How to Understand a Menu in a Restaurant in Barcelona?

If you’re dining out in Barcelona, understanding the local menu can save you from confusion and help you get the food you actually want. Spanish menus follow different naming conventions, portion sizes, and dining customs than many visitors are used to. Let’s see!

Carta vs. Menú: Know the Difference

This is the first thing to understand.

  • Carta means the full à la carte menu. You’ll usually see starters, mains, sides, and desserts all listed here.

  • Menú or menú del día refers to a set-price lunch menu, typically available on weekdays. It includes 2 or 3 courses, plus a drink and dessert, or coffee. Some restaurants post it on a chalkboard or offer it verbally; ask for it if you don’t see it.

The menú del día is a great value and usually highlights seasonal or home-style dishes.

Menu Sections Explained

Spanish menus are usually organized by course or type. You don’t need to order something from every category, but knowing what each one means will help.

Starters and Light Dishes

  • Entrantes / Para picar / Entremeses – Appetizers, usually shared.

  • Primeros / Primer plato – First courses. These often include soups, vegetables, or lighter fare like salmorejo (cold tomato soup) or ensalada mixta (mixed salad with tuna, egg, olives).

Main Courses

  • Segundos / Platos principales – Second/main courses. Often just the protein: meat or fish.

  • Carnes = meats (like solomillo – sirloin, or rabo de toro – oxtail)

  • Pescados = seafood (like grilled lubina – sea bass)

These usually come with a small salad or potatoes, but not always. If it’s not listed, ask:“¿Viene con guarnición o viene solo?” (“Does it come with a side or by itself?”)

Side dishes

  • Guarniciones are sides like patatas aliñadas (seasoned potatoes) or vegetables. Sometimes you can choose your side—look for guarnición a elegir on the menu.

Desserts and After-Meal Customs

  • Postres include flan, fruit, rice pudding, or cakes.

  • Café (coffee) often comes after dessert.

  • Then comes la sobremesa, the tradition of lingering and chatting after a meal. Don’t expect to be rushed out. People often stay at the table long after they’ve finished eating.

Tapas, Raciones, and Sharing Culture

Tapas culture is strong in Barcelona, but the terminology can be confusing.

  • Tapa = a small dish, like a snack.

  • Media ración = half-portion. Good for individuals or variety in a small group.

  • Ración = full portion. Meant for sharing between several people.

When dining with others, it's common to order a few raciones and share. Locals rarely order all dishes at once; most people start with two or three, then order more as needed. It keeps the food hot and avoids over-ordering.

Some common raciones:

  • Chipirones fritos – fried baby squid

  • Alcachofas con jamón – fried artichokes with ham

  • Patatas bravas – potatoes with spicy sauce

  • Embutidos y quesos – cured meats and cheese (served cold)

Recognizing Popular Dishes

Here are a few dishes you’ll often see on menus in Barcelona:

  • Paella – Usually seen in tourist-heavy areas. Traditional Valencian versions use rabbit and chicken, not seafood.

  • Jamón Ibérico – Cured ham, served thinly sliced.

  • Butifarra – Catalan pork sausage, often served with beans.

  • Gazpacho / Salmorejo – Cold soups, especially in summer.

  • Bacalao – Salted cod

  • Tostas – Toasted baguette slices topped with things like cheese, sausage, or fish

  • Pintxos – Bite-sized snacks served on skewers, usually found in northern-style tapas bars

How to Order Like a Local

Locals keep it simple when ordering; no need for “I would like.” Just say what you want, followed by por favor.

Examples:

  • Un café con leche, por favor.

  • Para mí, una ración de patatas bravas.

  • Vamos a compartir. (We’re going to share.)

To get your waiter’s attention, say “Perdón” politely. They won’t come unless you call them over. If you’re in a hurry, it helps to say: - “Vamos con un poco de prisa.” (We’re in a bit of a rush.)

When it’s time to pay, ask:-  “¿Me cobras, por favor?” Or just say - “La cuenta, por favor.”

Say thanks on your way out with:-  “Muchas gracias. ¡Estaba muy rico!” (Thank you, it was delicious.)

Learn the basics of Spanish or Catalan.

Drinks: Wine, Beer, and Coffee

Wine and Beer

  • Vino tinto – red wine

  • Vino blanco – white wine

  • Vino rosado – rosé

  • Ask: “¿Qué vino tenéis por copa?” (What wines do you have by the glass?)

  • For beer, order by size, not brand:

    • Caña – small draft beer (~200ml)

    • Doble – larger draft beer

    • Tercio – 330ml bottled beer

    • Botellín – smaller bottle

Coffee

Spanish coffee is espresso-based.

  • Café solo – straight espresso

  • Cortado – espresso with a splash of milk

  • Café con leche – 1/3 espresso, 2/3 milk (morning coffee)

  • Con hielo – with ice

  • Americano – espresso with hot water

Paying and Extra Charges

  • IVA (tax) is already included in menu prices, but itemized at the bottom of the bill.

  • You might see a pan/service charge (usually €0.90–1.50 per person) for bread.

  • Some restaurants charge more for terrace seating (5–10% extra).

  • Tipping is not expected, but always appreciated. Leave €0.50–€1 per person, or up to 10% in more upscale places. Tip in cash, as there’s usually no line for it on the bill.

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