Catalan food: 25 restaurants where you can taste the local fare

El Prat de Llobregat (Baix Llobregat)

If you want to try 'kilometer zero' products from the Baix Llobregat Agricultural Park, head for this restaurant in El Prat. Salads, risottos, woks, and a confit and cannelloni of the local blue-legged chicken, a typical regional dish, are just some of the proposals in a menu based on Mediterranean cuisine that also includes dishes suitable for vegetarians and those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. The restaurant has a great commitment to their suppliers of local and seasonal ingredients, including the famous artichokes from El Prat.

Arenys de Mar - Caldetes (Maresme)

This restaurant run by sisters Lolita and Paquita Reixach is a sheer delight, featuring traditional slow-style cooking elevated to its maximum expression. The award-winning establishment bases its dishes on locally sourced products like peas from Llavaneres, lobster from Arenys de Mar, beans from a farmer friend in Canet de Mar, delicious bread from Arenys de Munt... A favourite among celebrities since it opened in 1952.

Santa Maria de Palautordera (Vallès Oriental)

Head for the foothills of the Montseny massif to eat at one of the many restaurants in the area around Santa Maria de Palautordera. Serving market-style cuisine and located in a beautiful farmhouse, Can Nofre, with the Clos-Rovira family at the helm, offers dishes like fresh prawns from Palamós, grilled lamb chops with seasonal vegetables, and baked cod. Enjoy well-presented dishes in a cosy atmosphere.

Poble Nou, Amposta (Montsià)

This welcoming restaurant offers views of the Ebre delta and fine regional cuisine, accompanied by a good selection of predominantly Catalan wines. The restaurant is attached to a three-star hotel with 11 rooms that was first opened in 2007.

Els Casots-Subirats (Alt Penedès)

With incredible views of the Penedès to admire while enjoying some tasty dishes, the Mirador de les Caves is a restaurant in Subirats with over 30 years of history. In addition to its exceptional location, the establishment offers dishes paired with the excellent wines and cavas of the area. Desserts are another of its major attractions.

Lleida (Segrià)

Lleida is well known for its snails served up in many of its restaurants, and locals are capable of eating heaps of them. Among the restaurants where they're available, we especially recommend Els Trulls since it’s also noteworthy for the quality of its grilled meat, is charmingly decorated and offers friendly service. It has a capacity for 35 diners so it’s always a good idea to book.

Setcases (Ripollès)

Traditional mountain cuisine is on offer here, with top-quality cold cuts, meat from the Camprodon Valley and trout caught in the River Ter, which runs just in front of the establishment. Helpings are generous and rooms are also available.

Calafell (Baix Penedès)

Mr Julià’s father opened this excellent restaurant located near Calafell beach more than half a century ago, and today, as on the first day, it offers delicious dishes made with fresh fish brought directly from the market in Vilanova. Here you’ll find large tables and warm and attentive service. By all means enjoy your fish, but leave a little space for dessert; we recommend that you try a Tarraco – a cake made of hazelnuts, chocolate and hazelnut cream.

Valls (Alt Camp)

The spacious dining rooms at this restaurant make it ideal for groups and celebrations. It’s well known for its 'calçotades', when this leek-like product is in season, roughly speaking between December and March, served with an exquisite romesco sauce. In fact, Valls is the place that pioneered the cultivation and culinary exploitation of the calçot, which has since then spread all over Catalonia. Rooms are also available.

Garcia (Ribera d'Ebre)

The name of this restaurant comes from a nearby stretch of the River Ebre and refers to the pass between the Picosa and Tormo mountain ranges, which was once used to transport goods from one bank of the river to the other. The traditional Mediterranean-style cuisine here stands out for its rice and grilled meat and fish dishes. Fresh, locally sourced produce, accompanied by a good selection of wines, makes every meal a pleasure, and it’s also very good value for money.