I have never been a fan of tapas. I thought it was an excuse to serve scraps…that was until our recent trip to Barcelona. I have completely changed my mind. I can’t get enough pimientos de Padron, those incredibly delicious little peppers thrown on a grill with olive oil and salt…and other things.
Come for a food walk with me through Barcelona, one of the most vibrant, alive and exciting cities in the world.
The Boqueria Market on La Rambla is the perfect place to start a food tour. The produce here is incredible, and the eateries are some of the very best places to eat in the city. Be prepared to brave the crowds, it is always busy.
I love the long, high tables where you perch on a stool, choose the food you want, watch it being tossed on a grill and served up piping hot and scrumptious. There is also a huge selection of jamon, just waiting to be sliced thinly and presented on a platter.
Here are a few more delights we enjoyed after hours of walking through the wonderful Barcelona streets.
We had a couple of disappointing meals in restaurants, so I won’t show you those. Next time I go to Barcelona I may just install myself at the market and not leave. I have been trying to find the little peppers here in Brisbane with no success…I may have to return to Barcelona quite soon.
I love the food market photos. 🙂
By: ranu802 on July 10, 2015
at 10:12 pm
It is one of the very best markets I have been to. There is no excuse to eat badly in Barcelona.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 10, 2015
at 10:31 pm
Wow… Beautiful pictures. Love the colors and assortments
By: Deanne on July 10, 2015
at 10:12 pm
There is an amazing choice of food at the market. It makes me hungry thinking about it.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 10, 2015
at 10:32 pm
🙂
By: Deanne on July 10, 2015
at 10:33 pm
Hi Debra, there are pre packed bags of green peppers in Brine found at Samios Foods, Turbo Drive, Coorparoo.
Cheers Annie
Love the Boqueria. We stayed at Hotel 1898 on The Ramblas – they have a wonderful Rooftop bar where you can sip a very sexy cocktail to calm your soul as the sun goes down .. Plus a very groovy fusion restaurant serving many styles of food including Tempura green peppers.
By: Anonymous on July 10, 2015
at 10:40 pm
Thank you for the info. I will go to Samios immediately. We will certainly return to Barcelona. We have been twice and still haven’t seen all we want to.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 10, 2015
at 10:54 pm
Debra there’s a guy sells them when in season at the Powerhouse Markets and one can buy them from him online.
By: Liz Litzow on July 11, 2015
at 12:51 am
I have been to the markets looking for the pimiento man, but it seems he has stopped coming for the moment.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2015
at 8:45 am
The ones I was talking about are Fresh – much nicer than in brine
By: Liz Litzow on July 11, 2015
at 12:52 am
Everything looks so fresh. Have you thought of trying a South Brisbane deli? They may have them ready to eat.
By: Mallee Stanley on July 11, 2015
at 2:18 am
I will try the South Brisbane deli, thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2015
at 8:45 am
Those peppers at power house markets sold by the farmer, but he now has moved to West End markets. I think the season is over for now, you may have to wait untill next year!!!
By: Kirsi Säde on July 11, 2015
at 2:54 am
Yes, I think the season is over. I will look in spring perhaps.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2015
at 8:46 am
Stop making feel hungry!
By: Francis on July 11, 2015
at 3:47 am
I would love to be there right now.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2015
at 8:47 am
Just such a refreshing place with all those great goods, makes everybody wanting to be there, because of your wonderful pictures.
By: corneliaweberphotography on July 11, 2015
at 4:50 am
I would love to live nearby and shop there every day.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2015
at 8:48 am
Great photos, Debra! La Boqueria Is a Gourmet paradise and I am glad to see that you reconciled yourself with tapas. But wait until you come to San Sebastián and try our “pintxos”,,,
By: Mulino Dominillo on July 11, 2015
at 5:18 am
I can’t wait to get to San Sebastián. I have heard of your pintxos.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2015
at 8:49 am
The peppers from the West End Market ‘pepper man’ are fabulous. Usually buy a $10 bag of mixed and do them with oil and salt on the Bar B que. Fabulous as a starter.
By: Sandra Robbins on July 11, 2015
at 7:08 am
I tried the markets, but I think he has gone for the moment.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2015
at 8:49 am
My goodness!!! The Spanish know how to put on a street food feast!! Those peppers look lickalicious!
By: Sandra Hoopmann on July 11, 2015
at 8:37 am
The peppers are delicious.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2015
at 8:50 am
I found peppers-very much like those in your first photo at the Bagni di Lucca open air market. Prepared them in a very hot skillet with good olive oil and coarse salt. buonissimo!
By: carol on July 11, 2015
at 10:00 am
They must be summer vegetables, which would explain why I can’t find them here right now. They are delicious little things.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2015
at 11:14 am
Absolutely fantastic markets. One of my favorites. I agree the best selection of eats in Barcelona. Tapas are not only the taste but also the conversation they create.
By: Lyn on July 11, 2015
at 12:27 pm
I am already planning my next visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2015
at 9:30 pm
Stunning post and photos!! I’m glad you enjoyed Barcelona!!
By: bCL Photography on July 11, 2015
at 2:41 pm
We have been twice to Barcelona and I can’t wait to go back.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 16, 2015
at 9:04 am
Wow! That is some food market. Everything looks so fresh and vibrant.
Love the pimientos de Padron. Usually the simplest food is the most delicious.
By: Jackie Cangro on July 11, 2015
at 11:57 pm
Pimientos are delicious. I wish they were in season here right now…I have to wait until November.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 16, 2015
at 9:03 am
Sounds like a plan Deb. Fresh is best… Especially in Barcelona. That asparagus!!!
By: janinevasta on July 12, 2015
at 4:18 am
Everything looked delicious and really fresh.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 16, 2015
at 9:02 am
Wow, what a glorious riot of beautiful food – I can see that a day simply wouldn’t be enough time to ‘research’ that thoroughly. The pimientos man has a website http://www.midyimeco.com.au and you can subscribe to his email list so that you will get an ‘alert’ when he is at the markets. His last market stall of the season was mid June. His farm is in Conondale which I think is the sunshine coast hinterland.
By: Jan on July 12, 2015
at 11:39 pm
Thanks for that. I have tracked him down and I am now on the mailing list.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 16, 2015
at 9:01 am
These are the most wonderful markets….I could visit them every day!!
By: Kerry & Jim on July 14, 2015
at 11:31 pm
Wouldn’t it be great to have it as your local market?
By: Debra Kolkka on July 16, 2015
at 9:01 am
Now I’m hungry 😃
By: sheilasunshine on July 16, 2015
at 8:56 am
I get that. I want to go back to those markets. The pimiento de Padron are out of season here, but you might find them in Bagni di Lucca. If you do, grab them, throw them on a grill with olive oil and salt flakes…yum.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 16, 2015
at 9:00 am
Wow! Amazing! Wanna eat it all 🙂
By: Alessandro Paiva on September 6, 2015
at 12:16 am
[…] at least once. It is worth a visit for Gaudi alone…but don’t miss the great food at the Boqueria […]
By: A year of travel | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 26, 2015
at 1:19 pm
Where did you try tapas before? Barcelona is not even famous for tapas, best tapas in Spain are in Madrid! Pimientos del padron, Spanish tortilla… In Barcelona you have to pay for them, while in Madrid they’re free. Win-win!
By: Rodrigo de Mendoza on March 18, 2017
at 11:55 am
We tried tapas all over the south of Spain and Madrid.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 18, 2017
at 3:52 pm