We take a tour of the best markets in Barcelona to eat at! One of the best gastronomic experiences of the moment consists of seeing and smelling all the products that are going to be cooked beforehand. This is a very different proposal to the typical restaurants where you order blindly, only guided by the menu they offer you.
This new restaurant concept is available in the markets and, without a doubt, Barcelona is one of the most avant-garde cities and one of the first to offer this type of food to visitors.
At Musik Boutique Hotel we not only want you to feel comfortable in your accommodation, but we also want to help you enjoy the city to the fullest, and that’s why we present you the best markets to eat in Barcelona.
Markets to eat in Barcelona
Markets have become a favourite meeting place for gourmet foodies. This means that all the products on offer are fresh and of the highest quality. This concept is also reflected in the prices, although this is not a pleasure that only the upper classes can afford, but everyone can indulge themselves from time to time.
If you feel like treating yourself to a gastronomic treat and enjoying the best flavours of Mediterranean food, don’t hesitate to visit these markets.
Mercat de la Concepció
The Concepció market is a famous market in Barcelona because it is located very close to Passeig de Gràcia. Built in the 19th century, this market attracts the attention of any walker due to its tall and large windows and its iron structures, which look very similar to the famous Eiffel Tower.
Inside this beautiful building, there are many stalls selling fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and other regional specialities. In some of them you can buy your fresh produce and have it cooked on the spot. In addition, this market is distinguished by the presence of numerous flower shops that give this space a very colourful atmosphere.
Mercat de Sant Antoni
The Sant Antoni Market is another of Barcelona’s best markets for eating. It’s a great place to stroll around the pleasant and attractive stalls, where you’ll find just about everything. Fresh fruit and vegetables are sold here, but the market has much more to offer, including meat, fish and places to sit down and sample some of its star dishes. The market was built in 1882, but its architecture and atmosphere still have the same appeal as in the past.
In addition, every Sunday it offers one of the best flea markets in Barcelona for clothes, shoes, books, stamps, comics, magazines and other non-food products.
Mercat Princesa
The Mercat Princesa is the most modern market in the city and operates according to a new concept that is halfway between a market and a restaurant. Just like in a market, you can stroll around the different stalls and buy everything on the shelves.
However, most of what is on offer is not products to cook, but ready-made dishes that have been cooked on the spot, so that you can sample the best gastronomy without having to get behind the cooker yourself.
Mercat de Santa Caterina
Santa Caterina Food Market is another of Barcelona’s best markets to eat at. It stands out for its numerous organic and vegetarian food options. It is a very colourful and varied market, located in the very centre of Barcelona. Inside you can find all kinds of products to buy and make your best recipes at home.
But if what you want is to eat well, we recommend you look for the bar l’Univers, inside the market. It specialises in tapas and seafood of all kinds: chistorra sausage, omelettes, croquettes, pasties, razor clams, grilled squid, etc. It offers simple but delicious cuisine, where the best quality fresh produce is brought straight from the market to your palate.
Mercat de la Barceloneta
La Barceloneta is the old fishing community area of Barcelona and is now one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. What not many people know is that there is a small hidden market on the quay.
In the past, this was the centre of the city’s fishing industry, but nowadays you can find top-quality seafood and enjoy the best recipes in the surrounding establishments.
Which is the biggest market in Barcelona?
The largest market in Barcelona and also the most famous is the Mercat de Sant Josep, or better known as La Boquería.
La Boqueria Market is a centrally located municipal market on Barcelona’s Las Ramblas. It is the ideal place to buy fresh produce, although nowadays it has become one of the main tourist attractions for its smells, colours and flavours.
It is a space of more than 2,500 square metres with more than 300 stalls offering all kinds of products typical of Barcelona’s gastronomy: eggs, meats, cold meats, fruit juices, sweets, etc.
Some of the stalls offer delicious menus prepared on the spot with the freshest products, making it one of the best markets in Barcelona for eating out.
How many municipal markets are there in Barcelona?
By visiting any market in Barcelona, you can find out about the history, operation, new projects and all the latest news about these commercial facilities.
The market model in Barcelona has undergone a major modernisation and remodelling process to make these spaces more competitive, with modern facilities and services for the public.
There are currently 39 municipal food markets and 4 non-food markets serving the public in Barcelona, spread throughout all the city’s districts.
Now that you know the best markets in Barcelona to eat at, which one will you choose? If you’re staying at the Musik Boutique Hotel, our staff can help you locate the nearest food markets, so you can treat yourself to a culinary treat and try the best fresh products of Catalan cuisine.
