If you truly want to understand Barcelona’s food scene then look no further than this walking gastronomic tour of the Sant Antoni district. Life in this charismatic barrio is centred around the Sant Antoni food market, which is as vibrant and stimulating as you might imagine – but without the tourists that swarm the more famous La Boqueria mercado on Las Ramblas – making it the perfect place to learn about Catalan gastronomy.
Beginning here you will taste some of the finest delicacies in the whole of Spain straight from the market stalls, such as cured Iberian ham and manchego cheese, before heading to a local bodega for a vermouth aperitif served with olives, anchovies and artichokes with Catalan romesco sauce. You can even make your own pan amb tomaquet (tomato bread), a simple dish that involves smearing fresh tomatoes, garlic and olive oil on rustic bread, but one that every Catalan is rightly proud of – it’s essentially the national dish! Braver travellers can also try their hand at drinking from the porron wine vessel, a tricky art that is likely to earn you a wet vest.
No one has done as much to influence Catalan (and indeed world) cuisine as Ferran and Albert Adria, of elBulli fame. The brothers in fact own several exclusive restaurants in this very district, and after tasting some of Barcelona’s traditional cuisine it’s time to head to two restaurants that form part of a new wave of tapas bars inspired by the Adria brothers’ creativity. Here you’ll get to taste progressively more avant garde dishes such as calamari croquettes, beans with truffle, avocado and quail eggs and sliced octopus on parmentier foam. The tour is rounded off with a visit to a classic-style Barcelona cafe for a glass of Valencian orxata and traditional pastries.
Combining tastes, context and experiences, no gourmet is going to want to miss this local Barcelona food tour!
- Included:
- 14 food tastes
- 3 local drinks
- Gourmet guide
- Market tour
- Artisan store visit
Your Foodie Companion
Irish-born, but Barcelona resident for over a decade, Zara knows all the culinary secrets of the Sant Antoni district – she lives here after all – and is ready to share them with her fellow food lovers. A trained sommelier, she recently founded the Uncorked Bodega wine cellar and loves to pair the local vinos with the city’s best tapas.
Some Practical Details on the Catalan Gastronomy Tour
Availability: Saturdays at noon (other days of the week may be available on demand).
Duration: 3.5 hours
Group Size: maximum of 8 people.
Meeting Point: Outside La Confiteria Cafe, near Parallel metro station.
My Tip: Bring a bottle of water, comfortable shoes.
MY VERDICT
You really get a fantastic understanding of what, how and why the Catalans eat, not only through the wise words of the guide but from tasting it all yourself! Each of the bars have their own style and charisma, and I enjoyed the ‘experiential’ nature of the tour, such as drinking from the porron – even if it proved a bit messy.
RESERVE YOUR SPACE
To book the Catalan Gastronomy food tour of Barcelona send an email to info@barcelonawinetours.com with your preferred date and the number of people you wish to book for. You can expect an email reply within 48 hours (usually much faster!).
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
A great tasting experience with barely a tourist in sight
We learnt a lot about the history of Barcelona's food scene, ate some amazing tapas and other dishes (the octopus was my favourite!), had fun with the porron and enjoyed the company of both our knowledgeable guide and fellow foodies. Overall a great tasting experience with barely a tourist in sight.
An ideal foodie day out
A fun and fascinating food tour through one of Barcelona's hippest neighbourhoods. I really enjoyed learning about the history of Catalan cuisine and how/why it has evolved into what it is today – I enjoyed eating and drinking everything even more. An ideal foodie day out!
Request More Information via our Contact Form
If you need any more information, or would like to book this delectable food lover’s tour of Barcelona you can use the contact form below. Or simply email us info@barcelonawinetours.com with your group size and preferred dates. In all cases you can expect to hear back directly from the tour provider within 48 hours and offered their best price.