Every tourist knows the Boqueria, but Barcelona residents tend to shop for food elsewhere. This is a selection from my list of saved places: covered markets for locals, the shop where tapas bars stock up, and grocers with food from around the world, from Turkish to Polish. The descriptions are put together from Google Maps reviews.
There are hardly any prices here, as Google doesn't list them for shops. Details valid as of 30 September 2026. Rate: 1 € ≈ $1.13.
In short
- Markets for locals instead of the Boqueria: Mercat de Santa Caterina and Mercat del Ninot.
- Tinned fish and olives like the tapas bars use: La Ribera, S.A. in El Born, weekdays only.
- Food from around the world: Turkish at A La Turca, Iranian at Sabores de la Vida, Polish at Krakoviak and Latin American at Manjares.
- A sweet gift: convent sweets at Caelum.
- Open on Sunday: Manjares, A La Turca, Krakoviak, Sabores de la Vida and Caelum.
Food and markets
Mercat de Santa Caterina
El Born · covered market · Mon, Wed, Sat 7:30–15:30; Tue, Thu, Fri 7:30–20:00; closed Sun
Google Maps · website · Av. de Francesc Cambó, 16
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 18,400+): Barcelona's first covered market, opened in 1848, with a wavy roof of coloured mosaic added in the 2005 rebuild. Inside: ham and cured meats, cheese, olives, spices, fish and seafood, plus bars and small restaurants. Many recommend it over the touristy Boqueria. The fish smell is stronger here than at other markets.
Mercat del Ninot
Eixample · covered market · Mon–Sat 8:00–20:00, closed Sun
Google Maps · website · Carrer de Mallorca, 133
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 13,600+): a bright restored market where locals do their shopping and tourists are rare. Great meat, fish and produce stalls and plenty of places to eat: reviewers like De Cruz Morales, where you pick meat by the kilo and finish it on a hot plate, and the juices at Natura't. Some prefer it to Santa Caterina.
La Ribera, S.A.
El Born · tinned fish and deli · Mon–Fri 8:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:00, closed Sat–Sun
Google Maps · website · Plaça Comercial, 11
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 410+): a family-run wholesale and retail shop where the tapas bars themselves stock up. A huge range of tinned seafood (one shopper found the same brand served at Quimet & Quimet), olives, salt cod, spices, wine and good chorizo, cheaper than the supermarkets. Weekdays only.
Manjares
Gràcia · butcher and world foods · Mon–Sat 9:00–21:00, Sun 10:00–15:00
Google Maps · website · Carrer del Torrent de l'Olla, 146
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 250+): a butcher with good-quality South American cuts at fair prices; regulars have bought their barbecue steaks here for years. There are also groceries, sauces, beers and herbs from around the world, mostly Latin America. Open on Sunday mornings too.
A La Turca Market & Degustación
Sant Andreu · Turkish grocery and breakfast · Mon–Sat 9:00–21:00, Sun 9:00–17:00
Google Maps · website · Carrer de Felip II, 86
According to Google Maps reviews (4.9 from 170+): a supermarket of Turkish, Iranian and Middle Eastern products with a café inside that serves a full Turkish breakfast. Reviewers praise the homemade taste, the tea and the prices, and the owners for their warmth. It's a trek from the centre, but regulars come for breakfast every weekend.
Sabores de la Vida
El Born · Iranian grocery · Mon–Sat 10:30–21:00, Sun 15:00–21:00
Google Maps · Carrer de la Princesa, 31
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 160+): a small Iranian shop with teas, spices, dried fruit, rose water and herbal blends. What brings people back is the freshly ground nut butter, which shoppers say they can't find anywhere else. The owner is welcoming; the only criticism is that the layout could be more inviting.
Polish Shop Krakoviak
Sagrada Família · Polish groceries · Mon–Sat 10:00–22:00, Sun 11:00–21:00
Google Maps · website · C. de Sicília, 326
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 750+): Polish, Ukrainian and Romanian groceries: smoked sausages, dairy, herbs, pelmeni, sweets and a good range of beer and spirits, often discounted. Open late, seven days a week. Downsides: expired products turn up now and then, so check the dates, especially on dairy, and the staff can be curt.
Caelum
Barri Gòtic · convent sweets and café · 10–20 € (≈$11–23) · Mon–Fri 12:00–20:00, Sat–Sun 10:30–20:00
Google Maps · Instagram · Carrer de la Palla, 8
According to Google Maps reviews (4.2 from 3,500+): a shop and café, open since 1998, with sweets made to old recipes from Spanish monasteries and convents: polvorones, honey pastries, simple cakes, a meringue-topped lemon tart. The desserts aren't overly sweet, and there are gluten-free and vegan options. Chocolates and local products are sold as gifts. It's popular and touristy, and some find it prettier than it is tasty.
One last thing
The markets are closed on Sunday, and on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Santa Caterina closes at 15:30, so go food shopping on a weekday morning. La Ribera is closed at weekends and shuts from 14:00 to 16:00.
More on Barcelona: vintage and design, wine and beer shops.