In Barcelona, living on a budget doesn’t mean that eating out is off limits. The city is home to a plethora of great restaurants where the food is delicious yet affordable. Here are some recommendations – enjoy!
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La Taqueria
Where: Passatge de Font, 5
Located just around the corner from la Sagrada Familia, La Taqueria is a buzzing Mexican street food joint serving up a great selection of authentic Mexican food cooked to order by Mexican chefs. As you might guess from the name, the restaurant’s speciality is its tacos with a choice of many fillings including cactus, grilled meat and beef tongue. The tacos are topped with crispy onions, fragrant coriander and a choice of smoky refried beans, zesty guacamole, fresh cheese or spicy jalapeños. Quesadillas, nachos and traditional Aztec soup are also on the menu if (somehow) tacos aren’t your thing. Drinks wise, there is a great selection of beers and tequilas at very modest prices, also making it the perfect place for a night out. The restaurant itself is small, compact and colourful with friendly and attentive staff and a happy and relaxed atmosphere. Given its size and popularity, the restaurant does tend to get very busy so it’s wise to book online or by phone beforehand to avoid disappointment.
La Tarantella
Where: Carrer de Sepúlveda, 98
La Tarantella, tucked away in Barcelona’s L’Eixample district, is a charming trattoria serving up honest Neapolitan cuisine (the restaurant was recommended to me by Italians therefore I can vouch for its authenticity). The decor is simple and traditional, the atmosphere lively and vibrant and the prices very reasonable. Whilst service may not be its strong point, the eatery more than makes up for it with fantastic quality food; their pizzas cooked in a wood-fire oven using local ingredients never fail to please. The menu is extensive with a wide selection of pizza and pasta dishes and the house wines are decent too. If you want to get the most for your money, pay La Tarantella a visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday when all the pizzas cost just €7.
Koku Kitchen
Where: Carrer d’en Carabassa, 19
Koku Kitchen, situated in the Gothic Quarter just a stone’s throw from Las Ramblas, is one of Barcelona’s first ramen bars. Owned by Irishmen Mark Liston and Ross O’Doherty, the small restaurant serves authentic Japanese food and a small selection of classic desserts. For around €8 you can get a generous bowl of ramen bursting with exciting flavours such as miso and soya that will definitely leave you feeling satisfied. Extras and sides such as kimchee, tofu and gyoza are extremely reasonable too. The restaurant is inviting and the atmosphere relaxing, making it the perfect place to spend an evening with friends. Be sure to leave room for dessert as their banoffee pie, although not in keeping with the Japanese theme, is to die for. Plus, costing only €3.80, it would be foolish not to! If you are a fan of Japanese food, Koku Kitchen will not disappoint.
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