Dirt Cheap Barcelona

Only have a few euros to spend on food in Barcelona? Here are some tips for you.

1.Champaneria (between Born and Barceloneta)
A not-to-miss stop before any night out is the somewhat underground Champaneria Bar. You’d miss it if you didn’t know it was there, since the only other thing to be found on this unassuming side street between the Born and the Barceloneta are appliance shops. Often thought of as a thing of the past, this ultra-cheap and wickedly good tapas and cava bar lets you eat, and even drink for little more than 2 euro. That’s right folks, at 60 cents a glass, the cava here keeps a flowin’ to accompany hearty bites of traditional spanish cheese, sausage, or ham, depending on your fancy. Bocadillos are served either hot or cold, are about the size of a burger, and start at a euro fifty. Talk about bang for your euro!

Be warned however, as they close their doors at 10:30, it is usually packed by 7:00, full of young ones in-the-know who know how to make their euro stretch. When I say packed think sardines, literally, as just getting out of this place is a feat.

Prices:
Bocadillo with cheese: 1.5 euro
Bocadillo with sausage: 1.8 euro
Bocadillo with cheese and sausage: 2 euro
Glass of cava: 60 cents and up

Where:
Reina Cristina 7, between Ronda Litoral and Plaza del Palau
Metro line 4, Barceloneta stop

2. Buenas Migas (Barceloneta and Gracia)
After a day at the beach or checking out the architecture of the Paseo de Gracia, a stop at the local chain Buenas Migas will offer original, high-quality pizza slices and pastries at decent prices. Try the brie with fennel slice, served hot and at 3.75 a bigger-than-average-sized slice it’s sure to please. Quick, delicious, and reasonably priced.

Where:
Paseo de Gracia, 120; 93 238 55 49, Metro line 3, Diagonal stop
Place del Mar 1 (Barceloneta Beach); 93 221 63 16, Metro line 4, Barceloneta stop

3. Maoz (off of Las Ramblas in the Gothic Quarter)
If hunger strikes mid-rambling, head for Moaz, a middle eastern joint on Carrer de Ferran. You’ll get your fill of falafal, hummus, and other Israeli specialities along with fellow pilgrims at this delicious, value-packed local. Pita with unlimited refills: 5 euro.

Where:
Carrer de Ferran, 13, open ’til 2 am.
Metro line 3, Liceu stop

4. Burger King
While the typical assortment of bocadillos of every sort abounds in any bar, sometimes you just want a burger. And fast. At these times you would be smart to duck into one of the many centrically located Burger Kings around the Plaza Catalunya. Hot and ready to eat, in five minutes and less than five euro. What beats that?

Where:
Calle La Rambla, 135; 934 813 530
Rambla Catalunya, 5; 933 040 023

5.Pans & Company
Conveniently located throughout central Barcelona, indigenous food chain Pans & Company is an excellent alternative for the weary traveler wanting a simple yet quality meal. The bread is freshly baked daily and the assortment of sandwiches and salads reflects Europe’s own diversity. A complete meal for around 7 euro.

Where:
Paseo de Gracia, 39; 932 724 396
Calle Ferran, 14; 933 018 691
Plaza Urquinaona, 12-13; 933 027 391
Avenida del Portal Del Angel, 2; 933 027 323

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