Hi Reader!

Well, April flew by so quickly I honestly don't know where the time goes. And here we are almost a week into May already!

I've been busy sorting my life out here in Barcelona, now I am a full-time resident here, from registering as a sole trader to sorting out a library card - and discovering the joys of the Spanish tax system.

It is quite nice not to have to worry about planning travel, but I've got more than enough on my plate to stay busy here!

Thinking about plates, one of my favourite things to do here in Barcelona is to try new tapas bars and restaurants, looking for a tasty spot for a delicious meal.

Barcelona has no shortage of fantastic places to eat but there are also a lot of tourist traps, so I got to thinking about how we can find great places to eat wherever we are in the world.

Do Your Research

First of all, check out the reviews online for the restaurants in the area; this will give you an idea of what other travellers have experienced during their visit.

However, using a site like Tripadvisor will only give you a picture of what tourists say - I prefer using Google Maps as there is usually a mix of reviews from visitors and locals.

Look into local recommendations from friends or travel guides, read blogs about the destination and check out social media reviews from trusted sources.

If you follow a particular blogger or influencer who is an expert in that destination, they are likely to have spent more time researching recommendations than someone who just spent a weekend there.

If possible, try to talk to locals you meet and ask them where they like to eat (not where they recommend that you eat, as they're likely to be different!) – chances are they’ll know the best spots that tourists don't usually find.

Finally, as you don't judge a book by its cover, don't judge a restaurant by how it looks from the outside - some of the best foodie gems in cities all over the world are behind those simple, unassuming doorways - or even on a street corner!

For any restaurant, but especially for street food, the key to finding the best place to eat (and avoiding a dodgy stomach) is to find where the locals eat. If there is a queue of local people waiting at a street food stand, that is the one you should go for. The food will be cooked quickly and won’t be standing there a long time - so many people can’t be wrong!

Another tip my friend gave me is to eat where the police eat - no-one wants to be responsible for police getting food poisoning, so that's another good thing to look for!

Join a Food Tour

One of my favourite ways to learn about food in a new destination is to join a food tour and have a knowledgeable guide explain the basics.

I usually try to do this near the start of my visit so I have a good idea of what to eat during the rest of my trip. They aren't always the cheapest ways to eat, but I love them, and have taken food tours all over the world, including Singapore, Mexico City, San Sebastian and Budapest, among many others!

Devour Food Tours - My Favourite Food Tour Company

Devour have some fantastic food tours to choose from in cities across Europe and now in the USA too. I've taken a couple of their tours in Barcelona and one in San Sebastian, and they're my go-to recommendation now as I think they're fantastic!

These two are my personal favourite tours I've done in Barcelona in case you're planning a trip here:

Tastes and Traditions of Barcelona Food Tour combines a market visit with tapas tastings in the El Born neighbourhood and ends with a traditional paella in Barceloneta so you get to try a wide range of foods. It's quite rare to have paella included on a food tour so I love how this one combines tapas and paella in one food-filled adventure! ➡️Check prices and availability here.
The Gracia Neighbourhood Food Tour is a great way to explore Gracia and discover a less-touristy side of Barcelona's food scene. You'll visit local bodegas, a pastry shop and a xarcuteria for cured ham and cheese tastings, and try some vermouth and cava. Fideua is served for lunch, and you'll get to try some delicious hot chocolate and churro doughnuts too. ➡️Check prices and availability here.

If Devour don't have a tour in a city that I'm going to, then I check out the options on GetYourGuide or Viator and check the reviews carefully to see which options are good value, cover dishes I know I want to try, and get the top reviews.

By following these tips you should be able to find a great place to eat and enjoy some of the best food wherever you travel.

Are feeling hungry now? Check out my recommendations for where to find the best food in Europe here or browse all of my foodie articles here.

Happy travels (and happy feasting!)

Love, Claire x