Tapas on Barcelona’s terraces is not just a custom, it’s almost a ritual for the locals. With its Mediterranean climate and more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the city of Barcelona condenses the best of tapas in terraces with a good atmosphere and local flavour. From historic neighbourhoods such as the Gòtic or the Born, to beach areas such as Barceloneta or the characterful corners of Poble Sec, the range of tapas terraces is as wide-ranging as it is varied.
But before we start, what exactly does tapear mean?
According to the RAE (Royal Spanish Academy), tapear is defined as ‘to eat tapas in bars and taverns’. But for the locals, tapas in Barcelona is much more than just eating small portions of food. It is a way of socialising, of sharing moments, of tasting various dishes in company and without rushing. Tapear means going out with friends or family, ordering a variety of tapas – from classic croquettes to Galician-style octopus – and enjoying a conversation with a drink in hand. In Barcelona, this concept comes to life especially on the terraces, where gastronomy mixes with the urban atmosphere, the sun, the sea and that relaxed lifestyle so characteristic of the city.
In this article we’ll tell you about the best terraces in Barcelona for drinks and tapas. Take note and get ready to savour the city of Barcelona in the open air!
These are the best terraces for tapas in Barcelona
Barcelona is a city that stands out for its ‘tapas culture’. Here is a selection of the five best terraces in Barcelona where you can enjoy authentic tapas in the city. Whether for their views, their atmosphere or the quality of their tapas, these terraces stand out for offering a complete outdoor experience. Here is our top five of the best tapas terraces in Barcelona:
El Xiringuito Escribà
📍 Passeig Marítim del Bogatell, 36 – Poblenou
🍴 Paella, steamed mussels, bravas
✨ Founded in 1992, El Xiringuito Escribà is much more than a restaurant with a beachfront terrace: it is a gastronomic reference point on the Barcelona coast. Located on Bogatell beach, this space combines quality seafood cuisine, a modern atmosphere and privileged views. Its speciality, rice dishes, are prepared live in an open kitchen that enhances the spectacle. They stand out for their tapas, seafood and desserts, in a menu that changes with the seasons.
Salts
📍 Avinguda Miramar, 31, Sants-Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona
🍴 Homemade hummus, tacos, croquettes, bravas
✨ Located in a historic space and with another of the most spectacular panoramic views of the city from the mountain of Montjuïc, Salts is a different kind of terrace in Barcelona. It is located right next to the municipal swimming pools of Montjuïc, where the trampoline diving was held during the Barcelona ‘92 Olympics. The restaurant offers a complete experience: good ‘food casual’ cuisine with simple but carefully prepared dishes, a relaxed atmosphere and unique views of the Barcelona skyline. Ideal for tapas in the open air after a hike in the mountains or simply to enjoy a few hours of disconnection with the city at your feet.
Bookshops and publishers set up their stalls in the main streets, offering everything from literary novelties to classics, making this day a true celebration of International Book Day.
Antic Teatre
📍 Carrer de Verdaguer i Callís, 12 – El Born / Ciutat Vella
🍴 Simple tapas, vermouths, sandwiches, craft beers
✨ Hidden behind the Palau de la Música, this Barcelona terrace is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Located in the inner courtyard of an independent cultural centre, Antic Teatre offers a bohemian, artistic and very local atmosphere. Its terrace with century-old trees is ideal for tapas in a relaxed setting, surrounded by creativity and authenticity. Perfect for escaping the tourist hustle and bustle without being far from the centre.
Millions of roses are sold every year, filling the streets of Barcelona with colour and fragrance.
Terraza Martínez
📍 Carretera de Miramar, 38 – Montjuïc
🍴 Rice of the day, Iberian ham, salad salad
✨ Located at the top of Montjuïc mountain is Terraza Martínez, a terrace restaurant with one of the most spectacular panoramic views in Barcelona. Overlooking the port, the city and the sea, this Barcelona restaurant offers much more than good food. To dine here is to dine with a view, calmly and with one of the best views in the city.
Cantina LAB – Can Batlló
📍 Carrer de la Constitució, 25 – Sants-Montjuïc
🍴 Homemade tapas, dishes of the day, vermouth and local cuisine.
✨ In the heart of Can Batlló, a former industrial complex converted into a cultural and community space, Cantina LAB is much more than a bar in Barcelona: it is a self-managed project with the soul of a neighbourhood. Its large, casual terrace is surrounded by urban art, greenery and local life. Perfect for enjoying tapas with a social conscience, in an alternative, authentic and 100% Barcelona environment.
Barcelona has one of the best offers of outdoor tapas terraces, each with its own style and setting. From spaces with sea views to hidden corners in characterful neighbourhoods, the city has something for everyone. Tapas in Barcelona is not just a tradition, it’s part of the local daily routine.
If you are looking for a destination to travel to and enjoy good gastronomy, Barcelona is your destination.