There’s No Such Thing as Being ‘Over the Tapas’

This article was first published in the April 29, 2023, edition of Dinogo Travel, a biweekly update from Dinogo’s team on exploring food-centric destinations. Subscribe now.

When I asked friends for dining suggestions before my inaugural trip to Barcelona, they were eager to share, but each recommendation had two things in common: they were all tapas, and I was eager to try them. I received tips on everything from croquetas and canned seafood to dishes I didn’t even know I wanted until my friends shared snapshots of their culinary adventures. A cockle and yogurt sandwich? Sure, I’d give anything a shot, but when would I find the time?

That’s when I formulated a plan for my week in Barcelona. While it’s tempting to focus on impressive main dishes, like whole fish served on ornate platters or abundant servings of paella, I chose instead to seek out as many tapas as possible. It seemed like the perfect way to sample a variety of dishes daily without incurring a hefty bill.

Usually, I research restaurants and review menus before deciding where and what to eat. However, on this trip — a significant birthday celebration with my husband — I aimed to do the opposite. Rather than meticulously tracking entrees for months, we’d be drawn to the tapas that piqued our interest.

To kick things off, we set out to satisfy a few cravings. For breakfast, we indulged in manchego cheese drizzled with oil before enjoying ham-and-brie crepes at Creps Barcelona, a delightful spot with locations throughout the city. At lunch, we found ourselves at La Flauta Rambla, savoring a glass of verdejo wine paired with ham and chicken croquetas, a generous serving of patatas bravas, and my first encounter with a Spanish tortilla — a fluffy, round omelet filled with potato chunks, quite different from the flat corn or flour tortillas I was accustomed to back in Texas.

As we meandered through the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, renowned as one of the finest public markets in the world, we snacked on jamon Iberico, freshly sliced and served in paper cones, before moving on to heartier potato-and-chorizo empanadas and sweet crepes.

The strategy was already proving effective, but we felt ready to push our limits a bit further. By midweek, I resolved to be more adventurous. Quimet y Quimet, a century-old restaurant famous for its tapas, one-hour dining limit, and standing-only atmosphere, caught my interest, so my husband and I decided to visit one evening. Our friendly host/server encouraged us to relax with some sangria and let him handle the ordering. Moments later, small plates began to arrive at our cozy corner: artichokes drenched in olive oil on a bed of goat cheese topped with caviar; sweet loquats paired with anchovies; smoked oyster and red pepper sandwiches; tuna and olive pâté; and the signature salmon with goat cheese drizzled in honey. We hardly needed an hour to finish it all, and by the end of the night, we felt grateful for our waiter’s recommendations and our spontaneous dining approach.

Throughout the trip, the weather grew warmer, encouraging us — and half the city's population — to spend sun-filled days at the beach, known as la Barceloneta, and in the Poblenou neighborhood, just a quick metro ride from the city center. Here, we shared platters of vibrant scarlet prawns, the highly coveted jumbo shellfish, along with cod fritters and crispy baby squid served with lemony mayo at Barraca, and treated ourselves to Cantabrian anchovies and grilled clams at Agua.

By the end of the week, I had successfully incorporated various types of tapas into my three daily meals, plus plenty of snacks in between. Sure, I may have passed on a few exceptional tasting menus or captivating multicourse dinners, or even missed out on a trendy new spot or two, but I have no regrets. Honestly, I experienced more through our flexible grazing. So let this be your reminder: You’ll never regret choosing tapas over everything else.