Foodie FOREVER!
My journey to try new foods, explore blog recommendations, and dine on the residencia meal plan!
Brunches of Barca:
In America I am completely addicted to the food accounts of instagram. I rely on reviews from Trip Advisor, google suggestions and ratings that can easily be found online. We are incredibly lucky to have these things in this day in age! When I arrived to Barcelona, I did some research on popular foods, but it just didn't get me too far. I was in an entirely new environment with no personal knowledge of cool, go-to spots. On night as I laid in bed scrolling on my phone, I got the idea to check out food accounts special to Barcelona! I came across the Instagram account Barcelona Food Experience, and it has proven itself to be an incredible resource. Every day there are new posts added to the account (and luckily enough they even post in English). So, whatever dish catches my eye, I research the location or screenshot it for later. I have had countless delicious meals, and have the photo evidence of them below! It can be overwhelming and hard to find great restaurants with foods that you like, especially if you are like me and not very good at discovering hidden gems and trendy spots to eat. One of my best tips is to follow someone's food blog or social media page! This can work wherever you are, and it has led me to find my absolute favorite cafes and restaurants throughout the city.
Snacks & Sweets
I have to say the pastries and desserts in this city are dangerously addicting... they are everywhere and do not disappoint Europe is known for pastries, breads, and handmade treats. With this in mind, it is not too shocking that they are on every corner. It seems the most popular combo is a cafe con leche (coffee with milk) and a croissant. It is a simple order, but a good one. BUT... I love the specialty sweets. Flavored cinnamon rolls, churros with chocolate, mocha coffees, taro bubble tea, the list of deliciousness goes on and on. I have been surviving on sweets. At least I try to eat them in moderation 🙄 It amazes me that people are able to stay in great shape with so many temptations. All that I know is that its always nice to take a sweet snack break!!!
Meal Plan: The Residencia
Until I arrived, I was unaware that my housing included a meal plan! The TSH Residencia has a restaurant downstairs called La Forastera, and it is owned by the dorm complex. In an up and coming neighborhood, the whole complex is pretty new, and it is a cute, little restaurant just across from the reception desk. My study abroad program included the cost of the meal plan into my housing fee. Monday through Friday, dinner is included. Also included is a continental breakfast, but this is not my favorite. It is just a lot of carbs and bad coffee. I usually skip it. But the dinner is usually good, and I get to try lots of typical Spanish meals and foods I am unfamiliar with. The menu is limited; each night we have to choose 1 of 2 choices for each course. There is the primer dish (the appetizer), the second dish (the main entree), a side of bread, dessert and a drink all for one dinner. It is always plenty of food which is nice. We also have the option to take the food to-go which is a lot less common here than in America. A lot of times I do this, just because it can be a lot faster and more convenient when I am tired. But overall, I am appreciative of La Forastera. They make yummy food that I would not typically order, and everything is very fresh. The cake of the day is my go-to dessert; they really know how to bake a cake over there!
Tapas & Dinners Out
Dinners out have proven to be a very diverse experience, but overall quite a good one. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone more often, though. It is funny because I have never in my life considered myself to be a picky eater, but now that I am exposed to the food of a different culture, I can be really hesitant to try new things. It can be scary and really intimidating! Luckily, there are a lot of tapas and dishes that include ingredients that I am familiar with. So I get to try new flavors and recipes without as much discomfort you could say. Tapas are a fun concept. They are small plates that everyone at the table picks at, similar to appetizers. As the decades have passed, they have strayed from traditional culture. Restaurants tend to target tourists with the lure of tapas, but I still consider them a food attached to the Spanish culture. Some of the most popular ones (especially among students) are patatas bravas, croquetas, and pan de tomate. Aside from tapas, there are many other dishes from local and chain restaurants. I feel guilty, but my favorite restaurant in Barcelona so far is an Italian chain called Gino's. Their pizza and pasta makes me feel like I am studying in Italy! But regardless, many different types of restaurants and foods make Barcelona's food culture special.
