Savor the authentic dishes of Catalan cuisine: escudella, calçots, suquet de peix, and other traditional flavors you will love.

If you're someone who enjoys authentic culinary experiences, here are seven dishes you simply cannot miss. From the simplicity of rural cooking to the sophistication of more complex flavors, these dishes will let you discover the true essence of Catalan cuisine!

1. Escudella i carn d’olla: The heart of Catalan cooking When the cold weather arrives, Catalan homes fill with an unmistakable aroma: l’escudella i carn d’olla (meat and vegetable broth). This is one of the oldest dishes in Catalan cuisine, a complete stew that includes meat, vegetables, legumes, and often, botifarra negra. It’s a hearty dish cooked slowly to allow the flavors to blend. Moreover, escudella is a dish to be shared with family, warmed by the hearth.

The texture and flavor make this soup a comforting and delicious choice, especially during winter months. The carn d’olla , served afterward, is a combination of meats and vegetables that rounds out the dish with a satisfying finish. If you get the chance, try it during the Christmas holidays, when a giant stuffed galet in the hot broth adds even more significance and a festive touch, turning escudella into a very special meal.

2. Pa amb tomàquet: Simplicity with authentic flavor There’s nothing more Catalan than pa amb tomàquet (Catalan bread with tomato). This simple yet delicious accompaniment is made with slices of bread, ideally rustic, rubbed with ripe tomato and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and salt.

In Catalonia, pa amb tomàquet is more than a side dish; it’s a way of understanding cuisine. In many restaurants, you’re given the tomato and oil to prepare it yourself at the table, adding a personal and almost ritualistic touch. Plus, it pairs perfectly with traditional cured meats like longaniza, butifarra, or fuet, turning a simple slice of bread into a dish with unmatched character and flavor.

3. Calçots with Romesco Sauce: A culinary celebration If you’ve never been to a calçotada , it’s an experience you can’t miss. Calçots, a type of green onion, are roasted over an open flame until the outer layer is charred. The best part (and also the most delicious) is peeling them with your hands and dipping them into romesco sauce, made from tomatoes, almonds, hazelnuts, garlic, and dried peppers.

Calçotadas are more than just a meal; they’re a culinary celebration, especially popular in the regions of Tarragona. During winter, families and friends gather outdoors, often around long tables and with napkins tied around their necks, to share this special meal. It’s a tradition that combines gastronomy, ritual, and fun in a festive and authentic atmosphere.

Calçotada Festival of Valls The Calçotada Festival of Valls is the most iconic event of this tradition. Valls, known as the capital of calçots, holds this annual popular family festival with activities dedicated exclusively to calçots. The program includes parades, demonstrations of grilling calçots, competitions for calçot growers and romesco sauce makers, and the famous calçot eating contest, a competition that leaves no one indifferent.

4. Esqueixada de bacallà: Mediterranean freshness Esqueixada de bacallà (cod salad) is a fresh, light dish that is especially enjoyed in summer. Made with shredded raw cod, tomato, pepper, onion, and black olives, and dressed with extra virgin olive oil, it’s one of the most Mediterranean dishes in Catalan cuisine, as it highlights the pure flavor of its ingredients.

Cod is highly valued in Catalonia, and esqueixada is one of the simplest and most authentic ways to enjoy it.

5. Suquet de peix: Fishermen’s stew Fish Stew (suquet de peix) is one of the most traditional coastal recipes in Catalan cuisine. Originally, this stew was made with the fish that fishermen couldn’t sell, like red mullet or scorpionfish, along with potatoes, tomato, garlic, and white wine.

The result is a dish with a deep sea flavor, perfect to enjoy in one of the fishing villages. Suquet de peix is served with a thick, rich texture, ideal for those seeking a genuine, traditional culinary experience.

6. Crema Catalana: A traditional dessert with history We finish with the ultimate sweet treat in Catalan cuisine: catalan cream (crema catalana) . This delicate custard made with egg yolks, sugar, milk, and cinnamon is topped with a layer of caramelized sugar that is cracked with a spoon—a small ritual that makes it even more pleasurable to eat. The crunchy sugar contrasts with the creamy texture, creating an experience all its own.

Perfect after a hearty meal, crema catalana is considered by many to be the predecessor of French crème brûlée. Beyond comparisons, however, this dessert is a tribute to balanced sweetness without being overly sugary.

7. Canelons: A Christmas classic Canelons are a dish that Catalonia has made its own, especially for celebrating St. Stephen’s Day, the day after Christmas. They are prepared with cannelloni pasta filled with roast meat or carn d’olla , mixed with béchamel sauce, and baked with cheese on top. The result is a warm, comforting dish that Catalan families prepare with love, often following recipes passed down through generations.

Canelons are one of the ways Catalan cuisine makes the most of ingredients, turning leftovers into a delicious meal.

If you want to experience Catalan gastronomy, these dishes are the perfect starting point to discover the flavors, history, and authenticity of a cuisine that has preserved its essence over time.