Welcome to Spoon Eats World, where college students dish on the unforgettable food spots they found while studying abroad. They took notes inside and outside of the international classroom, capturing their favorite bites and best local spots – from bustling markets and cozy cafes, to TikTok-famous eateries and hidden gems.
There’s something to be said about sitting at a table with your friends or family, reaching your arms over one another to get a taste of each family-style dish, and conversing. The beauty of Spanish tapas lies in the many flavors you can try in one sitting, as well as the memories made from eating with those at your table. Through my brief study abroad experience, I’ve come to understand what makes Spanish food special all too well. Truly, it’s become one of my favorite cuisines.
Last summer break, I had the privilege to visit Barcelona, Spain through one of the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism’s JOURneys programs, where students can travel the world and report in a different country. My program, called “Travel Journalism in Barcelona,” focused on travel and culture reporting. For about two weeks, my cohort and I marveled at Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces, window shopped, interviewed numerous locals, explored many of Barcelona’s neighborhoods, and indulged in delicious meals. Of course, the highlight of the trip was the food. Here are the best eight bites I had during my time in Barcelona.
September 9, 2024 — The Best Patatas Bravas
True, Spain is known for its cheap but delicious tapas, but no bill shocked me more than the one at La Flauta in L’Eixample. The food there is so fresh and cooked to absolute perfection, but does not break the bank one bit. Despite La Flauta’s wide range of seafood (the razor clams are amazing), the dish that stood out to me the most was their patatas bravas. These deep fried potatoes can be found at almost all Spanish tapas restaurants, but after making a ranking with my friends, La Flauta’s came out on top.
These patatas bravas stay crispy even after being on the table for a while, and the insides are pillowy and fluffy. The accompanying tomato brava sauce is a perfect blend of savory, spicy, and a tad bit sweet. If I had to only eat potatoes one way for the rest of my life, I would eat these.
September 9, 2024 — Gelato Made In Heaven
Just down the block from La Flauta is DeLaCrem, a gelato shop serving creamy sweet, nutty, and fruity flavors. As someone who loves to dream up gelato combinations, my favorite is pistachio with gianduja (basically Nutella) or dulce de leche. No matter what, order pistachio — it tastes so natural and is both savory and sweet.
September 10, 2024 — A Different Spanish Churro
A typical Spanish churro is one enormous spiral of deep fried churro dough, served with a thick hot chocolate sauce for dipping. But at Xurreria Trébol, the churros are a bit more similar to Mexican churros: covered in sugar and injected with whatever filling you like. The result is a thick bomb of sweet goodness. Try the dulce de leche flavor!
September 12, 2024 — My Own Spanish Tortilla
My cohort visited Cook&Taste in the Gothic Quarter to attend a cooking class together, and it was such a blast. I was assigned to make the Spanish tortilla, a giant vessel of sliced potatoes, egg, and tons and tons of olive oil. I skillfully prepared and flipped the large tapas dish, and honestly, it was the best Spanish tortilla I’ve had in Spain (trust me, I practically had one with every meal).
September 13, 2024 — Croissants In Spain!
Hoffmann Pastelería is popular for its flaky croissants, comparable to those in France. With a delicious sugar crust and soft almond filling, the croissant I ate was a welcome step away from eating Spanish food all the time.
September 16, 2024 — A Refreshing Sip In A Bustling Market
Visiting La Boqueria is not for the weak. With tourists and locals alike crammed under one rooftop, this market is lively and sometimes overwhelming. It’s hot inside, there’s no place to sit down and eat, and everything is surprisingly overpriced for Spain. Look around, and there are a host of juice stands flashing their brightly colored fruit juices. It does not matter which one you go to — as long as you buy a bottle of pitaya (dragonfruit) coconut juice. This juice has a beautiful purpley-pink color and is refreshing as ever. Of all the delicious foods found in La Boqueria’s chaos, I prefer this one.
September 17, 2024 — The Final Bite
After waiting outside in the El Borne neighborhood for over an hour in the rain for dinner, my friends and I were starving and in need of delicious tapas to conclude our trip abroad. The tuna with leek at El Xampanyet certainly stood up to the task. The soft leek perfectly contrasted the oily tuna, and paired with a bit of crusty bread, it was the perfect bite. A unique and flavorful bite to send me off to school!
But My Best Bite Was…
Coming to Barcelona, all of the tour guides and study abroad coordinators recommended La Pepita in Gràcia as the must-go-to restaurant. Reservations are tricky to get a hold of, but are so worth it. La Pepita is a Spanish-Japanese fusion restaurant, serving traditional tapas with an umami twist. I cannot express enough how amazing the food here was; it’s difficult to think of my favorite dishes because they were all too good.
The fish ceviche with sweet potato crackers tasted incredibly fresh, balanced with a lemony acid. The pulpo (octopus) had a yummy green sauce on it that complemented its bouncy, chewy texture. The patatas bravas were unconventional but delicious, with both a smoky tomato sauce and a creamy aioli. The green salad with apple was a perfect mix of tart, sour, savory, and sweet. If I ever return to Barcelona, La Pepita is first on my list.