The Best Paella and Seafood in Barcelona
Thanks to its location on the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a fantastic city for enjoying fresh seafood and delicious rice dishes like paella. From traditional seafood paella to platters of freshly prepared shellfish, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the flavours of the sea during your stay.
Despite paella originating in Valencia, Barcelona has developed its own impressive culture around rice and seafood. In fact, many restaurants here specialise in not just paella, but also in “arroces”; an entire family of rice dishes, including black rice, lobster rice, and rich, brothy seafood rice.
The only downside to being in a city where you are so spoilt for choice is the difficulty of having to decide where to go. Paella is available almost everywhere in Barcelona, particularly around the city’s major tourist attractions, but the quality can vary hugely. A little bit of research can make a world of difference between a forgettable tourist-menu paella, and one of the best meals of your trip.
To help you choose, here are some of the best restaurants for paella and seafood in Barcelona, with options ranging from affordable neighbourhood restaurants to luxurious seafood dining.
1. L’Arrosseria Xàtiva
Source: L’Arrosseria Xàtiva
If your priority is finding a good rice dish without spending a fortune, L’Arrosseria Xàtiva is a great place to start. This popular restaurant specialises in Valencian-style dishes and offers an impressive selection on their menu.
Depending on the current menu, you can find everything from traditional Valencian and seafood paellas to black rice, vegetable rice, and plenty of other elaborate options. Fancy adding something else to the table? There are plenty of starters to share, including dishes featuring anchovies, tuna, squid, and other Mediterranean specialties!
Another advantage is its location in Gràcia, away from Barcelona’s busiest beachfront tourist areas. You can combine lunch or dinner with wander around the neighbourhood’s lively squares and independent shops.
Locations:
- Gràcia: C/ del Torrent d’En Vidalet, 26, 08012, Barcelona
- Sant Antoni: C/ de Muntaner, 6, 08011, Barcelona
- Les Corts: C/ Bordeus, 35, 08029, Barcelona
Price range: €€
2. Can Ros
Source: Facebook
For obvious reasons, Barceloneta is the best neighbourhood to explore when you’re on the hunt for some seafood, but it is well worth walking a few streets away from the busiest beachfront terraces.
Can Ros is a historic neighbourhood restaurant, with roots dating back to 1908. Its cooking reflects Barceloneta’s long connection with fishing and the sea, with a strong emphasis on fish, seeafood and rice.
Rather than limiting yourself to the familiar seafood paella, this is a good place to discover some of the other rice dishes you’ll encounter in Barcelona. Look out for options such as black rice (arròs negre), made using squid or cuttlefish ink, alongside seasonal seafood rice dishes.
The atmosphere here is more traditional and neighbourhood-focused than many of the restaurants directly facing the beach.
Location: Barceloneta: C/ d’Emília Llorca Martín 7, 08003 Barcelona
Price range: €€
3. Can Solé
Source: Can Solé
For a classic Barcelona seafood experience, Can Solé is one of the city’s most historic choices. The restaurant has been serving customers in Barcelona since 1903 and has built its reputation around serving traditional rice, fish and seafood dishes. Its menu is a seafood lover’s dream. Alongside rice and fideuà, you can find dishes such as sautéed prawns, squid, cuttlefish, and so much more.
While this may not be the cheapest option, it is definitely one to consider if you’re looking for a more traditional sit-down meal, and you want your seafood to be the star attraction of the evening.
Location: Carrer de Sant Carles, 4, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
Price range: €€€
4. La Mar Salada
Source: La Mar Salada
For something a bit more contemporary, head to La Mar Salada, a restaurant overlooking Port Vell. The restaurant describes its cooking as seafood cuisine with a modern identity. The menu changes according to the season and availability of ingredients, so exact dishes may vary at the time of your visit. Don’t worry, though; seafood and fish do remain at the heart of the menu.
Location: Pg. de Joan de Borbó, 58, 59, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
Price range: €€–€€€
5. Can Majo
Source: Facebook
When it comes to rice dishes and seafood, another Barceloneta favourite is Can Majó. Located close to the seafront, this restaurant specialises in Mediterranean seafood cuisine and is a great choice if you want the classic experience of enjoying a long seafood meal near the beach.
The paella and assorted rice dishes are highlighted, but seafood lovers should also keep an eye out for the restaurant’s selection of fresh fish and shellfish.
The combination of its location and seafood-focused menu makes Can Majó particularly appealing for lunch after a morning exploring Barceloneta or enjoying the beach.
Location: Carrer d’Emília Llorca Martín, 23, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
Price range: €€€
6. 7 Portes
Source: 7 Portes
Few restaurants in Barcelona are as closely connected to the culinary history of the city as 7 Portes. Founded in 1836, this historic restaurant is particularly famous for its Paella Parellada. Sometimes described as a more convenient version of paella, the seafood and meat come pre-prepared, so diners don’t have to deal with bones and shells whilst eating.
Paella and other rice dishes are a major part of the restaurant’s identity, but the menu also offers plenty of traditional Catalan and Mediterranean cooking.
The restaurant’s elegant dining rooms and long history make the experience quite different from eating paella at a casual beach restaurant.
Location: Pg. d’Isabel II, 14, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
Price range: €€€
7. Botafumeiro
Source: Botafumeiro
At the opposite end of the budget spectrum is Botafumeiro, one of Barcelona’s best-known luxury seafood restaurants. Opened in 1975, Botafumeiro combines Galician and Mediterranean seafood traditions. The restaurant selects fish and shellfish from markets in Galicia and Catalonia, with a menu centered around premium seafood, wild fish, and traditional preparations.
If you want paella, you’ll find options including traditional seafood paella, black rice with baby squid, and luxurious lobster rice.
This restaurant offers an incredible seafood experience as a whole. Oysters, lobster, crab, prawns and so many more features on the menu. A great destination for those wanting a premium dining experience, possibly for an important celebration.
Location: C/ Gran de Gràcia, 81, Gràcia, 08012 Barcelona
Price range: €€€€
Whether you’re looking for a traditional seafood paella by the coast, a local neighbourhood restaurant, or a memorable seafood dining experience, Barcelona offers plenty of excellent options to discover. From historic establishments with decades of culinary tradition to modern restaurants showcasing the best Mediterranean ingredients, these spots are a great way to enjoy the city’s unique rice and seafood culture. While paella may have its origins in Valencia, Barcelona has truly made these dishes its own, offering visitors countless opportunities to taste the flavours of the Mediterranean.
