A huge, sprawling indoor market crammed with fresh foods, prepared foods, and a few restaurants…read more Cheese, meat, produce, wine, fruit, vegetables, bread, it's difficult to think of anything to eat that cannot be found here. Not too bad in the morning but afternoons are crowded.

Let's face facts. There's no market in Barcelona that compares with the food porn extravaganza that…read moreis La Boqueria (review: https://yelp.to/tHXHo177jd). However, there are genuine contenders like Mercat de Sant Antoni housed in a beautiful, mid-19th-century octagon-shaped building (review: https://yelp.to/QfoN2pYfE_) and this one just rebuilt in 2005 with a kaleidoscopic roof designed as a ceramic wave. It's a more modern space inside with fresh seafood and produce stands alternating with spice purveyors and prepared food counters. All of it looked appetizing though there wasn't much seating on the premises. Through its various iterations in the atmospheric La Ribera neighborhood, the market has been here since 1848. On the southern side, there are remnants of a monastery that existed for seven centuries before that. RELATED - Exploring Barcelona? Here's my collection of places l've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/4dTEx5T

Very helpful and friendly staff, otherwise needs better inventory especially of local Cataluñan…read moreoptions and better knowledge base and training of barkeep/ sommelier. Was very hopeful after all the five star reviews and after being referred here by their wine shop across the street for local wine flights. Turns out they don't have flights, only do full glass pours (forget 7 or 9cl), and only 3 local wines open (a cava, a white, and a red). Cashier was very slow, detached, and seemed she preferred to be somewhere else. Some items are waaay past due date. This is a food tour tourist trap. Look elsewhere is you want real local fare.

One of our favorites from our trip to Barcelona. We got an order of bread with tomato, three…read morecheeses, and the jamon, all of which were contenders for best versions of that dish on our trip. The jamon was basically perfect, although a bit more expensive than we got at other places. They gave us a pretty good variety of cheeses, one of which was a very moldy blue that I absolutely loved. My wife also loved their wine and got some to take home.

The Bacalao (Atlantic Cod) was the best fish dish of my life! Served atop Trinxat, a traditional…read moreCatalan dish of cabbage and potato. Topped with fig jam. I loved the Forest Sangria. A far cry from the Sangria served in tourist spots, this is the real deal. BF loved the Island Sangria. Highly recommend Pluma Iberica for pork eaters. Served with a delicious peanut sauce. Lucas took excellent care of us. First class waiter. The restaurant is in what appears to be a cave. Delightful atmosphere. Very classy with linen napkins, etc. A little more expensive than some other local restaurants but worth it. Outstanding value. Be sure to reserve a table in advance.

We had numerous people recommend this restaurant to us and it did not disappoint. Arcano is just as…read moredelicious as it is gorgeous. It is set in an old cave like building. The architecture is stunning. Food was all delicious. Best crispy bread with tomato that we have ever had. The venison, tuna tataki and ribeye were all amazing. Great wine selection and excellent service. Definitely make a reservation.

A kicked-up farmers market with several rows of vendors selling produce, tapas, fish, cocktails,…read morecoffee, and specialty products. The market's natural perimeter is dotted with sit-down cafes if you prefer to have table service. Organized, good variety, good atmosphere. It is rare when a market that sells a lot of fish, does not reek of fish from a block away, so it is a very clean market and we saw evidence of constant clean-up. Delicious and impressive spot to grab a few little bites to eat your way through the market, or to bring back with a bottle of wine for your hotel picnic when you're hungry but your tired tourist bod can't bear a full service din din.

I love this market! If you're visiting Barcelona, it's an absolute must! It's always buzzing and…read morepacked with people, but the food options are endless. From fresh seafood to fried ones, everything looks and tastes incredible. Some stalls even have seating, so you can sit down and enjoy on the spot. You're guaranteed to find something you'll love or at least something fun to try!

First time Barcelona, we're walking to our dinner reservations and bam there right on the left is…read morebeautiful but to see string lights on the ceiling nice lamps hanging down, beautiful on and brick and dark burgundy color inside amazing amazing restaurant. We sit down where the focaccia we ordered the Caprese and we ordered a bottle of wine as well as a tiramisu margarita and oh my God I will tell you it was absolutely amazing. Service was a little bit slow so that's what the four star but the server was very nice. Very beautiful and the atmosphere is unbeatable great place I would say 8.5 out of 10 only thing that messed up was a little bit slow service place would recommend.

The food was ok, not great. The service and ambiance was good. We started with tomato bread &…read moreolives and a bottle of wine. Olives weren't the best quality. The tomato bread was a bit bland. Hubs ordered pasta carbonara and was happy with his. I ordered seafood paella and it was ok but not the best paella I've ever had.

This is a very old spice, nuts, and dried fruit shop in Barcelona's El Born district from 1851…read more Each time I'm in Barcelona I stock up on some spices and in particular their Herbes de Provence blend is the best of anywhere to be found. Coming from San Francisco, you just can't find anything as flavorful or fragrant as their blend. I'm not talking about those sweat shop bottles you get in the supermarket either, fancy spice shops in the Bay Area just don't deliver either. There's a back room with saffron that is unparalleled and quite affordable all things considered. Typically I'll grab a stash of stuff to take back and some nuts and fruits to eat as snacks for my visit. Really this is a gem not to be missed and if I were local, it would be my go to for everyday spices. Being a visitor, makes it more special to bring back which I do every trip to Barcelona.

**January 2023: Early Afternoon Visit**…read more I saw a youtuber, Spain Revealed, recommend this shop to visit as it's a staple in the community, so I made it a point to check them out. Upon entering you'll see a huge array of nuts, chocolates, coffee beans and olive oils. It was actually kind of overwhelming. The two sales associates were very busy helping customers fill nut orders so I was kind of at a loss. A (what appeared to be) a random Catalonian couple took me under their wing and showed me around. Near the back of the shop there was a sign and a big oven that states that it's been in active use for 170+ years! and lucky for me he just roasted a fresh batch of almonds for patrons to sample. I don't think I've ever had roasted almonds so fresh and hot so it was definitely a treat! The couple said that they themselves ordered a bag full of roasted almonds that were cooled an hour and a half ago and asked if I wanted a bag as well - yes please! I got two small bags I believe for around €11 so I hope my giftees love them!

Papabubble is such a cute little shop to duck into while roaming around the city. My mom and I…read morestopped in after I saw that there was a location in Barcelona (they have shops in a number of major cities). I figured these little hard candies would make perfect souvenirs to take home to friends and family. The store itself is not very large at all. With about 10 or so customers in the store, it was a bit crowded, but after some of them finished their purchases and left, it was much easier to walk around and take our time perusing the different candy designs. I opted to get a large bag of fruit mix candy and a small bag of the Barcelona icon candy. The lady that was helping us was kind enough to let us sample a bunch of different flavors, and took the time to identify each of the Barcelona bag flavors since the bag itself didn't list them. Everyone who saw and tasted the candies back home loved them! They thought each piece was so unique and you could really taste each flavor distinctly. My personal favorite had to be the pineapple and the mango. With such a positive experience at the Barcelona Papabubble, I'll be sure to seek out locations in other major cities that I visit. Yes, these candies may be a little pricey, but the quality and unique images in each piece and the reactions you get from others are worth it.

I just got back from Barcelona and we went out of our way to visit this place because it was rated…read moreso high. As it turns out, this was one of the coolest places we visited. We got there after not knowing exactly where it was or when we would get there (not havning Google Maps internationally doesn't make it easy). The customer service was wonderful. They make their own hard candy and it has a very modern, hip feel to it. They have a couple displays set up in their front windows made out of candy that they change every couple weeks. When we went they had a display of dragons. I can see why this store is gaining popularity. I was very impressed with how happy they were to have us there. The artisan candies are very tasty and I almost feel bad eating them because they are so detailed and just cool. We were able to see them make a fresh batch of strawberry flavored candy. It was so cool to see the start to finish product and to be able to taste it, it was still so warm. It was our daughters first taste of candy and she couldn't get enough! Bottom line, this place is definitely worth the visit if you want to see something unconventional in Barcelona as opposed to all the typical tourist attractions. It's a small shop, but worth the visit, the prices are very reasonable especially with all the detail and care that goes into making these special candies.

If you are in Barcelona you gotta stop by here…read more The family was so nice and greeted me and gave me extra crotons On the house When you think sliced meat you think of Enrique Tomas Can't say how savory this place was. Nothing else in the world can top this. Just get the sample meat (buy it) you will Not regret it Money back guarantee

Jamón! When in España one simply cannot pass up jamón. Enrique Tomás is a reliable retailer for all…read moreyour jamón needs. They even have certain products already packaged for air travel and can pass through airport security. We typically buy a variety of things to take home and get a bocadito (jamón y queso sandwich) to enjoy while we walk the streets.

This little gift shop is in the Santa Catalina market and is a good place for tourists to try olive…read moreoils. They had some wonderful ladies who spoke great English and let us try a variety. And when you are tasting analyzing police oils for 4-8 euros which cost ex as much in the states it is hard not to feel like this is a decent gift for home.

Amazing selection of olive oils with so many wonderful characteristics and depths of flavour.read more

Spain is known for eating aged meats. I was recommended this location by my hotel staff, pricing is…read morereasonable and it's near my stay. Busy establishment but quick service, you get called by a number you grab when entering. I purchased goat cheese, Gouda cheese with cumin, cheese with olive oil and jamón to bring back home. Well packaged and delish.

We happened upon Basilica de Santa Maria Del Mar and purchased tickets to go to the top (I know…read morethis is now mixing reviews, but do this). From the top I saw this shop. As we wanted a dinner where we did not go out, I had to go here. After siesta, I returned to shop and the place was packed. The majority of the staff seemed to speak fluent English as I heard a few speaking with non-Spaniards. I conversed in Spanish and the woman that helped me explained a couple of items I was not familiar with and then helped me with an aged manchego, a truffle pecorino, Jamon Iberico and variation of butifarra with pepper on the outside as well as a nice cold bottle of cava. The butcher meat looked incredible with a number of sausages and cuts that I would have loved to have the chance to cook up. This won't be for everyone, some people don't want to deal with not eating out and I get it, but if you want to have a quiet meal that is easy, come get some cured meats and a nice cava. If you've rented a house, come get some great looking cuts and make yourself a meal you won't forget.