The Best Restaurants for Indian Food in Barcelona


 

One wouldn’t say Barcelona is known for its Indian food, but for a European city they really have a lot of Oriental cuisine to bring to the table.

You’ll find the best Indian food in the city’s Old Town, with a few eateries further north toward Gracia as well. Old Town generally holds the best international cuisines thanks to the high volume of immigrant communities.

If butter chicken and garlic naan are calling your name, here’s where to go:

Thali in Barcelona

A ‘thali’ is the word usually used to refer to a combination plate of Indian food, usually featuring a number of different curries, sambals, chutneys and sides. Thalis are my favorite way to dine Indian, so Thali Restaurant, west of el Raval, was a real gem of a find.

This is one of few Indian restaurants in Barcelona that has created separate vegan, vegetarian and meat-eater menus so that all customers are included in the space.

Thali in Barcelona – by Thali – Uploaded by them

Their thali options are phenomenal, as is their regular menu. A word from the wise, however, even their mildest dishes are very spicy. The menu has symbols that supposedly indicate the level of spiciness for each dish, but I had a friend who couldn’t even eat something dubbed “non-spicy”. If you can’t handle chili you might want to ask it be left out entirely.

Thali shares a boundary with the Galeria il mondo, a popular art gallery in this neighborhood.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday TO Sunday –  12:30pm to 4pm // 8pm to 12am
ADDRESS: Carrer de Calàbria, 164, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
METRO STATION: Rocafort

Sindur in Barcelona

Sindur is just down the road from Thali, and looks like a more upmarket eatery but the prices will prove otherwise. Never judge an Italian restaurant by its cover!

Sindur is traditional Indian and the staff know everything about the menu, and will be brutally honest about their dish preferences, recommendations and levels of spiciness. Their selections of vegetarian options is impressive, and vegans will have no trouble finding a meal as well.

Sindur in Barcelona – by Sindur – Uploaded by them

If you’ll be dining in a group larger than four people I recommend making a reservation in advance; this is a popular spot amongst the locals of Barcelona and you’ll be disappointed should you arrive and they are packed out.

Notable attractions in the area include Museo Egipcio de Barcelona and Gaudi’s exquisite Casa Milà.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday TO Sunday –  1pm to 4pm // 8pm to 11:30pm
ADDRESS: Carrer de Còrsega, nº 211, bajo, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
METRO STATION: Hospital Clinic

Mayura in Barcelona

Mayura is on a busy street in Barcelona’s Old Town, just past the Girona metro stop. There is a lot of foot traffic past here each day for free guided walking tours and people visiting the Ciutadella Park.

This is how I came to know of Mayura; passed by it enough times until I eventually made time to go in.

The ambiance grips hold of you within the first ten seconds. Mayura has created an Indian paradise right in the heart of Barcelona.

Mayura in Barcelona – by Mayura – Uploaded by them

You’ll find every traditional dish on the menu, as well as a separate menu for vegans that is equally as astounding. Tofu korma? The other Indian restaurants in the city are kicking themselves for not coming up with it first.

A reservation is essential for dinner dining. At lunch time you might get away with showing up unannounced.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday –  1pm to 4pm // 8pm to 11:30pm
ADDRESS: 15-16 Gerrard St, London W1D 6JE, UK
METRO STATION: Girona

Maharaja in Barcelona

There has been an Indian restaurant by the name Maharaja in every European country I’ve visited thus far. They are in no way interconnected, but for some reason these aptly named spots always have insanely good Indian food, without exception.

Barcelona’s Maharaja is situated in el Raval; a neighborhood where you can enjoy cuisines from around the world, and dine amongst equally as diverse groups of people. It is the heart of Barcelona’s Old Town, so travelers from everywhere come here for guided walking tours.

Maharaja in Barcelona – by Maharaja – Uploaded by them

Maharaja could up their vegan/vegetarian options, but other than that the menu is hard to fault. The prices are reasonable, the vibe is great (Indian music playing at all times) and they make fantastic thali plates for those who are indecisive, like me.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday –  11:30am to 12am
ADDRESS: Rambla del Raval, 14, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
METRO STATION: Paral-lel

Tandoor in Barcelona

If you’re specifically a fan of northern Indian food, then you’ll want to come to Tandoor.

Tandoor is a bit pricier than the restaurants mentioned prior to this, but north Indian food usually is. The menus feature less curry and more meaty mains; there is something for everyone to enjoy, including vegetarians.

My biggest fault with Tandoor is that they will actively stop you from taking a half empty water bottle home with you should you not have finished it by the end of your meal. Alcohol leaving a premises, I understand. But this is a first for water.

Tandoor in Barcelona – by Tandoor – Uploaded by them

Nevertheless this is some great Indian dining in an eclectic part of the city. If your tolerance for chili is on the lower end you need to make this very clear to your server — don’t forget!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday TO Sunday –  1:30pm to 4pm // 8pm to 11:30pm
ADDRESS: Carrer d’Aragó, 8, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
METRO STATION: Tarragona

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