A beautiful start of the tour is with the colourful Gothic district in Barcelona. If you are a food lover and in particular like tapas, then you are going to be pleased. The Gothic Quarter has always been one of the most scenic areas of Barcelona due to the structures present here together with the famous small alleys within the city but apart from these it has also some of the best tapas restaurants in Barcelona. In this blog post, we will look at the best aperitif bars that you should visit in the Gothic Quarter during your trip.

1. El Xampanyet

El Xampanyet is a highly rated tapas bar still selling its food and booze since the early 20th century and situated in the middle of the Gothic Quarter. There is a certain intimacy and the food is purely Catalan so everyone who loves food would want to be there.

Must-Try Dishes:

Pan con Tomate: The combination of a simple recipe of bread toasted and topped with ripe tomatoes and a little oil.

Bombas: Meat stuffed crispy potato balls garnished with spicy sauce.

Xampanyet: The house specialty sparkling wine should not be taken without food especially with the tapas.

2. La Vinateria del Call

If you want to get to a secretive spot, you should definitely choose La Vinateria del Call. Located in a discreet alley, this warm wine bar boasts of delicious appetizers and delicious glasses of wine, Italian and Portuguese wines are best sellers here.

Must-Try Dishes:

Patatas Bravas: Good ol’ potatoes turned crispy served with a spicy tomato sauce and garlic mayonnaise.

Gambas al Ajillo: Garlic olive oil shrimp scallops, served sautéed.

Paella: A traditional Spanish food using rice, saffron and meat or fish.

3. Sensi Tapas

Sensi Tapas is the best place for anybody interested in a contemporary interpretation of Spanish tapas. Due to the variety of meals and a comfortable interior, this restaurant provides a peculiar background for tourists in the area of the Gothic Quarter.

Must-Try Dishes:

Tuna Tataki: Sushi made from thinly cut lean pieces of tuna that passes through the broiler and served with citrus base marinade.

Octopus Carpaccio: Squid, cut less than thick, the grains of oil and the juice of a lemon.

Iberian Pork Ribs: Delicious pork ribs with a lots of tenderness marinated in a quite interesting sauce.

4. Bar Celta Pulperia

For lovers of seafood this place is a real Godsend, it is called Bar Celta Pulperia. This tapas bar is inspired from the region of Galicia and features some super fresh seafood dishes. Another attractive feature of the restaurant is its very homely setting and the wooden furniture used.

Must-Try Dishes:

Pulpo a la Gallega: Boiled tender octopus put on potatoes and garnished with paprika.

Navajas: Razor clams grilled and garnished with lemon juice.

Empanada: A baked bread containing a tasty cooked sea food or meat.

5. Cal Pep

Cal Pep is a legendary tapas bar, which pleases its clients; both ordinary residents and tourists, with tasty meals for decades. Pep is famous for his live energy of the place and the fresh components used to prepare the dishes which makes Cal Pep restaurant a perfect place to visit in the Gothic Quarter.

Must-Try Dishes:

Bikini Sandwich: Toast ham and cheese sandwich with a little twist.

Gambas a la Plancha: Prawns grilled and accompanied with sea salt and olive oil.

Crema Catalana: A typical Catalan standalone sweet dish sharing the same concept of crème brûlée.

Bear in mind that this is not even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the great tapas restaurants in the Gothic Quarter area. Do not miss out on the narrow streets and try finding out other unique experiences on the route. Get to taste the best of what Barcelona has to offer and discover the tastes of the Gothic Quarter!

Have you any favourite tapas bars in the Gothic City? Let us know in the comments section below!