Best cheap restaurants in Barcelona: where to eat well during your internship

You’re arriving in Barcelona and asking yourself the classic student expat question: what should I eat, where, and for what price?

Good news: Barcelona is full of great restaurant deals under €15, so you can discover real Catalan cuisine without breaking the bank.

Tapas, pintxos, brunches, bodegas, family-run addresses… it has it all.

Here are the 8 must-try places to eat in Barcelona during your internship, plus a mini glossary to help you avoid beginner mistakes.

The myth to forget: “eating in Barcelona is expensive”

This is the number one mistake students make when they arrive in Catalonia.

Yes, very touristy areas like Las Ramblas or Barceloneta can quickly get expensive. But as soon as you step away from the usual tourist paths, you can easily find food for under €10.

As TimeOut Barcelona points out, Barcelona remains one of the most affordable major European capitals when it comes to eating out.

A small Catalan / Spanish glossary to know

Before walking into just any place, here are the terms that can really change your experience when you’re looking for a cheap restaurant in Barcelona.

• Cerveceria: beer bar, often with tapas.
• Taberna / Tasca: the equivalent of a French bistro, often with affordable prices.
• Marisqueria: seafood restaurant.
• Mesón: inn-style restaurant with a traditional atmosphere.
• Casa: homemade cooking, family-style atmosphere.
• Bodega: wine bar.
• Chiringuito: beachside hut, perfect for a beer or grilled fish.
• Granja: small café/dairy bar, perfect for an afternoon snack.
• Paradores: more upscale restaurants, sometimes surprisingly affordable.

Good to know about mealtimes: Spaniards eat late. Lunch is often between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and dinner between 9 p.m. and midnight. Many restaurants also close on Sunday evenings and Mondays.

1. Gasterea: the legendary tapas bar in Gràcia

Gasterea is a legendary address in the bohemian neighbourhood of Gràcia. It’s the kind of tapas bar where you arrive for one small plate and end the evening with a table full of dishes.

Why go there?

• Tapas for €2, or even less depending on what you choose.
• Warm and lively atmosphere, especially in the evening.
• Super friendly staff despite the crowds.

It’s exactly the kind of place where you show up for “just one tapa” and end up at 11 p.m. with 10 empty plates in front of you.

📍 Carrer de Verdi, 39 👉 Metro L3, Fontana

2. Can Culleretes: one of the oldest restaurants in Europe

Imagine this: you’re eating in a restaurant founded in 1786, during the time of Louis XVI.

Can Culleretes is one of the oldest restaurants still operating in Spain. It’s the perfect place to discover traditional Catalan cuisine in a historic setting.

What we love

• Traditional Catalan cuisine: canelones, fricandó, crema catalana.
• Impeccable service and carefully presented dishes.
• Very affordable prices for this type of establishment.

Just a few steps from Las Ramblas, it’s the perfect combination of history and culinary pleasure.

📍 Carrer d’en Quintana, 5 👉 Metro L3, Liceu

3. Carrer de Blai: the street of €1 pintxos

This is THE street to know if you want to eat well and cheaply in Barcelona.

In Poble Sec, Carrer de Blai is lined with dozens of pintxo bars, serving these Basque-style tapas on slices of bread.

How does it work?

• You order a drink: cerveza, vermut or wine.
• You serve yourself directly from the counters.
• You keep the sticks: the waiter counts them at the end.

Expect to pay between €1 and €2 per pintxo. For €10, you can eat and drink like royalty.

📍 Carrer de Blai 👉 Metro L3, Poble Sec

4. En Diagonal Bar: the patatas bravas you need

At first glance, this bar may not look like much. But En Diagonal Bar hides one of the best tapas deals in Barcelona.

Its patatas bravas are considered among the best in the city: homemade sauce, perfect fries and low prices.

Bonus: the waiters make an effort to speak French and always welcome guests with a smile.

📍 Avinguda Diagonal, 310 👉 Metro L2, Monumental

5. Mostassa: for a bright and fresh brunch

Do you want a brunch in Barcelona without the crowds, in a bright and fresh setting? Mostassa is an excellent option.

Why you’ll love it

• Fresh and local products.
• Homemade pastries.
• Light salads and dishes, with a much-loved salmon and spinach option.
• Around €15 per person for starter + main course + drink.

It’s the perfect address for a relaxed Sunday.

📍 Carrer de Mallorca, 194 👉 Metro L5, Hospital Clínic

6. Menssana: eat well for under €10

Are you looking for a veggie, gluten-free or simply healthy option without spending too much? Menssana offers European and Spanish cuisine that can be adapted to different diets.

The highlights

• Dishes under €10.
• Fast service.
• Calm atmosphere and carefully designed décor.
• Convenient location near Arc de Triomf and Parc de la Ciutadella.

Perfect for lunch before a walk through the city centre or towards the beach.

📍 Carrer de Sardenya, 48 👉 Metro L4, Ciutadella – Vila Olímpica

7. Bitacora Tapas: for big appetites in Poble Nou

Bitacora Tapas is a generous tapas bar located in the trendy neighbourhood of Poble Nou. It’s a great address if you want to eat a lot, eat well and stay within budget.

What makes it stand out

• XXL plates for €11 to €12.
• Very pleasant terrace in summer.
• Homemade desserts worth trying.

And right after, head to Platja del Bogatell for a nap. The perfect combo.

📍 Plaça de la Unió, 24 👉 Metro L4, Poblenou

8. La Comida de Olla: a new menu every day

The advantage of this small family-run address between the Sagrada Família and Park Güell? The menu changes every day.

Why try this place?

• 100% homemade and fresh cuisine.
• Starter + main course + dessert + drink for €12 to €13.
• Vegetarian options.
• Extremely attentive staff when it comes to allergies and intolerances.

A convenient place to recharge after a morning at the Sagrada Família.

📍 Carrer de Praga, 1 👉 Metro L4, Alfons X

Practical tips to eat like a local in Barcelona

• Try the menú del día: at lunchtime on weekdays, many restaurants offer a full menu with starter, main course, dessert, drink and coffee for between €10 and €15. It’s the best deal in the city.
• Avoid terraces on Las Ramblas: you often pay for the location, not the quality.
• Try vermut: it’s the local aperitif par excellence.
• Explore less touristy neighbourhoods: Gràcia, Poble Sec, Sant Antoni and Poble Nou are full of great places.

As Lonely Planet points out, Barcelona is one of the most innovative cities in the world when it comes to gastronomy.

One last tip: Barcelona is still a very touristy city. Always keep an eye on your phone and wallet, especially in crowded areas.

Why choose Stud&Globe to support you during your internship in Barcelona?

Because eating well in Barcelona is also what makes your internship unforgettable.

In concrete terms, Stud&Globe helps you:

• Find an internship suited to your profile.
• Get advice on accommodation and neighbourhoods.
• Discover real local tips: restaurants, outings, beaches and festivals.
• Get support before, during and after your departure.

You leave with peace of mind. You enjoy the experience. You come back with 10 new favourite dishes.