10 Surprisingly Unique Traditional Foods To Try In Catalonia

What is the traditional food of Catalonia?

Catalan food is the food that’s typical from the Catalonia region.

With a diverse climate and geography, spanning from the Pyrenee mountains to the Mediterranean sea, Catalan cuisine generally thrives in the mix of land and sea ingredients. Catalonia is well-known for its cured meats, sausages, and cheese, as well as fresh fish and seafood.

The fertile soils in Catalonia also foster a gastronomical environment rich in high-quality fresh produce, with many dishes featuring tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onions, and other seasonal vegetables. There are also several protected designations of origin (D.O.C) for Catalan products such as olive oil and wine in the region.

The main spices and aromatic herbs used in Catalan dishes are cumin, saffron, paprika, cinnamon, thyme, rosemary, and parsley. Nuts, such as almonds, pine nuts, hazelnuts, and walnuts are very common in desserts.

In general, traditional Catalan food is not spicy-hot.

Calçots (pronounced “kahl-sotz“) are one of the most traditional foods in Catalonia. This variety of long, sweet green onions was developed here at the turn of the 20th century, and even carries a D.O.C (protected designation of origin)!

The most popular way to prepare calçots is to grill them over an open flame until the outer layers turn black, preserving their sweet and smokey interior.

To eat them, you should grab them by the leafy end with one hand and peel off the blackened skin with the other. Dip the white bulb into a generous amount of delicious romesco sauce (also a favourite of mine from Catalonia!), then hold the calçot over your head and eat from the bottom up.

Where to eat it

Calçots season is during the winter months, and this is when the calçotadas take place – these are community feasts dedicated to eating calçots, where they even hold calçot eating competitions!

The town of Valls, near Tarragona, is where calçots originate from and their famous calçotada takes place every year during the last weekend of January. Outside of the calçotadas, many traditional restaurants also serve calçots during the winter, such as L’Antic Forn in Barcelona.

A Xuixo (pronounced “choo-shoo” or “shoo-shoo“) is a traditional Catalan pastry originating from the city of Girona. The cylindrical deep-fried pastry is coasted in sugar and filled with crema catalana – yes, the famous Catalan version of crème brûlée!

While xuixos are commonly enjoyed alongside a cup of tea or coffee, I have also had them paired with a glass of Catalan Ratafia liquor, which went down just a treat!

Where to eat it

In Girona! One of the most iconic places to have it is at El Xuixo de Can Castelló, a historical pastry shop established in 1898.

You might find them in pastry shops around Catalonia as well – Pastisseria La Colmena in Barcelona is often recommended for xuixos.

Before visiting Catalonia, I had no idea that they had such great wine in the region. That is completely on me, though, because Catalonia is in fact the only other region in Spain besides Rioja that boasts a Qualified Designation of Origin (D.O.Q) for wine-making!

For this reason, I highly recommend visiting a winery in Catalonia and tasting some of their great wines! I was very fortunate to tour the Perinet winery in Priorat, and taste their wine straight from the barrel. I am not usually a fan of red wine, but I discovered some of my most favourite red wines ever here!

Where to drink it

You can find Catalan wines in wine shops all over the region, and you can also taste them in most good traditional restaurants (ask the waiter or sommelier for recommendations!).

For wine lovers in particular, my recommendation would always be to go on a winery tour and tasting to one of the many wineries around Catalonia. Some of the most renowned wine regions are DO Prioriat and DO Penedès.

Oh, you thought only the French ate snails? Like a fair few Mediterranean cultures, Catalonia also has a love for snails on their plate. Unlike the French, though, the Catalan way of eating snails relies a lot less on butter and preserves more of their natural flavour – which I will admit makes them a bit of a “love it or hate it” kind of dish.

Caragols a la llauna (meaning “snails in a tin pan”) is the traditional way of cooking snails on a grill or tin pan. Once grilled, the snails are topped with herbs and seasonings, such as garlic and parsley, oregano, rosemary, etc., and usually served with a sauce (aioli, vinaigrette, romesco, etc.).

Where to eat it

Caragols are especially popular in the province of Lleida and in the Pyrenees. The Aplec del Caragol (“snail gathering”) is the most important snail festival in Lleida, which takes place every year in May and attracts over 200,000 visitors!

You can also find caragols in some traditional Catalan restaurants like Los Caracoles, in Barcelona.

Now here’s a combination of ingredients that most of us are probably not familiar with!

This unusual toast topped with dark chocolate, salt, and olive oil is a classic snack in Catalonia and it reflects the Catalan love for mixing sweet and savoury in one bite.

Where to eat it

This snack is so simple that you can easily make it at home!

Chefs have been playing with this fun snack, so you may find it recreated in the menus of some restaurants or tapas bars – El Velódromo, in Barcelona, is one of the places serving it.

Instead of going straight to the paella, when in Catalonia, I recommend giving Fideuà a try instead (okay, maybe eat both, but don’t skip the latter!).

Made with short, thin toasted noodles called fideos instead of rice, this cousin of the famous paella is one of the most beloved dishes in Catalonia.

The secret of a good Fideuà is the sofregit (sofrito) used as the base for toasting the fideos with – a flavourful paste of slowly caramelised onions, tomatoes, and garlic. Distinctly, fideuà is made exclusively with fish and seafood, and served topped with a generous dollop of aioli sauce.

Where to eat it

In general, you should be able to find fideuà in traditional Catalan restaurants that specialise in serving paella. A restaurant in Barcelona that is highly-rated for their fideuà is Micu Maku.

The Pastissets de Tortosa are the most famous sweet from the historic city of Tortosa, near Costa Daurada.

These crescent-shaped artisanal pastries are traditionally filled with angel hair (a sweet pumpkin filling) and their origin dates back to the 8th century. Nowadays, you can also find modern versions with all kinds of fillings, from chocolate to orange.

Where to eat it

In the city of Tortosa, of course! Locals recommend Panadería Alqueza, for respecting the original recipe, but you can also find them in Tortosa’s Market Hall.

In Barcelona, you can find them at Churreria San Román.

Perhaps you don’t especially associate vermouth with Catalonia, but let me change your mind on that!

Vermut is one of Catalonia’s favourite drinks, and they even call the time of day before lunch ‘l’hora del vermut’ (vermouth hour), to catch up with friends over this appetiser and a few snacks.

Vermouth is made from fortified red or white wine, aromatised with botanicals, herbs and spices, and sweetened, resulting in a delicious aperitif drink. It’s best enjoyed alongside salty or savoury snacks like cheese, crisps, olives, anchovies, cured meats, or seafood.

Where to drink it

My pro tip is to try vermouth in Reus, near Tarragona. The city is very popular for its long history of producing high-quality vermouth, and some family businesses still carry on making it the traditional way.

I visited Vermuts Rofes who operate a restaurant as well, and loved their vermouth so much that I brought two bottles home with me!

Alternatively, find a vermutería anywhere in Catalonia – these are establishments dedicated to serving vermouth and any snacks that go with it.

Recuit (or Recuit de Drap) is a soft curd goat’s cheese typical from the Empordà region of Catalonia, in Costa Brava. Similar to cottage cheese but with a creamy texture, it’s usually sold fresh and enclosed in a cellulose cloth.

Due to its creamy and light texture, the cheese is often served as a dessert, and it pairs well with honey, sugar, jams, nuts, and fresh or dried fruits. It can also be used as an ingredient, and I particularly love the decadent and cheesecake-like Recuit de Drap Cake from the Recuits Nuri shop.

Where to eat it

In the Empordà region (in Costa Brava) – you can find it in restaruants, butcheries and gourmet stores, but Recuits Nuri and Recuits de Fonteta are some of the best-known shops.

Considered a staple in Catalan cuisine, I couldn’t miss mentioning the traditional tomato bread.

This healthy and flavourful snack is so simple that anyone can make it at home. All you need is some toasted bread, raw garlic, fresh overripe tomatoes, olive oil, and sea salt. It pairs well with cheese, cured meats, and of course, a glass of red wine or vermouth.

Where to eat it

Make it at home or find it in any traditional Catalan restaurant in the region!

Where to try traditional foods in Catalonia?

If you’d like to discover and sample all the popular Catalan foods, you can do so on your own by going to local traditional restaurants, or you can also jump on a traditional food tour or cooking class.

Traditional Catalan Food Tours and Activities

In my opinion, eating a country’s traditional food is one of the best ways to familiarise yourself with its history and culture.

Food tours and cooking classes often also introduce you to local people who love to share their norms, customs, and sometimes even their homes – while teaching you all about their typical dishes.