Are you visiting Barcelona looking for delicious food souvenirs to bring back home? Here are some of the best food souvenirs from Barcelona to satisfy your needs.
Barcelona is a perfect city for foodies. Continue reading until the end to find tips on how to safely travel home with all your treasures.
Are you no longer in Spain, and are missing these treats? Maybe your supplies ran out, or you left without bringing some home.
No worries, I’ve got you covered. I included information on where to get these items delivered to you directly.
*Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission when you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I use or really like and would personally recommend to a friend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
BEST EDIBLE SOUVENIRS FROM BARCELONA
Before you start touring the city, go on THE TASTE AND TRADITIONS OF BARCELONA FOOD TOUR to learn about and experience some of Catalonia’s greatest food. Explore the local bakeries, bodegas, and food shops that are the heart of central Barcelona.
OLIVE OIL
In 2021 Spain was the largest exporter of olive oil in the world.
In Catalonia, there are olive trees as old as 1,000 years with close to 100 producers of this “liquid gold”.
Barcelona is known for its delicious olive oil, which is a staple ingredient in many Catalan dishes.
When shopping you should seek extra-virgin olive oil from the region which has a unique and flavorful taste.
A unique olive oil product is Caviaroli. The olive oil caviar was created by Ferran Adria. The oil is encapsulated for an innovative and completely different textural experience.
WHERE TO BUY OLIVE OIL IN BARCELONA
Casa Gispert is a historic shop in Barcelona that has been in operation since 1851. They offer a wide variety of gourmet products, including olive oil, nuts, and dried fruits.
NOT IN SPAIN BUT WANT CATALONIAN OLIVE OIL?
CHECK HERE TO TRY CAVIAROLI OLIVE OIL CAVIAR
MEAT
Jamón Iberico is cured pork that is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
It is even better if it is from the area of Jabugo. The ham is cured on average for two years. Even longer if it is Bellotta acorn-fed pigs.
It is usually eaten for breakfast or tapas. Let’s face it, I’d eat this any time of day.
WHERE TO BUY JAMÓN IN BARCELONA
When in Barcelona head to Reserva Iberica for a tasting.
WHERE TO BUY JAMÓN OUTSIDE OF BARCELONA (Europe)
Jamonarium specializes in Iberico Pata Negra hams, Ibérico Bellota hams, and Serrano hams.
Sadly, for U.S. travelers jamón is one food souvenir from Barcelona you may not travel home with.
According to the USDA “Cured hams (Serrano ham, Iberian ham) and salami from areas within Spain may not be brought into the United States by travelers”.
Therefore, your best bet is to eat as much as you can while there and bring home great memories or have it shipped by a commercial dealer who works with a producer certified by the USDA.
IN THE U.S. BUT WANT SPANISH JAMÓN?
Luckily, Monte Nevado has an online store that can ship you Spanish ham in the U.S.
Don’t forget to purchase a stand for your Iberico ham. This bundle comes with all the tools you need for that perfect slice.
CHEESE
Look for cheeses from the region of Catalonia, such as Garrotxa made from goat’s cheese, or Manchego, which have a unique and delicious flavor.
Many places will vacuum seal your purchase for easy travel.
WHERE TO BUY CHEESE IN BARCELONA
La Boqueria or Vila Viniteca in El Born is just the start.
Also, check out the Quesarium in San Antoni near Plaza Universitat.
NOT IN SPAIN BUT WANT SPANISH CHEESE?
Consider the imported cheese assortment here.
Includes four types of Spanish cheese: Manchego, Mahon, Cabra, and Manchego, all aged 12 months.
TURRON
I always bring home sweet treats from the places I travel and turron was a big hit with my family.
Turron is a nougat made with almonds and honey and is a traditional Catalan dessert.
It’s typically eaten only during Christmastime as a dessert or as a sweet snack to go with your coffee, but can be found year-round in Barcelona.
Look for turron made with local ingredients, such as almonds from the region of Tarragona.
Marzipan and candied fruit are also treats enjoyed at Christmas that can make great food souvenirs from Barcelona.
WHERE TO BUY TURRON IN BARCELONA
Well-known turron producer in Barcelona, with a history dating back to 1775. They offer a wide range of flavors, including the traditional almond and honey, as well as more unique varieties like wasabi and truffle.
Take this SWEET BARCELONA TOUR and try all the sweet treats of the city. This is a private tour for your group alone.
NOT IN SPAIN BUT WANT CATALONIAN TURRON?
Turron Candy Tasting Gift Box by Vicens
CHOCOLATE
Who doesn’t love a city where you wake up and drink thick hot chocolate for breakfast? Dip in a churro if you must. I know I can never resist.
Beautiful and delicate artisanal chocolates can be found everywhere in Barcelona.
Make sure to visit the chocolate museum, Museu de la Xocolata in El Born, to learn about the history of chocolate in Europe.
WHERE TO BUY CHOCOLATE IN BARCELONA
Located in the heart of the city, right next to the emblematic building of La Pedrera
Pop into a local grocery to find bars of chocolate for melting. Trusted brands are Valor and Paladín.
NOT IN SPAIN BUT WANT SPANISH HOT CHOCOLATE?
Have that luscious hot chocolate delivered right to your home.
OLIVES
Olives are eaten almost daily by the people of Spain.
As an appetizer or added to salad, they are a natural part of many meals. When dining out the waiter will most likely drop off a few olives for you to nibble on.
There are hundreds of varieties and preparations. Drenched in oil, stuffed with red peppers or anchovies.
There are as many ways to prepare olives as there are varieties.
Arbequina are small brownish olives that are popular and local to the Catalonia region.
WHERE TO BUY OLIVES IN BARCELONA
Any market you visit will have bins of fresh olives for sale. There will also be jars in the markets and bodegas that you can travel home with.
NOT IN SPAIN BUT WANT SPANISH OLIVES?
Gordal Olives are large, green, and meaty.
SPICES
Barcelona is home to many spice shops where you can find high-quality, artisanal spices and herbs.
Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world. This is due to the precise labor in harvesting the stigma strands from the crocus. A little bit goes a long way though in providing that bright yellow color and floral taste to your paella.
Nyora is a sweet variety of dried red pepper, that Catalans use for many of their sauces, including the nutty romesco sauce that covers grilled meat, fish, and vegetables.
Pimentón de la Vera is a flavorful sweet paprika only made in Spain. The intense flavor and bright red color come from long smoking over oak logs.
Pimentón is often used in Spanish cuisine for such foods as stews and chorizo making. You can find it in many shops and markets in Barcelona.
WHERE TO BUY SPICES IN BARCELONA
Casa Gispert is a historic shop in Barcelona that has been in operation since 1851 and has been said to have the best saffron in Barcelona. It is near the Santa Maria del Mar Church.
NOT IN SPAIN BUT WANT SPANISH SPICES?
SAUCES
Romesco sauce is a Catalan sauce made from red peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and various nuts in particular Marcona almonds.
It is most famously used for dipping with calcot onions.
Every spring the calcot onions are in season and the Catalonians attend Cacotadas. These outdoor feasts involve roasting the onions and eating them with the romesco sauce. If you have the chance to attend one it is not to be missed!
Salsa Brava– the delicious garlicky sauce that covers the potatoes in Patatas Bravas.
WHERE TO BUY SAUCES IN BARCELONA
Every grocery or gourmet food store will carry these sauces for purchase.
NOT IN SPAIN BUT WANT CATALONIAN SAUCES?
RICE
Spanish use a specific type of rice for paella that is called “arroz bomba”.
It is a short, shiny white grain and absorbs more water, and requires more cooking time than other rice.
It is sometimes hard to find living outside of Spain or abroad so it’s good to pick up if you have room in your suitcase to pack it.
In Catalonia, a dish called fideua is similar to paella, but short pasta is used in place of rice. On my last visit to Barcelona, I tried the fideua and it did not disappoint.
If you would like to learn how to make your own paella then a cooking class while in Barcelona should be on your list.
Try this hands-on paella cooking class led by a Michelin-starred chef that includes wine, cava, and a 5-course meal.
Or try this alternative: a paella cooking class that starts off in La Boqueria market and ends with paella eating and sangria drinking.
WHERE TO BUY RICE IN BARCELONA
Another item to easily find in the local grocery. Note that this type of rice is more expensive than others but it is a necessary ingredient in making authentic paella.
NOT IN SPAIN BUT WANT SPANISH RICE?
Arroz Bomba for cooking paella.
If you are looking to create some delicious Spanish cuisine at home, you might like Katie Button’s gorgeous book Cúrate available here.
Don’t forget to grab a paella pan of your very own.
CANNED SEAFOOD AND VEGETABLE PRESERVES
Canned food does not sound gourmet to anyone in the U.S. but trust me when I say in Spain it is an absolute delicacy.
You can taste most of these fresh but the canned and marinated versions bring on a whole new level of taste and texture.
There are many tapas bars that serve them both ways and here are some of the items you may find.
Navajas, or razor clams, will be long and slender, and fresh ones are usually served straight in the shell for maximum flavor.
Mejillones en escabeche are mussels that were fried and then marinated in vinegar and spices.
Boquerones, or anchovies, are marinated in vinegar, which is what makes them white. They are tangier than salted anchovies.
Cantabrian anchovy fillets, octopus (pulpo), bonito tuna (bonito del Norte), cockles (berberechos) from Galicia, and tuna belly (ventresco de atún) are among some of the other canned items you will find.
White asparagus is a treat in Barcelona. A good brand to try is Catedral de Navarra.
Pimientos del Piquillo is a small variety of sweet red peppers. You’ll find them roasted and canned in olive oil, as well as stuffed with tuna fish, cheese, or other fillings.
WHERE TO BUY TINNED SEAFOOD IN BARCELONA
Visit Entres Latas Conserva & co.
The only store completely dedicated to canned gourmet foods. You will find much more than just seafood here.
Their online store also creates and delivers gift baskets if you want something special.
NOT IN SPAIN BUT WANT SPANISH SEAFOOD IN TINS?
Galician Region Seafood with peppers and caperberries
Canned Salmon– BARCELONA ESCALIVADA – with eggplant, peppers, and quinoa.
Calamares– Squid in ink sauce
MARCONA ALMONDS
Marcona almonds are a popular snack in Spain, and they are often served with drinks. Rounder and flatter than most almonds they have a distinct look.
These same almonds are a main ingredient in romesco sauce.
Another tasty treat to look out for is Catanies, which are Marcona almonds that are caramelized and covered in chocolate and cocoa powder. They were created by a cake maker in Vilafranca del Penedes, near Barcelona.
WHERE TO BUY MARCONA ALMONDS IN BARCELONA
Casa Gispert is a historic shop in Barcelona that has been in operation since 1851. They offer many gourmet food items for purchase. It is near the Santa Maria del Mar Church.
NOT IN SPAIN BUT WANT MARCONA ALMONDS?
BEST SOUVENIRS YOU CAN DRINK FROM BARCELONA
WINE
Barcelona is also known for its excellent wines which make for great souvenirs. Look for bottles from the region of Penedès, which is known for its high quality.
Some of the most important wine regions in Spain are in Catalonia, including Penedes, Priorat, and Empordà.
CAVA
Cava is a sparkling wine that is produced in the Penedès region near Barcelona, and it makes for a great souvenir.
You might recognize the cava brand, Freixenet, which has its cellars outside of Barcelona in Sant Sadurni d’Anoia.
Cava is always my go-to choice when out for a night of pintxos.
The bubbly drink comes in white and rosé, and you should always drink it cold.
PORRÓN
Drinking from a glass porrón wine pitcher is used as a fun way to have wine or sangria.
It’s a bit of a learning curve but you must tilt your head back a little, then tilt the pitcher so a thin stream pours directly into your mouth.
If you didn’t pick one up as a food souvenir from Barcelona while you were there you can get a porrón here.
WHERE TO DRINK WINE OR CAVA IN BARCELONA
Everywhere! I know this sounds unhelpful but it is the most honest answer I can give.
Taking a wine or cava tour can give you a good overview. You will learn a lot about the history and the process that goes into making delicious Spanish wine.
A helpful guide can really provide excellent information about wine and cava and where the best places to drink it depending on your preferences.
I’m sure they can direct you to a good local wine shop as well if you’d like to buy a bottle, or two, to travel home with.
Why not take this fun BARCELONA GOURMET TAPAS AND WINE TASTING TOUR to learn more about Spanish wine?
If you are interested in CAVA take this CREATE YOUR CAVA EXPERIENCE TOUR.
And if just hanging out on the rooftop chilling and drinking wine is your vibe then WINE-NOT is the perfect experience for you in Barcelona.
VERMUT
Vermut, or vermouth, is a spicy, herbal fortified wine, sometimes mixed with sparkling water. Over ice with an orange rind and olive is how I prefer to drink it.
You would usually drink it with some light tapas like olives, salty chips, or even anchovies but most importantly you drink it with friends.
Having a glass of vermut before lunch is a very common occurrence in Barcelona.
This drink is very popular in Barcelona in particular as the recipe came from the small Catalonian town of Reus.
WHERE TO DRINK VERMUT IN BARCELONA
In any local vermuteria. Just ask around. Most have their own homemade recipe so they will all be different.
NOT IN SPAIN BUT WANT SPANISH WINE, CAVA, OR VERMUT?
Spanish wine and cava are readily available outside of Spain where other wines are sold.
In the States, it is easy to find the Italian Martini & Rossi brand vermouth everywhere. It is near impossible to find the sweet and spicy homemade variety enjoyed by many in Spain.
For the largest variety of choices, I recommend a company called Total Wine.
I have been to one of their physical locations and I promise you their inventory is overwhelming. One could spend hours browsing the shelves there. Their online inventory is large.
With these food souvenirs from Barcelona in hand, you can relive the flavors and memories of Catalonia long after your trip is over.
Just be sure to pack them safely and securely for the journey home.
Here are some practical tips for getting your edible treats home from vacation.
TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR FOOD SOUVENIRS FROM BARCELONA HOME
- Check customs regulations before you buy. Different countries have different rules about what foods can be brought into the country, so it’s important to check customs regulations before you buy anything. Remember, no jamón can go through U.S. customs.
- Look for items that are well-packaged and can withstand travel. For example, if you’re buying a glass bottle of olive oil, ensure it’s well-protected in a sturdy container. Many shops have packaging specifically for travel if you ask.
- If you’re traveling to a warm climate, be mindful of items that can melt or spoil quickly. Chocolate and soft cheeses, for example, may not fare well in hot temperatures.
- Vacuum-sealed bags can help preserve the freshness of your items and prevent them from spilling or leaking during travel. Ask in the shop if this is an option. I have brought cheese home that I had purchased in Monserrat and it was perfectly packaged in a vacuum seal.
- It’s a good idea to label your items clearly with their contents and any relevant information, such as the date of purchase or expiration date.
- To avoid any issues at security, it’s best to pack your edible souvenirs in your checked luggage rather than your carry-on. It will keep you from eating the gifts on the plane ride home as well! (haha)
- If you’re worried about your items getting damaged or confiscated during travel, you may want to consider shipping them home instead. It will cost more, but less worry than taking the chance of losing it altogether.
- Be prepared for customs inspections and make sure to declare any food items you’re bringing back with you. You just never know.
Barcelona is an amazing place to visit, especially for those who savor good food and drink.
Bringing home the taste of your travels is like bringing back a bit of the culture with you.
It’s a great way to relive some of the best parts of your visit and to share it with friends and family.
If you are missing your time in Spain, grab a glass of cava, nibble on some olives, and relish those food souvenirs from Barcelona.
RESOURCES
Land, Leslie. “Garden Q&A.” The New York Times, 29 May 2008. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/garden/29qna.html.
Olive Oil | Imports and Exports | 2021. 14 Nov. 2022, https://trendeconomy.com/data/commodity_h2/1509.
USDA APHIS | International Traveler: Meats, Poultry, and Seafood. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/traveler/intl-travel/meat-poultry-seafood/meat-poultry-seafood#Accessed 18 Mar. 2023.
