The Pillars of Catalan Cuisine Catalan cuisine is based on the solid foundations of the variety and quality of its products. The destination presents a very diverse geography, which allows the obtaining of highly appreciated foods from the sea to the mountains, through the orchard and fields. Catalan cuisine is defined by the Mediterranean diet, with oil, wheat, and wine as fundamental elements, both historically and still today. The production of wine represents a crucial and highly prestigious sector, exporting its bottles all over the world. The production of extra virgin olive oil, which is never missing from any table in the territory, is also highly admired internationally. As well as the slices of country bread, often rubbed with tomato. Reviewing the pillars of Catalan cuisine is like detailing an extensive list of native products of the highest quality. In our pantry, there can always be found fresh fish and seafood, seasonal vegetables and fruits, meats from the valleys and mountains, cheeses and dairy products, mushrooms, and much more. Gastronomic Routes and Unique Flavors If you like to know the products while visiting the place where they are obtained, we have an extensive catalog of gastronomic routes. On one hand, you can choose some of the proposals offered by the Benvinguts a Pagès program, where producers open the doors of their home and share their work with visitors, who can also purchase the products directly. The world of wine is very prepared to welcome fans and the curious. In Catalonia, there are up to nine wine routes, which allow practicing wine tourism and discovering first-hand almost all the denominations of origin of the destination. From the DO Empordà to the DO Terra Alta, passing through Priorat and Penedès, without forgetting the wine routes of Lleida (DO Costers del Segre) and Trepat (DO Conca de Barberà). Another option is to visit the production areas of the twelve PDOs and ten PGIs in Catalonia and get to know in situ emblematic products such as the rice from the Ebro Delta, the hazelnut from Reus, the ganxet bean, Vic fuet, Santa Pau beans, or Lleida pear. Unique flavors perfectly rooted in the territory that sees them grow. Discover and Taste the Typical Dishes of Catalonia Each Season Catalan cuisine is actually composed of many cuisines. Under a common culinary identity, each landscape of the territory expresses itself in its own way according to the climatology, geography, and products available. In general, it is a simple and healthy cuisine, which enhances the ingredients beyond the preparations. Dare to discover the specialties of each of them! Vegetables are the main protagonists in some of the most recognized dishes of Catalan cuisine, which often transform into festivals like in the calçotada or the xatonada. Escalivada, samfaina, or trinxat also figure in this section. If you want to start a meal with a very original typical dish, taste the snails on the grill, while in the field of soups, escudella barrejada is never missing from the Christmas tables. The simplicity of grilling never fails when talking about meats and fish, and botifarra with beans is a dish you must know. In Catalonia, there is a strong tendency to serve dishes called sea and mountain, like meatballs with cuttlefish or chicken with prawns. Rice dishes and fideuàs are also made. As for fish, cod takes the prize, with a wide variety of recipes, although fresh fish and seafood from the auctions are also highly appreciated. In the realm of stews, don't miss the opportunity to dip bread in a good beef fricandó. Catalonia also stands out for its sweet specialties: carquinyolis, panellets, pastissets, or coca are some of the most relevant specialties, while the most typical desserts are Catalan cream and honey with mató. Catalonian Cuisine: Innovation and Tradition Hand in Hand This symphony of flavors crystallizes in a catering offer adapted to all tastes, palates, and budgets. Catalonia is a benchmark territory in gastronomic innovation, with such important chefs as Ferran Adrià, the Roca brothers or Carme Ruscalleda, who have set trends and received international awards. Currently, more than fifty Catalan restaurants are distinguished with Michelin stars. Similarly, there are many restaurants in Catalonia that defend traditional cuisine, with a very high level of quality, both in the dish and in the treatment. They are your option if you want to taste the flavors of always made at home. Innovation and tradition, product and professionalism, quality and good treatment. You can have it all at the restaurants in Catalonia and on your journey through the flavors of the land.