Taste christmas in Barcelona: A delicious guide to enjoy the holidays like a local

24 November 2025

Get ready to jingle your taste buds and savour the festive spirit. Barcelona is a city where every bite becomes a celebration. From comforting Catalan dishes to sweet traditions and sparkling toasts, Barcelona’s Christmas season is full of flavours that warm the heart. Whether you’re travelling as a couple, with family or with friends, this guide will help you enjoy the city like a local and create unforgettable holiday memories.

Escudella i carn d'olla: the star dish of Christmas Eve dinner

No Christmas in Barcelona is complete without tasting escudella i carn d’olla, one of the most beloved Catalan traditions. This hearty two-part dish is served on Christmas Eve and represents family, generosity and winter comfort.

The escudella is a rich soup made with chickpeas, pasta, potatoes and vegetables, simmered until the flavour becomes deep and warm. The carn d’olla includes a generous mix of meats: chicken, beef, pork, sausage and sometimes pilota, a large meatball typical of Catalan cuisine.

It’s a dish made to share and to bring everyone together around the table. If you want to taste Christmas exactly as locals do, this is the perfect place to start.

Canelons de Nadal: a delicious tradition after Christmas Eve

On December 26th, Catalonia celebrates Sant Esteve, and that means one thing: canelons de Nadal. These stuffed cannelloni are made using the leftover meats from the Christmas Eve carn d’olla, mixed with béchamel and baked until golden, a perfect blend of tradition, creativity and sustainability.

This dish is part of almost every Catalan household, and enjoying it in Barcelona allows you to taste the warmth of family traditions. It’s creamy, flavourful and the ideal comfort food after a festive celebration.

Where to try them:

Semproniana: A creative Catalan restaurant led by chef Ada Parellada, known for its homestyle flavours with a modern twist.

Carrer del Rosselló, 148

El Disbarat: A charming, rustic-style restaurant in the heart of Gràcia, famous for its homemade Catalan cuisine and relaxed, local atmosphere.

Carrer del Montseny, 14

Nougats and Neules: Irresistible Christmas Sweets

Barcelona’s Christmas table always includes turrons (nougats) and neules, two sweets that have been enjoyed for centuries.

Nougats, with their mixture of almonds and honey, are the quintessential Christmas delight. From the classic Jijona nougat to more modern options, these sweets accompany the festive table with their unmistakable flavour. Neules, thin cookies traditionally served with nougat, add a crunchy texture to the holiday dining experience.

Where to buy them:

Torrons Vicens: One of the most iconic nougat producers in Catalonia, offering both traditional and innovative turron varieties.

You’ll find several shops across the city, including one in La Rambla, 134

Casa Ametller: A well-known Catalan food store offering high-quality local products, including classic turrons and Christmas sweets.

There are many locations in Barcelona, a central option is Ametller Origen on Carrer Comtal, 10 (near Plaça Catalunya)

Casa Graupera: A historic family business from Mataró specialising in artisan neules and traditional Catalan sweets.

You can order online or find their products in selected gourmet shops in Barcelona.

New Year's Eve seafood: delicacies from the sea

Barcelona’s close relationship with the Mediterranean becomes especially evident during New Year’s Eve, when seafood takes the spotlight. Families and friends celebrate the last night of the year with tables filled with prawns, shrimp, mussels, oysters, clams and other marine delicacies.

This tradition celebrates abundance, good fortune and the sea that gives so much to the city. If you adore seafood, Barcelona is the place to be for New Year’s.

Cava and toast: celebrating with elegance

To celebrate Christmas in Barcelona, there is nothing more iconic than raising a glass of cava. This Catalan sparkling wine brings freshness and joy to every festive moment, from Christmas dinners to New Year’s toasts.

Cava pairs beautifully with seafood, desserts and even savoury dishes, making it the perfect drink for the festive season. You can explore local wine shops or join tastings to understand their unique character.

Local wines: perfect pairings for festive meals

Catalonia offers an impressive variety of local wines that elevate holiday dishes. From smooth reds to aromatic whites and elegant rosés, local wine regions such as DO Penedès, DO Priorat or DO Empordà produce excellent options to complement your festive meals.

Suggested pairings:

Escudella → young white wine

Canelons → light red wine

Seafood → cava or fruity white wine

Roscón de Reyes → semi-sweet cava

Christmas markets: where tradition meets gastronomy

Barcelona’s Christmas markets are filled with festive atmosphere, local products and delicious treats. Here you’ll find everything from artisanal cheeses to cured meats, sweets, pastries and handcrafted gifts.

Fira de Santa Llúcia

The most iconic Christmas market, held in front of Barcelona Cathedral. While it focuses on decorations, you’ll also find some foodie treasures.

Fira de la Sagrada Família

Smaller and more local, this market features stalls with artisanal products, turrons, cheeses and other delicacies.

Other recommended markets:

• Port Vell Christmas Fair

• Mercat de Galvany (a traditional food market perfect for discovering local flavours)

If you want to learn about the most important Christmas traditions, don’t miss this article from our blog about 5 traditions you can't miss if you are travelling to Barcelona on Christmas.

Roscón de Reyes: the sweet final touch

The final celebration of Barcelona’s Christmas season arrives on January 6th with the Roscón de Reyes. This fluffy, ring-shaped pastry decorated with candied fruit hides two surprises inside: a figurine and a bean.

If you find the figurine inside the pastry, tradition says you become the king of the celebration, while the unlucky one who gets the bean is expected to pay for the roscón. Soft, aromatic and full of joy, it’s the perfect way to end the festive season.

Where to find a great one:

Pastisseria Escribà: A legendary pastry shop founded in 1906, famous for its high-quality craftsmanship and creative cakes. Their roscón is soft, aromatic and beautifully decorated.

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 546, right by the heart of Eixample.

La Colmena: One of the oldest pastry shops in Barcelona, active since 1849. They offer traditional-style roscón de reyes with high-quality ingredients and classic Catalan flavours.

Plaça de l’Àngel, 12 (Gothic Quarter)

Hofmann: A prestigious bakery and pastry school renowned for premium pastries. Their roscón is particularly appreciated for its texture, aroma and refined decoration.

Carrer dels Flassaders, 44 (El Born)

Barcelona at Christmas is not just a destination; it’s a celebration of flavours, traditions and moments shared around the table. We invite you to discover it at your own pace and Taste Christmas in Barcelona.

And if you want to enjoy all these Christmas flavours while staying right in the heart of the city, there’s no better choice than booking one of our Barcelona Aspasios Apartments or Aspasios Boutique Hotels. You’ll be just steps away from the festive lights, local markets and traditional dishes, while enjoying the privacy, comfort and warmth of your own home.