The Best Restaurants in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

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Barcelona is full of incredible restaurants all over the city, but if you’re reading this post, it’s likely that you intend on spending time in the Gothic Quarter. If we haven’t met, I’m Gina, and I’m an aesthetic traveler who was fortunate enough to live in the Gothic Quarter for a short while. During this time, I was able to accomplish one of my lifetime goals of eating my way through this part of Barcelona. In this post, I’m letting you in on all my favorite restaurants in the Gothic Quarter…and don’t worry, I broke it down into dinner and breakfast/brunch.

• This post may contain affiliate links that I earn a small commission from at no cost to you. I only promote places that I love and have gone to in real life. All restaurant opinions expressed here are my own.

• Related Post: My Favorite Restaurants in Eixample Barcelona
• Related Post: The Perfect 3 Day Barcelona Itinerary (For Your First Visit!)

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Best Dinner Restaurants in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

Arcano

Location: El Born
Best For: Dinner

Arcano was my favorite meal I had in Barcelona, so I figured it’s only right that we start here. Their restaurant is located in a former 17th-century stable, and it’s beautiful. They have a 3-tier tasting menu for 2 that lets you sample some of their best dishes, and you can also order à la carte. Everything was amazing – food, drinks, ambiance, all of it! The staff is so welcoming and friendly and makes your already great experience even better.

I wanted to try as much food as I could, so naturally, I came here twice. I tried the tuna and pistachio tartar, braised beef cheek ravioli, octopus, steak, fries, and cheesecake cannoli. For cocktails, get the Negroni if you’re a gin fan – it was perfectly balanced.

Sucre Cremat

Recently, Arcano opened Sucre Cremat – a small dessert shop that sells authentic crema Catalana. This is a popular Catalan dessert consisting of sweet cream with a caramelized sugar top layer…oh, and they caramelize it right in front of you! This shop is also located in El Born and is the perfect treat if you want to try one of Europe’s oldest traditional desserts that’s authentic to the region.

La Alcoba Barcino

Location: Main Gothic Quarter
Best For: Dinner

Ready for some history to go along with your dinner? Barcelona was settled by the Romans under the name “Barcino” during the reign of Caesar Augustus, and that’s how La Alcoba Barcino got its name. The restaurant is tucked into a little street located near the ancient Barcino walls built to protect the city. If you ask me, that’s a cool enough reason to eat there. Not to mention, they have some of my favorite tapas in the Gothic Quarter!

If this is your first time on this website, let me introduce you to my love for a bar or restaurant with a dark, moody aesthetic. All it took was one walk past La Alcoba Barcino and I knew I was going in. The menu has some traditional Mediterranean tapas along with toasts, salads, plus a tapa of the month. They also have a wide variety of drinks – from beer, wine and cocktails to juices and teas.

Just when you think it can’t get any better, La Alcoba Barcino has some sister bars/restaurants: La Alcoba Azul, La Alcobita, and El Bandoler by La Alcoba. These 3 are located close to each other, about an 8 minute walk from La Alcoba Barcino. You are able to get food at all 4, but the other 3 give me more “bar” vibes.

Sensi Tapas

Location: Main Gothic Quarter
Best For: Dinner

Sensi Tapas blends Gothic charm with a tropical, jungle-inspired vibe. Their seasonal menu includes creative versions of classics like patatas bravas, croquettes, oxtail, octopus confit, squid-ink paella, prawns with leeks, and more. Personally, I’m a fan of their tuna tartare, which they casually set on fire right in front of you. Make reservations, especially if going during tourist season.

Similar to La Alcoba, Sensi has other sister restaurants in the city: Colección by Sensi, Sensi Bistro, and Gourmet by Sensi. They all offer the same cozy, relaxed-yet-elevated feel with similar style tapas. In other words, if you can’t get a resy at the OG Sensi, you have options.

Tapeo

Location: El Born
Best For: Dinner

The first thing I’m going to say about Tapeo is you need to make a reservation. As a solo traveler, there were plenty of nights when I couldn’t even get a seat at the bar because they were full (yes, their bar is reserved seating too). The time I did manage to snag a bar seat, the bartenders were lively and the playlist was fire. Think 2000s hip hop. I could tell I was in for a good meal (and I was right).

My favorite thing I got here was the beef burger with foie and wild mushroom mayonnaise, but I also loved their burrata with tomato, croquettes, and patatas bravas. But word on the street is you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. FYI – The inside is small, and not ideal for big parties. Otherwise, nothing wrong with an intimate dinner!

Bar Brutal

Location: El Born
Best For: Dinner

The vibe of Bar Brutal is exactly what it sounds like. With the red neon lights and wood paneling walls, it’s giving warehouse dungeon (in a good way). Their tapas are drawn from local and Veneto influences, and change seasonally based on market availability. However, you’ll always be able to find vegetarian, seafood, and meat options. When I was here, I tried the squid, bread and tomato, and burrata with zucchini and it was 10/10. For drinks, their wines are natural and organic. To be completely honest, they were different than what I’m used to, and I struggled to find one that was full-bodied enough for me. If you’re unsure, ask to sample a couple!

• Pro Tip: This bar looks equally enticing from the backside, but the entrance is on Carrer de la Princesa

Honest Greens

Location: El Born (but there are others throughout the city)
Best For: Lunch/Dinner

After days of eating carbs and starchy tapas, your body might be in the mood for a vegetable or 2. Enter: Honest Greens. If you’re from America, this is basically the Spanish version of Sweet Greens. When I lived in Barcelona, there was an Honest Greens 5 minutes down the street from where I lived and I was a frequent flier. My favorite was their Wild Mediterranean bowl, but I also loved the Summer Burrata (seasonal), sweet potato fries, and Honest Salmon. They have water that’s infused with herbs, fruits, and vegetables, along with wine and cava. I love that their food is healthy AND affordable…oh, and ps. – they have free wifi!

Cañete

Location: El Raval
Best For: Dinner

The first thing I noticed about Cañete was the sign that read “F*CK YOUR DIET” when I came in the door. Some may be appalled, but I love the confidence. Cañete is styled similarly to Vinitus from my restaurants in Eixample post in the sense that you can sit at the bar and get a front row seat of what you’re about to be eating. This restaurant was recommended to me by a girl that I met in Paradiso bar, and ended up being one of my absolute favorites. They have a larger tapas menu, and I loved everything I tried. If you’re a chocolate fan, ask for the chocolate coulant (essentially, a chocolate lava cake) with a side of coconut ice cream. O.M.G.!! It goes without saying, but make a reservation.

• Fun Fact: Cañete was awarded a Michelin Star in 2025!

Story

Location: El Born
Best For: Dinner

Tucked into the end of an alleyway in El Born, Story caught my eye not only because of its dark, moody aesthetic, but also because of the library vibes that I anticipated finding inside (and I was right). It’s incredibly cozy and the perfect spot for a quiet, romantic dinner…unless you come on a live music night! Like many places in Barcelona, they are known for their tapas, so come in and try a variety of food while picking out your next novel from the wall. If you’re on the fence about what to order, ask your server – they have great rec’s!

Mercat St Josep La Boqueria

Location: Las Ramblas
Best For: Sampling different things, or buying fresh produce to go

First things first: this is not your typical restaurant. Spain is famous for their large street markets that sell everything from meats, cheeses, and fruit to sandwiches, wine, dessert, and more. The Mercat St Josep La Boqueria is the largest food market in Barcelona and an incredibly popular tourist destination. You can buy food that’s already prepared and eat it there, or you can buy food to take home and cook later.

FYI…this market will likely be VERY crowded. That’s partially because of its location in Las Ramblas but also partially because it’s such a cool thing to experience. Let’s be honest…we have nothing like this in America! I have gotten food here before and had to eat standing up because there were no seats left.

Even if you don’t eat at Mercat St Josep La Boqueria, I would suggest at least walking through it. This was the first Spanish mercado that I ever saw and I was amazed by all of it: the size, the variety of food, the hanging slabs of meat, the colorful fruit and smoothie drinks, the wine bar, the seafood, the different types of gelato and cakes and other dessert all under one roof!

• Pro Tip: You will also see this written as “mercado” instead of “mercat” – both words mean “market”

The Best Breakfast/Brunch Restaurants in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

Bistrot by Lady Babka

Location: El Born
Best For: Breakfast/brunch/lunch

Bistrot by Lady Babka became one of my favorite places for breakfast when I lived in Barcelona. I would often come with my laptop and order a cappuccino and gravlax toast or a cookie (or, sometimes both…/shrug). The inside is very chic, cozy and welcoming…the perfect place to come with your best friend and sit, eat, and chat. I highly encourage you to try their bakery items and specialty coffee…and you can even get coffee to go! Their restaurant is open til 5:30pm, but if you want a later option, try one of their sister restaurants: Bistrot Granados and Bistrot Turó Park.

Nonna’s Brunch

Location: El Born
Best For: Breakfast/brunch/lunch

Nonna’s Brunch is an adorable brunch restaurant near the Santa Maria del Mar church. They have savory, sweet, and healthy options, and the inside is cute and cozy. You are able to sit inside, outside, or get coffee to go. I am a fan of their salmon toast as well as their pancakes with homemade jam and syrup. Their coffee is from Cafes El Magnifico, one of my favorite coffee shops in the city. The staff is always welcoming and friendly, which makes coming here even more enjoyable.

Lato

Location: El Born (also has location in Eixample)
Best For: Breakfast/brunch/lunch

Lato combines Western breakfast, lunch, and brunch with Andean cuisine to essentially create one of the best brunches you’ve ever had. Their menu has elevated breakfast toasts and sandwiches, along with creative pancakes (pancakes with lime and vanilla crumble, for example!). For toasts, their Hummingbird toast is one of my all-time favorites. It comes with salmon, avocado, mango, and cream cheese, and I will dream about it til the day I die. They also have fresh juices, specialty coffee, and a neon pink llama (or, is it an alpaca?) on their wall. It’s all impossible not to love.

Bloome by Sasha

Location: Main Gothic Quarter (also has locations in Eixample and near Sagrada Familia)
Best For: Breakfast/brunch/lunch

Bloome by Sasha is a gluten-free brunch spot, but you would never know based off of how good their food is. They have pastries, toasts, pancakes, and more, all made with gluten-free flour. I tried the Blossom Pancakes, and they were fabulous. The food is beautifully presented, and the interior is cozy, white, modern, and equally as beautiful. Every time I walk by, it’s always crowded. If you can’t get a seat, try one of their pastries and specialty coffee to go.

The Benedict

Location: Main Gothic Quarter
Best For: Breakfast/brunch

The Benedict is located right near Barcelona’s Gothic Cathedral. They were the first brunch restaurant in the city and are still known as one of the top brunch spots to visit. Their brunch special includes a main course (usually a Benedict or omelette), a drink (coffee, tea, mimosa, or bellini), and a dessert (pancakes or yogurt), all for about €22. WHAT?! Yes, it’s real. If this sounds like entirely too much food for you, you can also order off of their à la carte menu. Oh, and ps – everything here is homemade!

I also have to mention the interior of this restaurant. It’s giving your-grandma’s-living-room, but in the best way. The chandelier is vintage, the wallpaper is antique, and there are gilded gold mirrors on the wall. In other words, it’s adorable.

Milk Bar & Bistro

Location: Main Gothic Quarter
Best For: Brunch/Dinner

Milk Bar & Bistro is located essentially right beside The Benedict and is another top-rated brunch spot that I found. Their website claims they are the “pioneers of recovery brunch” in the city, so you can thank me when you roll in after a night of too much flamenco dancing and cava. They even have a drink called the Golden Screwdriver that is patented as their “hangover cure!”

Even though Milk is known for its brunch, they also serve tapas later at night! If you find yourself there in the evening and indulge in their innovative tapas, LMK your favorite in the comments.

Cremat 11

Website: Cremat 11 Barcelona
Best For: Breakfast/brunch

The first thing I’m going to tell you about Cremat 11 is there is a 99% chance there will be a line to get in. It’s a small restaurant located towards El Born, but it is one of my favorites (and clearly, a lot of other people’s too!). At the time of this post, they do not take reservations, so get there early if you don’t want to wait long.

Cremat 11 is known for their “creative brunch, cocktail and tapas,” and especially their pancakes. They have a feminine, pink aesthetic that is perfect for a girls brunch (and all the Instagrammable photo ops that are sure to ensue).

• Pro Tip: Cremat 11 closes at 4pm

A Vocados Ferran

Website: A Vocados Barcelona
Best For: Brunch, lunch, dinner

Whenever I am asked for food recommendations, I typically tell people to avoid restaurants in overly touristy areas as they tend to be not as good and overpriced. However, there’s always exceptions to this rule, and A Vocados Ferran is one of them. They’re located 5 minutes from Plaça Reial (one of the busiest parts of the Gothic Quarter) and have phenomenal brunch with a ton of healthy yet delicious options.

Of course, the name A Vocados Ferran is a play on “avocado,” so naturally I had to try their eggs Benedict with avocado and would 10/10 recommend. They also have a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes. Did I mention the aesthetic is green, nature-focused and adorable?

• Pro Tip: Don’t get this restaurant confused with Avocados Barcelona, which is another restaurant located 23 minutes (walking distance) from Plaça Reial

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