Mention Barcelona and most people think of F.C Barcelona, Gaudi and tapas. But what about churros? The fried-dough pastry is a supremely popular snack in Spain, and especially so in Barcelona. They can either be thin or thick, usually eaten with a chocolate dip, or has fillings inside like cream and chocolate. Dusted with powdered sugar, eating churros in Barcelona is a very quintessential Spanish thing to do.

Churros with hot chocolate dip is a pair made in heaven. We don’t love churros because it is good or healthy; we love churros because it is bad, sinful and every bite makes you go crazy. Here is a guide on 7 of the best churros that you can find in Barcelona.

CHURRERIA MANUEL SAN ROMAN

Don’t be surprised to see a line outside Churreria Manuel San Roman, a small no-frills churros shop that has been around since 1969.

The chocolate coated Churros are lip-smackingly good. It was so good that we gobbled down a bag of churros within minutes, and went back to the shop to grab another portion for supper that night.

Carrer dels Banys Nous, 8
08002 Barcelona
Tel: +34 934 53 25 82
Mon to Sat: 9am – 8.30pm
Nearest Metro: Liceu

XURRERIA EL TREBOL

Right at one end of Passeig de Gracia – near to Diagonal station – is Xurreria El Trebol, which has been around since 1950. Here, they serve three types of churros – original, chocolate and cinnamon. We can’t decide if the chocolate or cinnamon was more satisfying.

Xurreria El Trebol is also quite possibly the only xurreria in Barcelona that opens 24 hours during the weekends. If you are craving for Spanish doughnuts at night, make your way here and get your churros fix.

Carrer de Còrsega, 341
08037 Barcelona Tel: +34 932 179 594
Mon to Thu: 9am – 9pm
Fri to Sun: 24 hours
Nearest Metro: Diagonal

GRANJA DULCINEA XOCOLATERIA

Established in 1941, Granja Dulcinea Xocolateria is an institution in Barcelona. The cafe sits pretty near to La Ramblas, making it the perfect pitstop for a churros break after exploring the area.

The highlight is the Churros (€1.60), of course. But what makes Granja Dulcinea stand out – among all the churros places in Barcelona – is its hot chocolate (€2.90 – €4.20) which comes in different variations of caramel cream, Catalan cream, yogurt, and cottage cheese with sugar. So rich, so decadent, so heavenly. Besides churros, it also offers snacks like croissants, waffles and sandwiches.

Carrer de Petritxol, 2
08002 Barcelona
Tel: +34 933 02 68 24
Daily: 9am – 1pm, 5pm – 9pm
Nearest Metro: Liceu

GRANJA M VIADER

Tucked in an alley near to Barcelona’s famous La Boqueria market, Granja M Viader is an old-school cafe that has been serving coffee, pastries, hot chocolate and churros since 1870.

When you are in the Les Rambles area, be sure to drop by to try the signature Cacaolat – a chocolate milk drink first invented by Granja M Viader – and of course, piping hot churros.

Carrer d’en Xuclà 6
08001 Barcelona
Tel: +34 93 318 34 86
Mon to Sat: 9am – 1.30pm, 5pm – 9pm
Nearest Metro: Liceu

XURRERIA LAIETANA

Going on a mission for Spanish churros is going to take a toll on your waistline, but the churros at Xurreria Laietana will definitely make it worth the while. Situated near Barcelona Cathedral, this churros shop has been diligently serving churros to its regulars over the past 29 years.

There is only one item on the menu – Chocolate Con Churros (€3). There isn’t any seat, but you can always stand around the bar and watch the owner prepare the churros.

Via Laietana, 46
08003 Barcelona
Tel: +34 932 68 12 63
Mon to Fri: 7am – 1.30pm, 4.30pm – 8.30pm
Sun: 7.30am – 1.30pm
Nearest Metro: Urquinaona

XURRERIA SAGRADA FAMILIA

Located just a stone’s throw from Sagrada Familia – the most famous landmark in Barcelona – Xurreria Sagrada Familia is a good option if you want awesome churros. It may look like a tourists’ trap, but have faith, step in, and place your order and you are on your way to churros’ heaven.

They have five different flavours – original, nutella, dulce de leche, cream Frankfurt and cream and chocolate. Get a dough stick or two here, then head over to the adjacent park to admire Sagrada Familia while munching on some churros.

Plaça de la Sagrada Família
Tel: +34 934 58 25 60
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Metro: Sagrada Familia

For more recommendations, read our guide to Barcelona’s Top 11 Tapas Bars that you have to visit at least once.

Eating tapas is a quintessential thing to do when in Barcelona, and the variations are aplenty so there will always be something to try every day. Call it a lifestyle maybe, and we really love how the Spanish indulge in the art of waking up late and lingering around tapas bars when the whole world is hard at work.

We bar-hopped every day when in Barcelona, ate more tapas in one week than we ever did in our whole lives, and our perceptions will never be the same again. Because apart from the interesting creations that we would never otherwise get in Singapore, eating tapas and sipping wine in Barcelona is an exceptionally sexy thing to do – especially when you sit outdoors on tree-lined paths, and when you have Latino music looping in the background

Here is our guide to Barcelona’s Top 11 Tapas Bars that you must try at least once in your life.

BAR PINOTXO

Ask anyone where the best tapas could be found and they would tell you Bar Pinotxo. Despite being internationally recognized and loved by its locals, Bar Pinotxo remains small and humble. The eatery is found in the local La Boqueria Market’s entrance and only 14 seats are available. The place is packed to the brim throughout the day and the process of queueing and waiting for a seat is an arduous journey undertaken only by the diehard foodies.

The bamboo clams and grilled prawns tapas are cooked to perfection and indeed, no other tapas we had after could match up to Bar Pinoxto’s superior standards. The downsides would be the waiting time and costly menu.

Carrer la Rambla, 89, 08002 Barcelona
Tel: +34 933 17 17 31
Mon to Sun: 6am – 4pm
Nearest Metro: Liceu

BILBAO BERRIA

Lively, vibrant and full of energy, Bilbao Berria is a fun tapas bar to dine at. Choose pintxos from the bar – they have an amazing selection with anything from egg sandwich to Jamon with fried green pepper and octopus & potato skewers. So many kinds of deliciousness on sticks, that’s how we’d describe it. Wash down everything with a jar of sangria. Life is perfect.

You can also order main course such as Paella with Seafood (€12.50), Stewed Codfish (€15), Oven Roasted Lamb Back (€17.50) from the kitchen.

Plaça Nova, 3, 08002 Barcelona
Tel: +34 933 17 01 24
Daily: 8am – 12 midnight
Nearest Metro: Liceu/Jaume L

CERVECERIA CATALANA

This is our absolute favourite tapas restaurant in Barcelona. Locals and tourists alike flock to Cervecería Catalana every day for tapas and drinks. It is perpetually crowded during meal times, so your best bet is to get here early. Otherwise, you have to be prepared to stand in line for at least 30-45 minutes. We would suggest getting a seat at the tapas bar because not only is the queue shorter, you can also catch all the actions unfolding right before your eyes.

Do not leave Barcelona without having a meal at Cervecería Catalana.

Carrer de Mallorca, 236, 08008 Barcelona
Tel: +34 932 16 03 68
Mon to Sat: 8am – 1.30am
Sun: 9am – 1.30am
Nearest Metro: Passeig de Gràcia

COMBAT CIUTAT

Conveniently located in the heart of Passeig de Gràcia, Combat Ciutat has established itself as the leading tapas restaurant in Barcelona for its exceptional tapas in a lively atmosphere.

Get the Assorted Tapas (€15.65) – with prawns, clams, green pepper, fried small fishes, and potato croquette – to share. The Baby Squids done in Andaluz style is also a must-try.

Rambla de Catalunya, 18, 08007 Barcelona
Tel: +34 933 18 19 97
Daily: 8am – 1.30am
Nearest Metro: Passeig de Gràcia

EL QUIM DE LA BOQUERIA

Other than Bar Pinotxo, another tapas bar at La Boqueria Market that deserves a mention is El Quim de la Boqueria. Located at the back of La Boqueria market, El Quim de la Boqueria is not as prominent as Bar Pinotxo, but once you walk to the end of the market, it can be spotted easily.

What the tiny stall lacks in size, it more than makes up for it with a wide variety of food. Highlights here include the freshly grilled fish and seafood – almost everyone will get the Razor Clams (€15) and Baby Octopus (€13.95), but the Mussels a la Mariniere (€8.95), in particular, deserves a special mention. The mussels are super fresh and perfectly cooked.

Mercado de La Boqueria
Les Rambles, 91, 08002 Barcelona
Tel: +34 933 01 98 10
Tue to Sat: 7am – 4pm
Nearest Metro: Liceu

LOLITA TAPERIA

Amongst the numerous tapas restaurants in Barcelona, Lolita Taperia – opened by Joan Martinez, Albert Adrià’s ex-partner at the former Inopia - stands out for its funky and modern interior. It is fun, bustling and offers the quintessential Spanish tapas experience.

The tapas bar has retained some of Inopia’s classics like the super addictive Aubergine with Molasses (€4.90) and the sublime Tuna Loin (€9.90) in a refreshing ponzu sauce.

Carrer Tamarit, 104, local2-4, 08015 Barcelona
Tel: +34 934 24 52 31
Tue to Thu: 7pm – 12 midnight
Fri & Sat: 1pm – 4pm, 7pm to 12 midnight
Nearest Metro: Poble Sec

PACO MERALGO

Paco Meralgo came highly recommended by a local and indeed, we had an excellent meal there. The classy tapas bar serves a huge variety of tapas ranging from a simple Chicken and Ham Croquette (€1.35) to Fresh Anchovies in batter (€5.35), Patatas Bravas (€3.8), and Deep Fried Baby Squid (€11.55).

Carrer de Muntaner, 171, 08036 Barcelona
Tel: +34 934 30 90 27
Daily: 1pm – 4pm, 8pm – 12.30am
Nearest Metro: Diagonal

QUIMET & QUIMET

Quimet & Quimet is a tiny tapas bar. There are no seats, so you wait for your turn to get a spot at the crowded bar, and then fight – no, we are not kidding – to get the attention of the staff to order your food. Settle down with a glass of sangria or cava, or both.

There are many tapas to choose from, but one of the most popular options that everyone orders is the Salmon, Yogurt and Truffled Honey Sandwich.

Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes
25, 08004 Barcelona
Tel: +34 934 42 31 42
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 4pm, 7pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 4pm
Nearest Metro: Paral·lel

SEGONS MERCAT

The recommendations of Spanish locals brought us to Segons Mercat restaurant, an innovative tapas place located in the district of La Barceloneta. It was one of the restaurants to be bestowed a Certificate of Excellence in 2013 by Trip Advisor for its remarkably fresh tapas and attractive prices.

The delectable squid ink paella completely surpassed our expectations – it was one of the best we ever had. Wine starts at €3.50 per glass and two course set lunches start from €10 per person.

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes
552, 08011 Barcelona
Tel: +34 934 511 698
Mon to Fri: 1.30pm – 5pm, 8pm – 11.15pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Metro: Barceloneta

TAPAS 24

Tapas 24 may not be the cheapest tapas bar in Barcelona, but it is still worth a visit. It has the usual tapas like Bravas (€3.50), Iberian Ham Croquette (€2.50) and Fried Anchovies (€8.50), but you have to try the signature dishes which include Bikini Black Truffles Sandwich (€8.90), Mc Foie Burger (€9.50) and the divine Ous Estrellats al Gust, which is quite simply smashed eggs with potatoes – deceptively simple yet it hits all the right spots. We’d do this dish any time.

Carrer de la Diputació, 269, 08007 Barcelona
Tel: +34 934 88 09 77
Mon: 8.30am – 11pm
Tue to Fri: 1.30pm – 3.30pm, 8.30pm – 11pm
Sat: 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Nearest Metro: Passeig de Gràcia

TICKETS BAR

Known as the tapas restaurant of Barcelona, Tickets Bar is the new tapas bar of world-renowned chef Ferran Adria, and new as it may be, it has already won countless accolades and is enjoying fame at its peak now. For many foodies who have never had the chance to try the now-defunct El Bulli, Tickets Bar is your ticket (pun intended) to sample some of El Bulli’s signature dishes in carnival-like setting.

Reservations at Tickets Bar open two months ahead, plan ahead if you want to have a meal here.

Avinguda del Paral·lel
164, 08015 Barcelona
Nearest Metro: Paral·lel