The tradition of calçots in Barcelona
Gastronomy 26/02/2025
If you visit Barcelona between November and April, you can't miss one of Catalonia's most iconic culinary traditions: the calçotada. This feast focuses on calçots, a variety of tender, sweet onion that is grilled and accompanied by a delicious Romesco sauce.
Origin of Calçots
The history of calçots dates back to the late 19th century in the town of Valls, Tarragona. According to legend, a farmer known as "Xat de Benaiges" accidentally discovered this delicacy when roasting onions that had sprouted. When he peeled off the burnt layers, he found a tender and tasty interior, giving rise to what we know today as calçots.
What are calçots and how are they eaten?
Calçots are white onion shoots that, through a special cultivation process, develop a long, white stem. To eat them, they are roasted directly over flames until the outer layers are charred. They are then wrapped in newspaper to keep them warm and to make peeling easier. When serving, the charred layers are peeled off, the white part is dipped in romesco sauce, and they are enjoyed by lifting the calçot above the head. It is common to use bibs to avoid stains, as eating calçots can be a messy but extremely fun experience.
Best Restaurants to Enjoy a Calçotada in Barcelona
Below, we present a selection of restaurants in Barcelona where you can enjoy an authentic calçotada:
BODEGA JOAN
Rosselló Street, 164
Traditional restaurant in Barcelona's Eixample, founded in 1942. Specialising in Catalan cuisine, it is famous for its calçotadas, grilled meats and tapas such as caracoles a la llauna and bomba picante. Its atmosphere is cosy and authentic, ideal for enjoying the local cuisine.
CAN CORTADA
Av. de l'Estatut de Catalunya, s/n
Can Cortada invites you to experience an authentic calçotada in a beautiful historic farmhouse in Barcelona. Enjoy grilled calçots with romesco sauce, a delicious grilled meat and the sweet touch of Catalan cream, all accompanied by good wine and a cozy atmosphere.
CAN TRAVI NOU
Jorge Manrique Street, s/n
Charming 17th-century farmhouse located in the Horta district of Barcelona. During calçot season, this restaurant offers an authentic Catalan experience in a rustic and cozy setting. Its Calçotada 2025 Menu includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, followed by a selection of grilled meats and traditional desserts. With more than 30 years of experience, Can Travi Nou has established itself as a gastronomic reference in the city.
CAN PUNYETES
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A charming restaurant that, during the calçot season, offers an authentic Catalan experience in a welcoming atmosphere. Its locations in Barcelona, such as Marià Cubí, 189; Francesc Giner, 8-10; and Ciutat de Balaguer, 50, specialize in grilled cuisine, highlighting the calçots served with delicious romesco sauce. In addition, its menu includes a variety of traditional meats and sausages, all prepared in view on its open grill. With a history dating back to 1981, Can Punyetes combines quality and tradition, providing its diners with a memorable gastronomic experience.
EL PINTOR
Sant Honorat Street, 7
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Charming restaurant in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, ideal for enjoying an authentic calçotada. Its menu includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, grilled meats and Catalan cream, all in a warm and historical atmosphere. Perfect for a Catalan gastronomic experience.
LA FOIXARDA
Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13
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Cozy family restaurant in Montjuïc, Barcelona, offering an authentic Catalan experience during the calçots season. Their menu includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, grilled meats and traditional dishes such as butifarra and lamb. The establishment has a large terrace with views of the Palau Nacional and the riding arena, where children can enjoy the equestrian show while enjoying their food. Ideal for families and groups looking for a gastronomic experience in a natural and relaxed environment.
L'ANTIC FORN
Painter Fortuny Street, 28
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Cozy restaurant in Barcelona's Raval district, ideal for enjoying an authentic calçotada. During the calçot season, they offer a special menu that includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, followed by grilled meats such as butifarra, entrecote or salmon, and ending with homemade desserts. The restaurant stands out for its traditional and rustic atmosphere, offering an authentic Catalan gastronomic experience in the heart of the city.
MUSSOL GLÒRIES
Center Comercial Glòries, Av. Diagonal, 208
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Mussol Glòries is a cozy restaurant in Barcelona where you can enjoy an authentic calçotada. Its menu includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, grilled meats such as butifarra and chicken, and traditional desserts such as crema catalana. An ideal place to savour Catalan tradition in a warm atmosphere.
RESTAURANT CARMEN
Center Comercial Glòries, Av. Diagonal, 208
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A cosy establishment in the heart of Barcelona, ideal for enjoying an authentic calçotada. During the calçot season, they offer a special menu that includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, followed by grilled meats such as butifarra and entrecote, accompanied by potatoes and beans. The restaurant stands out for its family atmosphere and its commitment to traditional Catalan cuisine, offering an authentic gastronomic experience in a warm and welcoming environment.
ADOBO RESTAURANT
Milanesat Street,
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A cozy establishment in the Tres Torres neighborhood of Barcelona, offering an authentic calçotada in an elegant and exclusive atmosphere. During the calçot season, their menu includes unlimited calçots accompanied by lamb, chicken and butifarra, served with potatoes and Santa Pau beans. The feast culminates with a delicious flan for dessert. The restaurant stands out for its careful and modern decoration, offering an authentic Catalan gastronomic experience in a sophisticated environment.
Enjoy your stay in Barcelona and immerse yourself in this delicious local tradition!
Origin of Calçots
The history of calçots dates back to the late 19th century in the town of Valls, Tarragona. According to legend, a farmer known as "Xat de Benaiges" accidentally discovered this delicacy when roasting onions that had sprouted. When he peeled off the burnt layers, he found a tender and tasty interior, giving rise to what we know today as calçots.
What are calçots and how are they eaten?
Calçots are white onion shoots that, through a special cultivation process, develop a long, white stem. To eat them, they are roasted directly over flames until the outer layers are charred. They are then wrapped in newspaper to keep them warm and to make peeling easier. When serving, the charred layers are peeled off, the white part is dipped in romesco sauce, and they are enjoyed by lifting the calçot above the head. It is common to use bibs to avoid stains, as eating calçots can be a messy but extremely fun experience.
Best Restaurants to Enjoy a Calçotada in Barcelona
Below, we present a selection of restaurants in Barcelona where you can enjoy an authentic calçotada:
BODEGA JOAN
Rosselló Street, 164
Traditional restaurant in Barcelona's Eixample, founded in 1942. Specialising in Catalan cuisine, it is famous for its calçotadas, grilled meats and tapas such as caracoles a la llauna and bomba picante. Its atmosphere is cosy and authentic, ideal for enjoying the local cuisine.
CAN CORTADA
Av. de l'Estatut de Catalunya, s/n
Can Cortada invites you to experience an authentic calçotada in a beautiful historic farmhouse in Barcelona. Enjoy grilled calçots with romesco sauce, a delicious grilled meat and the sweet touch of Catalan cream, all accompanied by good wine and a cozy atmosphere.
CAN TRAVI NOU
Jorge Manrique Street, s/n
Charming 17th-century farmhouse located in the Horta district of Barcelona. During calçot season, this restaurant offers an authentic Catalan experience in a rustic and cozy setting. Its Calçotada 2025 Menu includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, followed by a selection of grilled meats and traditional desserts. With more than 30 years of experience, Can Travi Nou has established itself as a gastronomic reference in the city.
CAN PUNYETES
A charming restaurant that, during the calçot season, offers an authentic Catalan experience in a welcoming atmosphere. Its locations in Barcelona, such as Marià Cubí, 189; Francesc Giner, 8-10; and Ciutat de Balaguer, 50, specialize in grilled cuisine, highlighting the calçots served with delicious romesco sauce. In addition, its menu includes a variety of traditional meats and sausages, all prepared in view on its open grill. With a history dating back to 1981, Can Punyetes combines quality and tradition, providing its diners with a memorable gastronomic experience.
EL PINTOR
Sant Honorat Street, 7
Charming restaurant in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, ideal for enjoying an authentic calçotada. Its menu includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, grilled meats and Catalan cream, all in a warm and historical atmosphere. Perfect for a Catalan gastronomic experience.
LA FOIXARDA
Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13
Cozy family restaurant in Montjuïc, Barcelona, offering an authentic Catalan experience during the calçots season. Their menu includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, grilled meats and traditional dishes such as butifarra and lamb. The establishment has a large terrace with views of the Palau Nacional and the riding arena, where children can enjoy the equestrian show while enjoying their food. Ideal for families and groups looking for a gastronomic experience in a natural and relaxed environment.
L'ANTIC FORN
Painter Fortuny Street, 28
Cozy restaurant in Barcelona's Raval district, ideal for enjoying an authentic calçotada. During the calçot season, they offer a special menu that includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, followed by grilled meats such as butifarra, entrecote or salmon, and ending with homemade desserts. The restaurant stands out for its traditional and rustic atmosphere, offering an authentic Catalan gastronomic experience in the heart of the city.
MUSSOL GLÒRIES
Center Comercial Glòries, Av. Diagonal, 208
Mussol Glòries is a cozy restaurant in Barcelona where you can enjoy an authentic calçotada. Its menu includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, grilled meats such as butifarra and chicken, and traditional desserts such as crema catalana. An ideal place to savour Catalan tradition in a warm atmosphere.
RESTAURANT CARMEN
Center Comercial Glòries, Av. Diagonal, 208
A cosy establishment in the heart of Barcelona, ideal for enjoying an authentic calçotada. During the calçot season, they offer a special menu that includes grilled calçots with romesco sauce, followed by grilled meats such as butifarra and entrecote, accompanied by potatoes and beans. The restaurant stands out for its family atmosphere and its commitment to traditional Catalan cuisine, offering an authentic gastronomic experience in a warm and welcoming environment.
ADOBO RESTAURANT
Milanesat Street,
A cozy establishment in the Tres Torres neighborhood of Barcelona, offering an authentic calçotada in an elegant and exclusive atmosphere. During the calçot season, their menu includes unlimited calçots accompanied by lamb, chicken and butifarra, served with potatoes and Santa Pau beans. The feast culminates with a delicious flan for dessert. The restaurant stands out for its careful and modern decoration, offering an authentic Catalan gastronomic experience in a sophisticated environment.
Enjoy your stay in Barcelona and immerse yourself in this delicious local tradition!
