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Paella is certainly one of Spain’s most well-known dishes, and whereas it’s initially from Valencia, it’s proudly represented in a few of Barcelona’s finest eating places. Within the Catalan capital, yow will discover quite a lot of kinds, that includes seafood, wild hare, and even vegetarian variations. So, it solely is sensible to make room for a couple of paella experiences in your subsequent Barcelona meals tour.
What Makes a Nice Paella in Barcelona?
An epic paella expertise in Barcelona strikes a cautious stability between conventional flavors and fashionable twists. You’ll discover a number of completely different types of it in Barcelona’s finest eating places.
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Conventional seafood paella has the identical brief grain rice and pairs it with recent seafood introduced in from the close by Catalonian waters.
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Valencian paella options a mixture of rabbit, hen, and typically shellfish. Many eating places will use wood-fired ranges with genuine orange wooden when in season to fragrance the paella.
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Arroz negro paella is made with squid ink for a wealthy, daring taste. It usually makes use of seafood as the first protein.
Fashionable variations of paella usually discover vegetarian choices. This usually requires including native seasonal greens or distinctive substances.
The important thing to an distinctive paella is the cooking technique, significantly the socarrat, which creates a crispy, golden layer of rice on the backside of the pan. This offers the dish a signature contrasting texture whereas additionally including depth of taste.
Paella is historically eaten for lunch, and lots of locals take time to get pleasure from this iconic dish throughout their noon meal, particularly on weekends or holidays. Nevertheless, there are a couple of eating places in Barcelona that may supply paella as a supper dish to be shared with a gaggle of two or extra individuals.
Prime Paella Spots in Barcelona
The next are a few of the finest paella eating places I’ve present in Barcelona. Every affords one thing a little bit particular with the dish and the ambiance of the eating expertise.
Can Majó
Picture credit score: Can Majó
Nestled in Barcelona’s vibrant Barceloneta neighborhood, Can Majó affords an genuine seaside expertise with beautiful views of the Mediterranean. It’s an ideal spot to get pleasure from paella whereas overlooking the seaside.
Recognized for its seafood paella, Can Majó serves up a wealthy, flavorful dish utilizing the freshest catch from native waters. I really like the way you get an genuine style of the bounty of Mediterranean seafood to go together with the genuine paella flavors and textures.
Can Majó has been family-run for generations, combining conventional paella methods with a scenic location proper by the ocean. I believe it’s finest for a leisurely lunch or sundown eating, particularly on sunny days when you may benefit from the stunning view.
Can Majó (€€€) – Carrer d’Emília Llorca Martín, 23, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
Elche
Picture credit score: Elche
Elche is a family-run establishment in Poble Sec identified for its dedication to creating genuine Valencian paella. The restaurant has a comfortable, rustic vibe with conventional touches that harken again to how paella was initially eaten.
I recognize the authenticity of their Valencian paella, which is made with rabbit, hen, and snails. It actually brings the flavors of Valencia to the guts of Barcelona. Particularly when orange wooden is on the market in-season.
Elche is legendary for its deal with conventional paella-making methods, together with the usage of a wood-burning range for the right socarrat-style crispy backside. When you solely have the prospect to have paella for lunch, I believe Elche affords a memorably genuine expertise.
Elche (€€) – Carrer de Vila i Vilà, 71, Sants-Montjuïc, 08004 Barcelona, Spain.
Chiringuito Escribà
Picture credit score: Chiringuito Escribà
Located alongside the beachfront of Barceloneta, Xiringuito Escribà is a classy, fashionable restaurant that mixes a classy seaside setting with conventional Catalan delicacies. Its modern design and informal vibe appeal to each vacationers and locals.
Of all the things on their menu, I believe their arroz negro black rice paella is a real standout. The recent squid ink they use has a briny, wealthy taste that completely enhances the rice.
The beautiful view of the ocean, making it a perfect spot for having fun with arroz negro or seafood paella whereas watching the waves. Paella is on the market on their dinner menu, which makes for an unforgettable seaside sundown expertise.
Chiringuito Escribà (€€€) – Av. del Litoral, 62, Sant Martí, 08005 Barcelona, Spain.
Café de l’Acadèmia
Picture credit score: Café de l’Acadèmia
Nestled within the coronary heart of Barcelona’s El Born district, Café de l’Acadèmia affords a classy and rustic ambiance with a recent twist. This cozy restaurant is ideal for these desirous to get pleasure from basic Catalan flavors with a contemporary method. Whereas additionally providing a collection of dishes for these with dietary preferences.
That is my favourite place in Barcelona for vegetarian paella. I deeply recognize their use of seasonal greens like artichokes, mushrooms, and peas, all simmered in a flavorful, fragrant vegetable broth.
All the menu emphasizes high-quality substances and a mixture of conventional Catalan cooking methods with a contemporary contact. If you wish to have paella right here for supper, it’s finest to make reservations.
Café de l’Acadèmia (€€€) – Carrer dels Lledó, 1, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain.
Different Methods to Take pleasure in Paella in Barcelona
Take a paella cooking class with a neighborhood chef to study the secrets and techniques of this iconic dish whereas discovering conventional cooking strategies.
Discover tapas bars that serve mini paella or arroz dishes, providing a extra informal and shareable technique to benefit from the flavors of paella in smaller parts.
Go to beachside chiringuitos for recent seafood paella, the place you may benefit from the dish with a shocking view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Remaining Ideas: Why Paella is a Should in Barcelona
Barcelona is the very best place in Spain to expertise paella exterior of Valencia. Eating places all through the Catalan capital supply quite a lot of completely different variations, every representing Spain’s deep connections to this historic rice dish. Whether or not you need conventional Valencian paella, seafood paella, or the wealthy tastes of arroz negro, there are tons of nice paella experiences available on a Barcelona meals tour.
Sources:
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Barcelona meals excursions. https://www.eatingeurope.com/barcelona/
Can Majó. (n.d.). Can Majó – Restaurant de peix i marisc a la Barceloneta. http://www.canmajo.es/
Escribà Eating places. (n.d.). Restaurant Escribà – Paella i marisc a peu de platja. https://restaurantsescriba.com/
Elche Restaurant. (n.d.). Elche – El millor de la cuina mediterrània i arrossos. http://elcherestaurant.es/
Grup Sant Telmo. (n.d.). El Café de l’Acadèmia – Restaurant amb encant al Gòtic. https://gruposantelmo.com/restaurant/el-cafe-de-lacademia/
