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Out of three paellas we tried in the last week, this was the best! Supplemented it with an excellent steamed mussels dish with lots of flavorful broth. Potato Brava was outstanding with slightly spicy salsa and Mayo. Shrimp scampi was also very tasty and worth ordering for sure. Friendly helpful staff (Martin our server squeezed us in despite having no reservation, and smilingly replaced a spilled glass of cava without charge and without our asking). Nice outdoor patios overlooking the busy La Boqueria market. Try to reserve in advance.
Came across this place while walking to look for a place to have dinner. It's right by La Boqueria Market so we thought it would be a tourist trap but this place was good from drinks to tapas and paella! My husband and I shared a shrimp paella and got prawns in garlic sauce and patatas bravas too. I love paella but sometimes the seafood was overwhelming and would love paella just with shrimp which is exactly what we got and was tasty! The rice was cooked to perfection, shrimp was flavorful and each bite was such a delight! They have a twist on their patatas bravas and had sauce that was good not too spicy either! Our waitress was friendly and attentive, the chef or owner walked around to make sure everyone was okay which was nice! Another plus was the kitchen was open, we saw the food being cooked which is always a plus!
Environment/Atmosphere: This restaurant is located within the Mercat de La Boqueria off La Rambla. The actual inside of the restaurant is very small with a few tables packed closely together and you could basically see the kitchen from your seat. I loved all the paella pans they had hanging from the wall as part of the décor. Definitely got me excited that these folks knew what they were doing when it comes to paella! Food/drink: We ordered the Valencia Paella (the proteins are chicken and rabbit) and the Catalan Paella (the proteins are shellfish, chicken, and sausage) to eat and a pitcher (or two lol) of the Cava Sangria to drink. Both paellas were really good! The rice was cooked perfectly, with good spices simmered within, and had a slightly crispy base in the skillet. I really enjoyed both the land and the sea protein offerings of the two dishes. The Cava Sangria was just what I needed! It was light, and refreshing with the bubbles on your tongue but also not super sweet so that was perfect. Service: The service was a little lackluster. I had to deduct one star because I definitely was not not made to feel like the staff/owner/manager was happy to have my business. Quite frankly, the interactions with our server were quite curt and that was the main thing that detracted from our experience. Overall, the food and drinks at this restaurant were really good and I would definitely recommend this spot to others based on that alone.
I knew this was a must since we were going to be in Barcelona! It wasn't busy when we stopped by and we were hungry after a long afternoon of walking around. We ordered the Valenciana and Boqueria paellas but the waiter informed us it would be about 20 mins, so we ordered a starter and I had a sangria. The area was quiet when we sat down but pretty soon more people started to pile into the Boqueria. Even though we sat outside it didn't feel too busy or crowded, which was nice. The sangria was refreshing and fruity and I loved it! We ordered the pepa burger to share and it was perfectly cooked and a perfect portion to split between two people. It was very good, I recommend! I was worried that two orders of paella would be too much but they brought them out in a medium sized pan and it was shallow so it looked like there was more than there actually was (and it was the perfect serving size!) We finished the portions and it was very good. The seafood that came with my dish tasted fresh. Definitely recommend trying this place if you're in the area!
Paella Bar has some very good features paired with some pretty bad ones. On the good side, the food is fantastic. We split two different paellas between five of us, and they were both delicious. We are five college guys, and we were full. It ended up not being very expensive either. On the bad side, they are extremely stingy with water. At first, we asked for tap water, which they didn't have. Then, we asked if we could buy one of the giant water bottles in the fridge, to which they said, "those are for staff only." Why are they on full display for everyone to see? Additionally, we think the prawn in our paella was not cooked properly. The guy who ate it got sick the next day and that was the only food we didn't all share during our trip to Barcalona.
Mixed about this place. Solid Paella. That's what you come here for. But here's a couple of things. We sat outside being near the Boqueria - lots of aggressive panhandlers. Can't tell you how many people shoved balloons in my face or someone playing accordion and then trying to hit me up for change. I am all about helping people out but the aggressiveness and in your face attitude was difficult. Then the service. They tried to up sell us 5 paellas! We were hungry but not trying to gorge ourselves into oblivion. Further, the server tried to shake us down for a tip. I understand that tipping is not customary here. I never was asked tip nor was there ever a tip request on the credit card terminal - ever on my travels here. So ignoring all the other issues best paella that I had here in Barcelona. You just have to overlook a few things.
I was looking for a really great place for paella. I've listened to all the recommendations from my tour guides and concierge. Well.. nothing really moved me until.... I searched Yelp. Of course I found a place outside of my favorite market Mercad de la Boqueria based on a review from fellow Yelpie Herman T. His review really enticed me to try it. So off I went, after another exhaustive day of touring and walking etc. I only had a small breakfast to save my appetite. Paella Bar is located opposite La Boqueria. I entered this petite joyful place and was seated immediately from a friendly server. It's a cute place with painted cafe chairs and wall and ceiling covered with paella pans. There is a wine of the month posted on one of the pans. I already knew paella was going to be it. First the varieties: Barceloneta: shellfish and fish, Vegetarian: onions, green peppers and carrots.Catalan: fish, sausage and shellfish Tourist: Lobster I ordered the Vegetarian and added chicken. It takes @20 minutes for the prep of the paella. While I waited I sipped my delicious glass of wine. Then came the piece d'resistance: my paella! Served in a paella pan sizzling and mouth watering. It was a huge portion: a melange of zucchini, white Lima beans, peppers, onions and delicious pieces of chicken. I paced myself and ate slowly: this dish really serves 2 people. I enjoyed every morsel. I was too full to taste any of the desserts. My waitress was very friendly and gracious. This is a highly recommended place for paella. I really do believe the out of the way places serve the best versus the higher priced tourist venues.
Can't leave Barcelona without having Paella! Catalan paella (20 Euro) Came with shellfish, chicken, and sausage. I was hoping for more shrimp though mixed in but I guess shellfish meant the mussels. Rice was al dente and flavourful. It was very saucy and full of seafood flavour. Lots of ingredients which was good. Can't believe the two of us finished it all!
We've been searching for good paella and this spot is pretty good! It's right outside Mercat La Boqueria. It's one of those eateries that isn't open late night and also closed on Sundays. So it's a good spot for early lunch, midday meal, or early dinner (10am-5pm). We got here for an early dinner after a long day of sightseeing! We definitely came at an off hour, so we didn't have to fight for a table. ***OUR PICKS*** GASPACHO ~ cold soup of tomato, pepper, cucumber, onion, garlic and vinegar. Refreshing soup especially on this hot summer day. 4/5 GRILLED PRAWNS ~ Fresh tasting and perfectly cooked! Flavorful and yummy! 5/5 PAELLA BARCELONETA ~ tasty rice and seafood! The rice was al dente and seafood done just right and remained tender. 5/5 Our server was helpful to recommend a dessert spot for us. Very nice and accommodating! Highly recommend this paella bar! read more
8 months ago
Delicious! Cute little spot. Quiet and good for conversation. We will be back next trip to Barcelona. read more
The location is slightly difficult to find within a large crowded market. Papas Bravas were delicious and authentic. The paella was slightly greasy but still very flavorful. We went a bit earlier than the locals so it was not super busy read more
2 years ago
Absolutely delicious. Loved sitting outside on a beautiful February day. Keep in mind it takes awhile to make so plan ahead when ordering paella. read more
3 years ago
Out of three paellas we tried in the last week, this was the best! Supplemented it with an excellent steamed mussels dish with lots of flavorful broth. Potato Brava was outstanding with slightly spicy salsa and Mayo. Shrimp scampi was also very tasty and worth ordering for sure. Friendly helpful staff (Martin our server squeezed us in despite having no reservation, and smilingly replaced a spilled glass of cava without charge and without our asking). Nice outdoor patios overlooking the busy La Boqueria market. Try to reserve in advance. read more
2 years ago
This place is a gem. Typically, I steer far from places near tourist traps, but this place was recommended. Fantastic paella, fresh steamed mussels, and grilled prawns. The sangria here was also exceptional and refreshing. Exceeded my expectations with great service as well! read more
Came across this place while walking to look for a place to have dinner. It's right by La Boqueria Market so we thought it would be a tourist trap but this place was good from drinks to tapas and paella! My husband and I shared a shrimp paella and got prawns in garlic sauce and patatas bravas too. I love paella but sometimes the seafood was overwhelming and would love paella just with shrimp which is exactly what we got and was tasty! The rice was cooked to perfection, shrimp was flavorful and each bite was such a delight! They have a twist on their patatas bravas and had sauce that was good not too spicy either! Our waitress was friendly and attentive, the chef or owner walked around to make sure everyone was okay which was nice! Another plus was the kitchen was open, we saw the food being cooked which is always a plus! read more
3 years ago
Service friendly, food delicious, seated quickly . Yummy paella with lots of meat and seafood read more
6 years ago
Environment/Atmosphere: This restaurant is located within the Mercat de La Boqueria off La Rambla. The actual inside of the restaurant is very small with a few tables packed closely together and you could basically see the kitchen from your seat. I loved all the paella pans they had hanging from the wall as part of the décor. Definitely got me excited that these folks knew what they were doing when it comes to paella! Food/drink: We ordered the Valencia Paella (the proteins are chicken and rabbit) and the Catalan Paella (the proteins are shellfish, chicken, and sausage) to eat and a pitcher (or two lol) of the Cava Sangria to drink. Both paellas were really good! The rice was cooked perfectly, with good spices simmered within, and had a slightly crispy base in the skillet. I really enjoyed both the land and the sea protein offerings of the two dishes. The Cava Sangria was just what I needed! It was light, and refreshing with the bubbles on your tongue but also not super sweet so that was perfect. Service: The service was a little lackluster. I had to deduct one star because I definitely was not not made to feel like the staff/owner/manager was happy to have my business. Quite frankly, the interactions with our server were quite curt and that was the main thing that detracted from our experience. Overall, the food and drinks at this restaurant were really good and I would definitely recommend this spot to others based on that alone. read more
3 years ago
I knew this was a must since we were going to be in Barcelona! It wasn't busy when we stopped by and we were hungry after a long afternoon of walking around. We ordered the Valenciana and Boqueria paellas but the waiter informed us it would be about 20 mins, so we ordered a starter and I had a sangria. The area was quiet when we sat down but pretty soon more people started to pile into the Boqueria. Even though we sat outside it didn't feel too busy or crowded, which was nice. The sangria was refreshing and fruity and I loved it! We ordered the pepa burger to share and it was perfectly cooked and a perfect portion to split between two people. It was very good, I recommend! I was worried that two orders of paella would be too much but they brought them out in a medium sized pan and it was shallow so it looked like there was more than there actually was (and it was the perfect serving size!) We finished the portions and it was very good. The seafood that came with my dish tasted fresh. Definitely recommend trying this place if you're in the area! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Lovely food, Sangria, desserts, and even lovely service! Best food we had in all of Barcelona !! read more
Paella Bar has some very good features paired with some pretty bad ones. On the good side, the food is fantastic. We split two different paellas between five of us, and they were both delicious. We are five college guys, and we were full. It ended up not being very expensive either. On the bad side, they are extremely stingy with water. At first, we asked for tap water, which they didn't have. Then, we asked if we could buy one of the giant water bottles in the fridge, to which they said, "those are for staff only." Why are they on full display for everyone to see? Additionally, we think the prawn in our paella was not cooked properly. The guy who ate it got sick the next day and that was the only food we didn't all share during our trip to Barcalona. read more
4 years ago
Searched for a Paella with squid ink and found this top ranked. It never dissapointed our expectation. The server Alicia was great too. read more
7 years ago
Mixed about this place. Solid Paella. That's what you come here for. But here's a couple of things. We sat outside being near the Boqueria - lots of aggressive panhandlers. Can't tell you how many people shoved balloons in my face or someone playing accordion and then trying to hit me up for change. I am all about helping people out but the aggressiveness and in your face attitude was difficult. Then the service. They tried to up sell us 5 paellas! We were hungry but not trying to gorge ourselves into oblivion. Further, the server tried to shake us down for a tip. I understand that tipping is not customary here. I never was asked tip nor was there ever a tip request on the credit card terminal - ever on my travels here. So ignoring all the other issues best paella that I had here in Barcelona. You just have to overlook a few things. read more
2 years ago
I was looking for a really great place for paella. I've listened to all the recommendations from my tour guides and concierge. Well.. nothing really moved me until.... I searched Yelp. Of course I found a place outside of my favorite market Mercad de la Boqueria based on a review from fellow Yelpie Herman T. His review really enticed me to try it. So off I went, after another exhaustive day of touring and walking etc. I only had a small breakfast to save my appetite. Paella Bar is located opposite La Boqueria. I entered this petite joyful place and was seated immediately from a friendly server. It's a cute place with painted cafe chairs and wall and ceiling covered with paella pans. There is a wine of the month posted on one of the pans. I already knew paella was going to be it. First the varieties: Barceloneta: shellfish and fish, Vegetarian: onions, green peppers and carrots.Catalan: fish, sausage and shellfish Tourist: Lobster I ordered the Vegetarian and added chicken. It takes @20 minutes for the prep of the paella. While I waited I sipped my delicious glass of wine. Then came the piece d'resistance: my paella! Served in a paella pan sizzling and mouth watering. It was a huge portion: a melange of zucchini, white Lima beans, peppers, onions and delicious pieces of chicken. I paced myself and ate slowly: this dish really serves 2 people. I enjoyed every morsel. I was too full to taste any of the desserts. My waitress was very friendly and gracious. This is a highly recommended place for paella. I really do believe the out of the way places serve the best versus the higher priced tourist venues. read more
Can't leave Barcelona without having Paella! Catalan paella (20 Euro) Came with shellfish, chicken, and sausage. I was hoping for more shrimp though mixed in but I guess shellfish meant the mussels. Rice was al dente and flavourful. It was very saucy and full of seafood flavour. Lots of ingredients which was good. Can't believe the two of us finished it all! read more
8 years ago
The best thing here was the sangria. It was so good and we got at least 8 glasses from the 16 euro pitcher. The paella was okay but not as amazing as I was expecting it to be. I was quite disappointed because the reviews made it seem as though it was going to be the best paella I've ever had and it wasn't. If you know what good paella tastes like then you will not be impressed. I also want to add that I got the mixed paella with seafood and chicken and there were little pieces of fatty skin on the chicken. I had to remove the skin before eating the chicken which was very unpleasant. However, the paella is a large portion size which was nice especially because it cost about 20 euro. The waitress also overhyped these spinach balls and they ended up being pretty underwhelming. I can't say that I recommend this place if you know what great paella tastes like. read more
4 years ago
Great place for paella in Barcelona! My family had never had paella and this was a wonderful place to try it! The waiter gave us the history of it, recommendations, and free shots at the end! The tinto de verano was great and the paella was even better! I highly recommend it!! read more
8 years ago
Great Paella!!!!!!!!! Ordered Boqueria Paella :) & the taste was great!!!!!!!! Def. recommend for a Paella read more
8 years ago
I found the Paella Bar while strolling around La Boqueria. I naturally fell for the name of the restaurant that advertises exactly what it serves. It's a nice hideout away from the commotion of the marketplace. The first time I went, I strolled in with my friend before an FCB game and the servers treated us to some of the best service we've ever had! They knew we were in a rush to get to the Barca game, so not only did they give us directions on how to get to Camp Nou, but they also recommended three courses so we didn't have to deal with indecisiveness. They treated us to complimentary spinach fritters, a pitcher of sangria, and ordered the squid, chicken, and the Catalan Paella for us. The Sangria came first, and we laughed because the servers asked if we wanted "American Sangria" or "Authentic Sangria". American Sangria substituted orange juice for Fanta. In good humor, we chose American Sangria! I'd say all their dishes are good for sharing. The spinach fritters are a must! They're crisp, drizzled in honey, and such a nice appetizer. The grilled calamari came next, and it wasn't too rubbery, charred to perfection and tasted fresh. The Catalan Paella came next, and even though we got the smallest size, it was more than enough for 2 people. It could feed 3-4 as a sharing dish. I would recommend this paella for tourists wanting a tasty but not-so-adventurous choice. Finally, came the chicken. I wish I could remember how good it tasted, but we were stuffed at this point. Give this a place a try for some true Catalan hospitality, a taste of Barcelona with a touch of North-American appeal. PS. We ate at the restaurant 3 more times during that same week. read more
6 years ago
If you are looking to have a taste of Spain, Paella Bar should be your first stop. We asked a gentlemen who worked at the meat market stand where he recommended the best Paella and he personally walked us to this restaurant. We ordered the Barcelona Paella with a glass of white wine that our server recommended. It was pretty sweet how we were able to see the chefs cook while we waited. The seafood was very fresh and service was very good. Will be coming back soon!! read more
4 years ago
9 years ago
Cute clean and air conditioned restaurant on the edge of La Boqueria. There's wifi and also outdoor seating. The sangria is fizzy and refreshing. I split the Catalan Paella with hubby. The paella included 4 mussels, 1 shrimp, sausage, chicken and was satisfying portion for two to share without any sides. read more
7 years ago
Everything was perfect. The Paella was excellent. We asked for a custom paella with prawns and chicken and vegetables. It was fabulous. The chef was very accommodating. And our server, Gabriella was absolutely adorable. And the sangria was the best I've ever had. Like I said it was perfect all the way around. PS. Don't be fooled by it being in the market. The food and price can't be beat. read more
On our last day in Barcelona, we finally decided to get some paella. I mean when you're visiting Spain, you have to right? The restaurant is located at the edge of the square of La Boqueria. The staff is extremely friendly. It was pretty open around noon. The menu is pretty simple. There's 7 different kinds of paella with several appetizers and other dishes. I loveee that if you buy fresh fish from La Boqueria, the chef can cook it for you! We decided to try the Paella Catalan since we were in the Catalonia region of Spain. The paella came out piping hot and is a very filling portion for two people. The rich flavors are soaked up in all of the rice and vegetables. Delicious! If you're visiting La Boqueria, definitely save some room for this place! read more
7 years ago
Would rate 4.5. Glad this was located right next to (not in) Boqueria mkt. Started w cava sangria which we loved on a hot day. Came for the Catalan paella which we all loved. Also ordered Grilled Seafood (from mkt and changes on availability). The mixed grill was a combo of shrimp, razor clams, mussels, and cockles. Would definitely come back. read more
9 years ago
On my first day of Barcelona my family and I were craving to get our hands on some Paella. We stumbled in the Paella Bar after we already had so many tapas! But when in Spain you need to get the best of both worlds right? This place is well decorated with English speaking staff. It has indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is in more than 5 different languages. We ordered the Catalan Paella. It has shellfish, chicken, and sausage. Since we already had tapas before hand we were looking to share just one plate however, the waiter refused to only cook one dish for four people. He was definitely trying to be funny about it but he was low key a jerk. My family is pretty easy going so we ended up ordering two plates of the Catalan. This was my first time having Paella so I wasn't sure what to expect. The waiter approached us with a HUGE pan. I was full when we walked in but it was so good we finished all of it! Definitely recommend when visiting Barcelona! read more
7 years ago
We were traveling to London, Portugal then finally Barcelona and this was by far! The best meal! The waiter and host were freakin Amazing and the paella wow, try it amazing! Can't stress anymore, it's by the market so all the ingredients were fresh. A plus! read more
4 years ago
9 years ago
Best paella & service in La Boqueria . Our waiter was extremely courteous and informative. We ordered his recommendations: spinach fritters, Catalan paella, and the house white wine. Simply delicious. What I love about Spanish food is that its ingredients are so simple, yet the spices are so complex and on point. The menu even suggests that if you see a particular fish in the market you would like to try, they would walk with you to pick it up and incorporate it into your meal...say what?!?!? Now that is service and local eating! The paella was crispy at the bottom but not overlooked at all. The seafood was so fresh. The pairing with the wine made the meal well rounded. Gracias paella bar. read more
Found this place off yelp and it is fabulous. Awesome fresh food, they speak English, they understand you, the sangria is out of the world, customer service was awesome and prices are good. Can't go wrong there tomato bread was really good and the paella is a must. read more
8 years ago
Great paella, great ambiance next to an open market where they sell fresh seafood. So you can imagine how fresh it tastes. The sangria was also awesome. read more
8 years ago
Well... what can I say but AMAZING!!!! My girlfriend and I visited Barcelona back in September and on our last day we were recommended to stop by this place and try the famous Paella and Black Rice, problem was we showed up 15 mins before closing and well that was our last day... for a brief second my girlfriend got very sad since we had dream about this Paella the whole day. Until the Manager and our super friendly waiter invited us in and keep the kitchen open just for us... I think my pictures would say it all! IT WAS AMAZING!!! This is by far the BEST PAELLA I HAVE EVER HAD IN BARCELONA!!! Is a MOST go place! If you EVER visit Barça please make sure to pass by and have a authentic taste of Barcelona! read more
8 years ago
4 years ago
9 years ago
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More info about Paella Bar
Pòrtics de la Boqueria, s/n
Locals, 6-7
Mercat de la Boqueria
08001 Barcelona
Spain
El Raval
Directions
933 487 783
Call Now
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Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
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Paella Bar Reviews in Other Languages
Review Highlights - Paella Bar
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4 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Paella Bar - spanish - Updated June 2026
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