Michaela HaubnerSpain is mostly known as a country with a lot of meat, especially jamón. But in the last few years Barcelona has witnessed a surge in veganism, reflecting a global trend towards more sustainable and compassionate dietary choices.
How vegan friendly is Barcelona:
For me – and surely for many others – part of the attractions of getting truly in touch with a new city, is trying the local cuisine. Unfortunately, for vegans, trying Spanish cuisine can be challenging due to its heavy reliance on meat, seafood. However, there are some authentic dishes that are always or often vegan. The selection is not bad, especially with tapas. In many bars and restaurants, you will find at least some of them on the menu.
Traditional Tapas:
- Aceitunas: Olives
- Pan con Ajo/Pan de Ajo: Roasted garlic Bread
- Pan con Tomate: Tipical Catalan Bread with spread Tomato
- Pimientos de Padrón: Green bell peppers roasted in olive oil and served with coarse sea salt.
- Champinones Al Ajillo: Grilled Mushrooms with Garlic
- Patatas: Different flavors but mostly Salt Chips
- Gazpacho: Cold tomato soup
Therefore, as you can see, you need to love Olive Oil and Garlic. And of course, the recipe might change sometimes, so just for that I’d rather ask the staff to make sure there aren’t any “important” ingredients in it.
Turning Typical Tapas into Vegan:
However, I also have for you some more tips, how you could turn typical tapas into vegan-friendly dishes:
So now that you know what you can eat or order you are prepared for the whole experience in Barcelona. And if you are wondering now, where you can find a good tapas bar for that, then is here now my top 3 Tapas Bars which I can truly recommend going as a vegan and non-vegan person.
1.Perikete
This is a small and typical Tapas Bar near the labor. You can spend your entire day in Barceloneta and on the beach, and then stop by here for some snacks and drinks to complete your day. There is usually a small queue, so you may have to wait for a table, but the turnover is quick.
2.Tracatrá
This place feels more like a restaurant because you can also order large dishes like paella or fish plates. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and they offer two flamenco shows every evening, which are delight to watch. It’s a great experience, and you’ll enjoy the atmosphere there. If you want to see these shows, it’s best to book a reservation. You have two timing options: one starts at 8 PM and the other at 10 PM. I had the pleasure to watch the Flamenco Dancer named “Antonio” the last time ,and it was an unique experience.
3.Bubita Sangria Bar
For those tired of wondering if the food is vegan or not, and for those who want to experience how delicious vegan food can be, I recommend trying out this tapas bar called “Bubita Sangria Bar” in my favorite area, ‘El Born.’ While the indoor seating is limited, you can also enjoy outdoor seating and indulge in some delicious sangria, as it’s also known as a bar. Here, you can order a large vegan platter for two people with plenty of options. It was a delightful experience for me, and I truly enjoyed it.
Resume:
Hope you’ve found this helpful! I’ve tried to condense as much information on vegan Barcelona as I could in one post, but of course everyone has other experiences and expectations.
