Barcelona is celebrated for its incredible food scene. Unfortunately for vegetarians, most of the city’s iconic dishes center around meat and seafood. While vegetarian tapas exist, fresh vegetables are often rare on traditional menus.
During my visit, I made it a mission to seek out vegetarian-friendly restaurants, and I was rewarded with some memorable meals. Here are my top discoveries.
Amaltea
At Amaltea, I had a standout dish: “scallops” made from seitan. These large chunks of seitan were breaded and cooked to a perfect crisp. They weren’t greasy like fried food or dry like baked dishes—just perfectly cooked.
The scallops were served with a fresh avocado and tomato salad, alongside what might have been the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever tasted. The fixed-price lunch menu also included a hearty, pureed carrot soup to start. Every element of this meal was comforting and delicious.
Cafe Bliss
The first truly excellent meal I had in Barcelona was at Cafe Bliss. I stumbled upon it by accident while looking for another restaurant, only to later realize it was mentioned in my guidebook.
I ended up spending two relaxing hours there. The meal began with a pureed vegetable soup, followed by soy burgers served with mushroom sauce, rice, arugula, and a balsamic reduction. To finish, I enjoyed a slice of cheesecake topped with fresh blackberry jam. Cafe Bliss was the perfect spot to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing, and I highly recommend it.
Biocenter
Biocenter made me feel incredibly welcome from the moment I arrived. The server patiently explained the fixed-price menu, even as my Spanish faltered. The meal started with access to their salad bar—a much-needed dose of fresh vegetables.
For my main course, I chose the seitan chimichurri, which was hearty and satisfying, though not the best dish of my trip. Dessert was a cinnamon pudding topped with unsweetened whipped cream, providing a simple but flavorful finish.
La Báscula
La Báscula served one of the best meals I had in Barcelona. I ordered a warm, crusty whole wheat baguette filled with creamy brie, sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula. A few minutes after I started eating, the cashier came over to apologize—they had forgotten the seitan in my sandwich.
By then, I was so in love with the sandwich that I didn’t mind. I also enjoyed an excellent slice of apple cake studded with raisins and cinnamon. A Barcelona resident later asked if I had tried La Báscula after hearing I was vegetarian—it’s always a good sign when locals recommend a spot!
Other Notes
I had hoped to eat at Sésamo, another vegetarian restaurant in Barcelona, but their limited hours didn’t work with my schedule. If you’ve been there, let me know what you thought!
