For any food lover, La Boqueria in Barcelona is a pilgrimage destination.

In this blog post, I’m going to share with you some tips and information about visiting the amazing food paradise of La Boqueria, and a few of the incredibly delicious foods that you don’t want to miss trying.

Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria
Officially known as Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria

Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria

Officially known as Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, but often just referred to as La Boqueria, this covered public market in Barcelona originally dates back to the 1200’s.

Labeled as one of the top food markets in the world, La Boqueria is not exactly an off the beaten path food destination in Barcelona. Roads and Kingdoms recently published an article about the history of the market and how, due to masses of tourism, it’s changing.

La Boqueria is no doubt one of Barcelona’s most famous tourist attractions for some simple reasons: the fresh ingredients and cooked foods available are impressive and it’s a culinary icon of Barcelona.

Market in Barcelona
The displays of all things edible are impressive

From beautiful fresh seafood to meats and jamon, to fruits and vegetables galore, to spices, nuts, and dry ingredients, you can spend hours browsing through the colorful walkways of La Boqueria.

In addition to all the ingredients available there are dozens of tapas bars, and cafes and restaurants where you can stop for a delicious bite to eat.

Knowing that the market would get very busy around the lunchtime hours, my wife and I decided to arrive at about 8 am in the morning, right as the markets opens, to try and beat the crowds. From our hotel located along Passeig de Gràcia, it took about 10 minutes to walk to the market.

Bar Pinotxo
Bar Pinotxo

Bar Pinotxo

Before even walking around the market, I saw that there were some empty seats at Bar Pinotxo, one of the many legendary tapas bars within the market, and located near the entrance.

We immediately sat down to have our first bit to eat at La Boqueria. From the beginning I already loved the environment – the fast pace, yet with a personal and friendly feel to it.

They had a stack of different types of omelets and a host of different tapas you could order. Food writer Christopher English had sent me an e-mail recommending I try the garbanzo beans and blood sausage at Bar Pinotxo, saying it was in Barcelona, the “breakfast of champions.”

So I ordered the garbanzo beans and blood sausage, plus an eggplant omelet, and a cup of coffee.

What to eat at La Boqueria
Eggplant omelet and garbanzo beans with blood sausage

Eggplant omelet

The omelet was served with a piece of toast, rubbed with tomato and garlic (a type of toast you’ll commonly eat in Barcelona).

It was a bit an oily omelet, but it was delicious, with creamy thin slices of eggplant that melted into the thin and slightly rubbery edges of the egg.

Garbanzo beans and blood sausage
The garbanzo beans and blood sausage was amazing

Garbanzo beans and blood sausage

But the definite highlight of eating breakfast at Bar Pinotxo was the plate of garbanzo beans and blood sausage.

Now don’t get turned off by blood sausage; The blood sausage was not a big chunk, but it was mostly used to flavor the garbanzo beans and mixed within so it didn’t really give the dish any kind of irony or bloody flavor.

Barcelona food guide
Simple yet delicious

The garbanzo beans were creamy and starchy, the blood sausage added so much flavor, and the thick olive oil wrapped it all together.

But the most noticeably ingredient for me was the use of good quality salt, of which you could actually see the salt crystals (I think it was sea salt) sprinkled onto the top in just the right amount.

In Barcelona, the salt used on tapas was so flavorful and enhanced the food incredibly well, and the taste of the garbanzo beans and blood sausage were enhanced from the amazing use of salt.

Coffee in Barcelona
You’ll also love the coffee in Barcelona

Finally, I just want to quickly mention that they know how to make some seriously good coffee in Barcelona.

If you love coffee, you can’t go wrong. I ordered an Americano, which was strong, with the right amount of frothy coffee foam on the surface.

Total price – 12.80 EUR ($14.04)

La Boqueria Market
Incredible variety and quality of fruits and vegetables

Fresh produce and ingredients

Similar to Borough Market in London or Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok, the quantity and variety of fruits, vegetables, and fresh ingredients can’t be understated at La Boqueria.

There’s so much of a variety and quantity available that you can keep yourself busy for hours just looking around and admiring. The fruits and vegetables do tend to be pretty expensive at the market, but they do often have the best quality as well as cater to the masses of tourists.

Barcelona
The food filled lanes of La Boqueria

Knowing the market would continue to get busier and busier, I decided to make my way to the next tapas bar located more towards the back of the market.

El Quim De La Boqueria
El Quim De La Boqueria

El Quim De La Boqueria

Another well known legendary tapas bar within La Boqueria is El Quim De La Boqueria.

With humble beginnings as a small tapas bar with a single chef (you can read the full history here), El Quim De La Boqueria has grown into one of the most popular spots in the market.

El Quim De La Boqueria
The kitchen at El Quim De La Boqueria

Something I loved about El Quim De La Boqueria, and about eating at tapas bars in Barcelona in general, is the smallness of the kitchens with plenty of staff, but everyone working together (without getting in each others way) to create incredibly beautiful and delicious dishes.

Again, I knew exactly what I wanted to order at El Quim De La Boqueria: fried eggs with baby squid.

Possibly due to their fame, and also probably using good quality seafood ingredients, El Quim De La Boqueria is far from cheap. And actually I had to hold back from ordering more food because you could easily wind up spending a small fortune.

So I just ordered one main baby squid tapa and plate of fried padron peppers, which I came to love in Barcelona.

Fried eggs with baby squid
One of the ultimate tapas: fried eggs with baby squid

Fried eggs with baby squid

I couldn’t have even imagined a more beautiful dish.

The fried eggs were completely crispy on the edges and bottom, yet soft and runny on the inside and the yolk. They eggs immediately made me think of my favorite fried egg salad in Bangkok.

Delicately placed on top of the eggs was a good amount of baby squid, sautéed in their own ink, with just a light seasoning. The tapa was served in a skillet like plate.

Fried eggs with baby squid
Simple and incredible

Just like the garbanzo beans and blood sausage, though it was a simple combination of ingredients, it worked so incredibly well together and was cooked so perfectly.

Again, the eggs were crispy on the edges, while being gooey and runny in the middle and blended together with the ink of the squid.

The baby squid were soft and tender, with a slight garlicky and salty taste, garnished with baby green onions. Although you pay a pretty big price, it was insanely delicious.

Total price – 32.05 EUR ($35.16)

Fruit and juice stall at La Boqueria
What type of fruit of juice would you like?

Juice and fruit stalls

By this time on this Barcelona food tour of La Boqueria, I was feeling extremely happy, but my mouth was a little bit on the salty side.

There’s something always at the market to the rescue, and I knew it was time to hit up one of the many colorful fruit stands. Dozens of pre-cut cups of fruit and juice fill the bleachers of fruit shops, and you can choose from the huge variety.

I decided to go for one of my favorite types of juice, passion fruit. Apart from it being a little overly sweet for me, it was a dose of refreshment and change of taste from all the salty tapas.

Price – 1.5 EUR

Jamón Ibérico
Rows of Jamón Ibérico

Jamón Ibérico

You’ll have dozens of choices for things to eat when you’re wandering around La Boqueria, but in addition to all the tapas you try, one thing you don’t want to miss is the opportunity to sample some Jamón Ibérico.

The legs of cured ham all hang in a row, glistening in the light, and waiting to be sliced.

While many Barcelona locals would likely order some jamon to go, there are a couple jamon shops that have little cones of jamon ready to grab and eat.

Jamón Ibérico
A cone of Jamón Ibérico to end this food tour of La Boqueria

While I’m not usually so much into ice cream cones, this is one type of cone I’m very interested it.

Jamón Ibérico is a spectacular thing. The depth of flavor, and the chewiness that keeps releasing juices and tastes as you continue to chew, is what makes it so good.

I had been waiting for years to try jamón Ibérico in Spain, and it was as good as everyone says it is.

Price – 4 EUR

Watch the video

Press play to watch the video below that includes all the food highlights in this blog post:

(If you can’t see the video, watch it on YouTube here)

La Boqueria
Outside view of La Boqueria in Barcelona

Conclusion

La Boqueria is a famous public market in Barcelona, and if you’re a food lover it’s a pilgrimage worthy destination.

Walking around the market, you’ll discover an incredibly quantity and variety of fresh meats and produce, ingredients from around Catalonia and throughout Spain, as well as a never ending streams of tapas calling your name.

The garbanzo beans and blood sausage at Bar Pinotxo and the fried eggs and baby squid at El Quim De La Boqueria was the highlight for me. But along with the delicious food, the combination of eating while being surrounded by the market environment gives your senses a complete Barcelona food experience.

La Boqueria Barcelona
Amazing food to eat at La Boqueria

Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria

Address: La Rambla, 91, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Open hours: 8 am – 8:30 pm from Monday to Saturday (closed on Sunday)
Official website: http://www.boqueria.info/
How to get there: Barcelona is a very walker friendly city, so if you’re staying somewhere near the city center, it’s likely that you can walk to the market, which is located along the famous pedestrian walking street known as La Rambla. My wife and I stayed at Cotton House Hotel, and it was about a 10 minute walk away. Otherwise, it’s located right at Liceu Metro station.

36 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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  • vishal kaushik

    3 years ago

    Nice blog. Thanks!!

  • VapeSpring

    3 years ago

    Cool article, I really love it…

  • Eden

    4 years ago

    I’m headed to Barcelona for the first time this Friday. I can’t wait to visit La Boqeuria, the food looks incredible. Definitely stopping for some tapas. Thank you.

  • Kalyan Panja

    5 years ago

    Barcelona is the place to be! I’ve only ever been to Madrid and Seville – loved them both. We’re hoping to plan a festive weekend in Barcelona next year x

  • ELIZ

    6 years ago

    Found your blog and video before my travel. Very informative and updated. Thanks.

  • Dave | Jones Around The World

    6 years ago

    I loved living in Barcelona and going to La Boqueria pretty much everyday. It was right around the corner from my apartment! The fruit juices were so good!

  • Fabrice

    7 years ago

    I love this place in Barcelona. And tapas are so delicious…

  • Cadu

    7 years ago

    You need to go to Barcelona again and again to enjoy all that food. I love that city and I’ll come back as soon I can.
    La cuenta, por favor!

  • ANITA SARKAR

    7 years ago

    Helpful information, thanks for writing and share this information about Bercelona market.

  • Izy Berry

    7 years ago

    That jamón ibérico!! I brought some home for my family and although it didn’t taste quite the same as it did in the market, it was still one of their favorite souvenirs from Barcelona

  • Dan

    7 years ago

    The Huevos con Chipirones at El Quim de la Boqueria look delicious! Both La Boqueria and Plaça Reial used to be the sites of convents, which were destroyed in the 19th century after laws were passed forcing the church to give up property.

  • Mangesh

    7 years ago

    Just been to Barcelona last week. However missed to go to La Boqueria . Tried Tapas, Paella at La Ramlas. I will try this place next time I will visit Barcelona. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂

  • xena

    7 years ago

    We recently got back from Barcelona. We made it to La Boqueria . It was amazing experience but We couldn’t eat in Elquim De La as it was under construction. However we had a really good time. Your blog was really helpful. Thank you again:)

  • Vicki Louise

    7 years ago

    I can’t believe we missed la Boqueria when we were in Barcelona! To say it’s on Las Ramblas (which we walked down everyday!) I am appalled at myself! And that Cone of Iberico Ham is the stuff of dreams! It’s my go-to snack when I visit my folks in Spain because it’s so cheap – but I only eat it as a treat in Australia because it’s so expensive! I’ll definitely be heading to the market on my next visit to Barca!

  • Annie

    7 years ago

    This was insanely helpful! My husband and I are visiting Spain for our anniversary in May, and I already can’t wait to eat everything in your post! If you have any other recommendations or videos for Bareclona, please direct me to them! Keep up the traveling and eating, you’re a wonderful help to other travelers! So glad I stumbled upon your video!

  • EDWARD

    7 years ago

    Your Every Post is so valuable.That helps a lot every food lovers.

  • Tracy

    7 years ago

    Great article and pictures! We were recently in Barcelona but didn’t get a chance to visit as many places as we wanted to. We did peruse the market, though, which was great!

    • Mark Wiens

      7 years ago

      Hey Tracy, awesome to hear that you were recently in Barcelona as well. Glad you made it to La Boqueria!

  • flora guerra

    7 years ago

    Love your show mark, hey I have a friends in Mexico , they like to know when will you visit … Shalom!!

  • frank

    7 years ago

    Hey Mark, I am a huge fan of your videos and love your city guides. I will be traveling to Barcelona soon and I was so inspired by your videos. I was wondering if you were planning on making a guide for Barcelona like you did for Lisbon. I would love to buy a copy if you ever get around to making one I know how much work it must take.

  • Glenny

    7 years ago

    A friend told me to watch your travel videos and i am hooked. So glad i found your work. I’m pretty excited about my trip to Barcelona after seeing your videos. Keep up the great work!

  • Jim Lacey

    7 years ago

    Thank you for sharing, I really enjoyed the fantastic pictures, felt like I was right there.. Spain has always been somewhere I wanted to travel, and you convinced me even more.

  • Deise de Oliveira

    7 years ago

    Great post! I love Barcelona! And the good part is that it is not as expensive as Paris.

  • Tim

    7 years ago

    I was looking for a good restaurant in Buenos Aires, but I think that we have to go to Spain to try this one 🙂

  • Serhat Engul

    7 years ago

    I fell in love with the charm of the la boqueria market, while I was travelling to Barcelona. However I realize that I have seen nothing. I think I did not discover the diversity of the market properly. This is also about being an experienced traveller. So I now have great tips through your post. My next visit to Barcelona will be much different. Thank you!

    • Mark Wiens

      7 years ago

      Hi Serhat, thank you for reading, great to hear you enjoyed La Boqueria as well. So much delicious food to try at this market!

  • Pavan

    7 years ago

    Gone through some of your videos. Mark, let me put it this way, you are the great worshiper of food. Always keep up and let us drench in your videos and blogs. Hail Food????

  • Jo

    7 years ago

    Hi Mark, I just found you through your love of prawns. I am a big prawn lover and there are some pretty darn good ones in Barcelona! But…you have to wade through the tourist traps. Have you found any really tasty prawns there? Please recommend as I will be going to Barcelona again in March!

  • Vidyut – Travel Blogger from India

    7 years ago

    Great post, find your blog by accident. Consider me a regular lurker here 🙂 I travel blog too, but I am just a n00b compared to you.

  • James K

    7 years ago

    Nice post, Mark! Barcelona is a great city, with plenty of hidden gems.
    I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your round the world for food series so far and I always look forward to watching your new videos every Wednesday and Sunday. Are you considering writing up city guides for each of the cities you’ve visited on this trip? Also, maybe once all of the videos are published, I’d love to hear what the highlights were for you and Ying (both food-wise and location/site-wise) and maybe even the not so good bits? So far, I enjoyed your Istanbul series the most – the warmth of the people really came through and I could see you really fell in love with the city and its excellent cuisine!
    Cheers!

    • Mark Wiens

      7 years ago

      Hey James, great to hear from you, thank you very much for watching and for your support throughout this series. I was thinking of possibly doing a live video Q and A at the end of this series and answering all sorts of questions like that. I think my favorite destination of the trip was Istanbul as well. Also, I am planning to write city guides for every city, but may take some time. Thank you again!

  • Marcus

    7 years ago

    That squid and fried egg looked amazing. Imagine it tasted just as amazing. Hope you’re well Mark!

    • Mark Wiens

      7 years ago

      Thank you Marcus. Hope you’re doing well also!