While there are various accounts of the origin of the tapa in Spain, there is a general distinguishment between tapas, believed to be originally from Andalusia, and pintxos believed to be originally from the Basque Country.
The typical tapa is a smaller plate of food while pintxos are finger food pierced through with a toothpick. These small bites are a key part of the gastronomic experience in Spain and are diverse to every region, Barcelona included.
In Barcelona, whose regionally unique tapas include pà amb tomàquet and coca (Catalan bread), you will find tapas and pintxos that are enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. In most of the touristic districts, each tapa or pintxos can cost 2€ or more.
Today in this article of ShBarcelona, will show you the restaurant street in Barcelona where you can indulge in all your tapa/pintxo desires, paying only 1€ for each, and that street is Blai. Some of these restaurants are rather small, so go earlier to find a place to sit!
Table of Contents
The best street in Barcelona for tapas: Carrer de Blai
Blai 9
Here you’ll find pintxos that look like works of art! The cost per pintxos is 1€ for the white dishes or 1.5€ for the black dishes. Arrive early to find a place, especially during the summer months.
Photo by Mario Christener via Visualhunt
Blai 9 is open Monday to Sunday from 12 pm to 12 am. You’ll find them at the intersection of
La Tasqueta de Blai
The typical tapas and pintxos are often a mix of vegetables and seafood. If you would prefer to have something with meat, this is the place to go! You’ll find sausages, mini hamburgers, and more.
In La Tasqueta de Blai you’ll have the Andalusian deal and get a Tapa with your Caña for just 2€. This place is slightly bigger, fitting around 25-30 people. They are open from 12:30 till 2 am. You’ll find them between and
La Esquinita de Blai
This joint, located across the street from La Tasqueta de Blai in the very middle of the neighborhood of Poble Sec, advertises itself by the phrase No Solo Pinchos.
Photo by marksdk via Visualhunt
Although their array of 1€ pintxos is impressive, La Esquinita de Blai also makes a point to offer a variety of tapas and drinks, including 1.20€ cañas and specialty mojitos as well as a breakfast menu.
Here you can have traditional patatas bravas, a sausage platter, prawns and other seafood, and the more inventive Esquinita Hamburger with semi-cured manchego cheese. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Related article: Go to the Theatre in Avinguda del Paral·lel
Pincho J
This is place is fairly popular with the locals. The variety is rather diverse from croquettes, seafood, meat, tortillas, and more. This is a medium-sized restaurant, so you should easily find a place to sit.
Photo by Jordan Woodgate via Visualhunt
Pincho J is open from 12 pm to 12 am. You’ll find them at the intersection of .
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Blai Tonight
Also known as the Fábrica de Pinchos, this tapas bar and restaurant boast amazing croquetas and, of course, a variety of pintxos for your taste. Ideal for families and larger groups, make sure you get there in time to get a seat, and on their terrace if you can!
Photo via Pixabay
Located between Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes and Carrer de Tapioles, Blai Tonight is open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Along Carrer Blai in the Poble-Sec neighborhood there are plenty of other tapa and pintxo restaurants! You can just hop from one place to the next and find the one that suits your appetite!
You can find all the restaurants and bars at the very heart
Have you visited Carrer de Blai in Barcelona for tapas yet?
Tell us which restaurant or bar you went to!
Hi Mario I am enjoying your site. I am from NYC but have a house in SW France. I have been to Barcelona a few times and it is always fun. Looking forward to moving back to France soon w ny GF. Nice to meet you Mario. Regards, Rosanne
Mario…. I’m afraid you’re misinformed…. tapas and pintxos -which traditionally we here in Catalonia have always called “platets”- have been pretty much embedded into the fabric of this city for centuries.
Maybe the name “tapas” has indeed more recently been generalised, but the tradition of “going out for entertainment and eating small portions of food while having a drink standing in a bar”, call them platets, tapas or pintxos, has little to do with “the influx of tourists”, Barcelona has had plenty for the past two centuries.
No offense, just putting the record straight so unsuspected visitors don’t mistake this for a theme-park :))
soz mate tapas is actually from valencia, stop trying to claim everything for your own #vivaespaña
Carrer Blai is not where the locals go for tapas and unfortunately many times the behaviour of tourists bother the people who actually live in this street…
Don’t go to the pintos opposite Pintos J. I had very bad food poisoning. The outdoor seating is confusing so look at the parasol.