The Best Italian Restaurants in Barcelona

Barcelona has established itself as a prime destination for enjoying authentic Italian cuisine. 

From traditional Neapolitan recipes to innovative offerings that blend the best of Italy with international influences, the city offers a wide variety of options for food lovers. 

This article highlights some of the best Italian restaurants in Barcelona, showcasing how each one captures the essence of Italian cuisine, making every visit a unique culinary experience.

Velissima Barcelona

Located in Port Marina Vela, Velissima offers an authentic culinary experience inspired by the Amalfi Coast and ‘La Dolce Vita’.

This restaurant stands out for its handmade pasta and Italian cuisine, with signature dishes such as Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe, Linguine all’Astice with lobster and red and yellow piennolo tomato sauce, and Mezzi Paccheri al Sapore di Mare, a delightful combination of pasta with seafood like prawns, clams, mussels, and scallops.

The terrace with views of the port, along with a sophisticated and festive atmosphere, makes Velissima an ideal destination to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in Barcelona.

Cecconi’s Barcelona

Located in the Gothic Quarter next to Soho House, Cecconi’s is an elegant Italian restaurant.

This establishment combines a modern setting with a classic touch, offering handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and dishes from Northern Italy made with high-quality ingredients. Customers praise the excellent service and cozy atmosphere.

Their ‘Menú del Giorno’, available Monday through Friday, and their popular ‘Sunday Feast Brunch’ are particularly appreciated. The brunch features a varied selection of pastas, risottos, seafood, and desserts, starting with a welcome drink.

Xemei

Xemei is a restaurant in the Poble-sec neighborhood of Barcelona, run by the Colombo brothers, offering authentic Venetian cuisine. Highlighted dishes include ‘bigoli in salsa veneziana’ and ‘spaghetti al nero di sepia’.

Customers value the quality of the ingredients, the authenticity of the flavors, and the cozy atmosphere, reminiscent of a vintage tavern.

The restaurant is known for its lively ambiance and excellent service, often frequented by celebrities and artists. Its menu goes beyond typical Italian food, offering a unique culinary experience in Barcelona.

Spaccanapoli Barcelona

Founded by Chef Daniele, who sought to bring the true essence of Neapolitan cuisine to Barcelona, this restaurant is distinguished by its original Neapolitan oven made with stones from Mount Vesuvius, and its staff, ingredients, and recipes exclusively from Naples.

Customers can enjoy pizzas prepared in five minutes, as well as pastas, fish, and meats following traditional recipes.

The warm and fun atmosphere reflects the Neapolitan vibe, making each visit a unique and memorable experience.

Assunta Barcelona

Assunta combines luxury and tradition in a warm and dynamic setting. This restaurant stands out for its focus on fresh seafood, featuring a fish market, a fish bar, an oyster bar, and even a gourmet specialty shop.

Its daily-changing menu presents traditional Italian dishes, where the sole star is the fish: raw, grilled, baked in salt, or in guazzetto, including their famous frittura.

Assunta brings the authentic aromas and flavors of the sea to its diners, offering an unforgettable culinary experience based on family recipes passed down through generations.

BENZiNA

It is a modern Italian restaurant located in the Sant Antoni neighborhood of Barcelona. It is characterized by its bold and authentic cuisine, using high-quality ingredients from both Italy and local sources.

The atmosphere combines the essence of Italy with a New York touch, set to the tunes of 70s and 80s rock music. Their innovative cocktails are the perfect start to the culinary experience.

BENZiNA offers creative and original dishes, making it a go-to place for lovers of good food and music.

La Bella Napoli

Located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, La Bella Napoli offers an authentic Neapolitan culinary experience. The restaurant is known for its use of high-quality Italian ingredients and traditional recipes.

The pizzas are made with handmade dough, free of additives or preservatives, and baked in a wood-fired oven, while the pastas are made from family recipes passed down through generations.

Since 1993, La Bella Napoli has been synonymous with tradition and authentic flavor, providing customers with a culinary journey to Naples with every dish.

Giorgio Ristorante

Founded by Armen and Lusine in 2012, Giorgio Ristorante is recognized for its cozy atmosphere and commitment to authentic Italian cuisine.

They offer dishes made with locally sourced, high-quality products that reflect their love for gastronomy. Their specialties include Meat Cappelletti with asparagus and black truffle, black Risotto with squid, asparagus, and cured tuna, and Linguine ‘allo scoglio’ with cherry tomatoes, clams, and mussels.

Giorgio Barcelona has become an ideal place to enjoy an Italian culinary experience in an elegant and family-friendly environment.

Iluzione

It is a restaurant in Barcelona that reinvents Italian cuisine with a fusion approach. Here, classic Italian dishes, like pizza, are transformed with unexpected ingredients and techniques from various cultures, creating innovative and surprising combinations.

Notable dishes include Strozzapreti nero alla carbonara di mare with squid ink, egg, red shrimp, and caviar, and Paccheri alla Genovese with beef, onion, and Parmesan, showcasing the chef’s skill in blending traditional with contemporary.

Located in an upscale area of the city, Iluzione offers a unique and sophisticated culinary experience dedicated to the delight of all five senses.

Restaurante BelleBuòn

BelleBuòn, located in Barcelona, offers another authentic Italian gastronomic experience. Founded in 2008, the restaurant is distinguished by its intimate atmosphere, love, and passion in the preparation of its dishes, and respect for Italian culinary tradition.

The menu encompasses a wide variety of dishes, both classic and lesser-known, reflecting the old values and genuine flavors of Italian cuisine.

The Chef, originally from Avellino, Campania, ensures that the pastas are handmade, and all dishes are prepared on the spot with fresh ingredients, maintaining their authentic taste.

Don Giovanni Barcelona

Led by renowned Sicilian chef Andrea Tumbarello and located in the NH Barcelona Stadium Hotel, Don Giovanni offers an authentic Italian gastronomic experience.

Known as the ‘king of truffles’, Tumbarello presents cuisine that stands out for its selection of high-quality products and attention to cooking times.

The restaurant, reminiscent of an Italian trattoria, has a capacity of 36 diners and is characterized by its elegance and comfort.

At Don Giovanni, you can enjoy pastas, pizzas, cold cuts, cheeses, and wines, all prepared with passion and simplicity, reflecting the true essence of Italian gastronomy.

Terrazza Ravello

Located in Port Vell, Barcelona, Terrazza Ravello is known for its large terrace overlooking the docks and its atmosphere infused with the seaside aroma of the Barcelona coast.

The interior, decorated with Mediterranean ceramics, is ideal for enjoying specialties such as pizzas, fish, seafood, salads, and pastas.

The restaurant offers a fusion of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, reflecting the cultural diversity of Southern Europe. Their pizzas, made with fresh, high-quality Italian ingredients, showcase the traditional culinary art of Italy, preserving ancient recipes and authentic flavors.

Ristorante Gravin

Ristorante Gravin, situated in the Born neighborhood of Barcelona, offers another authentic Italian culinary experience since 2005.

Inspired by “cucina della nonna”, this restaurant blends tradition with a modern touch, reflected in both its ambiance and cuisine. All dishes, from appetizers to desserts, are handcrafted.

Their homemade pastas, such as pappardelle and linguini, are served with traditional sauces. Additionally, Gravin offers a wide selection of high-quality wines that perfectly complement the gastronomic experience.

Gusto Ristorante Pizzeria

Founded in 2006 by the Riccio brothers in Barcelona, Gusto has established itself as one of the city’s best Italian restaurants.

This establishment is known for its authentic Neapolitan cuisine, including a varied menu with traditional dishes, seasonal options, and pizzas cooked in their traditional “Forno a Legna”, giving them a unique and authentic flavor.

Customers praise the quality of their ingredients, imported directly from Italy, and the attentive and professional service. Additionally, the family-friendly and cozy atmosphere has attracted both locals and tourists, making it a gastronomic landmark in Barcelona.

Tramonti 1980

Located in the Les Corts district of Barcelona, Tramonti 1980 is an Italian restaurant established in 1980 by brothers Franco and Giuliano Lombardo. Inspired by their homeland, the restaurant offers an authentic culinary experience with traditional Italian dishes.

They describe their menu as recipes with history, some forgotten and now revived, others learned and adapted, or invented, imagined, improvised, and anticipated.

With a warm and family-friendly atmosphere, Tramonti 1980 attracts both long-time Barcelona residents and nostalgic Italians, standing out for its excellent cuisine and welcoming service.

The Italian culinary scene in Barcelona reflects the rich diversity of Italy’s cuisine. These restaurants not only stand out for the quality of their dishes but also for their ability to transport diners to different Italian regions through authentic and carefully crafted flavors.

Whether enjoying a classic wood-fired pizza or handmade pasta with fresh ingredients, these establishments guarantee a culinary experience that celebrates the best of Italy in the heart of Barcelona.