A Guide to Exploring St Louis Off the Beaten Path

Heather Boothman
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15
A Guide to Exploring St Louis Off the Beaten Path

Having traveled to St. Louis several times before, I am beyond excited to have traveled this time with Heather to find those hidden gems in the city of Cardinal pride. Cardinal baseball is iconic in the south and I have supported them since I was a little girl watching Mark McGuire break records. The downtown area is equipped with many historical landmarks and attractions for your added entertainment, but it is “St Louis off the beaten path” that we explored during our recent trip.

After reading this post, hopefully, this will entice you to visit St. Louis, Missouri to explore these hidden gems and experience the fine attractions and delicious cuisine options around ‘The Gateway to the West’. We strongly encourage you to book a hotel in the St. Louis area and take some time to explore everything there is to see off the beaten path.

Exploring Diverse Neighborhoods

The Hill

The first stop we made on our trip after arriving in St. Louis was in a small neighborhood known as The Hill, which is located just south of Forest Park and interestingly got its name as it’s known to be the highest point in the city. The Hill is primarily an Italian American neighborhood and boasts in it’s Italian cuisine with an assortment of authentic Italian restaurants and bakeries.

st louis off the beaten path

The best way to experience The Hill is by foot – that way you can see for yourself how tight-knit this neighborhood really is.

the hill st louis off the beaten path

The Delmar Loop

Next up on our road trip was exploring The Loop, a suburb of University City that gets its name from a streetcar turnaround that was located in the area over a century ago. Now, the Loop displays some of the most contemporary establishments in and around St. Louis.

the delmar loop st louis off the beaten path

With so much to offer, The Loop will not disappoint. The Loop offers a vast array of attractions such as restaurants, music clubs, coffee shops, and boutiques.

delmar loop st louis

Benton Park and Tower Grove Park

We then decided to drive around and see what else we could find and in that, we found a couple of new neighborhoods and parks to explore – Benton Park and Tower Grove Park.

st louis off the beaten path

Benton Park, St. Louis’ second oldest park, is in a small neighborhood, also called Benton Park. Located south of the main downtown area of St. Louis, Benton Park has a small lake and a couple of rustic bridges made out of cast-iron, a perfect representation of its early history.

benton park lake st louis

Tower Grove Park is located adjacent to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. This gem is hidden in plain sight, offering well shaded paved paths, tons of pavilions for a variety of different events, and not to mention spectacular landscaping.

tower grove park st louis

Discovering Eateries

Fitz’s Bottling Company

Before leaving The Loop, we had to make a pit-stop at Fitz’s Bottling Company. Not only is Fitz’s a restaurant, it’s also a microbrewery with many flagship flavors such as the iconic Cardinal Cream. Along with their full range of sodas to choose from, Fitz’s also offers classic American-style cuisine as well as various shakes, malts, and not to mention floats.

fitz bottling company st louis

While taste testing their sodas, we were able to watch as they were being bottled right in front of us, which I must say was an unforgettable experience.

st louis off the beaten path

Gus’ Pretzels

While exploring the Benton Park area, we discovered Gus’ Pretzels, which is a local third-generation pretzel shop situated in the shadow of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and right next door to the Soulard area. Gus’ Pretzels offers a one-of-a-kind experience as you get to watch the whole production process take place.

gus pretzels st louis

If you love pretzels, then I’m confident that you’ll love Gus’. Gus’ not only offers pretzels, but they also have hotdogs and a variety of different sandwiches as well.

gus' pretzels st louis off the beaten path cuisine

Imo’s Pizza

Next up is Imo’s Pizza, which you can only find in and around the St. Louis area. Imo’s is notorious for their “original St. Louis-style pizza,” which comprises of a thin crust and the use of Provel cheese – a combination of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone. I am not sure if the picture does this justice but this pizza was AMAZING!

imos pizza st louis cuisine

Imo’s not only has outstanding pizza, they have pastas, salads, and sandwiches as well, so plenty of choice for everyone regardless of your tastebuds.

imos pizza st louis off the beaten path

Imo’s has definitely made me a fan of their St. Louis-style pizza and I plan on making that a routine stop when returning to St. Louis in the future.

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard

After Imo’s, we decided to try out for ourselves a local frozen custard place that everyone had been raving about. Ted Drewes is located on Chippewa St. on historic Route 66 and when we got there, I was a little reluctant due to the amount of people in line. However, we were determined to try it and knew we were in for a real treat.

ted drewes st louis frozen custard

I can’t even begin to describe the amount of people that were waiting in line to order. Luckily, there were twelve different windows open, so it didn’t take long to get through. They have such a large selection of options plus an assortment of different toppings to choose from that it can get a bit overwhelming, but once you find the right combination, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

ted drewes frozen custard

Ted Drewes is definitely a must-stop when you’re in St. Louis – you really can’t make a trip to the city without a visit to the best frozen custard around!

Other Finds Along the Way

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Company

While exploring The Hill, we knew we had to stop at a local chocolate factory when we heard that they were giving free tours. And no, you don’t have to have one of those golden tickets to get a peek inside. Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Company (say that three times fast) went beyond our expectations.

chocolate tour st louis

Of course, we were concerned with the intricate details of how their chocolate was made, but what we didn’t realize was that in order to make their product unique, they needed a balance of all natural ingredients and artisan chocolatiers to enhance customer satisfaction. This is what makes Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Company different than many renowned chocolate factories today.

chocolate chocolate chocolate st louis

Forest Park and the St. Louis Zoo

Before heading home, we decided to swing by Forest Park and make a stop at the St. Louis Zoo. Forest Park is one of the largest parks in the United States and is approximately 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York City.

Being at the “heart of St. Louis,” Forest Park is home to not only the St. Louis Zoo, but also the St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, and the St. Louis Science Center.

forest park st louis

Forest Park is without a doubt a gem that you won’t find anywhere else and always has tons of things to do and events going on all year round – whether it’s sledding down Art Hill during the winter or renting a paddle boat during the summer.

forest park st louis off the beaten path

Of course, we couldn’t pass up going to the St. Louis Zoo, which is known to be one of the top zoos in the country. The St. Louis Zoo offers free admission and also offers some additional attractions at a small fee.

There are a wide variety of animals that range from giraffes and lions to monkeys and penguins – with penguins being both mine and Heather’s favorite.

st louis zoo

If you’re in St. Louis, it really is a must that you stop by Forest Park and check out all the different attractions and events going on.

Summary

If you have never been to St. Louis before, you really are missing out on a great adventure. Not only should you visit some of the top attractions such as the Gateway Arch, Grant’s Farm, and Anheuser-Busch Brewery, you should also check out some of the hidden gems that we embarked upon.

On the other hand, if you have been to St. Louis before and have never had a chance to explore the city, I highly recommend checking out the above and even do some exploring of your own – you never know what you’ll find. I am delighted to have been able to discover many different hidden gems in the city and I hope that if you pay a visit, you will also take the opportunity to scout out some of these unheralded spots because you will certainly not be disappointed!

This post was written by Mallorie Deaton after we visited St. Louis, Missouri on a recent weekend trip together. Mallorie is a fellow Arkansan and we had an amazing time experiencing all of the hidden gems around St. Louis. Thanks Mallorie for putting together a great post highlighting our experiences together!

Barcelona Mass Tourism – Destroying Local Culture

Chris Boothman
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20
Barcelona Mass Tourism – Destroying Local Culture

Visiting Barcelona holds many attractions for travelers around the world, yet despite the large volume of tourism that this Spanish city attracts every year, did you know that the capital of Catalonia is experiencing many negative issues associated with this? Barcelona mass tourism is undoubtedly having a detrimental effect, so it’s no surprise to hear that the patriotic locals are trying to keep the masses away from destroying the heritage they all love to cherish.

The best way for any outsider visiting a city like Barcelona to be welcomed is to show a certain appreciation for the beauty that lies within, rather than trying to take advantage and spoil the inherent look and feel of it. However, we all know that this doesn’t always happen so I wanted to take a look at Barcelona as a perfect case study to see how tourism is impacting this city!

History of Tourism

According to an article by Duran in the early 21st century, tourism in Barcelona equated to 14% of the overall economy. It’s likely that this figure is still a consistent number so it’s inevitable that tourism is a huge component of Barcelona’s rapidly growing economy.

The history of tourism in Barcelona really dates back to the 1992 Summer Olympics which changed the direction of the city’s rapid expansion. But tourism statistics are also attributed to the well-developed investment legacies of the local governments in recent decades.

mass tourism in barcelona

So let’s take a look at some numbers…In 1990, Barcelona saw only 1.7 million visitors enter the city limits! In 2012, this number had increased to a staggering 7.4 million! We are now seeing over 8 million over the last 3 years making Barcelona the 10th most visited city around the world, and third in Europe behind only London and Paris.

Mass Tourism Problems

It’s all well and good having 8 million tourists wandering Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella (Old City), but there are clearly a number of drawbacks that Barcelona has recently been exposed to. I recently read a really interesting article by Barcelona local resident, Yara Coelho from Heart of a Vagabond, who discussed this very topic of how tourism is out of control and destroying the city of Barcelona. I think Yara hit some really key points here and certainly voiced what many locals are clearly thinking.

I decided to reflect on our experiences in Barcelona and consider some of the main issues related to mass tourism.

1. Lack of Respect

I don’t care where you are traveling to, but when you enter another country or city you better be respectful of the customs, society and overall environment that you are surrounded by. Unfortunately not everyone follows these guidelines and Barcelona has been experiencing many unruly visitors taking advantage of local ideologies.

During our recent trip to Barcelona, we participated in an awesome food tour of the Gràcia neigbohood by Devour Barcelona, and our tour guide gave us a pretty cool insight into the locals impressions of tourists. As we wandered around the local market, we took several pictures of the stalls and then asked our guide if the stall owners were ok with this. She was pretty open with us when she said, “Honestly, no they are not ok with it!”

mass tourism barcelona local markets

Drunken behavior is a typical reflection of tourists visiting the streets of Barcelona. With football being such a huge spectacle in this city, locals are frequently encountering drunken tourists from all corners of the globe enjoying Barça in action both before and after matches. Knock-on effects lead to vandalism and other negative social issues around the city such as drug abuse.

2. Price Hikes

Increased tourism may helps diversify and stabilize the local economy, but at the same time it can have the reverse effect for local communities in that the price of living rise astronomically. The stereotypical multiplier-effect takes place through new money being brought into the economy leading to the creation of new jobs within these industries. But what we rarely establish is just how much these new jobs are paying. Frequently these new positions reflect in the lowest paying jobs throughout the local economy!

Have you ever wondered when you walk around a ‘touristy’ neighborhood why you are paying extortionate prices for souvenirs or even day to day products? The answer is simply to look at yourself! Increased numbers of visitors leads to an influx of tourism centered industries and this even spreads into local businesses who feel the need to raise their prices simply to survive.

barcelona city tour mass tourism

How does this affect local communities? Yet again it is another unfortunate negative response! I recently read an article in the British newspaper, The Daily Mail, that focused on the Barcelona demonstrations that took place in September 2014 around La Sagrada Familia. Price hikes among other reasons are simply making locals fed up with tourism and honestly I don’t blame them.

3. Inherently Rude Behavior

I’m fed up with being elbowed. I’m not a rude person but at times I run out of patience. (Abel Maruny, 2014 Barcelona protestor)

This was a quote by one of the many protestors during the 2014 events that took place in an attempt for local authorities to see what mass tourism is doing to the local economy. You may think that this is directly related to ‘lack of respect’ which I focused on first, and ultimately you would be correct! But I want to emphasize that this rude behavior is what really irks many of the locals and understandably so.

barcelona mass tourism market

Could you imagine walking around your home town and seeing thousands of tourists walking around like it is their very own, even wandering around naked? Me either! So why should we take this approach when visiting another country?

mass tourism in barcelona

I’m completely opposed to this and I hope that when we read posts like this it will encourage all of us to take a look at just how we travel and perhaps ALL OF US could do something a little different to really enhance our reputation.

I want to add a caveat right now that it’s a real small population of tourists that are extremely rude and I am sure most of us are vigilant and respectful. But do we go above and beyond? I will turn this over to you to take a moment and consider your response!

4. Urban Gentrification and Modernization

Arriving at Barcelona El Prat International airport for the first time, we headed to the train that would take us downtown to the heart of the city. My initial impression saw us pass through almost a rural setting with fields heavily populated with crops and a real sense of local community as we saw farmers harvesting their products. This didn’t last long as we approached the suburbs and soon after central business district of Barcelona.

barcelona mass tourism effects

Walking out of the train station, we were immediately faced with Passeig de Gracia. I will admit that my first impression was just how beautiful it was here. The hustle and bustle of city life was apparent here and I had a real feeling of a modernized society, though fortunately Gaudi’s inspiration is still apparent through the upkeep of La Pedrera and Casa Batllo.

From Tiffany & Co. to Valentino, the highest profile designer stores are located along this street and everywhere you look, there is another store opening!

mass tourism in barcelona

Urban gentrification is a familiar yet controversial concept in many cities around the world.

… any facet of urban renewal that inevitably leads to displacement of the occupying demographic. (Wikipedia)

Many of the local neighborhoods in Barcelona are seeing low-cost housing being replaced with high-rise corporate offices or apartment complexes. A real positive vs. negative comparison has to be realized here when considering the outcome of what we can term ‘urbanization’ throughout Barcelona.

mass tourism in barcelona

5. Beach City vs Cultural Haven

What is the first thing that springs to mind when you think about Barcelona? The answer to this question may very well depend on the type of traveler or dare I say ‘tourist’ that you are. Unfortunately, Barcelona is widely recognized as a beach city due to its proximity to the gorgeous Mediterranean and the pristine beaches that are available. With a perfect climate, why wouldn’t you want to experience this part of Spain!

barcelona beach city and cultural haven

However, this is NOT what Barcelona is about! There is so much more to see and experience in this city and I am delighted that the Barcelona CVB is making a real push right now at focusing on “Barcelona as a cultural haven”. From Gaudi inspiration to the rediscovery of modernism in the aftermath of the 1992 Summer Olympics, Barcelona is hub of cultural flair.

barcelona art gallery

The key point here is that tourists are missing a lot of what Barcelona’s heritage is all about. I don’t want to stereotype everyone here because clearly Gaudi’s leading attractions such as La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell are hugely popular, but what about some of those hidden gems that deserve more attention.

But perhaps this is a Catch-22 situation with some of the aforementioned issues as exposing some of the cultural gems to more tourism would lead to other negative consequences!

Summary

Having visited Barcelona only once, I am by no means an expert on tourism in this part of the world. However, it doesn’t take very long to see what is happening to such a beautiful city and I just hope that visitors to this city pay the respect that it richly deserves.

Tourism is a concept that every city strives for because it undoubtedly boosts the overall economy. Without it a city would likely be destroyed, but reflecting on Barcelona’s situation it’s possible that even with it, a city may be struggle to survive, at least from the locals perspective!

Perhaps this is being a little over-cynical because Barcelona is clearly thriving in many ways, but I hope this post provides a little more thinking material before you take a destination for granted.

Take a step back and think about the locals for a moment and consider how you would feel if millions of visitors walked into your homeland. You may just be surprised at the outcome!

Weekend Wanderlust


Girls Getaway – Setting Sail to the Gulf

Heather Boothman
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15
Girls Getaway – Setting Sail to the Gulf

Who doesn’t love a road trip for a fun-filled girls getaway? For me this meant grabbing my mom and sister and the timing couldn’t be more perfect to set sail to the Gulf! My sister is a month away from getting married and with the suggestion of a vacation to the beach over Mother’s Day weekend my mom was all in favor. Actually I believe her exact words were “Shoot Yeah” and if you know my mom it sounds just like her.

Having always been to Destin, Florida this was a change for them but they were very optimistic about all the new adventures we were going to have, especially with this being an all girls getaway (sorry guys!) The first question they asked me was, “What is there to do there?” I have nothing but great memories in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, so along with a few new experiences thrown into the mix I knew they didn’t need to worry about finding enough ‘fun in the sun’!

girls getaway gulf shores and orange beach

Where Did We Stay?

Turquoise Place, Orange Beach

Welcome to Turquoise Place by Spectrum Resorts, located in Orange Beach! Hands down the best, yes I said BEST, resort I have ever stayed at! Lets talk about the amenities…Gourmet kitchen, wet bar with wine cooler and ice maker, gas fireplace, lazy river, sauna and steam room, wi-fi, and so much more.

turqouise place girls getaway

Did I forget to mention that each of these luxury suites has a jacuzzi and a grill on the balcony! Are you sold yet? You should be!

turquoise place kitchen

We had everything that we needed right in front of us, plus the added incentive of private beach access along with the sauna and pools was just an added bonus. Being able to wake up and hear and see the ocean is a great way to start the morning. Who can complain about that right?

turquoise place orange beach

Turquoise Place stands apart from all their competitors through these great amenities but that isn’t enough, they have really added to their competitive advantage by introducing the Clean Bed Guarantee not only at this location, but across all Spectrum Resort accommodations. Spectrum Resorts now have a policy in place to ensure that you have all clean linens and comforter for each stay.

spectrum resorts clean bed guarantee

Trust me when I tell you that this really does make a difference and you will notice it!

turquoise place lazy river orange beach

What Did We Eat?

Latitude 30 – Perdido Beach Resort 

Waking up bright and early, of course leaving Turquoise Place was inevitably difficult but we decided to hop across the street down to Perdido Beach Resort to have breakfast in their restaurant, Latitude 30. The resort has been around since the 1980s and has recently gone through extensive renovations to modernize the overall look.

Once inside Latitude 30 you are faced with a breakfast buffet and for $9.99 you get a wide variety including fresh fruit, bacon or sausage, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs among other options.

perdido beach resort latitude 30

Amazing food but there is also something a little extra special about this breakfast experience. Her name is Glinda and she is the chef at Latitude 30. For breakfast she makes custom order omelettes for her guests. The kicker is not just the jalapeños Glinda adds to her amazing omelettes, but she is always smiling and happy to start her day, good or bad she makes an impact on peoples lives with her stories and positive outlook.

perdido beach resort orange beach

I asked her what her secret was and she said:

To treat everyone like family, you want to make the best for your family.

What an amazing inspiration for travelers’ coming to the area for a vacation and ending up with more family than they came with!

latitude 30 girls getaway breakfast

Cayman Grill

Dinner on our first night saw us pay a visit to the Cayman Grill, also located in Orange Beach. Walking into this beautiful restaurant, we were immediately greeted by the friendly staff and the massive stingray tank located in the heart of the restaurant. We instantly knew this was going to be a cool experience!

cayman grill chargrilled oysters

Chargrilled oysters to start the meal, followed by an array of fish from yellowfin tuna to black grouper with lemon risotto and oven-roasted vegetables.

cayman grill orange beach alabama

Does the sound of this make you hungry? Our waiter recommended the key lime pie for dessert and it will come as no surprise when I tell you just how amazing this was!

key lime pie cayman grill

Are you ready for the recipe for all these delectable delights? Sorry folks, you will just have to head on down to Cayman Grill and sample this fine cuisine for yourselves, it’s well worth the trip.

cayman grill girls getaway

Food in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is unique and provides a real sense of individuality in every restaurant you visit. Whether it’s the atmosphere or cuisine, local restaurants have great pride in customer service as well as the presentation of each dish.

cayman grill orange beach girls getaway

I love how when you walk in the door you are treated like family. This social interaction is definitely a concept that Cayman Grill thrives on and not something you experience in traditional chain restaurants!

What Did We Do?

Waves of Wine Festival 

Every second Saturday in May the community comes together to raise money for the lifeguards in the area through the amazing Waves of Wine festival. With variations of local craft beers and wines to choose from, you will not be short of things to experience.

craft beer gulf shores and orange beach

After checking in, you are given a gift bag that contains a list of all the vendors products that are available for purchase. You are also given your own wine glass for sampling as many of these local wines and craft beers as you wish.

Just a quick heads up, if you want to purchase anything I would recommend buying early because you run the chance of your favorite product being sold out.

waves of wine festival gulf shores and orange beach

The festival also features some of the finest local restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Samples of the restaurants famous appetizers are available to pair with the wine or beer of your choice. During the festival hours there are also boat rides around the bay area while you sip your favorite concoction.

waves of wine festival

This is usually a sold out festival, which means mingling and getting to know your neighbor is easy and a great environment for us to spend the afternoon.

waves of wine festival girls getaway

We all enjoyed sampling Gulf Shores finest wine selections and although none of us are wine connoisseurs, this was our chance to improve our skills and enjoy an entertaining atmosphere.

Sail Wild Hearts 

Sailing is not normally something that I actively participate in, primarily because I always seem to get sick at the drop of a hat due to the confined space and movement out at sea. However, I heard from several people that an evening cruise with Sail Wild Hearts is an amazing cruise and not to be missed!

sail wild hearts cruise

We opted for the sunset cruise at 5:30pm and since we arrived early, we were able to take in the beautiful scenery by the dock before setting sail into the Gulf.

Once we boarded the 53-foot catamaran, our captain went over a few essential safety items and other important information before we headed out into the Gulf. It was a little rough at first but then I quickly got the hang of how awesome sailing was and the environment matched perfectly.

sail wild hearts girls getaway

Snacks and refreshments were provided and once we got about 2-3 miles into the ocean we started to fish and watch for dolphins. This alone is worth taking the cruise, especially if you are fortunate enough to see dolphins!

sail wild hearts girls getaway gulf shores

A little background music provided a perfect atmosphere and really captivated the true sailing experience while the sun was setting in the background.

sail wild hearts sunset

The staff of Sail Wild Hearts was always helpful and personable, especially when the hula-hoop competition broke out. I think it was pretty obvious that the captain was an expert in this field and we can award him the hula master title!

As The Sun Sets…

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is the perfect location for a girls getaway to relax and soak up the sun. Whether you are heading to the Gulf to simply relax on the pristine private beaches while staying at the gorgeous Turquoise Place, or perhaps you want to be a little more adventurous with a cool sunset cruise with Sail Wild Hearts, there is plenty to keep you entertained.

girls getaway gulf shores and orange beach

The only negative aspect of this trip was having to leave! Who wouldn’t want to stay in luxury for longer? When it comes to hospitality, amazing cuisine and a friendly atmosphere, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach has it all! I challenge you and your girlfriends to head to this part of Alabama and set sail to the Gulf!

If you would like to see more pictures from our amazing trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, along with previous adventures there, check out our photo gallery here: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Disclaimer – We would like to thank Turqouise Place by Spectrum Resorts and Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for hosting us on this trip. These are solely our personal opinions/experiences and we were not financially compensated for this post. 

Weekend Wanderlust


Where to Find the Best Tapas in Barcelona

Chris Boothman
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6
Where to Find the Best Tapas in Barcelona

Take a stroll around the Ciutat Vella (‘Old City’) of Barcelona at 11PM and you may be expecting to see many of the restaurants beginning to close their doors. But let’s face it we are talking about Barcelona here and the Spanish just love to sample their fine cuisine late in the day! What better way to spend an evening than by nibbling on some of the amazing dishes available at the tapas bars on every street corner in Barcelona. If you are heading to the Catalan capital for the first time, you are probably wondering where you can find the best tapas in Barcelona?

What is Tapas?

Let’s start with the basics – what is tapas? Tapas is typically a small, savory dish or appetizer that is served with drinks at a restaurant or bar. It is one of many great stereotypes that we associate with Spanish cuisine and I highly encourage you to try some of these great dishes to really embrace the local culture.

Life without Tapas is like a heart without love.

Don’t you just love the above quote by BKS Iyengar? After satisfying your appetite around some of Barcelona’s finest tapas bars, you will certainly agree with this!

After spending a day exploring Gaudi’s finest architectural designs around Barcelona, we were excited to experience authentic Spanish tapas. However, with such a plethora of amazing restaurants and bars to choose from it’s difficult to know where to start. We are always open to trying new experiences but when you read reviews online or listen to opinions, it’s all a subjective viewpoint so you just have to go with your own instinct and try a variety of locations around the city.

Here are a few restaurants that we ‘subjectively’ think offer some of the best tapas in Barcelona. We always welcome others opinions and look forward to returning to Spain to sample more authentic tapas traditions. A food tour with Devour Barcelona is one way to be introduced to some of the more ‘local’ options, but we also took it upon ourselves to experience a couple of tapas bars on our evening strolls around the city.

Trobador

Our first real experience of tapas was at Trobador Braseria Mediterranea located in the Plaça de Sant Miquel  square. In the heart of the old city, this is one of the many stereotypical restaurants where you can relax either indoors or out, taking in the local atmosphere while dining the delicious cuisine.

trobador best tapas in barcelona

So where do you begin when it comes to ordering tapas? It all depends on your tastebuds but I would encourage you to sample a variety to see exactly which are your favorites. We started out with three very different but typical Spanish dishes:

  • Spanish Omelette
  • Patatas Bravas
  • Huevos Estrellados

The Spanish Omelette was a basic yet very tasty way to start our tapas experience. Commonly referred to as Tortilla Española, it is a combination of potatoes and eggs. A hint of onion is sometimes added but this gastronomic specialty is best served as authentic as possible. I’m not a huge fan of the jalapeño pepper that was served as an accompaniment but I’m hoping this was more of an aesthetic garnish than anything else.

spanish omelette best tapas in barcelona

The omelette was a nice introduction to Spanish tapas but we were ready for more. Next up was Heather’s new favorite dish – patatas bravas. Another simple dish with cubed or sliced white potatoes served with a spicy tomato based sauce drizzled over the top.

patatas bravas best tapas in barcelona

Trobador’s dish added an extra twist to traditional patatas bravas by including cheese over the spicy sauce. The zesty flavor of the sauce combined with the cheese and potatoes was a perfect combination though of course this was our first experience of this dish so we didn’t know any different.

best tapas in barcelona

Our final cuisine at Trobador was Huevos Estrellados which is a simple dish of fried potatoes, fried eggs and Ibérico ham. As the eggs break and the yolk breaks out across the potatoes and ham, it is a delicious yet messy combination. It’s the ultimate comfort food but why not indulge while exploring the beautiful city of Barcelona.

We opted for three potato based cuisines and even with tapas style smaller dishes, our appetites were well-satisfied after devouring these. Plus Barcelona is such a great ‘walking’ city, so don’t worry about the calories in these dishes.

Address – Ferran, 46, Esquina Placa Sant Jaume (Placa de Sant Miquel), 08002 Barcelona, Spain

L’Anxoveta

If you read our recent post on our amazing food tour of Barcelona, you will note that we visited L’Anxoveta which is a traditional Spanish tapas bar offering authentic menu varieties that will really spark your interest as you explore the Gràcia neighborhood.

l'anxoveta barcelona tapas bar

Owned by tapas expert Carlos, we were treated to a real display of awesome Spanish cuisine sampling some of the finest ‘pan con tomate’, also known as stereotypical Spanish tomato bread and a really cool looking Spanish meatball served with a spicy tomato sauce that added an extra kick to this dish!

barcelona tapas bar

Even though I hate tomatoes, the experience of making your very own tomato bread was pretty cool but waiting for la bomba was certainly worth it! I look forward to returning here just to sample more of these meatball delicacies.

bomba best tapas in barcelona

Address – Calle San Domenec, 14-16, 08012 Barcelona, Spain

El Guindilla

Our final experience of tapas in Barcelona was also well worth the wait! Wandering around those gorgeous, narrow streets in the old city, we stumbled across El Guindilla, located along Calle Argenteria. This restaurant is situated in another of the stereotypical squares that offers a perfect reflection on Barcelona’s tight-knit community and how people enjoy their evenings relaxing among this perfect ambience.

el guindilla barcelona

With a little Spanish music playing in the background and flamed heaters providing a perfect romantic scene, we found a perfect table at El Guindilla and looked forward to devouring more authentic tapas.

best tapas in barcelona

Despite another array of amazing tapas cuisines to choose from, we opted for another order of patatas bravas and huevos estrellados.

patatas bravas el guindilla barcelona

Both provided a slightly different taste and appearance than our previous experience of these dishes, so we at least are now able to compare the two! I won’t say that we are tapas experts, but it’s nice to see how different chefs add their own personal touch to a pretty basic dish!

fish and chips el guindilla barcelona

We also sampled their Fish and Chips, which is technically not a tapas dish but it was served like one!

Address – Calle Argenteria 53, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

What Do You Suggest?

I am delighted to be able to provide a number of other recommendations of great tapas bars around the Barcelona area. After reading all of these suggestions, I am convinced there will be something that appears. Here are what some of our fellow travel blogging friends have to say:

La Bombeta

Tucked on a side street near the beach in Barceloneta, La Bombeta retains the charming atmosphere of the neighborhood. There is nothing fancy here, except amazing food at great prices. The signature dish ‘bombas’ is not to be missed. Also try patatas bravas, croquets de jamon, chorizo, garlic shrimp and pimientos de padron.

Address – Calle de la Maquinista, 3, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

– Karilyn Owen, No Back Home

Tuscania Food and Wine

Tuscania Food and Wine is a wonderful, little tapas restaurant with a beautiful view of the Sagrada Familia. It’s a small oasis of authenticity in a sea of ​​overpriced tourist traps. Very friendly and open owner.

Address – Carrer Mallorca, 434, 08013 Barcelona, Spain

– Bart Melis, Vetexbart

Tapas 24

In the trendy Eixample neighborhood just two blocks off the Plaça de Catalunya is Tapas 24.  Built by Carles Abellan (a 13-year veteran of Ferran Adrià’s elBulli, Tapas 24 features old-style tapas favorites, often with new and creative twists, including the delicious Patatas Bravas.

tapas 24 barcelona

Despite being absolutely gourmet, Tapas 24 is reasonably priced.  There are only a handful of tables and long waits can be possible, but it’s worth it!

Address – Carrer de la Diputació, 269, 08007 Barcelona, Spain

– Lance Longwell, Travel Addicts

Paella del Arte

Paella del Arte is a small Tapas restaurant that is often not crowded, on a lovely street behind the Diagonal. The staff is very friendly. The food is out of this world, so good in fact that I went back several times while I was staying near there.

My favorite tapas at Paella:

  • Traditional Spanish omelette
  • Patatas Bravas
  • Chicken Croquettes
  • Marinated Pork Skewers
  • Meatballs

They also had sweet tapas for dessert. My favorite was lemon sorbet with Vodka poured over it. It was wonderful!

Address – Carrer de Provença, 271, 08008 Barcelona, Spain

– Alecia Kryworuka, Family Vacay

Bar Bodega Quimet

One of my favorite tapas bars in Barcelona is called Bar Bodega Quimet – not to be confused with the much more popular (and touristy) Quimet & Quimet! It is your classic Barcelona vermouth bar, an old fashioned place where locals squeeze in for a glass of vermouth and some olives, anchovies, and fuet.

Address – Carrer de Vic, 23, 08006 Barcelona, Spain

– Lauren Aloise, Spanish Sabores

Aitor Restaurant

Around the corner from La Sagrada Familia, Aitor Restaurant is a Basque-style “pinchas” experience. Point and choose what you eat. When you’re finished, they’ll count your toothpicks to determine your bill!

Address – Carrer de Sardenya, 324, 08025 Barcelona, Spain

– Betsy Wuebker, Passing Thru

Cerveceria Baviera

Good tapas right on La Rambla? You wouldn’t think so, but with all the foot traffic Cerveceria Baviera can maintain a huge, varied selection, and they keep the quality outstanding.

snails best tapas in barcelona

Try the tortilla with grilled peppers, patatas bravas, but whatever you do, don’t skip the Caracoles en Catalan (Catalan snails!)

Address – Les Rambles, 127, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

– Sean Boyle, Venturists

Maitea

The best tapas I’ve ever had was at Maitea in Barcelona. It was recommended to me by our AirBnB host who was a regular. My friends and I tried it on our first night and went back 4 more times throughout the week – it was that good! Maitea was quite popular and filled with locals in the evenings.

Don’t forget to keep your toothpicks because at the end they will count up your toothpicks and charge you accordingly. One of the best dining experiences of my life. Don’t miss it!

Address – Carrer de Casanova, 157, 08036 Barcelona, Spain

– Jordan Hamons, The Hungry Traveler

El Xampayet

My absolute favorite place in Barcelona is the classic, family-run El Xampayet in the Born district. Don’t miss their cheese-stuffed ‘pimientos’ or house made cava. They also have excellent botifarra and calamares, and if nothing else just ask for ‘una sorpresa’ (surprise) and you won’t be disappointed!

Address – Carrer de Montcada, 22, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

– Anne Lowrey, Part Time Traveler

El 58

El 58 offers a modern twist on tapas, without the pretentiousness those kinds of places often come with. The menu changes based on what’s in season and is brought to you hand written on a big black board.

Must try items are the botifarra with chickpeas and the patatas bravas, but I’ve loved every dish I’ve ever had there so you can’t really go wrong!

Address – Rambla del Poblenou, 58, 08005 Barcelona, Spain

– Edwina D, Travelling German

Vaso de Oro

It may be in all the guidebooks but Vaso de Oro still retains its traditional Spanish charm. You can sit along the bar, watch the food being prepared in front of you, and wash it all down with one of their own light or dark beers. We ordered Manchego served with roasted and salted almonds, and spicy tuna.

Address – Calle de Balboa, 6, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

– Kiara Gallop, Gallop Around The Globe

Summary

Hungry yet? What an array of amazing tapas bars to choose from. Rather than figuring out which one is right for you, here is my recommendation – TRY THEM ALL! Even though we only sampled three tapas bars during our short stay in Barcelona, I am intrigued to return to the Catalan capital to experience some of the other recommendations that our fellow travelers have suggested.

Whether you want to try the snails or perhaps the manchego with roasted almonds, there is a wealth of delectable cuisine to choose from!

Welcome to Barcelona!

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