A question: who doesn’t want a small piece of bread with something delicious on top?
Meaning ‘thorn’ or ‘spike’ in Spanish, referring to the toothpicks holding the snack together, this Basque staple is best enjoyed with a glass of young white wine or zurito (a quarter pint).
And though it may not be the Basque country, our Catalonian capital has its share of quality pintxo bars. Here’s a list of the best pintxo bars in Barcelona – let’s dig in!
The Best Pintxos in Barcelona
Looking for good prices and huge variety? Head for the famous Carrer Blai.
Between Tapioles and Roser streets there must be about a dozen bars all serving pintxos and beer/wine options starting at just €1.00.
Just get to Paral-lel or Poble Sec metro stations and it’s a short walk.
La Tasqueta de Blai
Area: Poble Sec | Calle Blai 17 | Metro: Paral-lel (L2 + L3) | Website
Another gem hidden in plain sight packed with locals. In my opinion these are the top pintxos in Barcelona. I take visiting friends here. A downside is there’s no terrace, but that’s evened out by the cocktails!
This place is good for night owls as it’s open till 2 am. try the spicy chorizo with quail egg, roasted aubergine with mozzarella, and the mini burgers.
Price: €1.00-€2.50.
🥘 Looking for food + history + wine + fun? Take one of Barcelona’s best food tours.
Maitea
Area: Eixample | Calle Casanova 155 | Metro: Hospital Clinic (blue line L5) | Website
More than 100 varieties of pintxo! The Basque country meets Barcelona here and the offerings are decidedly more refined than tradition calls for. Possibly the best quality-price ratio in central Barcelona.
This place is famous for using top quality ingredients and inventing seasonal varieties. I recommend trying the foie stuffed mushrooms, goat cheese with Iberian ham, and tortilla de patatas.
Price: €1.75.
La Taberna Blai Tonight
Area: Poble Sec | Calle Blai 23-25 | Metro: Paral-lel (L2 + L3) | Website
Value value value. A cozy traditional and oft-packed bar with a terrace for watching the always active Blai. A friendly staff with good English. The high turnover at peak hours means fresh food is coming out constantly.
A huge variety of 30 or more pintxos and €1.00 glasses of beer. Try the salmon and asparagus, chicken curry (yes, you read right), and the classic chistorra (a fast-cure sausage heavy on garlic and paprika).
Price: €1.00-€1.50.
🍷 Want to sample the best local wines? Book one of Barcelona’s best wine tours from €30.00.
Irati Taverna Basca
Area: Gothic Quarter | Calle Cardenal Casanas 17 | Metro: Liceu (green line L3) | Website
It’s just a stone’s throw away from the famous La Rambla and yet in presentation and taste it’s clear this isn’t some tourist-trap hell. The cold pintxos at the bar featuring smoked salmon, Serrano ham, goat cheese, sardines, stuffed peppers are to die for.
Don’t fill yourself up right away though. As crowds build the attentive waiters bring out the hot stuff on trays and offer them like some fancy party. Try the Rioja wine.
Price: €2.00.
Bodega Biarritz 1881
Area: Gothic Quarter | Calle Vidre 8 | Metro: Liceu (green line L3) | Website
This rustic and cosy tapas place in the heart of the Barri Gotic has been churning out high quality pintxos since forever. Whether you’re a meat lover or looking for vegetarian options there’s something here for you.
There’s no self-service here and you’re putting your faith in the chef’s hands. Tell them what you like and don’t like and for €27.00 you’ll get two 8 course tapas tasting menus. The spicy chicken, chorizo, and vegetable stack skewers are highlights.
Get there early around 5 pm. Cash only.
Blai 9
Area: Poble Sec | Calle Blai 9 | Metro: Paral-lel (L2 + L3) | Website
Something different. Most pintxos here are served on delicious mini pancakes or in wraps.
The flavours are also more international and the nachos and quesadillas prove this. A trendy and modern bar with unparalleled presentation and a wide assortment of local craft beers.
Try the tuna croquettes, black rice and squid wrap, ricotta spinach and bacon piadina.
Price: €1.20-€1.70.
El Pintxo de Petritxol
Area: Gothic Quarter | Calle Petritxol 9 | Metro: Liceu (green line L3)
This legendary street famous for churros con chocolate also brings us top notch pintxos in the Barri Gotic – so grab a seat among the rustic exposed brickwork and enjoy a wide variety of both hot and cold tapas.
There’s also a second location near the beach (Carrer de la Maquinista 15) in the legendary Barceloneta neighbourhood.
You’ll love it for its fair prices, cold tap beer, and a sangria.
Price: €1.95+.
Golfo de Bizkaia
Area: El Born | Calle Vidriera 12 | Metro: Jaume I (yellow line L3) | Website
Ignore the Blockbuster Video-esque logo and tacky maritime decor, this is a classic Barcelona pintxos spot right near the Santa Maria del Mar. Grab the traditional cider here and watch their unique and showy pouring method.
A bit more gourmet than its Blai cousins, the 80 types of ‘pure Basque’ pintxos and central location more than justify the prices. Try the anchovies in vinegar, Iberian ham, fried prawns.
Price: €2.00-€3.00.
Pintxos in Barcelona
Why You’ll Like Pintxos
- They’re cheap, tasty, and filling.
- There’s fast self-service to give you more time seeing attractions.
- It’s an easy way to try mini versions of Spanish culinary staples.
- The large variety ensures even fussy eaters find something to eat.
How Does it Work?
Sit down and order yourself a drink and a waiter will ask you if you need a plate.
Say yes.
What happens next is a self-service free-for-all where you can load up on tasty wonders that’ll make you hate yourself for eating with your eyes.
Just make sure to keep the toothpicks – they’ll be counted for the final bill.
Still Searching for the Top Barcelona Pintxos Restaurants?
As always I’m going to promise my readers that the advice doesn’t stop here! If you’ve got any comments or questions about pintxos in Barcelona or anything else to do with your holiday I am here.
And don’t be afraid to join the pintxos discussion in my new Facebook group called I’m Off to Barcelona – here you can ask any questions, air out grievances, chat with fellow travelers, and more – anything goes!
Enjoy your Barcelona pintxos 🙂
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November 18, 2019 at 7:39 pmHi! Do you also happen to have an instagram account?
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November 19, 2019 at 11:38 amHola Kimmy, Yes: Barcelona Hacks! :) Cheers, Lucile
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June 2, 2019 at 1:48 pmLove ❤️ this blog. My husband and I are traveling to Barcelona for my 50th birthday in August . I’m taking notes!!! I hate tourist traps.
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July 25, 2019 at 9:54 pmAwesome. My cousin and I are celebrating our 50th birthdays too. We will be in Barcelona then1st week of September. Happy birthday and enjoy your travels!
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June 3, 2019 at 10:17 am
Team MemberAshGreat stuff Manuela! Please let me know if I can answer any specific questions for you :)
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May 4, 2019 at 4:49 pmI am visiting Barcelona next weekend. Thanks for all the useful info in this website. My question : When we eat at restaurants such as the pintxos places, do the restaurant add 10/15% to the bill as service charge, or there is no such practice and customers are free to give whatever we think worthwhile ?
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May 5, 2019 at 7:44 am Team MemberAshHi Albert, I find that only really high end places charge a 10-15% gratuity... for most restaurants in the city nothing is added and the practice of leaving tips here is not common. Spaniards leave a couple of euros if the service is particularly good but it is not uncommon in places like these (pintxo places and tapas bars) to leave nothing... it has saved me quite a bit over the years ;) Ash
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April 30, 2019 at 1:04 amAre the pinxto bars in Poble-Sec open on Sundays?
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April 30, 2019 at 9:01 am Team MemberAshIndeed many of them are, Sue. My favourite Tasqueta del Blai is for sure :)
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April 4, 2018 at 11:59 pmHello, Really enjoy all this information and makes me excited it visit Barcelona. Am i right in saying there are many places for pintxo in Poble Sec? I am with a big group of girls and we wanted to do a pintxo tour (where we go from place to place) without having to go on a paid organised tour. Any ideas? Also, do you know of any good bars and cocktail bars for a big group (11)? Somewhere we could dance but not a club. Thanks & look forward to hearing from you!
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January 3, 2019 at 8:17 pmI think your writing is so well constructed and so fluid. thank you x
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January 4, 2019 at 10:47 am Team MemberAshThank you so much Emma! :)
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April 5, 2018 at 2:40 pm Team MemberAshHi Mags, Yes indeed you're correct. The famous 'pintxo street' there has at least half a dozen and maybe 10 different bars where you can get them. There are also a ton of cheapo beer bars. I would start at the bottom of Calle Blai (near Apolo) and work your way up stopping when you please. Just make sure you go to Tasqueta del Blai as one of the stops as in my opinion it's the best. For cocktails I would go for Paradiso, Boca Chica, or Sor Rita Bar (this one will be less pricey) though there isn't a lot of dancing in these places... for something less 'clubby' I would try Marula for their cool live music or old school vibes. It's got a decent dance floor. There's also Bombon which isn't a club but has plenty of dancing and Latin vibes. My two cents :) Ash
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April 30, 2017 at 9:24 pmHello, Google now shows TXAKOLÍN as permanently closed.
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May 1, 2017 at 4:15 pm Team MemberAshHi Quinton, Thanks for pointing this out! Sometimes my readers are more on the ball than I am :) Will look into this and replace ASAP, thanks.
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September 5, 2016 at 11:39 amOrio: .95 per Good ambiance
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September 6, 2016 at 10:28 am Team MemberAshHi Christian, Thanks for chiming in - it's always good to hear of new places but I'm going to respectfully disagree ;) Prices at Orio I've heard are €1.95-€2.50 a pintxo, not 0.95. Having walked by it many times it looks like just another place on Calle Ferran looking to cash in on wandering tourists. I'd recommend anybody take the 'scenic' 15 minute walk from there through Raval and get to Calle Blai in Poble Sec for better quality and value.
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