TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Catalan Foods
Crema Catalana is a popular Spanish dessert made by baking a custard consisting of milk, cornstarch, and eggs in an oven. After baking and cooling, the dessert is sprinkled with sugar and broiled or burnt with a torch to create a crispy, burnt caramel top layer.
Sometimes, crema Catalana may be flavored with cinnamon, lemon, or orange zest. The dessert is also known as Crema de Sant Josep, since it is traditionally prepared on March 19, celebrating the saint. It is also the oldest European custard dessert, dating back to the 14th century.
MOST ICONIC Crema Catalana
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Romesco is a savory Spanish sauce consisting of red peppers, tomatoes, onions, and a variety of roasted or raw nuts such as pine nuts, hazelnuts, and almonds. The sauce is extremely versatile, so it can be served with fish, seafood, salads, vegetables, and meat dishes, although it can also be used in stews, giving them a savory richness.
Romesco is also traditionally consumed as a dipping sauce for grilled spring onions, which is another Catalan delicacy.
Serve with
The classic Catalan invention known as pa amb tomàquet consists of toasted slices of bread that are sprinkled with salt, rubbed with tomatoes, and drizzled with olive oil (purists insist on rubbing both sides of the bread with tomatoes).
The first recipe for this dish dates back to 1884, when stale bread was rubbed with tomatoes in order to soften it. It is recommended to use a rustic sourdough called pa de pagès and tomatoes on the vine, since they have a unique, intense flavor.
The dish is usually consumed for breakfast or served before a big meal, as a tapa, or for merienda.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Tapas
MOST ICONIC Pa amb tomàquet
View moreFricandó amb moixernons is a classic Catalan dish of casseroled veal. There are as many variations on this dish as there are cooks. Dating back to the beginning of the 18th century, the dish is prepared with small, flattened slices of veal (rump, shank, round, flank), onions, carrots, tomatoes, almonds, garlic, flour, white wine, carquinyoli biscuits, and moixernons (fairy ring mushrooms).
Optional ingredients include bacon and a bit of dark chocolate. The meat is covered with the sauce and a picada consisting of parsley, chopped garlic, and carquinyoli biscuits. Fricandó amb moixernons is usually left to stand for a few hours or even a few days before serving so that the flavors become even better.
In its basic form, this traditional Catalan dessert is a simple combination of honey and mató (also known as brossat or brull)—a subtly sweet fresh cheese that is made from goat, sheep, or cow milk. The dish is assembled by placing a piece of mató and then generously drizzling it with honey.
A common homemade dessert as well as a regular restaurant dish, mel i mató is easily modified with the addition of nuts, jams, and dry or fresh fruit.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Arròs negre is a Spanish dish originating from Valencia and Catalonia, and it is the most popular in Castellon and Tarragona. It is made with white rice, squid or cuttlefish, and squid ink, which gives the dish its characteristical black color.
The dish is often enriched with the addition of garlic, onions, fish stock, cubanelle peppers, olive oil, and sweet paprika, and many cooks like to add other types of seafood into the paella pan, such as shrimp and crab.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Paella
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Escalivada is one of the most famous dishes from the Catalonia region of Spain, but it is also one of the simplest. The main ingredients include eggplants, bell peppers, and sometimes onions and tomatoes, typically grilled whole over hot embers.
The vegetables are then peeled, seeded, seasoned, and served as appetizers or side dishes, accompanying numerous roasted or grilled meat dishes and complementing each other. The name of the dish is derived from the word escalivar, meaning to roast over embers, to grill, or to roast in ashes.
It is believed that the first escalivada was prepared by farmers from the Pyrenees mountains, who would prepare the meal while the cattle was out on the pastures.
MOST ICONIC Escalivada
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Escudella i carn d'olla is a popular, traditional Catalan soup filled with pasta, meat such as chicken or lamb, prosciutto pieces, ground pork, and botiffara sausage, with the addition of vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and Swiss chard.
The soup is traditionally flavored with garlic, parsley, thyme, saffron, salt, and pepper. It is often made during the colder months or around Christmas, as its bold, rustic flavors are known to warm up anyone who consumes it. Escudella is consumed in two stages – first comes the broth with pasta, then the meat and vegetables.
MOST ICONIC Escudella i carn d'olla
View moreBotifarra is a Catalan specialty, a white sausage made almost in the same way as the morcilla blood sausage, but without blood. There is also a blood sausage variety of the sausage, called butifarra negra Catalana. The sausage is based on ancient Roman recipes and consists of pork meat and numerous spices and seasoning, as well as additional ingredients that may vary.
Some varieties of botifarra are made with unusual ingredients such as truffles, eggs, boiled rice, and tripe in the mixture. Although botifarra is usually not cooked, it can be boiled when prepared in the dish known as escudella i carn d'olla, a traditional Catalan dish with boiled vegetables, meat, and beans.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Catalan Food Producers
Casa Riera Ordeix is a family-owned company from Vic (Barcelona) dedicated to the traditional production of premium sausages since 1852. Their Llonganissa de Vic has held Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status since 2002, guaranteeing its exceptional quality and authenticity.
Over six generations, the company has remained committed to artisanal craftsmanship, using the finest ingredients and traditional curing methods, resulting in the distinctive flavor of their products. In addition to the classic Salchichón de Vic, their range includes Truffle Salchichón, Rustic Salchichón, and Vic Fuet, all renowned worldwide for their aroma, texture, and taste.
BEST Casa Riera Ordeix Meat Products
Torres Brandy is a renowned Spanish producer of high-quality brandies and spirits, based in Vilafranca del Penedès, Barcelona. The brand is part of the Torres family legacy, which has been dedicated to winemaking and distillation for generations since 1928.
They are recognized for blending tradition with innovation, producing premium spirits crafted from select white wines and aged meticulously in oak barrels. Their product portfolio includes various expressions of brandy, such as Torres 10, Torres 15, Torres 20, and Jaime I, each representing distinct levels of aging and complexity.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2019

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Miguel Torres Spirits
Familia Torres is a prominent Spanish winery founded in 1870 by the Torres family in the Penedès region of Catalonia. Renowned for its commitment to quality and innovation, the winery produces a wide range of wines, including red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines, primarily using native grape varieties such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Parellada.
The Torres family emphasizes sustainable vineyard practices and has been a pioneer in organic and biodynamic farming. Their vineyards are located in various regions of Spain, including Penedès, Priorat, and Ribera del Duero, allowing them to craft wines that reflect the distinct terroir of each area.
AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2022, 2021, 2019, 2017

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2021, 2020, 2019, 2016

International Wine Challenge - International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy
2017
BEST Familia Torres Wines
Agrícola Sant Isidre i S. C. de Juncosa SCCL is an olive oil producer located in Lleida, Spain. The cooperative is known for producing high-quality olive oil using traditional and sustainable agricultural practices. It operates with a focus on the cultivation and harvesting of olives from the Juncosa region.
The cooperative also engages in various community activities to support local farmers and promote the region's agricultural heritage.
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Double Gold
2020

NYIOOC - Gold
2023

London IOOC - Gold
2023
BEST Agrícola Sant Isidre I S.c. De Juncosa Sccl Olive Oils
Mas Montseny is an olive oil producer based in Tarragona, Spain. The company produces extra virgin olive oil. Their products often feature local varieties such as Arbequina olives. Mas Montseny follows traditional cultivation and harvesting techniques, ensuring the authenticity of their oil.
The company also emphasizes sustainable farming practices.
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold
2018

Terraolivo IOOC - Prestige Gold
2017

EVOOLEUM - Top 100
2024, 2023
BEST Mas Montseny Olive Oils
Rooftop Smokehouse is a culinary venture that specializes in traditional smoking methods to produce a variety of smoked seafood products. The company operates from a rooftop setting where they sustainably source and handcraft their offerings, emphasizing quality and artisanal techniques.
The smokehouse is also known for its commitment to using natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Additionally, they offer workshops and events to educate consumers about the smoking process and the intricacies of seafood preparation.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Rooftop Smokehouse Seafoods
AWARDS

Falstaff - 100

Falstaff - 99
BEST Terroir al Limit Wines
La Pirata Brewing is a well-known Spanish craft brewery based in the Catalonia region, specifically in the town of Vilanova i la Geltrú, near Barcelona. The brewery has gained recognition for its passion for innovative and high-quality beers, with a focus on brewing with the best ingredients and a handcrafted approach.
Founded in 2011, La Pirata Brewing quickly made a name for itself in the Spanish craft beer scene and beyond. Their range of beers includes various styles, from IPAs (India Pale Ales) to traditional English styles like stouts and porters, as well as seasonal and limited edition brews that showcase their creativity.
AWARDS

Barcelona Beer Challenge - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
BEST La Pirata Brewing Beers
AWARDS

International Chocolate Awards - Gold
2020
BEST Joan Baixas Chocolates
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Catalan Food Products
Finca La Gramanosa Arbequina is an extra-virgin olive oil produced by Finca La Gramanosa, a company known for its high-quality, artisanal olive oils. This particular olive oil is made exclusively from Arbequina olives, which are renowned for their mild, fruity flavor and low bitterness.
The oil boasts a well-balanced profile with hints of almond, green apple, and freshly cut grass, making it a versatile choice for both cooking and finishing dishes. The olives are harvested and processed with great care to maintain their delicate flavor and nutritional properties, embodying the company's commitment to quality and authenticity.
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold
2021, 2017, 2016

London IOOC - Gold
2021

Terraolivo IOOC - Grand Prestige Gold
2021, 2018
Torres 20 Hors d'Age is a premium Spanish brandy, renowned for its exceptional quality and craftsmanship. It is aged using the solera method, with oak barrels contributing to its rich complexity. The brandy features a velvety texture and flavors of dried fruits, vanilla, spices, and toasted wood.
Its aroma is elegant, offering notes of caramel, nuts, and subtle oak. This luxurious spirit is ideal for special occasions or as a thoughtful gift for brandy connoisseurs.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024, 2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Brandy Gold Trophy
2023
Zumo Finca La Gramanosa Picual is an extra virgin olive oil produced by Finca La Gramanosa. This high-quality olive oil is derived from the Picual variety of olives, which are known for their robust and fruity flavor, with a hint of bitterness and spiciness.
The production process ensures that the olives are harvested at their optimal ripeness and cold-pressed to preserve their natural characteristics and health benefits.
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold
2020, 2018, 2017

Terraolivo IOOC - Grand Prestige Gold
2018

Terraolivo IOOC - Gran Prestige Gold
2017
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Double Gold
2022, 2021, 2017

ATHENA IOOC - Gold
2020, 2018

EVO IOOC - Gold Medal
2017
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Double Gold
2020

NYIOOC - Gold
2023

London IOOC - Gold
2023
AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2021, 2020, 2019
Henri Mor Reserva Privada is a premium extra virgin olive oil crafted from carefully selected olives to ensure exceptional quality and flavor. Cold-pressed to preserve its rich aroma and nutritional value, it offers a well-balanced profile with fruity notes, hints of green almonds, and a smooth yet slightly peppery finish.
Ideal for enhancing salads, grilled vegetables, and gourmet dishes, this exclusive oil embodies the excellence and tradition of Henri Mor.
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold
2021

Terraolivo IOOC - Prestige Gold
2021

OLIVINUS - Gran Prestigio Oro
2021
AWARDS

EVOOLEUM - Top 100
2024, 2023
Formatge Ecològic De Vaca Betara is an organic cow's milk cheese produced by Betara S. L., a company known for its high-quality, artisanal cheeses. This cheese is crafted following traditional methods and is made from certified organic milk, ensuring no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers are used in the production process.
The cheese offers a rich and creamy flavor, indicative of the pure, natural ingredients utilized. This dedication to organic practices aligns with Betara S. L.'s commitment to sustainability and environmentally-friendly farming techniques.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Catalan Foods” list until March 27, 2025, 1,875 ratings were recorded, of which 1,473 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.