Barcelona isn’t exactly known as one of Europe’s cheapest cities,but eating well here doesn’t have to mean spending €20 or €30 every time you sit down.
There are still plenty of places where you can grab something tasty for just a few euros -… and some that are genuinely surprising. We’re talking €1 tacos, 99 cent cheesecake, sandwiches, pizza slices, empanadas, and even traditional tapas.

So, if you’re exploring Barcelona on a budget, here are some of the places worth knowing about….

€1 Eats in Barcelona

Yes, you can actually eat something in Barcelona for €1 – … duh. These aren’t necessarily places where you’ll eat an entire dinner, but they’re perfect for a quick snack, something between sightseeing stops or simply proving that Barcelona doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

• 100 Montaditos – currently 3 operating in the city. Near the beach, near Plaza Catalunya, and in Raval

A Spanish chain famous for its sandwiches. During some promotions and on Sundays and Wednesdays, many montaditos drop to just €1. You can choose from fillings such as tortilla, jamón, cheese, chicken, beef, and chorizo. Well… 100 different types.

• Pizza Raval

Ahhh yes, there is even €1 pizza! You’ll need to get the timing right tho’ – €1 Margarita slice promotion on Tuesdays, while Mondays are for €1.90 empanadas.

• TKO Tacos – you can find one in the Gothic Quarter and another near Plaza Catalunya

You can grab tacos for €1, making it an easy stop when you want something quick, tasty and seriously cheap in Barcelona.

• Chao Pescao

It’s a nice budget find because oysters aren’t exactly the first food you expect to see on a cheap-eats list. If you’re a seafood fan, Friday is definitely the day to remember for €1 oysters.

…. and if you’re craving something sweet, 99 Cheesecake has made a name for itself with its classic cheesecake slice costing just €0.99. More extra flavors cost a little more, but the original 99-cent slice is hard to beat.

• +1 – well, a fresh baguette

Don’t underestimate it – …Barcelona is a great city for delicious bread. I don’t know about you, but I can happily eat half a fresh baguette straight from the bakery, adding olive oil, salt and balsamic vinegar is just an extra touch.
Neighborhood bakeries still sell baguettes for less than €1

Where to Eat for €2–5 in Barcelona

Once you’re willing to spend a few euros rather than specifically hunting for those €1 deals, Barcelona’s cheap-food options isn’t only about tacos, pizza and sandwiches.
Always keep an eye out for local bodegas and neighborhood bars where you can eat traditional Spanish and Catalan-style food without spending a fortune. These are often a better option for an inexpensive drink and a few tapas than the restaurants directly around Barcelona’s biggest tourist attractions. Cheaper neighbourhood bars in places like Gràcia, Poble-sec and Sant Antoni offer some tapas dishes around €2–3. Try some pan con tomate, patatas bravas, croquetas, pimientos de padrón, or a slice of tortilla española.

✨Check out my guide to spotting restaurant red flags and avoiding tourist traps in Barcelona HERE

• Bar La Plata

A tiny bar in the Gothic Quarter that has been around since 1945. Its menu is simple: fried fish, tomato salad, a butifarra, and an anchovy. The small plates and drinks typically cost between €2-4 each.

• Café Pagès

7–9 pm period is for budget diners, cuz tapas dishes are available for €2.

• Bar El Tomàs de Sarrià

Long-established tapas bar known for its traditional vibes and especially its famous signature patatas bravas for €3

• Carrer de Blai – My personal favorite is La Tasqueta de Blai

A whole street full of places that serve the so-called Pintxos – small bites… canapés if you want to be very french.
The pintxos are around €1–2. Instead of ordering one expensive main course, you can pick several different pintxos and dinner is sorted.

• Las Fritas – you can find one in the Gothic Quarter and another near Barceloneta Beach

Loaded fries, dare I say more? Pure comfort food. Their freshly made fries start at around €3.90, while loaded combinations add up based on what you choose.

• Bo de B

Famous for its enormous sandwiches packed with meat, vegetables, sauces, and other toppings for €5–7. It’s a favorite with people looking for a meal on a budget, and one sandwich can easily be enough.

• Da Nanni – there’s 6 all over the city, so check your location if you crave a pizza

The pizzeria is known for its inexpensive individual pizzas, with a 24 cm pizza costing around €3.50 until 4PM

Empanadas & Bakeries in Barcelona

Don’t just look for the big chains. Small neighborhood panaderías can be some of the best places to grab a coffee and a pastry, a savory pastry, a sandwich or something sweet without spending much.

Empanadas are particularly useful for budget travelers, and you can find La Fábrica and Criollo Empanadas Argentinas all over the city. They offer different fillings including beef, chicken, ham and cheese, caprese and spicy varieties for 2-3€

Don’t Forget the Menú del Día in Barcelona

If you see a neighborhood restaurant offering a full lunch for around €12–15, you are in luck – … that’s the menú del día, and it means you will eat like a local.
This fixed-price menu typically includes 2 courses, dessert, bread and a drink. You’ll see everything from salads, soups and pasta to grilled meat, fish, rice dishes and traditional Spanish specialties.
It isn’t really meant to be a quick tourist lunch, it designed around the idea that workers and locals should be able to sit down for a proper, filling lunch during the middle of the day without spending a fortune.

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Luckily, you don’t need to survive on supermarket sandwiches to eat cheaply in Barcelona.
The city can be expensive, but eating on a budget is much easier when you know where to look and are willing to step away from the most touristy spots.
Sometimes the best meals are the simplest ones, and with a little bit of local knowledge, you can still eat really well…

Aaaanyways,

See you at the next one,

Noémi

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