Tapas bars in El Raval
El Raval is Barcelona’s most multicultural neighbourhood, with a unique energy and personality you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Its streets mix the oldest Barcelonian tradition — bars open since the 19th century — with the influence of dozens of cultures that have made El Raval their home. The result is a neighbourhood full of contrasts and vitality, where the purest tavern tradition coexists with the most contemporary.
The tapas bars of El Raval are some of the most authentic and historically rich in all of
Barcelona. Here tradition isn’t a marketing concept — it’s simply the way things have always
been done.
The 5 tapas bars of El Raval
Cañete
A Barcelona gastronomic legend. Everything at Cañete breathes authenticity and tradition — the long counter, the familiar waiters, the kitchen that never stops. The quality of the produce and the precision in the cooking have made it one of the tapas benchmarks in Barcelona. A must-visit for any lover of Spanish gastronomy.
Our tip: Sit at the bar and order whatever the cook recommends that day. Never fails.
Casa Almirall
One of the oldest bars in Barcelona, opened in 1860. Its atmosphere is incredible and its original modernist décor is perfectly preserved — the wooden counter, the mirrors, the vintage lamps. A place where Barcelona’s history can almost be touched with bare hands.
Our tip: Go in and look at the décor before ordering anything. Casa Almirall is a living museum of modernist Barcelona you can enjoy with a drink in hand.
Muy Buenas
Another modernist gem of El Raval, opened in 1928. Its façade and interior preserve all the elegance of early 20th-century Catalan architecture. The cuisine is traditional Catalan without any concession to trends, with dishes that taste exactly as they did ninety years ago.
Our tip: It's on Calle del Carme, one of the most lively streets in El Raval. Walk down from La Rambla.
El Pollo
A bar with a strong personality that combines tradition and quality produce with a cuisine strongly influenced by Basque cooking. The Basque pintxos served here are among the best you can find in Barcelona outside the Basque Country. A characterful spot in the heart of El Raval.
Our tip: The Basque pintxos are the speciality. Order a selection and a txakoli to go with them
Bodega d'en Rafel
A neighbourhood bar that hasn’t lost its soul despite the years and changes of El Raval. The food
is home-style, honest and delicious — the kind the grandmothers of the neighbourhood make at
home. Prices are what they’ve always been and the atmosphere is that of a wine cellar that
doesn’t need publicity because its customers have been recommending it for decades.
Our tip: One of El Raval's best-kept secrets. Affordable prices and honest cooking. Can't go wrong.
Map of tapas bars in El Raval
The tapas bars of El Raval are spread throughout the neighbourhood, between La Rambla and Calle del Paral·lel. The neighbourhood can be easily explored on foot in an afternoon.
El Raval: tradition, mix and authenticity in Barcelona's most vibrant neighbourhood
El Raval has always been Barcelona’s most popular and multicultural neighbourhood. Historically it was the neighbourhood of workers, artists and those who came to the city seeking opportunities. Today that mix remains its greatest richness — century-old bars alongside world cuisine restaurants, second hand bookshops alongside contemporary art galleries. El Raval is the neighbourhood that best sums up the complexity and richness of Barcelona.
