A tapas district

There are many theories about the origin of tapas. Some say that they were portions of food from the previous day that, before becoming hard and had to be thrown away, were used up by giving them away with the drink.

Others attribute a more functional origin, claiming that they were slices of ham or cheese used to cover drinks to prevent insects and dust from falling in. Hence the name tapas.

The tapa is an appetizer that is served in most bars or restaurants with a drink. In some, but increasingly fewer, the tradition of giving away a tapa with a drink is still maintained. The practice of going to different places to eat tapas is called “tapeo” or going for tapas. And if there is a neighborhood in Barcelona where you can enjoy an extensive and varied offer of “tapas”, it is Barceloneta.

Custom tapas.

We cannot fail to mention some of the most typical tapas created in the kitchens of the neighbourhood. They are tapas Made in Barceloneta.

The most famous is “La Bomba”, a ball of boiled potatoes stuffed with minced meat, accompanied by aioli and spicy sauce. The Ruta de la Bomba is held annually in the neighbourhood, an event in which each participating establishments prepare their own version.

Not only is the Bomba genuinely Barceloneta. Among other unique tapas, “La Barreixa”, the fried anchovy spine or “Las Gavardines”, are hard to find in other bars.

Fisherman’s Quarter

In seafood cuisine, tapas with fish and seafood, cooked and presented in different ways, play a special role. They often originated domestically and, as with croquettes, it was difficult to find anchovies in vinaigrette or anchovies better “than those that my mother makes”.

The ones of a lifetime

If we wanted to mention all the places where you can enjoy some good tapas, we would leave some out, but if we want to list the most historic ones, all of them with decades of existence, they would be:

1. ELECTRICITAT: since 1908.
2. PIÑOL (formerly Ca La Pepita): since 1922.
3. BODEGA JORDI: since 1929.
4. LA COVA FUMADA (formerly Can Magí): since 1944.
5. CAN GANASSA: since 1945.
6. LA BOMBETA: since 1946.
7. LOKILLO (previously other names): since 1945.
8. JAI-CA: since 1955.
9. EL VASO DE ORO: since 1962.
10. EL MOLL DEL REBAIX (also known previously as Las Parras): over 50 years old.

11. ESTRAPERLO (formerly Cal Papi or Bodega Peralo ): since 1970.
12. CAL MARINER (formerly Casa Ricardo and Can Mató): since 1967.
13. CAL CHUSCO (formerly Bar Jordi and Bar Tani ): since 1969.
14. SERGIO: since 1975.
15. LEO: since 1982.