Spanish Diary. Barcelona. La Boqueria Food Market.

Entrance to La Boqueria Food Market, Barcelona.

What an incredible outcome.  Spain are the world champions and I’m so happy.

How appropriate that, today, I start my Spanish Diaries. For the last two weeks I have meandered and travelled around the north east coast of Spain. I started in Barcelona and made my way up to the north coast, wandered through the Costa Brava, going into the Emporada region.  This whole area is known as Catalonia.

 Needless to say for me travel is all about the food and drink discoveries, and this trip blew me away.

I suppose that’s not a surprise, considering that for a lot of foodies, Spain has some of the most exciting eating places in the world.

So join me this week and discover some surprises. You’ll be licking your lips and drooling.

If you think you might ever go to Spain, I’ve got some serious tips to help you make the most of your stay  and even if you’ve never make it to Spain, join me, and see Spain through my eyes and it’ll feel like you’ve been, seen , eaten and drunk. 

Fasten your seat belts, we’re about to land in Barcelona. Hola!

Barcelona stole my heart a long time ago. I love this bold city. Yes, it’s bold. Also cheeky, fiery, friendly and home to the most unbelievable pickpockets in the world. Watch your bags and wallets.

I’d just checked into my Hotel and within the space of 20 minutes I meet two separate female guests who tell me they have had their bags stolen with everything in them.

Piglets awaiting the roasting tray.

Both had been in cafes and both had put their bags on the ground and bingo the pickpockets had gone to work.  Bags, gone.

I chose to stay at the Grand Hotel, Central Barcelona. The hotel is considered to be the hottest in Barcelona right now. In fact, it’s featured in this month’s  Conte Nast Traveller magazine.

The hotel is in a special location. It’s nestled next door to one of the biggest cathedrals in Barcelona. Then just an eight minute walk down little shopping streets and you pop up on the Las Ramblas, the most important street in this city.

But the location isn’t the main reason this hotel rocks, the prices are brilliant for what you get. The friendliness of the staff is legendary, nothing is a problem for this bunch of Spaniards. But the real reason this hotel is the talk of the town right now is because of its pool. It’s an infinity pool perched on the top of the roof. Surrounding the pool is the most amazing chill out areas with cushions and loungers. Chill out music tinkles in the background. Tasty snack food and drinks are served.

The fish counter.

The views of the roof tops and skyline of Barcelona are spread out around you. It’s amazing.  So with the accommodation nailed, it’s time to get stuck into the moveable feast which is Barcelona.

Today I want to take you to one of the most exiting food markets in the world. Half way down the Las Ramblas is the entrance to the oldest and biggest food market in Spain. This place redefines the definition of what a food market is. The minute you walk into this covered market you will be assaulted. No, don’t worry not in a bad way. There is so much to see.

I started on one side and worked my way up and down each aisle making sure not to miss anything. On the way I grab a freshly squeezed mango and lime juice. Then I walked slowly. This market is open Mon-Sat 8am-8.30pm. It’s been here since medieval times and most of the traders here are fourth and fifth generation.  What hits you is the hustle and the bustle, food and people, noise and action.

The star of the show is the food. Stall after stall, after stall, is piled high with produce. Nothing is left out. Melons, figs, grapes, all types of oranges and multiple shapes,  sizes and colours of apples. I counted at least 8 different types of tomatoes on one stall. I bought an ugly looking one to eat. It tasted indescribably sweet and tomatoey.

Other stalls display vegetables, green beans, courgettes, multi-coloured aubergines and potatoes. You name it they have it. Next the meat stalls. Chickens with their heads and feet on, great slabs of beef. Lamb displayed in glass cabinets, chops, ribs, legs.  Tripe is laid out, big, white creamy strips lying side by side, pigs heads with ears pricked up. Moving around the corner, it’s offal central, hearts, lungs, livers, kidneys. You imagine it, they have it.

The seafood section. Unreal  and ALL fresh. Slippery, silver things of beauty, gleaming and shiny. Not a fishy smell anywhere.  Turbot, huge chunks of red tuna, massive

Fruit and Veg.

black sole, clams, oysters, periwinkles, cockles, crabs and prawns. The best prawns in the world are Dublin Bay Prawns and there they are row after row their pinky shell bodies with ballet dancer legs, tempting you. Until you have eaten one of these beauties you haven’t experienced the taste of the best prawns in the world.

This is exactly where I develop a serious case of envy. How lucky for any person to buy produce at this market and then get to eat it. You could not fail to conjure up an amazing eating experience because what this market emphasises,  in neon lights, is that if you start out with great produce the less you have to do with it in the kitchen and it will taste amazing.   O yes, envy and jealousy had taken me over.

Nearing the end, it’s taken me about 50 minutes to get around, it’s now 12 noon and I now need to eat and drink.

I have to decide on which tapas bar I will sit at in the market. I spot four and decide on one. I get the last stool and my reward, a tall glass of chilled Cava with olives in a dish. Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine. I take a deep breath and then sip. Oh, this is perfect.

People swirl around, bobbing and weaving.  I can’t stop spotting more food stalls perched on my stool. The lively Spanish waiter winks and asks in broken English; “you like?” As he nods towards the glass in my hand.  I beam and I say, “I love!”. I take another  sip. A tear of joy trickles down my face.

I’m so happy to be here and to experience this right now. I finish my dry, cool cava. I get up. Walk to the exit and think, Ok Barcelona, I’m ready, bring it on, beat that if you can.

For me, the La Boqueria food market  in Barcelona is a religious experience.