Greetings, friend, to Barcelona – that pulsating city that offers you a unique combination of great food and an active nightlife. In one of the main categories of food experience, tourists seem to find a lot of fun and freedem in searching for the best tapas bar in the beautiful and artistic city of Barcelona. Here in this article, we will help you figure out what tapas are, where you can enjoy them and how you can make the best out of your tapas bar experience in Barcelona.

What are Tapas?

Tapas are small quantities of food usually served alongside drinks which have their origin from Spain. Which do not act as personal possessions but should be social, communal and therefore designed for use within a group like friends and family while eating. The term used comes from the Spanish verb “tapar”, which translates to cover.

According to folklore, tapas began with placing a slice of bread on top of a glass of wine in order to repel the flies. At some point the bread started being garnished with other ingredients to create what is known as the tapa today. Today tapas are a huge portion of dishes, and the kind of them may differ depending on the Spanish region.

On these premises, this paper will delve into the analysis of the Tapas Culture in Barcelona.

Tapping is a popular dining tradition in Spain, and main city of Catalonia Barcelona has a great amount of taping restaurants. These bars are known to draw a huge local and international clientele thus making them some of the most active areas around. If you are a fan of seafood or a vegetarian, you will not have a challenge in finding the best tapas in Barcelona.

Must-Try Tapas Dishes

When visiting Barcelona, there are a few must-try tapas dishes that you shouldn’t miss:

• Pan con Tomate: This basic preparation involves using bread toasted and then mashed with garlic, tomatoes that are in season and olive oil. It’s been around since 2000 and should not be missed if you’re looking to experience the best of what Barcelona has to offer in terms of tapas.
• Patatas Bravas: A special dish in many Spanish bars are these fried potatoes served with spicy tomato sauce and aioli. As any reader who has a preference of potatoes can attest, they are a must try.
• Gambas al Ajillo: This dish consists of tasty shrimp pan fried with garlic and chili. Grilled fish is yummy and that encompasses Mediterranean type of fish recipes in seafood.
• Pimientos de Padrón: These are green small pepper that are flash fried and seasoned with sea salt. The exciting thing for many is that some pepper types are initially mild to a human tongue but can still produce a burning sensation!

Identifying the Best Tapas Bars in Barcelona

Unfortunately, there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of tapas bars in Barcelona, which can make it quite a challenge to know where to begin. However, a few neighborhoods are particularly known for their incredible tapas offerings:

Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)

The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona has lots of historic tapas bars with many of them actually located in the very centre of the city. Stroll through the tight and winding alleyways of the city to walk into unexpectedly fabulous restaurants offering traditional and new world tapas.

El Raval

Other good place to look for tapas is in the Raval district, which is colourful and multicultural. It’s an area of classic taverns with more modern and gourmet specialties and fusion food that is both surprising and interesting.

Gràcia

Gràcia is a district which more bohemians and unhurried rhythms of life, it offers a large number of sophisticated tapas bars and terraces. It is perfect location for those seeking something less hectic than standard tapas bars offer.

Please do not think that all the best establishments serving tapas are brightly lit, or are specifically made for foreigner. It is crucial not to stick to the given tourist’s sites and try to find out what locals like.

Tapas Etiquette and Tips

As you embark on your tapas adventure, here are a few etiquette and tips to keep in mind:

• Sharing is caring: Tapas are usually meant to be a large plate of food split among a number of people and should therefore be ordered in portions for everyone in the company.
• Ordering style: Although most tapas bars have the dishes at the bar, there is a special setup of the tapas bar at Alayna. It is served or you can point at what you would wish to order accomplishing that The server will direct you.
• Barcelona Dining Hours: Remember that locals tend to consume tapas before the dinner that is usually served rather late. Many people begin tapas hopping at around 8 in the evening and continue until midnight.
• Drinks with tapas: Tapa is usually eaten with wine, beer or the most common one the vermuth. It’s also okay to ask the bartender to recommend a drink that goes well with the food that you order.
• Try the daily specials: There are shops, specializing on tapas and some of these propose different plates depending on the season and products. Never mind and it’s always safe to ask the server for a suggestion.

Conclusion

Finding tapas bars in Barcelona goes more as a discovery of flavors for the throat and feel for the feet. For its delicious taste, and the uniqueness of the environment that it creates, it should not be ignored. If you are a greedy gourmet or just an explorer oriented on exploring the specific Spain’s atmosphere, the tapas bar remain an opportunity to taste delicious snacks and start a conversation with people around or with the new friends.