The doorman at the office I work usually doesn’t get much past the weather as a topic of conversation until one day he gave me a menacing look and said…
“You’ve got nothing for celiacs on your blog!”
What surprised me though is when I came back down later in the day: he’d had a little note prepared with a list of the best gluten free restaurants in Barcelona.
And thus, another post is born.
Index
Know what type of gluten free restaurants in Barcelona you’re looking for? Click ahead:
1 – Tips for eating gluten free in Barcelona
2 – What gluten free Spanish food can I eat?
3 – Mediterranean restaurants
4 – Tapas
5 – Hamburgers, sandwiches, and brunch
6 – Ethnic
Tips for Eating Gluten Free in Barcelona
For starters I want to give you a very important phrase: solo puedo comer platos sin gluten.
This means ‘I can only eat gluten free dishes’.
Advising your waiter in advance will avoid any problems – it should also work in English in most places.
Supermarkets
You’ll be happy to know that Barcelona’s biggest supermarket chain Mercadona has an entire line of gluten free products from pizza to chicken nuggets and beyond. If you’ve decided to get an apartment and cook this is your spot.
Most other supermarket chains will carry Dr. Schaer gluten free products as well.
Your best bet for all around gluten free shopping is the organic supermarket chain called Veritas: there are around a dozen in Barcelona in virtually every neighbourhood from El Gotico to Raval and more.
Gluten Free Spanish Food
The good news is coeliacs have already got some natural culinary allies in the Spanish kitchen.
You can find lots of dishes at Barcelona’s best restaurants that are naturally gluten free.
- The paella (a rice dish with seafood or meat)
- Tortilla de patatas (a type of hearty omelette with potatoes and eggs)
- The legendary patatas bravas (fried potato wedges with a spicy sauce)
- Pulpo a la gallega (boiled octopus with potatoes, paprika, and sea salt)
- Escalivada (cod and roast vegetables)
- Boquerones (vinegar marinated anchovies)
- Jamon serrano (the classic Spanish cured ham)
Gluten Free Restaurants in Barcelona
A word of caution: I’ve only tried a few of these personally but am going on some local advice as well as TripAdvisor and others.
I would really appreciate your comments below on any of the restaurants listed so we can police the whole situation just a little better.
Mediterranean Gluten Free
Restaurant Gut
€€-€€€ | Area: Gracia | Carrer Perill 13 | Metro: Diagonal (green L3, blue L5) | Website
With 90% of its Asian-influenced Mediterranean menu completely gluten free you’ll be spoiled for choice at this charming and modern restaurant.
The grilled octopus on cod brandade or eggplant and quinoa burger are a good start. Great vegetarian options as well, though meat eaters also won’t be disappointed.
El Mussol
€€€ | Area: Most neighbourhoods | Various Locations | Website
This super popular Catalan restaurant chain is famous for its croquettes, salt cod, and quality grilled meat dishes that stay true to local tradition.
These are true pioneers in the gluten free Barcelona scene having operated with a fully functioning gluten free menu since 2012, with over 30 items from starters to dessert.
L’Arrossería Xàtiva
Area: Gracia| Torrent d’en Vidalet, 26 | Metro: Fontana (green line L3) | Website
The allergen-sensitive menu here at one of Barcelona’s best ‘rice houses’ will help you enjoy top notch Spanish food without the worry. I’ve even heard of them baking gluten free bread on the spot.
Some real authentic paella here including the famous squid ink variety.
Gluten Free Tapas
Tapeo
€€-€€€ | Area: Born | Carrer Montcada 29 | Metro: Jaume I (yellow line L4) | Website
Classic Spanish tapas to more modern elaborations. Barcelonians have gone wild over this tapas joint just a stone’s throw from the Picasso museum.
The wait staff here are fully prepared to help you navigate a menu of gluten free tapas options. Get the beef cheeks or the Iberian pork ribs and honey.
Rasoterra
€€-€€€ | Area: Gotico | Carrer del Palau 5 | Metro: Liceu (green line L4) | Website
This tapas restaurant ticks all the options boxes: vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, organic, 100 mile diet. Who says you can’t have a real Spanish tapas night?
Here you’ll find gluten free bread and two varieties of gluten free beer. They even write out the distance the products have to travel to get to your plate.
Hamburgers, Sandwiches, Brunch
Copasetic Barcelona
€€ | Area: Eixample | Carrer Diputació 55 | Metro: Rocafort (red line L1) | Website
Who better to trust than a restaurant owner that is coeliac herself? The gluten free pancakes, crepes, and burgers here just might be as good as any gluten filled counterparts.
The fruit and almond milk smoothies are also a highlight. A great place for gluten free in Barcelona but also the city’s best option for hangover remedy cocktails.
Tropico
€€ | Area: Raval | Marques de Barbera 24 | Metro: Drassanes (green line L4) | Website
Deliciousness just a short walk from La Rambla. This trendy spot famous for brunch seeks to take eaters on a trip around the world using tropical ingredients.
Highlights include the acai bowl and the delicious, colourful dragonfruit smoothies.
Gluten Free Ethnic Restaurants
Il Piccolo Focone
€€ | Area: Hospital San Pau | Dos de Maig 268 | Metro: Encants (purple line L2) | Website
A classic pizzeria with a twist. Here you’ll be able to enjoy Italy’s most popular dish because the pizza dough is made of rice flour and potato starch (they also have traditional dough).
Also great for gluten free pasta and some top notch gluten free dessert. Near the famous Sagrada Familia.
Cantina Tijuana
€€ | Area: Eixample | Carrer Comte Borrell 296 | Metro: Hospital Clinic (blue line L2) | Website
It’s rare to find a Tex-Mex restaurant with over 20 gluten free options but Cantina Tijuana offers just that. From classic nachos and guacamole appetizers to fajitas and carnitas you’ll have the pick of the litter here.
FYI: purists might get upset at the menu tailored to mild European palates.
Monster Sushi
€€ | Area: Gracia | Plaça de Gal·la Placídia 25 | Metro: Fontana (green line L4) | Website
This modern sushi restaurant with a bit of a Latin twist is one of Barcelona’s best restaurants before we even get to the 30 item gluten free menu. You’ll find some of the freshest fish around here.
Get all your typical nigiri combos and some creative rolls as well as some delicious kitchen menu items such as the ceviche or the monster steak.
Out of China
€€ | Area: Eixample | Carrer Muntaner 100 | Metro: Hospital Clinic (blue line L5) | Website
Walk past the Xian warrior guarding the entrance of this restaurant and step into one of the best Chinese dining experiences in Barcelona – without gluten!
From dumpling starters to fried rice and sweet and sour pork entrees you’ll hardly miss anything from traditional Chinese menus.
Hit Me Up in the Comments Below
Not satisfied with any of these gluten free restaurants in Barcelona? Drop me a line for some custom advice.
And as always – any other question you have for your gluten free Barcelona holiday or anything else about the city I am here with an answer!
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