Where To Eat In Tarragona, Spain: 10 Best Tarragona Restaurants
Traditional, delicious, and surprisingly underrated, Tarragona’s culinary scene stands out as one of the finest in Catalonia - if not the whole of Spain. Showcasing exceptional local seafood, meats, cheese, and wines, the cuisine in this city mirrors the vibrant coast and countryside, offering a diverse array of excellent restaurants for food enthusiasts to relish. Here’s my personal guide on the best restaurants in Tarragona, Spain, where you can truly indulge in the local gastronomy.
Embarking on an adventure along the Spanish golden coast, I began my journey in the seaside city of Tarragona. Having checked into my hotel, my first port of call was lunch - and firmly immersing myself in the local food scene.
I must admit, I was unsure of what to expect from this Spanish city; my previous experiences in northeast Spain have been spent in nearby Barcelona, which so often overshadows Tarragona.
However, my first day in this charming city had me hooked.
Or should that be first bite: aromatic rice dishes brimming with seafood, plump mussels, caramelised artichokes, grilled steak, refreshing salads bursting with flavour, and exquisite local wine, all enjoyed in a picturesque plaza on a gloriously sunny day.
Whilst nearby Cambrils may hold the title of gastronomic epicentre of the Costa Daurada, Tarragona is not far behind. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that Tarragona gives the resort town, and any others on this coast including Barcelona, a run for its money.
Luckily, there’s an abundance of fantastic restaurants where you can sample all this fantastic food, ranging from casual tapas bars to traditional tavernas to somewhere more upmarket.
Read next: How to spend the perfect day in Tarragona
The best restaurants in Tarragona, Spain
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to eat in the historic centre, along the modern high street, or by the harbour, you’ll find restaurants across Tarragona. Here are some of my favourite eateries:
1. El Llagut
Wine glasses are quickly pushed aside as the sun-dappled table disappears under a feast of traditional Catalan classics, much to our delight: three different seafood masqueta, similar to paella and packed with crab, clams, and squid, are delicious. So too the generously heaped bowls of mussels. There are fried artichokes (delicious), homemade bread (yum), and salads drizzled with orange vinaigrette (refreshing).
For dessert, the profiteroles are delicious, the crema Catalan too. However, nothing compares to the sharp zing of the lemon sorbet which packs a real zesty (and refreshing) punch.
On the plaza, a musician plays a Spanish guitar, keeping diners entertained as they prepare for a long lunch. Glasses clink, day trippers emerge from the Roman Circus ruins, and there’s a queue next door for ice cream. It’s a joyful way to spend a Monday afternoon, yet it is a typical lunch service at El Llagut.
Situated in the historic centre of town, between the Roman circus and beautiful cathedral, discerning foodies will love this gorgeous restaurant. In the small taverna, run by a husband-and-wife team, the ethos is slow food and sharing plates, and it’s the ideal spot to sample local seafood at lunch.
2. Casa Balcells
The picturesque and immaculate Pla de la Seu in the heart of Tarragona’s historic quarter is an idyllic square overlooking Tarragona Cathedral. While most people visit and photograph the cathedral, many stay to eat in Casa Balcells, a fantastic and perfectly placed restaurant in the plaza. Its upstairs dining area is cosy, and the tables at the back offer the best views of the grand church.
There’s an ice cream stand too, perfect for hot summer days. While the outdoor terrace with its shady umbrellas is a beautiful spot to sit with a cold beer and watch the world go by.
On my visit, dish after dish of delicious plates were brought to the table in slow succession – I often thought the meal was over, belly bursting, only to realise we’d barely scratched the surface as another plate of delicious food was squeezed onto the heaving table.
Their extensive menu includes delicious tapas, sharers, and big plates, including seafood paellas and grilled meats.
Their crispy calamari with kimchi is a must, as were the Cantabrian anchovies, eggplant with miso and chipotle mayo, Iberian ham croquettes, grilled steak strips, and baked flatbreads with local cheese and ham.
This is the ideal Tarragona restaurant to sample authentic and delicious Catalan and Mediterranean dishes in a beautiful setting (and at very reasonable prices).
3. El Pòsit
While most Tarragona restaurants on this list offer traditional Catalan food, El Pòsit delivers a modern take on local cuisine. This is apparent the moment you enter this stylish harbourside eatery; glass–fronted and flooded with light, the venue is chic, with industrial touches, sleek tables, and contemporary décor.
It’s a world away from old-school tapas and tavernas.
Yet the food here is rich in heritage. Seafood paellas are still the star of the show, and locally caught fish is integral in every course, from the monkfish and romesco stew to steamed Delta mussels, grilled sardines, fried anchovies, and tuna tartar.
In many ways, this seafood restaurant reminded me of those along the sun-soaked Andalucía coast, where no meal is complete without platters of silvery, crunchy fish and platters of dry-cured ham.
If you’re looking for a treat, the seafood platter combines all the best parts of the fishy menu, including lobster and oysters. Much like its Cambrils counterpart, this exceptional restaurant is a must for seafood lovers.
4. Tarakon
You can’t come to Tarragona without sampling authentic Catalan tapas, whether it’s fried anchovies, bowls of crunchy green olives, patatatas bravas with aioli, Iberico ham, or crispy oozy croquettes. Tapas is an institution across all Spanish regions, and in Tarragona, Tarakon serves up some of the best the city has to offer.
Located in Plaça del Fòrum, the food here is simple and delicious, and if you’re after a casual lunch after a day of exploring the city, this is the perfect place to eat. Overlooked by Roman ruins, it’s a buzzy spot equally popular for an afternoon vermut (an aperitif I highly recommend!)
5. El Tamboret
Blink, and you’ll miss this cosy cheese and wine bar near the cathedral. Wood-panelled and dimly lit by industrial lamps, El Tamboret is an inviting spot oozing rustic charm and atmosphere.
The menu is limited, but that’s the point. The stars of the show here are big plates of speciality cheeses, meats like Iberian ham and local sausages, and wine from the nearby Montsant mountain vineyards.
A perfect Tarragona eatery for a weekend lunch or casual evening out.
More Tarragona Restaurants…
Sadly, we didn’t get to eat in every Tarragona restaurant, and a handful of places are still high on my list. Here are the best of the rest, each highly rated and local foodie favourites:
6. Espai Vi
Small and intimate and packed to the rafters with wine bottles, Espai Vi is a smart wine bar and somewhat modernised tapas spot in the historic old town.
The inside is tiny, with only a handful of tables, so a reservation is a must. The few outdoor stools fill up quickly in the evening, especially with a younger crowd soaking up the buzzy atmosphere on the pretty plaza.
The tapas are highly rated, and servers are happy to suggest wine pairings; this is an upscale option, so expect prices to match the vibe.
7. Lola Bistro
Found in the historic centre, this Tarragona favourite specialises in slow food, local produce, and big flavours. It also focuses on sharing plates and is a popular spot for couples and groups looking to sample Catalan cuisine. If you’re unsure what to order, ask the helpful Lola Bistro staff for their recommendations – they’ll happily suggest the best combination for a fantastic dinner.
The menu mainly consists of typical Catalan dishes, such as flavoursome rice, meat, and fish, but there are also delicious salads and speciality cheese platters. Plus, the extensive wine menu is one of the best I’ve seen in Tarragona, and they serve some of the best wines the region has to offer.
8. El Terrat Restaurant
Sitting a stone’s throw from the postcard-perfect viewpoint of Balcó del Mediterrani and close to main street Rambla Nova, El Terrat is undoubtedly one of the chicest restaurants in the city.
Pretty and colourful interiors make for a stylish spot that mirrors contemporary food—so good that Michelin recommends it. Though I wouldn’t usually choose something so fancy, the fusion of Catalan classics, Mediterranean flavours, and the chef’s Moroccan roots results in an intriguing menu. Expect innovative dishes such as prawn tartar with chilli, coconut, and lime sorbet.
9. El Vergel
I rarely recommend a vegan eatery; my approach to food is flexible, and I enjoy sampling a range of dishes to be overly prescriptive. In saying that, I enjoy non-meat dishes and admit that finding vegetarian or vegan meals in Spain is not easy, so I was surprised to stumble across El Vergel.
The only vegan restaurant in Tarragona, their approach to food is, as you’d expect, far from traditional. Yet there is a nod to their heritage, with dishes such as vegan chorizo, mushroom croquettes, and potatoes with Padron peppers and bravas sauce very much offering plant-based eaters a taste of Catalonia.
Inside, the décor is airy and bright, with a decidedly Nordic vibe. Just a few minutes’ walk from the Cathedral, even if you’re not eating, be sure to stop for a cup of their speciality coffee and very delicious cake.
Wine tasting and vineyards tours
It’s easy to sample local wines in any of the restaurants listed above; however, nothing beats a dedicated tour of local vineyards and wine tasting with an expert. Find these highly-rated vineyard tours only an hour from Tarragona:
I visited Tarragona as a guest of Jet2 and Costa Daurada Tourism Board, however, all views are my own. Posts on this site may contain affiliate links that help support my business in creating content. If you purchase using one of these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information.
If you’ve found this guide helpful, you can buy me a ‘virtual’ mug of Earl Grey here.
