Where to Have a
Light Dinner in Barcelona
Don’t want a full three courses at 22:00? These five places do small plates and salads properly, from a cheap Gothic Quarter bar to a vegetarian option.
Prices and opening hours were checked in November 2026 and can change, so confirm them before you go.
Bar La Plata
The cheapest pick here: a traditional Gothic Quarter bar known for fried whole anchovies and tomato salad. Carrer de la Mercè 28.
Good to know: Time Out rates it at the lowest price level, and it has been closed on Sundays.
Bar del Pla
Catalan tapas in El Born with the kitchen open all day, so you can eat early. Try the mushroom salad with shiso and wasabi. Carrer de Montcada 2.
Teresa Carles
The vegetarian choice, with a seasonal menu at about €25 excluding drinks. Carrer de Jovellanos 2.
Good to know: book through its website.
Bar Canyí
A short menu of salads, escabeches and tapas in Sant Antoni. The mussels in escabeche are the order. Carrer de Sepúlveda 107.
Good to know: dishes ranged from about €3.50 to €15 in early 2025.
Bar Cañete
The splurge: bar-counter tapas and seafood in El Raval at about €50 excluding drinks. Carrer de la Unió 17.
Good to know: it takes bookings through its website.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a cheap light dinner in Barcelona?
Bar La Plata in the Gothic Quarter is the lowest-priced option on this list.
Is there a vegetarian option?
Teresa Carles is a vegetarian restaurant, at about €25 per person excluding drinks.