Barcelona Waterfront Restaurants: 10Best WatersideRestaurant Reviews
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One of the most picturesque places to dine in Barcelona, is along the boardwalk. Stretching from the W Hotel to Frank Gherry’s famous fish and beyond, there is no lacking for seaside eateries in the city. From the chringuitos on the sand to the restaurants with a more birds eye view right across the boardwalk, Barcelona is rampant with delicious and beautiful dining locales.
And if you’re in the mood to splurge, the hotels lining the beach are also excellent options for a seaside meal. Arola Restaurant at the Hotel Arts has a Michelin Star Chef and serves mouth watering dishes overlooking the beach. On the other side of the boardwalk sits the W with a host of restaurants underneath the hotel, as well as its famous Chiringuitos which sit on the water’s edge.
Seafood is the food of choice along the water, however if you’re not a shell fish or paella fan not to worry. Most restaurants have a variety of options including extensive menus catering to all food types, including vegans, vegetarians and gluten free.
Some notable ones to consider include Santa Marta, which is affordable, fresh and has an excellent patio right by the water. Escriba, a bit farther down is also a well-known and exceptionally tasty restaurant near Bogatell beach.
Photo courtesy of Barraca
If you’re looking for tasty seafood, exceptional paella and a host of options including vegan dishes, Barraca is the optimal choice. Overlooking the beach, floor to ceiling windows line the upper floor of this restaurant, providing for gorgeous views, especially if you get to sit near the window. The food is delicious, with a particular focus on their fish and paella dishes. The staff are quick to accommodate and willing to adapt for dietary restrictions. It’s also one of the only restaurants with a strictly vegan paella, which is mouth watering. Barraca is the perfect restaurant for a great lunch on the beach.
Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: A fabulous seafood restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean and the Boardwalk
Sam’s expert tip: Be sure to reserve in advance, especially on the weekends as it fills up extremely quickly”
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Photo courtesy of Santa Marta
A great restaurant with a killer patio, fresh salads, delicious pizzas and hearty hamburgers. Santa Marta always has a line, especially when the suns out, as it has one of the best patios in the city. Situated in Barceloneta beach, it’s just a stone’s throw from the sand. The restaurant’s staff are fabulous, with quick service and attention to detail. This is one of the few restaurants along the beach that really knows how to make a salad. The tuna and spring salads are especially tasty. A great choice in summer or whenever the sun is shining, if you want to dine by the water.
Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: A delicious beach side restaurant with great service and a fabulous outdoor patio
Sam’s expert tip: Don’t let the lines turn you off they go quite quickly
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Photo courtesy of La Guingueta
A join effort by Carles Abellan and Joan Escriba (of Xiringuito Escriba), La Guingueta is a more economical version of its higher end counterpart, Escriba. Situated directly on the beach, the food is top notch and delicious feating an array of salads, tapas, seafood, ice cream, hamburgers and a host of drinks and cocktails. There are two Guinguetas, one in Barceloneta and the other directly in front of Escriba near Bogatell beach. Both are excellent and always packed. You can’t make reservations, so get there by 1pm if you don’t want to wait in line.
Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: A delicious Chiringuito made with quality food in the heart of the beach town
Sam’s expert tip: Try the mussels in white wine sauce and the Quinoa salad
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Photo courtesy of Escriba
Known as Xiringuito Escriba, this delicious seaside restaurant combines quality dining with mouth watering food. Founded in 1992 right around when the Olympics came to Barcelona, owner, Joan Escriba continued his enthusiasm for innovation in the kitchen. This is a great beachfront restaurant for birthdays, a romantic lunch or evening out, as it has a variety of tapas on its extensive menu with a strong specialty in seafood and cocktails. Escriba is a slightly high end restaurant on the beach, yet not pretentious in the least. The staff are friendly and eager to please, especially if there’s a special occasion.
Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: A renowned seafood restaurant lining Barcelona’s Bogatell beach. High quality food.
Sam’s expert tip: Make a reservation, especially on weekends as it gets packed
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Photo courtesy of Can Majó
Founded in 1968 this family run, beach side restaurant is a definite must. Known specifically for their delicious paella, Can Majo has an intimate outdoor patio overlooking the Mediterranean and is ideal during the summer. The owners pride themselves on serving only the freshest seafood and make regular trips to the Barceloneta market which is only a stones throw from the restaurant itself. This is a short walk from the cruise port, but well worth it, especially if you’re craving some authentic Spanish Paella whilst overlooking the water. Can Majo is a family-run and owned restaurant, thus providing a very personalized service throughout the meal.
Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: Can Majo is one of Barcelona’s oldest family-run restaurants and it serves mouth watering sea food.
Sam’s expert tip: Order their paella, it’s delicious.
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It’s hard to beat Agua’s location. Situated directly along the boardwalk, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, not only is Agua one of the hottest restaurants in town, but it boasts fresh, eclectic seafood daily. As part of the trendy and well-known Tragaluz chain of restaurants, this is an ideal place to kick back and relax along the water and if you’re in the mood for fish, shrimp or mussels amongst plenty of other options, then this is an excellent choice. It’s a short walk from the cruise port, but not too far and a beautiful stroll along the sea with the W Hotel in the background and Frank Ghery’s famous fish in the distance.
Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: Agua is both a restaurant and disco, so dine until late and then dance the night away
Sam’s expert tip: Check out their tapas and cocktails every afternoon on the terrace until the sun goes down.
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Photo courtesy of Salamanca
A classic seafood restaurant, located along the water in Barcelona’s, Barceloneta neighborhood. As you pass Salamanca you’ll see the fresh catches of the day, displayed on ice outside the main restaurant doors. This is an oldie but a goodie, with a mix of the ‘Old Boys’ club mentality, combined with a young vibe and an array of pictures on the walls, featuring prominent chefs and great ‘catches’. If you’re hungry and want to be by the water, this is a fabulous choice, especially for paella.
Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: A classic Barceloneta seafood restaurant along the beach with great food
Sam’s expert tip: Try the paella and the salmon dishes and be sure to ask for a terrace seat
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Photo courtesy of Segons Mercat
Bright, airy and absolutely delicious, this is a Barcelona gem. Tucked away in Barceloneta, only a three-minute walk from the water, Segons Mercat prides itself on serving high quality tapas, especially when it comes to their fish and seafood. There are two locations in the city, one in the Old City and the other on Gran Via in the Eixample district. This is a great place if you want to experience local tapas with a gourmet twist. Edu and Billy are the owners and they’re both lovely, personable and eager to please. Be sure to get their cava sangria, it’s delicious. Although it’s not directly along the beach, it’s so amazing that it’s worth the three minute walk to get to the water once you’re done eating.
Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: Delicious food and perfect for large groups who want an authentic tapas experience
Sam’s expert tip: Order the asparagus with goat’s cheese and the ‘ternera’ (beef).
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Photo courtesy of Can Sole
A Barcelona classic, you can feel the history and authenticity from the moment you walk into the restaurant. Situated in Barceloneta, this sea side locale features a range of delicious seafood and Catalan dishes. This is an excellent fusion of Mediterranean, Marine and Catalan cuisine, set in a traditional yet unassuming atmosphere. Can Sole is situated in Barceloneta neighborhood, a charming, old fisherman village this restaurant is perfectly situated, close to the water, yet not as touristy as some of the others, which are right along the border. This is a mix of rustic and classic Spanish and Catalan food.
Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: Delicious seafood in Barcelona’s old Fisherman Quarter, ideally situated with fresh daily fish
Sam’s expert tip: Be sure to reserve, especially on weekends
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Photo courtesy of Cal Pinxo
A well known restaurant chain, Cal Pinxo is situated along the port, overlooking Barcelona’s new Yacht scene. It sports a lovely terrace with fabulous service and an elegant yet unpretentious vibe. Specializing in seafood, the restaurant has a host of other options including meats, other types of fish, salads, vegetables amongst other innovative dishes. Although it’s lined together with other port side locales, Cal Pinxo distinguishes itself using the highest quality ingredients put together by its renowned chefs. It’s also one of the few restaurants with a vegetarian paella which is hard to come by in the city.
Recommended for Waterfront Dining because: A tasty seafood restaurant overlooking the port with great service and reasonably priced
Sam’s expert tip: Try the Monkfish and be sure to see a dessert menu
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