Much like Italy, India or China, Spain is a country with very distinct regions – and the food found in each area is incredibly unique. Catalonia, in the northeast, is where you’ll find some of the country’s most celebrated dishes, served in the tapas bars of Barcelona, family-run restaurants in Girona and in home kitchens throughout the beautiful countryside. It’s also home to sixty-five Michelin-starred restaurants, putting Catalonia at the forefront of Europe’s fine dining scene. Whilst popular Spanish dishes like paella and products like chorizo are always present (particularly in big cities and touristic areas), Catalonians make the most of their own produce and turn it into simple, fantastic plates of food.
Whether you’re planning to visit Catalonia or just want to recreate the flavours of the region in your own home, these are the dishes you need to try to get a real sense of the local cuisine. The ethos of Catalonian food is simple – take the best ingredients and allow their natural flavour to shine through.