If you are visiting or staying near La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, you’ll want some excellent places to eat too. Unfortunately, many of the cafes, fast food joints and restaurants close to La Sagrada Familia cater firmly for tourists and don’t pay much attention to quality. However, there are some gems here too, so I’ve picked out the best restaurants near Sagrada Familia for you to have a delicious meal without a frozen paella in sight!
How to Choose Where to Eat Near La Sagrada Familia
As I mentioned above, there are a lot of not-so-great places to eat around Barcelona’s iconic basilica, but you can have a delicious meal here if you know where to go.
A general rule of thumb is to avoid cafes and restaurants which are on the streets directly next to La Sagrada Familia, as they always get passing customers and don’t need to rely on reviews. The rents here are expensive so big fast food brands like KFC, Burger King, McDonalds and Taco Bell can afford to be here and churn out the usual fare.
Even walking a minute or two away from the busiest streets you can find fantastic local restaurants and unique eateries that are so much better than this, so resist the urge to choose convenience, and go for something much more traditional and/or tasty!
Whether you booked a hotel near La Sagrada Familia and are wondering where to go for breakfast or dinner, or are passing by and feeling hungry, no matter what you’re craving, there is a restaurant close to La Sagrada Familia that can provide you with it, so let’s get cracking with these delicious Sagrada Familia restaurants!
Know Before You Go to Barcelona
Before travelling to Barcelona, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.
⭐ TOP 3 BARCELONA ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
1: Sagrada Familia Skip the Line Ticket - a must-see in Barcelona!
2: Park Guell Admission Ticket - colourful mosaic terraces and gorgeous views
3: Casa Batlló Entry with Self-Audioguide Tour - stunning Modernist Building & rooftop
🛌 MY FAVOURITE HOTELS IN BARCELONA:
$$: Sercotel Hotel Rosellon - Incredible view of the Sagrada Familia from some rooms and the terrace
$$: H10 Madison 4* Sup - top location with rooftop pool & view of the Gothic Cathedral
$: Chic & Basic Lemon Boutique Hotel - great value hotel near Plaça Catalunya
❗BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS❗
Although Barcelona is a safe city, pickpockets are a problem here, particularly in popular tourist areas and on the metro. Use a theft-proof backpack and consider getting some hidden-pocket clothing to keep your belongings safe.
Find Deals to Book Your Trip
The Best Catalan & Spanish Restaurants near Sagrada Familia
El Glop – Best Paella Near La Sagrada Familia
This Catalan restaurant close to Sagrada Familia has amazing rice dishes including paella, and other Catalan classics.
While the paella is very good, my personal favourite is “Aros Negre” which is Black Rice – a rice dish similar to paella but coloured black with cuttlefish ink, and has cuttlefish, squid & prawns mixed in. Order it with a dollop of garlicky aioli on the side, and you won’t regret it!
The rice soup with lobster is also incredible. Everything else on the menu is good too, ranging from grilled vegetables to meats, seafood and tapas. Paellas and other rice dishes are for a minimum of 2 people and need at least 30 minutes to cook, so if you’re in a hurry this isn’t the place for you.
During the day El Glop often fills up with tour groups, but it quiets down in the evening. Book a table to guarantee the time you want to eat.
Location: C/ de València, 443 – 3 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
Puertecillo (previously called La Paradeta) – Best for Seafood
Puertecillo has recently rebranded from La Paradeta, but I believe it still has the same owners and it is still just as good as it always was. Among my friends, it is known as the “Pointy Fish Place” as you queue up and choose what you want to eat from the display counter of raw fish and seafood.
Once you’ve ordered, take a seat and listen for your number to be called each time one of your dishes is ready, at which point you collect it from the window. Take your receipt with you and they’ll cross off what you’ve had, and you’ll go back every time the next thing is ready.
The food is simple and delicious, and you won’t find better-value seafood in Barcelona. Indulge in huge bowls of mussels with tomato sauce, grilled tuna steaks drizzled with salsa verde, steamed clams, fresh lobster and more.
Prices are charged by weight, and items like lobster, scallops and huge king prawns will push your bill up, so if you’re on a budget choose carefully and go for mussels, calamari and clams, or mix and match for an incredible seafood feast.
It is all seafood though so it’s no good for vegetarians or if you don’t eat fish/shellfish. Expect to queue outside for a table, there are no reservations so arrive before it opens if you can.
Location: Ptge. de Simó, 18 – 3 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
Sagradas Tapas – Best Tapas near Sagrada Familia
Sagradas Tapas is an excellent tapas bar that serves a variety of small plates at decent prices, located on the tree-lined Avenida de Gaudí. It’s one of my favourite restaurants near La Sagrada Familia, and I love going there for the varied tapas menu including seafood, meat, and vegetarian options, which are all done very well.
It’s also great for solo travellers who are craving paella as they offer tapas-sized paella for one, it’s quite unusual to find that as often paella is for a minimum of two people. Sitting outside on the terrace on the pedestrian street with tasty tapas and a glass of wine is a wonderful way to enjoy a meal!
If you’re also planning to visit the Hospital de Sant Pau (one of Barcelona’s hidden gems), Sagradas Tapas is between La Sagrada Familia and the Hospital so a great place to stop on the way!
Location: Av. de Gaudí, 48 – 8 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
Pepeta by Casa Lolea – Best for Sangria
Another gem of a restaurant close to la Sagrada Familia. This cute restaurant is larger than it appears from the outside and is owned by Casa Lolea, makers of sangría.
There is a menu of several different sangrias to try, including white and sparkling sangria as well as the usual red.
The food is delicious. If you’re a solo diner then there is a selection of montaditos to choose from, which are a slice of bread piled high with various toppings. I can recommend the prawn and mushroom montadito, and the roast beef was delicious too.
There is also a selection of tapas to share including cold meat and cheese platters, and I had a slice of red velvet cake for dessert which was huge – I’d suggest that to share!
The waitress was lovely and gave recommendations for what to choose, including suggesting I order a couple of things to start and then add something later.
There is a small terrace out the front and plenty of seating inside. The bill came in an old tuna tin which was a cute touch.
Location: C. de Nàpols, 241 – 4 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
Other Top Picks for Tapas Restaurants near Sagrada Familia
I haven’t been to these yet but I’ve heard they’re very good – let me know if you check them out!
Madre Taberna Moderna
A family-run Mediterranean restaurant that offers a modern take on traditional Spanish cuisine, with a selection of tapas and main dishes such as braised ox cheek and paella. The restaurant has a casual and relaxed atmosphere, with both indoor and outdoor seating on the terrace.
Location: Av. de Gaudí, 11 – 2 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
Restaurant Los Bellota
An interesting combination of traditional Spanish and Phillipino specialities. It gets great reviews on Google for the paella, sangria and Phillipino dishes so I’m intrigued to try it! There is a small terrace area outside.
Location: Carrer de la Marina, 298 – 3 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
The Best International Restaurants near Sagrada Familia
Restaurant Zed – Best for Dinner
I love this place. I went for lunch which was delightful but as there’s no menu del dia I’d say it’s more of a dinner place than lunch as you can easily spend €30 on a 3-course meal.
The decor is a cross between grandma’s living room and a funky art space, with exposed brick walls, lots of plants and shelves showcasing hand-crafted goods you can buy to take home after your meal.
The staff were super friendly and each of the dishes is carefully made in-house – even the bread – and it was all delicious. I went for a tuna tartare to start with, followed by a fish fillet in a Thai sauce and a deliciously gooey chocolate coulant lava cake.
A fantastic dinner spot.
Location: C/ de València, 399 – 3 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
Miss Simona Brunch & Tapas
A cute cafe with a blend of Spanish and Italian-style dishes, as well as brunch. I came here for lunch with a friend and shared a portion of patatas bravas before devouring our own sandwiches which were served on toasted focaccia bread.
I ordered salame Milano, gorgonzola and sliced tomato and it was amazing! My friend’s veggie sandwich was just as good. The food took a while to come but it was worth the wait.
Location: C/ de Mallorca, 438 – 2 minute walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
La Cachapera
This Venezuelan restaurant is a great place to grab a hearty meal or a snack. Cachapas are the house speciality, thick, corn pancakes that are folded over and stuffed with a variety of cheese, meat and vegetable fillings.
I actually didn’t eat here but got a takeaway, so can’t comment on the staff or venue but the food is delicious!
Cachapas are deceptively filling, so you could get a starter or two to share then split one between two people, or go for the arepas which are smaller but just as delicious.
Location: Carrer de la Marina, 241 – 1 minute walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
The Best Vegetarian Restaurants near Sagrada Familia
If you are a vegetarian or simply want some plant-based food to munch on, there are a couple of fabulous spots here:
Arc Iris – Best Daily Menu
One of the best vegetarian restaurants in Barcelona, it is slightly further away from most of the other Sagrada Familia restaurants on this list, but it is worth those 7 minutes!
Arc Iris is a family-run bistro that has been serving up delicious vegetarian food since 1980. It is only open for lunch and offers a daily 4-course lunch menu for a bargain €12. The portions aren’t huge but with 4 courses plus bread on the table, there is plenty to eat.
You also get free filtered water on the table, I’m not even sure you can order other drinks but if you’re looking for a tasty and excellent value lunch you can’t go wrong here. I’d recommend booking a table as it is understandably a popular place with locals on their lunch breaks.
The menu changes regularly as it is based on local seasonal produce, and in fact, there isn’t a menu on the tables as the servers will come and ask you what you would like for each course. The daily menu is written on a chalkboard outside the front door, so take a photo of it to check any translation you need to!
The restaurant is pet-friendly – you might meet Bruce, the family dog who spends a lot of time at the restaurant too.
Location: C/ de Roger de Flor, 216 – 7 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Open Monday to Saturday for lunch only from 1pm to 4pm Find it on Google Maps.
Green&Burger – Best Veggie Burger
This family-owned vegetarian restaurant is just a block from La Sagrada Familia and has a varied menu of vegetarian tapas, burgers, sandwiches and salads. There are plenty of vegan options, and gluten-free choices too.
I had the leek and brie and mushroom croquettes and a Fantastic Burger, which lived up to its name! They also serve a selection of homemade vegetarian desserts including brownies, cheesecake and vegan carrot cake.
Location: Plaça Sagrada Família, 3 – 2 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
Best Brunch near Sagrada Família
Although the area around La Sagrada Familia has its fair share of tourist traps there are some excellent places here for brunch in Barcelona.
Top Choice: MIAM Brunch Sagrada Familia
I loved this little brunch place. It’s a small café with 6 or 7 tables so on busy days you may have to wait but the staff are super friendly and the food is delicious and well presented. There is a laid-back ambience and when I visited the waitress was dancing with a little kid who was wandering around as the parents ate.
Scan the barcode on the table to view the menu (scroll down for the English version), which is quite small but you should find something you fancy! Dishes include several kinds of pancakes, avocado toast, French toast and a breakfast burrito, as well as lighter breakfast items like yoghurt with fruit and chocolate-filled croissants.
My avocado toast with a poached egg wasn’t huge but it was enough for breakfast. If you have a big appetite go for the breakfast burrito which will satisfy even the hungriest or most hungover people!
There is a selection of coffees, juices and teas as well as a mimosa, and soy and oat milk is available for a small supplement.
Location: Carrer de València 423 – 3 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
Other Top Picks for Sagrada Familia Brunch Places
Cheese and Cake
Another small place but with a decent-sized menu, including several vegan options. Choose from a Full English Breakfast, pancakes, bagels and toasts, as well as coffees, juices and cocktails. The food is tasty and portions are generous.
Location: Carrer de València 423 – 3 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
Brunch & Cake Sagrada Familia
Brunch and Cake is a Barcelona brunch staple. It’s a chain of several venues around the city and it is popular with expats and visitors. Portions are on the small side and prices are higher than average, but if you want a picture-perfect brunch in Barcelona this is the place to go as dishes are beautifully presented.
Location: Plaça Sagrada Familia 21 – 2 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
The Best Ice Cream near La Sagrada Familia
CARAMBOLA
By far the most delicious ice cream anywhere near Sagrada Familia, and a contender for the best ice cream in Barcelona. There is a wide range of flavours to choose from, all made without artificial colours and hydrogenated vegetable oil. You can also find options that are gluten-free, lactose-free and low-sugar choices too.
Location: C/ de Lepant, 269 – 2 minutes walk from La Sagrada Familia. Find it on Google Maps.
I hope these amazing restaurants near Sagrada Familia persuade you to skip the fast food and enjoy some of the delicious food in Barcelona. I will keep adding to this article as I try out more restaurants, cafes and places to eat, so do let me know if your favourites aren’t on the list!
I hope this post has helped you to plan your visit to the Sagrada Familia. You may also like these other posts with more tips for your trip:
- Is it Worth Going Inside La Sagrada Familia?
- The Best Time to Visit Sagrada Familia
- The Best Hotels near Sagrada Familia
