Planning a trip to Barcelona? Or considering it? Well, if you do come to visit the Catalan capital you will be in for a treat given that the Catalan cuisine is among Europe’s finest.
It’s location between Spain and the Mediterranean means that Barcelona is where tapas and seafood meet, making for some tasty treats.
Here are five reasons your taste buds will love Barcelona.
1. Empedrat
This classic summer dish literally translates as “stoned” or “paved” and is a popular treat for a Barcelona summer day. This rough looking chunky salad is made up of white beans, olives, tomatoes, chunks of green onion and pieces of codfish. With white wine vinegar and olive oil drizzled over the top, this is a salad with a twist.
2. Allioli
This garlic sauce is an addiction for many Catalans. Made up of vinegar, lemon and lots of garlic, this is the perfect sauce for dunking in a fresh baguette or for firing onto just about anything. If enjoying a barbeque, a bit of grilled pork, chicken or beef with allioli is a match made in heaven.
3. Paella
Although technically originating from neighbouring Valencia, paella is one of Barcelona’s proudest dishes and they certainly use the fresh supply of seafood to make a good job of it.
With a base of rice boiled in white wine and then left to fry, paella can be what you want it to be. Seafood is the normal topping, but you’ll find various different seafoods making the cut depending on which restaurant you visit. And you’ll even find some meat paellas on offer in the city for those not too keen on their seafood.
4. Pa amb tomàquet
This means bread with tomato and this dish is basically as simple as that, yet it is the perfect compliment to any meal. To make this side dish simply rub some tomato sauce on sliced baguette and drizzle a little olive oil on the top along with some salt before sticking it in the oven until it’s lightly toasted. This is the cheapest side dish in most Barcelona restaurants, but is a tasty one and perfect for dipping into any sauces on your plate.
5. Crema Catalana
This is Barcelona’s most famous dessert and is essentially a crème brûlée with a difference. Made up of a citrus plus cinnamon flavoured custard which is caramelised with an iron boiler, this is the perfect pudding to your Catalan meal.
Now that you’re taste buds are tingling, get planning your trip to Barcelona now! The city has some of the best attractions in Europe as well as some of the tastiest foods. Oh-Barcelona is worth looking at as it has a range of hotels or self-catering apartments for rent, where you can have a go at cooking your own delicacies or try your hand at mastering the local treats!