Exploring Barcelona's Best Restaurants: From Plant-Based Doughnuts to Fish-Free Sushi
The city of Barcelona feels like an unreal experience. Out-of-this-world, trippy architecture designed by Antoni Gaudí can be found near the posh shopping area on Passeig de Gràcia. The ancient, narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter lead out to the popular and lively La Rambla street. You can also spot colorful urban art adorning the sea walls next to sandy beaches that get plenty of sun. In addition, there are many green parks that house unique museums. This diverse and modern city is situated among hills and the turquoise Mediterranean sea. It is renowned worldwide as a leader in progressive living.
Images The Park Güell in Barcelona is a unique and whimsical place, featuring numerous stunning designs by the celebrated architect Antoni Gaudí. With its intricate mosaics, fantastical shapes and vibrant colours, the park is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the city. The park is situated on a hill and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, making it a great spot for a picnic or a leisurely stroll. With its distinctive architecture and enchanting atmosphere, Park Güell is a true gem of Barcelona, reflecting the city's vibrant and artistic character.
The city has a thriving plant-based scene, with approximately 50 vegan restaurants, different vegan festivals, and several vegan shops. One morning while exploring the area, I came across two nearby cafés named Santa Vegana and the Vegan Corner. They served me some delicious vegan food, including flaky croissants, a Spanish tortilla made with vegan eggs and potatoes, tomato toast, and a refreshing espresso. These cafes were only a short walk away from the hotel, making it easy to grab a quick and tasty breakfast.
A Bungnuts pastry that has been stuffed with jam made from strawberries and then topped with a creamy layer of lotus spread.
The dining scene in Barcelona has a vast array of choices available, ranging from customary tapas and international dishes (such as the outstanding Mexican cuisine at Gallo Santo, which offers rare and speciality plates, such as pozole), to imaginative fusion cuisine and well-considered slow food options. Moreover, you can find unconventional and gigantic vegan doughnuts at the small and cosy establishment called Bungnuts.
Mighty Beanz, a South Korean start-up that produces plant-based meat alternatives, has secured $15 million in funding from investors. The company uses beans as a base for its products, which include "beef-style" patties and sausages. Mighty Beanz plans to use the funding to expand its operations, including opening more retail shops and increasing its manufacturing capacity. The vegan market is growing rapidly in South Korea, with a 35% increase in vegan product launches between 2015 and 2020. This investment in Mighty Beanz shows that the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Vegan Dining Options In Barcelona
I started my culinary journey at Cat Bar, which happens to be one of the oldest vegan eateries in Barcelona. It's a dimly-lit place tucked away in the winding streets of the Barri Gòtic. This punk-themed joint is famous for its mouth-watering burgers, which serve as the perfect accompaniment to its real specialty - a well thought out collection of locally brewed craft beers. The owner, Roy Silcocks, proudly claims that they were the first vegan beer establishment in southern Europe. He collaborated with local brewers to ensure that only a fully vegan brewing process was used. The English Bitter brew from Freddo Fox (a local brewery) went perfectly with the Champion Cat Burger. This filling delight is made with a succulent, mushroom-flavored patty on a homemade bun with all the trimmings.
The Margherita pizza available at the Blu Bar If you're a fan of pizza, Blu Bar has a delicious Margherita option that you won't want to miss. The simplicity of this classic pizza allows the flavors of the ingredients to shine through. The crust is thin and crispy, the tomato sauce is tangy and fragrant, and the mozzarella cheese is fresh and bubbly. Topped off with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh basil, this Margherita pizza is a true Italian masterpiece. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a long meal, the Margherita pizza at Blu Bar is the perfect choice for any pizza lover.
Afterwards, I decided to check out the vegan scene in Barcelona and made my way to Blu Bar. Located in the popular Poblenou area, not too far from the beach, Blu Bar is a vibrant and lively hangout with sunny outdoor seating. Their menu revolves around pizzas, and I was particularly impressed with the Don't Call Me Margherita. Made with crispy and juicy tomatoes, fresh garlic, and arugula pesto, all on top of cashew cheese, this pizza was a real treat. Their pizza oven must be working overtime because they also use the dough to make buns for sandwiches like the Pulled Pork Goes Happy. The bun was freshly baked to order and provided the perfect contrast to the delicious mix of pulled "pork" made from sundried tomatoes and walnuts, vegan mayo, barbecue sauce, coleslaw, pickled onions, and cilantro. It was messy but mouthwatering!
The phrase "making things easy for people" is a principle that applies to vegan dining in Barcelona as a whole. Sandra de Jong, owner of the sushi fusion restaurant Roots & Rolls, believes that if one truly desires change, then facilitating it is essential. Located in the Eixample area, not far from Gaudí's famous works, the restaurant boasts a large and well-lit space with a minimalist Scandinavian design.
Over the last five years, the attitude in Barcelona has undergone a significant shift. Individuals are now more open to experimenting with vegan cuisine. Each meal we offer contributes invaluable worth to this transformation.
Roots & Rolls offers a scrumptious dish of marinated king oyster mushroom and plum tomato nigiri.
The Geisha roll from Roots & Rolls is a highly favored dish that comprises of avocado sushi wrapped in gluten-free panko. This is then covered with a flavored tartare and rolled in black quinoa rice. To top it off, the dish is garnished with fermented chili sauce which gives it a unique flavor. It is a dish that combines various textures and temperatures, where the top layer is soft and cold, while the bottom is crispy and warm, making it an intricate but delicious delicacy.
The tartare is actually created by Heura, a plant-based protein business located in Barcelona. They offer a chicken-like product that can be found on various menus throughout the area, demonstrating that Barcelona is becoming a significant location for vegan innovation. If you're interested in trying out vegan versions of standard sausages such as botifarra and chorizo, then you should stop by Farmers Veggies Butchers. Väcka is another spot worth visiting for their superb vegan options, ranging from a sophisticated and velvety "Mözza" to a convincingly realistic "Vrie" with a white rind. If you want to acquire any of these vegan products, you can do so at Vegacelona, Barcelona's vegan grocery store, which has two locations.
Rasoterra serves artichokes that are cooked with pickled ingredients and mashed potatoes, combined with freshly chopped onions, and enhanced with fermented leaf juice.
Vegan cuisine in Barcelona is not limited to imitations of meat and dairy products. Rasoterra, a charming and sophisticated establishment located in the Barri Gòtic district, focuses on using locally-sourced, seasonal organic ingredients to create visually-appealing and unique dishes. The restaurant maintains close ties with neighboring farmers, making it possible for them to keep up with the changing menu according to the season. To accompany their culinary delights, the restaurant offers a superb assortment of natural and regional wines.
Rasoterra's ethos is perfectly encapsulated in their delicious, local, and seasonal dish: Ajoblanco. This traditional Spanish cold soup is made from Marcona almonds and has a silky and creamy texture. It boasts a delightful balance of aromas - roasted garlic and sweet, minced peach.
Rossi, a co-founder of the Slow Food branch in Barcelona, emphasizes the importance of guests recognizing their geographical location upon entering. “It's crucial that people comprehend that they are currently in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and Europe,” she explains.
At Rasoterra, they use the local ingredients creatively in their dishes. They serve unique dishes like paccheri pasta with seaweed pesto and a curry of red beets with sticky rice and chickpea sorbet. Their desserts also reflect the local flavors, as seen in their smoked fig and yuzu sorbet with fig leaf oil. Another dessert item, tomato prepared in three textures, reminded me of the tomato season in Barcelona. Overall, the food at Rasoterra showcases the terroir of Catalonia and its rural lanes.
The Vegan Junk Food Bar situated in the Born district is nothing like Rasoterra. As soon as you walk in, you are met with a combination of pink and black street art that assaults your senses. The food is hyperrealistic and tastes absurdly delicious, which is the complete opposite of Rasoterra's cuisine. VJFB initially started in Amsterdam and now has seven locations, and the Barcelona location leans heavily into fried, sauce-drenched food that hits that perfect spot in your stomach. The location manager, Angelica Terzoli, says that they offer juicy and comfort food that people can't stop eating. VJFB believes in staying true to their name and delivering the ultimate junk food experience for their customers.
The Heppi Ribs dish at Vegan Junk Food Bar is a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious plant-based meal. Instead of using real meat, this dish is made with textured soy protein and a special blend of herbs and spices that give it a rich, savory flavor. The "ribs" themselves are served on a bed of crispy fries, making for a tasty and satisfying meal. Whether you're a vegan or just looking to try something new, the Heppi Ribs at Vegan Junk Food Bar are definitely worth trying!
Although VJFB has a playful and energetic vibe, they put in a lot of effort to ensure their meals are top-notch. They even create their own plant-based meat substitutes and meticulously craft their dishes for ultimate authenticity. Case in point: the VJFBBQ Heppi Ribs burger. This delectable sandwich boasts succulent and juicy ribs slathered in "Hot Spicy Chick" sauce, along with crisp lettuce and tangy pickles, all sandwiched between pink and black buns. And then there's the Fizz XO - a crispy, flaky patty that tastes just like fish. Placed on a black bun and, topped with "Pinky Garlic" sauce, it's hands down the best vegan fish patty I've ever tasted.
In the lovely Gràcia area, I came across a modest gelato store called AMMA Gelato situated on a square that's surrounded by a church made of stone from the 19th century. It perfectly embodies the fusion of flavors. The founder, Arthur Mudde, stated that their objective is to become the top gelato shop in the city, regardless of it being vegan or not. AMMA's menu is uncomplicated yet classic, offering refreshing options, such as their in-house cacao-flavored gelato, which is made with only three ingredients - Ecuadorian cacao, dates, and water. It also includes imaginative items that appeal to those seeking something unique, such as the Avo-Coco-Lime, which brings to mind tropical islands and caters to the curious taste buds.
As I sat on the church steps, delicately savoring my Sicilian pistachio ice cream cone, I observed some children joyfully playing soccer beneath the shady plane trees. The stunning late afternoon sun cast a warm golden glow across the square, filling it with brightness. The echoes of the children's laughter filled the space sweetly, much like the exquisite nutty deliciousness of my gelato. It was a taste that embodied the essence of Barcelona itself.
