Where to eat tapas in Barcelona
Today we are going to reveal some bars in Barcelona where you can find free tapas with your drinks, something that seems very unlikely in this city. As you will probably already know, the tradition of tapas is widespread in Spain, and there are different theories about its origin, although what seems clear is that their main purpose was, and still is, to absorb the alcoholic effect provoked by the drinking of wine and beer.
However, the habit of “going for tapas” has become pretty much standard and everyone, regardless of their age, goes out for a few drinks and tapas on a regular basis. Nowadays there are a wide variety of snacks, ranging from the traditional tapa consisting of a slice of bread with some cheese or cold meat, to the modern "designer tapas", much more elaborated than the in earlier days.
Barcelona is brimming with bars serving tapas and portions with a wide range of quality and prices, since Barcelona is not very bountiful with free tapas. However, if we walk through the city we can come across some bars offering free snacks with our drinks.
After this short introduction to the tradition of tapas here are some of our favourite bars to eat tapas in Barcelona. However, if you find some others, please share this valuable (in more ways than one!) information with us, and maybe we can extend even further this gastronomical tradition.
Bar Ambiente del Sur (85, Carrer Viladomat. Eixample) – This is a very small place located right in the centre of the Eixample district and offers its visitors a very Andalusian flavour and atmosphere, like its own name indicates Ambiente del Sur means atmosphere of the South. The tapas accompanying the drinks are very economical and typical, ranging from the traditional Spanish omelette, ensaladilla rusa (salad with mayonnaise) and different small snacks made of bread and cheese, or bacon, or some cold meat. The name of the bar is a pun with the friendly gay atmosphere there.
Bar Gatamala (37, Carrer Rabassa. Gracia) – Creative and quality tapas in this small bar in Gracia. Famous as well for the gin-tonics. One of the best free tapas bars in Barcelona.
Café los Angelitos(26, Carrer Almiral Cervera. Barceloneta) – Concerts hall located in the heart of the Barceloneta district, where everyday after 10 pm a free tapa comes with the drink. The range of snacks is very wide and therefore, we can enjoy green asparagus with the chef’s sauce, aubergine in honey, Spanish omelette, patatas bravas made with a secret handmade sauce, etc.
Casa Lolo (5-7, Carrer Arizala.Sants) – Traditional kitsch decoration bringing us back to the past and makesyou feel like at home. They offer you the traditional concept of tapas but the other way round, you ask for the tapa and they give you free the drink for a very economical price. The Andalusian tapas range from the salmorejo (tomato dip), augergine with honey, croquete with iberic ham, mojama (dry-cured tuna), etc.
Which is your favourite bar to eat tapas in Barcelona?
