Barcelona is one of my favorite places to visit… and to eat. In fact, it’s the city where I first adopted a vegetarian lifestyle, more than sixteen years ago! In fact, it was the amazing selection of vegetarian restaurants in Barcelona that helped me learn to be a vegetarian… and that keep me coming back to the city, again and again!
Today, Barcelona is packed with vegan and vegetarian restaurants. You can find seasonal vegetable dishes using the best of the local Catalan harvests, you can find creative vegetarian interpretations of traditional, meat-based Spanish dishes, international influences abound in restaurants serving foreign flavors, and the city’s conscious consumers gravitate towards health-focused cafes and restaurants. In other words, there is something for every vegetarian!
In making this list, I did highlight many of my favorite purely vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Barcelona, but I wanted to also include some restaurants that serve meat too. Although I haven’t eaten any meat since 2004, I know that lots of “omni” restaurants serve delicious meatless dishes (often with a focus on sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients) and, frankly, sometimes you’re traveling with someone and they just want a burger and that’s okay too.
In this guide, I’ll make it clear which Barcelona restaurants are totally vegetarian or vegan, and which ones just serve great meatless options alongside other dishes. If I’ve missed your favorite, scroll down to the comments and let me know!
The Best of the Best: My Absolute Favorite Vegetarian Restaurant in Barcelona
Teresa Carles
The first place I stop for lunch on every trip to Barcelona is Teresa Carles, a fantastic vegetarian restaurant with a commitment to local, seasonal ingredients and creative plant-forward cooking. I love their vegetarian prix-fixe lunch menu, which features interchangeable courses (do you want a starter and main dish, a main dish and a dessert, or all three?) and wine by the glass. As I’m writing this, they are celebrating summer flavors with dishes like a nectarine-cucumber gazpacho, sauteed vegetables with black garlic and almonds, and a Spanish riff on black forest cake, with chocolate and cherry jam. And you can have all three for less than €15!
Vegetarian | Carrer de Jovellanos, 2 | Metro Universitat
Fun Vegetarian Restaurants in Barcelona
A Tu Bola
I mentioned that I became a vegetarian in Barcelona way back in 2004. At that time, the Spanish shoe company Camper ran Casa Camper (a boutique hotel that is still in operation today – I’ve stayed in their Berlin location before) as well as Foodball, a restaurant that served nothing but stuffed rice balls. I ate there at least twice a week, and I still have fond memories of the tofu-seaweed rice balls dipped in their creamy coconut curry sauce. Reminiscing now finished, I feel like Foodball has sort of been replaced by A Tu Bola, a restaurant that serves balls (of meat, tofu, lentils or sweet potato) on plates or stuffed in pitas.
Vegetarian-Friendly | Carrer de l’Hospital, 78 | Metro Liceu
Brunch & Cake
If there’s someone creeping your Instagram and you need to impress them with a fancy breakfast photo, Brunch & Cake has your back. They have three locations in Barcelona; two in Eixample and one in Barceloneta. From what I observed, the one in Barcelona is the least busy of the three (and it has the prettiest patio).
The menu here is vegetarian-friendly, with dishes like their famous avocado toast (shown above), healthy Nutella-inspired pancakes and vegan poke bowls. There are some meat dishes on the menu here, but the majority of the dishes are suitable for vegetarians.
I have to note that Brunch & Cake may have become a victim of its own success, as it seems to have constant lines and the staff seem really overwhelmed. Try to visit in the off-season, on a weekday, for a more relaxed experience.
Vegetarian-Friendly | Passeig Joan de Borbó, 5 (Barceloneta Location) | Metro Barceloneta
Vegan Cat Bar
With a tongue-in-cheek menu (in which they claim to have reduced prices by one cent to entice you to visit), this vegan burger bar dishes up five types of veggie burgers, with optional fries, salads and drinks on the side. Their “red” burger features typical salsa brava (like you’d get with patatas bravas), while their “cactus” version features actual cactus, along with avocado and other toppings. They have moved to a new location since my last visit, so please go check it out and let me know how you liked their new digs!
Vegan | Carrer de la Mercer 50 | Metro Jaume 1 or Barceloneta
Bubita Sangria Bar
I stumbled into this little bar when I was strolling around Barcelona in the middle of winter. I needed to escape the damp sea air, and the sight of the word “vegan” on their sign drew me inside. In addition to having a full menu of plant-based tapas, they have a selection of interesting sangrias and other cocktails here (I recommend trying the Horchata 43, which is Spanish tigernut horchata blended with local Licor 43).
Vegan | Carrer dels Flassaders, 15 | Metro Jaume 1
Healthy Vegetarian Restaurants in Barcelona
Biocenter
Biocenter feels like a blast from the vegetarian past. I love visiting at lunch, when they serve up a “completo” or “combinando” according to your hunger level. Choose an appetizer (soup or salad bar), main dish, plate of the day and/or dessert, depending on what kind of food mood you’re in that day. They also have a big a la carte menu including tapas, bowls, salads, veggie burgers and other classic vegetarian dishes. Yes, they have a terrace too!
On the day of my most recent visit on a sunny summer day, the menu del dia consisted of gazpacho, quiche made with feta and vegetables (served on brown rice, with a carrot sauce drizzle) and almond sponge cake with chocolate icing.
Vegetarian | Carrer del Pintor Fortuny, 25 | Metro Liceu
BioXoco Macrobiotic
A macrobiotic diet aims to be balanced, focuses on whole foods and is often inspired by the principles of Buddhism. This philosophy is apparent at Xoco Macrobiotic, where they have a similar “plate of the day” to Biocenter. Here, the three-course lunch menu features a small selection of starters, main dishes and desserts or drinks, and you combine the three of your choice to make your healthy vegetarian lunch. They also have an a la carte menu, with all the dishes designed with balance in mind. If you come out this way, make sure to walk over to Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau after lunch; this beautiful Modernist building is a hidden gem in Barcelona.
Vegan | Carrer de la Indústria, 252 | Metro Camp de l’Arpa
Flax & Kale
Part of the Teresa Carles family of restaurants, Flax & Kale has a few locations around Barcelona and Madrid. Billing themselves as a “healthy flexitarian” option, they have a huge menu with everything from kale chips to a massive vegan mezze platter (for sharing!) to vegan tacos. They even have a kids menu, which is a rarity in Spain! Come by early from Sunday to Thursday for the Flax & Kale special, a “healthy happy hour” with discounted prices on tapas-style snacks and, yes, kombucha cocktails.
This is kind of embarrassing, but I’d heard their location on Carrer dels Tallers had a beautiful terrace. I showed up on a weekend morning and was like, “That’s it?” There were just a few tables on the terrace in front of the restaurant. It was nice, but nothing particularly special. Still, there was only one table left, so I grabbed it and ordered a breakfast of scrambled eggs and veggies on toast, along with a latte (shown above). When I was done eating I went inside to use the bathroom, and I’m sure you know where this is going…
There was a beautiful terrace inside the restaurant!
Flax & Kale has a few locations around the city. If the menu looks interesting to you, I suggest dining at the location on Carrer dels Tallers, in the beautiful interior terrace!
Vegetarian-Friendly | Carrer dels Tallers, 74b | Metro
Honest Greens
Choose-your-own-adventure bowls, plates and salads let you mix and match proteins (including tofu or falafel for vegetarians) with veggies and grains to put together your perfect, balanced meal. I was seriously into their colorful new Summer Burrata Bowl, which was bursting with Mediterranean flavors like burrata (obviously), olives, cherry gazpacho and pesto. I mean, that is a salad!
Honest Greens can get really busy, so consider taking a salad to go (from one of their four locations) and enjoying it on a nearby park bench, or back at your accommodation after a long day of sightseeing. If you do dine in the restaurant, check out their infused water bar, where you can enjoy unlimited refills of water that is gently flavored with natural ingredients like fruit slices and fresh herbs.
Vegetarian-Friendly | Pla de Palau, 11 | Barceloneta
Oakberry
There are a handful of different acai bowl places to choose from in Barcelona, but I couldn’t resist popping into Oakberry because it was close to my hotel. The concept is simple: you start with their classic acai bowl base, and then they layer in all the toppings you want (most of which come at no additional cost). Personally, I skip the nut butters and go straight to the banana, strawberry, coconut and banana because it feels more tropical to me, but even extras like almond butter, vegan granola and cacao nibs are included. Oakberry is a bit pricey, so you probably won’t make it a daily thing!
Vegetarian | Plaça del Sol, 15 | Metro Fontana
Vegetalia
Vegetalia has two locations in Barcelona: one in the Barri Gotic and one in El Born. I stopped by their Born location for their menu del dia recently. First up was the interesting salad shown above, with mixed vegetables, dried fruits, nuts and Brie cheese. After that I sampled one of their special entrees: a mixed vegetable paella (vegan!), and for dessert it was chocolate cake. The dishes here lack the finesse of say, Teresa Carles or Te Quiero Verde, but the lovely outdoor terraces at both locations makes it a worthwhile stop if you’re in town for more than a few days.
Vegetarian | Plaça del Fossar de les Moreres | Metro Jaume I or Barceloneta
Cheap Vegetarian Restaurants in Barcelona
100 Montaditos
I have a real soft spot for this chain of sandwich restaurants, which you can find in more than 350 locations in Spain, and even as far away as Italy, Portugal, Paraguay, Mexico and now Florida, USA. If you hate Subway because it’s stressful having to make up your mind on the spot, with a queue of people behind you, you’ll love sitting at one of the tables at 100 Montaditos, checking off the mini sandwiches you want from their menu of… wait for it… one hundred different options.
There are lots of meaty choices on the menu, but there are also lots of vegetarian sandwiches, including one filled with a Spanish tortilla (which is like an omelet made with potatoes), another with brie and tomato, or a goat cheese and pesto version. I quickly counted the meatless options on their online menu and found more than twenty options. Order a few sandwiches with a glass of a tinto de verano, which is red wine mixed with lemon soda, for an affordable, casual lunch.
Vegetarian-Friendly | Pl. d’Urquinaona, 1 | Metro Urquinaona
Buenas Migas
If you’re visiting Barcelona from Canada or the USA, adapting to the Spanish eating schedule can take weeks, or even months, which isn’t easy if you’re only in Barcelona for a short visit! Breakfast in Spain is often a simple affair, with a cup of coffee and piece of toast or cookie, but that’s not enough to sustain you for a full day of sightseeing! That’s why I love stopping by Buenas Migas in the morning. This chain of focaccia shops opens bright and early at 8:00 am. Swing by for a slice of focaccia (maybe with tomato and mozzarella, or with leeks and brie) and eat it on a bench in the nearest pretty plaza. They also serve yogurt parfaits, little salads and yes, plain toast.
Vegetarian-Friendly | Ronda de Sant Pere, 27 | Metro Urquinaona
Tumatey
Last year I was in South America and quickly found myself enamored with arepas, which vary in preparation but are typically stuffed or topped pieces of cornbread. Tumatey highlights Venezuelan-style arepas, and more than 50% of the offerings on their menu are completely vegan. You can grab a single arepa (check out the one with black beans, avocado and plantain!) or try a full plate of Venezuelan dishes. Speaking of breakfast, they open at 10:00 am (which is early for Barcelona!) with simple arepa-and-coffee breakfast combos.
Vegetarian-Friendly | Avinguda Diagonal, 357 | Metro Diagonal (Exit Pg. de Gràcia / Rambla Catalunya)
More Vegetarian Restaurants in Barcelona
The Benedict
When I visited The Benedict for brunch in Barcelona I remember having the cutest little table with a view onto the street outside. The people-watching was perfect for me, a solo traveler at the time, but it was actually the vegetarian breakfast that was even more memorable than the view. I don’t think I ate for the rest of the day after having a heaping plate of scrambled eggs, Linda McCartney vegan sausage (a novelty for a Canadian!), baked beans in tomato sauce, mushrooms, sauteed spinach, tomato, potatoes and toast with butter and jam. There are lots of other vegetarian options on the brunch-centric menu here, including omelets, eggs benedict (obviously), pancakes and even a breakfast version of chocolate cake (!). Vegans might have a harder time here (though the acai bowl looks promising!).
Vegetarian-Friendly | Carrer d’en Gignàs, 23 | Metro Barceloneta
The Green Spot
The Green Spot is an award-winning vegetarian restaurant in El Born, just a few blocks away from the ocean. Their menu features flavors from around the world, like nachos with zaatar, labneh and tahini, or their Flammkuchen-style pizza with fontina cheese, seasonal mushrooms and eggs. With a tagline like “veggies for non-veggies”, you won’t feel guilty for dragging your omnivore friends along for lunch or dinner.
Vegetarian | Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 12 | Metro Barceloneta
Veg World India
Barcelona isn’t just the city where I first became a vegetarian. It’s also the first place I tried Indian food, at a cheap little restaurant in Raval that used to serve a fusion of Indian and (I believe?) Peruvian food. Since then, I’ve visited India and tasted some of the country’s most iconic vegetarian dishes, so visiting an Indian vegetarian restaurant in Barcelona wasn’t high on my to-do list. That being said, Veg World India is well-loved for its tasting menus (for two) and thalis (for one). If you’ve never tried Indian food before, their huge thali for one will introduce you to eight different Indian vegetarian dishes.
Vegetarian | Calle Bruniquer, 26 | Metro Joanic
Veggie Garden
Veggie Garden has two locations in Barcelona and one in Sitges. It’s actually quite similar to Veg World India, in that it mostly features Indian-inspired flavors and has a menu of the day served on a typical Indian thali (you can read more about Indian vegetarian food in my India travel Q&A post). They have a student-friendly vibe and relatively low price, and I’m always happy to stop by to sample the different curries and other dishes that make up the daily special. (And yes, I do get mine with a glass of red wine… even if it’s not the authentic Indian option!)
Vegan | Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 602 | Metro Joanic
Vegetarian Tapas in Barcelona
There aren’t a ton of traditional tapas that don’t contain meat or seafood, but the ones that are vegetarian are absolutely delicious! I’ve found that the best vegetarian tapas in Barcelona aren’t found at the city’s “famous” tapas bars, but instead are served at wine bars and cocktail bars that also have a tapas menu.
When you’re in Barcelona, look for these vegetarian tapas on the menu:
- Pan amb tomaquet – Shown above, on the right. Grilled bread brushed with garlic, olive oil and grated tomato. It’s magic.
- Tortilla de patatas – An omelet filled with fried potatoes (and possibly onions). It’s often served on its own, but some restaurants serve it sandwich-style, between slices of toasted bread.
- Patatas bravas – Because you can never have too many potatoes, order this version where they’re fried and served with spicy tomato sauce and aioli.
- Berenjenas fritas – Fried eggplant slices, shown above on the left. These ones were tossed in honey, making them even more delicious.
- Gazpacho – Cold tomato soup, often with bell peppers or cucumbers mixed in (or diced on top).
You’ll probably find other options as well, like marinated vegetables, croquettes filled with cheese or little salads. Just double-check with your server before ordering, as there could be hidden fish or ham inside.
Did I miss your favorite vegetarian restaurant in Barcelona? If so, let me know in the comments!
Is your favorite Barcelona restaurant on the list already? Comment to let me know your favorite dish at any of the restaurants featured here.
Of course, don’t miss my other posts about Barcelona, including my favorite things to do in Barcelona and the best Barcelona guidebooks.
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