Filed under: food, top-feature
Tasty Tapas in Barcelona
It’s no surprise that food is one of the highlights when visiting Barcelona – it is perhaps the number one reason to go, with the great weather and atmospheric culture running a close second.
One interesting thing that I’ve found in my subsequent Spanish travels is that “tapas” really is a catch-all phrase that really just means food. In some cities, tapas can be a snack, like nuts, or an entire meal. But more interesting is that the types of dishes can vary a bit from Barcelona to Madrid to San Sebastien. I find it fascinating.
My research tells me that tapas were not originally a part of Catalan culture – this part of Spain has its own set of unique culinary traditions, many centered around sharing special foods at certain times of the year with family and friends.
However, the tapas culture – which started when bartenders realized that the meats and breads they used to cover lids of drinks to keep flies out also kept their patrons thirsty – has fully penetrated the streets of Barcelona. Here are some highlights of the snacks and tapas treats that are either from or unique to Catalan culture.
Alioli
You’ve probably had alioli at home, or at least seen it on a menu. It’s now a ubiquitous garnish in restaurants all over the world. But the word is a Catalan word which means garlic and oil. And that’s exactly what you’ll get if you order it here in Barcelona, though sometimes it will also have a splash of salt and/or mayonnaise. Goes great on potatoes or on some fresh vegetables. It goes down well with a glass of sangria as well.
Coca
A coca (or coques) is a little pastry, which I suppose you could call a Catalan pizza. That’s a bit limiting, though, because you can find them in a hundred different flavors: fruits, cheese, nuts, meats, fish, vegetables, or a combination. Catalan has several coques that are associated with holidays. You’ll find sweet cocas in bakeries (coca de crema being my favorite), and the most pizza-like ones in tapas bars and street vendors.
Pa Amb Tomàquet
This dish proves that sometimes just the simplest of treats can be the most satisfying. This is simple tomato bread: a slice of bread brushed lightly with olive oil, salt, and garlic. Sometimes it is toasted, and sometimes you can get it with a meat, such as sausage, on top. This is a great side to add to other tapas dishes like fish or cheese.
Carquinyolis
These hard to pronounce treats are actually just the Catalan version of biscotti – same nutty flavor, usually served with coffee but you can get them without if you like.
Calçots
Calçots are a bigger version of the green onion. They’re so famous here in Catalan they have their own festival – the calçotada festival in Valls. Calçots from Vallas are actually a protected vegetable within the European Union due to their specific growing method – the part that you eat is covered with earth so it turns white instead of green. When you order Calçots in a tapas bar or restaurant, they’ll come with a side of one or two dipping sauces, such as salvitxada or romesco, a nutty sauce.
Mató Cheese
This unique cheese is made up in the nearby Montserrat mountains. It’s made without salt and resembles ricotta more than anything else. Don’t order this first, though – it is traditionally a dessert cheese, topped with a splash of honey. Very nice to enjoy on a hot afternoon, after a few rounds of tapas.
Where to Go
Now that you’re most likely starving (apologies), how about some restaurant recommendations? It seems places open and close with the wind, so it’s always a good idea I think to ask around – either on Twitter or travel forums or ask at your hotel – to find out about any new restaurants that come highly recommended. The downside of heading to new places is, like anywhere else in the world, they can be overly crowded, but you never know.
So, those suggestions:
- Can Culleretes (map) : old fashioned Catalonian cooking. Huge portions – come hungry, because you’ll want to sample something from every course, especially dessert.
- Cerveseria Catalana (map): what goes better with tapas than beer? Popular place to sample ‘montaditos’ (slices of bread with various toppings), but very crowded.
- El Vaso de Oro (map): perhaps somewhat on the expensive end, this little place – and I do mean little, it is tiny – has some really tasty tapas to try.
What I’d suggest to is when you go, to definitely eat family style, sharing a single plate for the table. Order just a few dishes – one tapas for each person may end up too much food. Once you’ve finished off what you have ordered, if you are still hungry, order more. This also gives you an excuse to slow down and enjoy your food – which is the Catalan way, after all.
Photo Credit: flydime
