Wine & History
Morning, lunch or evening activity by Get Your Guide (Travel Bound)
At just €59 per person at time of press, this 3-hour walking food tour is the most affordable in Barcelona, and with food and drink included at four separate stops, it’s also one of the best in terms of value for money. What’s the catch? None, but they do run the activity for up to 16 people per time slot, so those looking for a more intimate, or small group experience might prefer one of the other suggestions on this page. The tour takes place in the Gothic Quarter and is available to book on Get Your Guide, which also offers free cancellation if you have to change your plans.
6. Paella Cooking Experience
Morning, lunch or evening activity by Get Your Guide (Travel Bound)
For a food activity where you do more than just taste the dishes, you learn how to prepare them yourself, consider signing up for a paella cooking class. The paella needs no introduction… it’s Spain’s most famous dish and a must-try plate for any travellers heading to this part of the world, and it’s surprisingly easy to make a good one if you have the right ingredients (and an expert local chef to offer you instructions!). There are a number of options if you want to sign up for a class, starting with this affordable Paella Cooking Experience for just €69 per person. Check all the best paella options in Barcelona here.
7. Farm to Table Cooking Class
Evening or full day excursion by independent partners of Barcelona Life
If you’re looking for something extra special to do while in Barcelona, put this private experience on your shortlist. Your expert guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you to a local organic farm for a totally exclusive visit. Here you’ll take a tour of the fields and orchards with the farmer themselves and harvest your own seasonal produce. Next it’s back to the kitchen to prepare a delicious meal with your fresh ingredients… the farm owners are fantastic chefs so with their guidance you’ll eat a truly authentic rustic Catalan repast. The price per person is €695 for 2 people, but goes down for larger groups. Drop us a line on info@barcelona-life.com to make this extraordinary experience happen! (Prefer exclusive travel experiences? Check out our guide to the best private tours in Barcelona).
More Food & Drink Experiences…
Gourmet travellers out there will be pleased to discover we’ve covered more just the best food tours on this blog, we’ve done extensive research on the very best wine tasting tours that Barcelona has to offer.
Another great place to stop by is our list of recommended restaurants, our extensive guide to tapas (with best tapas restaurants) and some of our favourite vegetarian and vegan eateries.
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