After a week in Barcelona I start wanting something other than jamón and bravas. It's a big, multicultural city, and there's great food here from all over the world, from Senegalese maafe to Cantonese roast duck. These places are from my list; the descriptions are pulled together from Google Maps reviews, and I'll add my own notes as I visit.
Prices are Google's average spend per person, valid as of 30 September 2026. Rate: 1 € ≈ $1.13.
In short
- Sushi: Monster Sushi, often called the best in town and not sky-high on price; Parco, omakase for a special occasion (50–80 €).
- Ramen: Noru Bar (weekday lunch only) and Umaimon (two restaurants, open every day).
- Cheap and filling: Foni (Senegalese, under 10 €) and the empanadas at La Baldosa.
- Chinese, Thai, Indian: Restaurant Cantonès, Thai Noodles, Achaar Bar (book ahead).
- For breakfast or brunch: Salut Bistro on Enric Granados.
Asia
Monster Sushi
Eixample · Japanese · 20–40 € (≈$23–45) · Mon–Tue 13:30–16:00 & 20:00–0:00, Wed–Sun 13:30–0:00
Google Maps · website · Carrer de Girona, 68
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 3,200+): a sushi restaurant that plenty of people call the best in Barcelona. Well-cooked rice and fresh fish. Reviewers recommend the salmon aburi nigiri, the El Negrito and Redondo Beach rolls, the eel and the signature Monster steak, and from the hot dishes, yakisoba, gyoza and okonomiyaki. It costs more than usual, but guests say it's worth it. Fast, attentive service.
Parco
Gràcia, top of Passeig de Gràcia · Japanese · 50–80 € (≈$57–90) · Tue–Sun lunch 13:30–16:00 & dinner 20:30–0:30, closed Monday
Google Maps · website · Passeig de Gràcia, 119
According to Google Maps reviews (4.3 from 1,400+): a fashionable sushi restaurant with a vintage interior, and many call it the best sushi in town. The main format is trusting the chef: they bring round after round until you're full, and finish with black miso cod. People praise the sashimi, the butterfish and the Japanese cake. It's expensive, the low tables are uncomfortable, and the service can be cool.
Noru Bar
Poblenou · ramen · 20–30 € (≈$23–34) · lunch only: Mon–Fri 13:00–15:30, closed Sat–Sun
Google Maps · website · Carrer de Pere IV, 152
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 400+): a small ramen bar with a short menu and a character of its own, and one of the city's favourite ramens among those who've tried it. People praise the curry ramen, the miso, the kimchi, the ramen with prawns and pork belly, the tuna tataki to start and the mochi. Beautiful ceramics, careful about allergies, dogs welcome. Weekday lunches only, and no takeaway.
Umaimon Ramen (Takumi)
Eixample · ramen · 10–20 € (≈$11–23) · daily 12:30–16:30 & 19:00–23:00, Fri–Sat until 23:30
Two restaurants: chicken ramen at Carrer de Balmes, 59 (website), tonkotsu at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 704 (website)
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 4,500+ and 3,100+): a reliable ramen chain with bright, cheerful dining rooms. On Balmes people praise the chicken tantanmen and the black garlic miso; on Gran Via, the tonkotsu. On the side: gyoza and fried chicken. Generous portions, served fast. The downsides: the service can be inattentive, and not every bowl is equally good.
Restaurant Cantonès
Eixample, near Arc de Triomf · Cantonese · 10–20 € (≈$11–23) · daily 11:00–22:30
Google Maps · Carrer d'Alí Bei, 39
According to Google Maps reviews (4.2 from 2,200+): an authentic Cantonese restaurant that many call the best Chinese in the city. A big dining room, a big menu, generous portions and fair prices. People praise the Cantonese roast duck, the pork soup, the prawn dumplings, the ribs and the noodles with peanut sauce; the siu mai sometimes gets complaints.
Thai Noodles
Eixample · Thai · 10–20 € (≈$11–23) · Tue–Sat 13:00–16:00 & 20:00–23:00, closed Sun–Mon
Google Maps · website · Carrer de València, 230
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 500): a small Thai restaurant with a short noodle menu, and according to Thai food fans, just like in Thailand. People praise the pad see ew, the kuay teow tom yum, the red curry, the tofu skewers, the Thai iced tea and the mango sticky rice. Lots of vegetarian dishes, quick service, a quirky interior.
Achaar Bar
Poblenou · Indian · 20–30 € (≈$23–34) · Mon–Sat 12:15–16:00 & 19:30–23:00, closed Sunday
Google Maps · Instagram · Carrer de Pere IV, 89
According to Google Maps reviews (4.3 from 560+): a small Indian canteen that reviewers describe as a rare case of proper Indian food in Barcelona. People praise the lamb and the biryani, the butter chicken, the garlic naan, the homemade kombucha and the selection of natural wines. Best to book a table in advance. The downsides: small portions, spice and salt toned down for local tastes, and some guests find it overhyped by social media.
Africa and the Middle East
Foni (Bar África)
El Raval · Senegalese & Gambian · 1–10 € (≈$1–11) · daily 12:00–2:00
Google Maps · Instagram · Carrer de l'Est, 9
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 1,200+): a simple, no-frills canteen serving West African food: rice and couscous dishes from Senegal and The Gambia. The star of the menu is maafe (chicken in peanut sauce), and people also praise the ginger lemonade. Big portions, low prices, fast and friendly service, and you can order half portions. It's cramped and plain inside (don't judge it by its looks), but there are tables outside.
Aska Dinya
Gràcia · Palestinian · 20–30 € (≈$23–34) · daily 12:30–0:00
Google Maps · Carrer de Verdi, 28
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 2,100+): Arab and Palestinian cooking in a stylish dining room with a green courtyard. Mezze, grilled meat and pastries: fresh, vivid in flavour, authentic; halal. The food comes quickly. The downsides: dishes are 14–19 € each, they don't serve tap water (a bottle is 2 €), and the waiters aren't always friendly.
Latin America
Chamako
Eixample · Mexican & Asian · 30–40 € (≈$34–45) · Tue–Sun from 18:00 until 0:00–1:00, closed Monday
Google Maps · website · Carrer de París, 168
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 1,800+): fusion, more Mexican than Asian, in a simple interior (thick wooden tables, milk-crate stools) with dim lighting. Everything is made for sharing. People praise the chicken nachos, the smash burger and prawn tacos, the bao, the ceviche and the cocktails.
La Baldosa
Eixample · Argentinian empanadas · 1–10 € (≈$1–11) · Mon–Fri from 11:00, Sat–Sun from 17:00, until 23:30–0:30
Google Maps · Carrer de Lepant, 125
According to Google Maps reviews (4.9 from 650+): a small empanada bar on a quiet street. Big, well-stuffed empanadas at a good price; people praise the pulled pork, chicken, Malbec beef, four cheese, and mushroom with pecorino. Cold beer and friendly folks behind the counter. Good for a quick bite; the coffee is so-so.
Mi Rincón
Eixample, near Sagrada Família · Colombian · 10–20 € (≈$11–23) · daily 10:00–22:00, Tue until 16:00
Google Maps · website · Av. Diagonal, 303
According to Google Maps reviews (4.2 from 2,200+): a simple, colourful diner serving Colombian home cooking. People praise the arepas, the fried plantains, the bandeja paisa, and the chicken with rice and beans. Big portions, reasonable prices, a warm welcome, and good for families.
And brunch
Salut Bistro
Eixample, Enric Granados · brunch & bistro · 10–30 € (≈$11–34) · daily 9:00–16:00 & 19:30–23:00
Google Maps · website · Carrer d'Enric Granados, 58
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 1,000+): a bistro with a terrace on pedestrianised Enric Granados, and a favourite breakfast and brunch spot for many guests. People praise the flat white, the shakshuka, the syrniki, the bikini and a glass of cava in the sun. Friendly staff, good prices, dogs welcome. In the evening, near closing, the kitchen rushes.
One last thing
Many restaurants here work in two shifts: lunch until about 16:00 and dinner from 19:30–20:00, closed in between. Check the hours before you head out, especially for Noru Bar and Thai Noodles.