The best chiringuitos in Barcelona
Great dining on the sand: eating well at the city’s beach bars
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10 chiringuitos on the sand
Chiringuito Pez Vela
- Restaurants
Sporting the style we’ve come to expect from the Tragaluz group, coupled with an incomparable seafront setting and simple cuisine built around fresh, grilled fish, rice dishes and salads, this deluxe ‘chiringuito’ or beach bar sits at the foot of the massive W hotel. It seems to pay tribute to the authentic beach bars of the pre-Olympic days, giving rise to the question whether things were better in the past or simply have to change. High cool factor in terms of the crowd and music.
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Chiringuito del Mar
- Restaurants
- La Barceloneta
At the Plaza del Mar in La Barceloneta you’ll find the Chiringuito del Mar, which stands out for its wide variety of mid-morning snacks and lunches (the coffee machine starts running at nine in the morning). Menu highlights include quesadillas, classic sandwiches and tapas. Their nachos are a big hit, and they also have good hummus, artichokes and spicy chorizo.
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La Guingueta de la Barceloneta
- Bars and pubs
- La Barceloneta
This chiringuito is a joint effort by Carles Abellán and Jordi Escribà, who wish to bring up the culinary level of the Barcelona beach: regular and designer sandwiches, salads, tapas and ice cream.
Great quality without paying more than you would at any of the other chiringuitos. For example: great ‘patatas bravas’ (potatoes with spicy sauce) for €3.50. The ice cream is from the shop run by the Roca brothers, Rocambolesc.
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Dockers
- Restaurants
- La Vila Olímpica del Poblenou
After passing the two towers, we reach Dockers, the second chiringuito on Nova Icària Beach, which has been around since 2001. The look of the place and the service are very pleasant, two things we definitely appreciate. The prices are comparable to other beach bars (the average price of a salad, for example, is 8 euros), and the menu includes pizzas, nachos, hamburgers, prawns and seafood, as well as pasta, rice dishes, gazpacho and desserts beyond the usual pre-packaged ice cream. They also do interesting promotions from time to time. Try their frape, icy cold coffee or coffee with milk topped by a layer of soft foam.
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Xiringuito Escribà
- Restaurants
- El Poblenou
Who says a family of pastry chefs can’t make a good paella? At the chiringuito run by the Escribà family, you can dig into all kinds of rice dishes, seasonal seafood and excellent appetisers (the cured Spanish ham ‘airbags’ are a definite highlight). Make sure to leave room for dessert, because you can’t leave the table without having tried one of the cakes or sweets prepared by the family’s bakeries. This summer, they’re also moving on to the sand with a second chiringuito, Guingueta de la Barceloneta, a joint endeavour with Carles Abellán.
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Xiringuito Vai Moana
- Restaurants
- El Poblenou
The Moais of Easter Island greet us at the chiringuito Vai Moana, which means ‘blue sea’ in the language of this Polynesian island.
The Moai aesthetic is present throughout the décor, and the cocktail selection is generous: caipirinha, cosmopolitan, Mai Tai and sangría, of course. We’re talking about beach bars, after all, and even if the chiringuito has grown up with the times, some classics must be maintained. Vai Moana is one of the few places to have a menu specifically designed for children with choices like macaroni or mini hamburgers, because Bogatell Beach is popular with families. This season, the menu has been updated to feature an ‘Espinaler’ (a brand of vermouth) platter with cockles, mussels, crisps and olives, in addition to cheese plates, ‘patatas bravas’ (potatoes with spicy sauce), shrimp cocktail and meat or fish done on the grill or baked, because at Vai Moana nothing is fried.
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Chiringuito Relevant
- Nightlife
- Sant Martí
The chiringuito was once the beach’s lesbian bar, but a while back it changed management and was taken over by the Relevant BCN group, who publish the online magazine of the same name.
Much like the publication, which focuses on urban art, the chiringuito wants to provide a platform for cultural projects. It draws a diverse crowd, which changes depending on the activity taking place.
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El Chiringuito
- Restaurants
- Diagonal Mar i el Front Marítim del Poblenou
After spending a few years on Bogatell Beach, El Chiringuito moved to Nova Mar Bella where it has established a strong presence. They are the earliest risers, opening at seven and closing at two in the morning, and opt for healthy, natural food. In addition to the typical beach bar fare (combination plates, skewers, cold and hot sandwiches), they serve a variety of breakfast options for about 7 euros. The French breakfast; the natural choice with soy milk; or the English version with coffee, fresh juice, bacon and toast. The fruit salad is also popular as a breakfast option amongst the foreign clientele, the bulk of beach bar customers.
The bar uses organic products and offers yoga and relaxation classes. The beverage selection is impressive: in addition to the cocktails it serves all day, the bar also makes shakes, fresh juices, carrot and melon smoothies and lays claim to the best mojitos in the area.
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Xiringuito Bambú
- Restaurants
- Diagonal Mar i el Front Marítim del Poblenou
Located on Llevant Beach, very close to the Fòrum, the Chiringuito Bambú offers the majority of summer classics: vermouth with a side of anchovies and olives, salads, seafood and prawn skewers, big hamburgers or tomato and ham sandwiches on good bread. During the day, they rent parasols and sun loungers, and in the evening the bar becomes a popular cocktail spot. You can even rent the whole chiringuito for your own party, with your own catering and music. A great option if you want to organise an outdoor party.
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El Chiringuito de la Mar Bella
- Nightlife
- Sant Martí
The most popular and oldest gay chiringuito on the beach. The bar is next to the small hill that shields the nude beach, now stripped of its characteristic bushes and reeds where more than a few would go for a little fun. The ‘Chiringay’ usually organises a variety of parties during the summer months.
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Far from the beach, 2 chiringuitos in the city
Xiringuito Aigua
- Restaurants
- Horta – Guinardó
-
price 1 of 4
An ideal place for breakfast, aperitifs and lunches in the sun or in the shade in summer, with dishes that are a little more than just a tapa. Perfect meeting place for weekends and weekdays in summer. Beef tagliat with foie and Mallorcan sobrassada with honey are just a couple of their delicacies.
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La Caseta del Migdia
- Music
- Music venues
- Sants – Montjuïc
The bar is known as one of the best places in the city to watch the sunset, which is reason enough to check it out. And if you’re also looking to have dinner, you can do so for about €15 and try their BBQ combination plate (‘butifarra’ sausage, chicken, salad, toasted slices of bread, corn on the cob…) or, if you ordered it beforehand, their paella, in addition to other tasty dishes. If you haven’t been here before, you’re in for a treat!
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Barcelona’s Best Chiringuitos as recommended by DestinationBCN
Originally a beach shack serving drinks and a few snacks, the chiringuito (or xiringuito in Catalan) has evolved from its humble beginnings, but the essential experience remains the same – a bar or restaurant on the beach to have a cool drink and chill out in. DestinationBCN delves into Barcelona’s Best Chiringuitos.
Chiringuito roughly translated as “beach bar” but doesn’t quite come close to describing the experience. Each May, these temporary wooden structures pop up on the beach, often festooned with pretty lights, wooden umbrellas, chairs and tables. Chiringuitos can be anything from a basic beach shack which serves up drinks and simple tapas, to more formal affairs with gourmet food and day beds for lounging on.
Chiringuitos were originally designed as a simple place for fishermen to cook up their catch whilst enjoying a beer after their day’s work. Kitchens tend to be small, so the focus is on simple, fresh food and affordable drinks. Although the quality of the food can vary from place to place, one thing that is common to all is that they all serve up ice cold Moritz or Estrella beer and freshly made Mojitos. Relaxing with a drink in hand and the sand between your toes while watching the wonderful mix of Spanish beach-goers (the naked kids playing in the sand, the topless moms alongside the elderly couple sunbathing and the teenagers playing bat and ball in the waves) is an experience you won’t forget after a trip to Spain.
Barceloneta beach is right in the centre but often packed with city dwellers, tourists and people selling things. Do what the locals do and jump on a train heading up the coast. Some of Barcelona’s Best Chiringuitos are just outside of the city and are well worth making the trip for.
Bambú
(Playa del Llevant, Barcelona).
This great spot offers a variety of tapas, burgers and sandwiches. Inspired by the relaxed beach bars of South-East Asia, Bambu is a great place to relax in a sun lounger or dance the night away. There’s an extensive cocktail, wine and beer list and host lots of social events throughout the summer.
Ibiza Chiringuito
(Castelldefels Beach)
Located 30 minutes by train outside of Barcelona, Castelldefels Beach is a long stretch of sand dotted with many chiringuitos. Just 10 minutes walk from Castelldefels Platja station is Ibiza Chiringuito which is a great place to enjoy a drink or lunch in between sunbathing and swimming.
The food here is basic but well prepared – goat’s cheese salad, pan con tomato, burgers, fresh seafood and really good mussels. There’s also a great area for the kids with toys and little plastic houses to play in. If you’re coming out from Barcelona, catch the train from Sants or Passeig De Gracia. Note that there are two train stations in Castelldefels – if you’re coming from Barcelona, get off at the second one – Castelldefels Platja station.
Xiringuito Escriba
(Bogatell Beach, Barcelona)
Located in Bogatell Beach, this beach restaurant is one of the best places to have paella in Barcelona. They also have seasonal seafood (the sardines and Galician style octopus are to die for) and excellent appetizers (the cured Spanish ham ‘airbags’ are a must). They also have a selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Make sure to leave room for dessert, because you can’t leave the table without having tried one of the cakes or sweets prepared by the Escriba family’s bakeries.
Chiringo Calima
(Ocata Beach)
One of Barcelona’s most picturesque beaches, Ocata is a 30-minute train ride up the coast, towards the Costa Brava. With its clear waters and wide open beach front with white sand, it’s where the locals come to escape the crowds in summer. It’s also famous for its chiringuitos such as Chiringo Calima which has a great selection of delicious salads, tapas, homemade burgers and more. Staff are friendly and prices are reasonable. You can easily catch the train from Arc de Triomf station or Plaza Catalunya.
Can Fisher
(Bogatell Beach, Barcelona)
Can Fisher is also owned by the Pantea Group and has something of a California in the 1950s vibe. Its clean modern design and large open terrace makes the most of the panoramic views of the ocean. Here the emphasis is on fresh, delicious and sustainably caught seafood and locally grown products. There is a “Raw” bar featuring delicious fresh salads, ceviche, tuna tartar as well as an impressive selection of seafood and paella.
Terrassa Voramar Chiringuito
(Sant Pol de Mar)
Sant Pol de Mar is a beautiful fishing village 1 hour North of Barcelona. Home of the famous Restaurant Sant Pau by Michelin-starred chef Carmen Ruscalleda, Sant Pol de Mar is a quiet place with lots of charm. Warm, pebbly sand offers plenty of room to lay back and relax without the chaos of the city beaches. At the corner of the main beach (just across from the train tunnel) is a Terrassa Voramar chiringuito, with its wooden furniture, and a dining area shaded by lush green vines trellises. Food focuses on locally caught seafood – think of freshly grilled sardines washed down with a crisp white wine or homemade paella stuffed with locally caught seafood.
Vai Moana
(Bogatell Beach, Barcelona)
The Pantea group has a reputation for some of Barcelona’s best chiringuitos, including Pai Moana, located in Bogatell Beach. Once evening falls, candlelit tables and ambient music combine to create a beautiful atmosphere.
Pai Moana regularly hosts some of the city’s best beach parties with well-known DJs spinning tunes until dawn. Inspired by the Easter Islands, its name comes from the language of the Isla de Pascua Rapa Nui and means “blue sea”.
First chiringuito in Spain – barcelona-excursii
Sights of Catalonia
·
July 04, 2021
Nowadays, it is absolutely impossible to imagine a beach holiday in Spain without chiringuito (beach bars). Taste classic Spanish tapas, sit under a canopy with
a pint or two of beer, indulge in a cocktail, ice cream or freshly squeezed juice to the sound of music for complete relaxation – would all this be possible without chiringuito? No no and one more time no!
However, this was not always the case. In this article, we will remember where the word chiringuito came from in Spanish, and also talk about the first chiringuito in the whole of Spain, which opened more than 100
years ago near Barcelona.
In general, most middle-aged Spaniards will tell you that the word chiringuito thundered throughout the country and became really popular in 1988, and it happened
this is thanks to the French singer Jorge Dann, almost forgotten today.
This Dunn, who had an attractive appearance and a Hollywood smile with all 64 teeth, was a very intelligent person and at one time correctly judged that you need to earn money in France, and
live – in Spain, as he, in fact, did.
Jorge Dunne, whose popularity peaked in the 70s and 80s of the last century, became famous as a master of “summer hits”, one of which was the song “El chiringuito”, which sounded from
each iron:
El chiringuito, el chiringuito,
el chiringuito, el chiringuito.
Yo tengo un chiringuito a orillas de la playa,
lo tengo muy bonito y espero que tu vayas.
El chiringuito, el chiringuito,
el chiringuito, el chiringuito.
Las chicas en verano no guisan ni cocinan,
se ponen como locas si prueban mi sardina.
The meaning of the song, as you can see, is extremely simple: “I have a chiringuito – come, you will like it; in the summer Spanish girls do not like to cook, and why – if they try my sardine, and he
just go crazy.” Yes, not Schopenhauer – but the song was really popular:
But where did the word “chiringuito” come from, and when did the first chiringuito settle on Spanish soil? Chiringuito is a word with Cuban roots. Back in the 19th century, Cuban villagers, who in the morning
until night they worked hard on sugarcane plantations, making their own contribution to the strengthening of world capital, they were forced to brew and drink coffee right in the fields.
To filter it, the Cubans used a simple and convenient tool at hand – a stocking. When the stocking was squeezed, a thin stream of filtered liquid – chiringo – began to flow out of it.
Then this word acquired a diminutive and caressing appearance and began to sound like chiringuito, denoting the very coffee produced in such an original way.
A little later, progress made a sharp leap, and huts, somehow built of the same cane, began to appear on the plantation, in which coffee was served in conditions that claim to be
certain comfort. Gradually, these proto-bars began to be called chiringuito – the forerunners of the current beach bars in Spain.
This word was brought to Spain at the beginning of the 20th century by the Madrid journalist Cesar Gonzalez Ruano, who had repeatedly visited Cuba and was thoroughly saturated with Cuban culture. Cesar in his time
settled in the wonderful, thoroughly bohemian already in those distant years, the town of Sitges, near Barcelona – and spent most of the day
in a seaside restaurant called “El Kiosket”, which was opened in 1913 by a retired Captain Calafell.
In this institution, Cesar wrote his articles, periodically demanding to bring him “chiringuito”.
So this word came into use and became popular among local residents – so much so that in 1949
the owners of the restaurant decided to finally and irrevocably change the name – this is how “El Chiringuito” was born.
A little later, with the development of domestic and foreign tourism, this name became a household name – the word “chiringuito” began to call all the beach bars in Spain. However, the first “chiringuito”
opened in Sitges – and continues to work to this day!
Outside, beautiful ceramic murals capture all the glorious history of this place, and inside you will find comfort, a classic set of drinks and tapas, including the absolutely must-haves for such
places fried sardines – and all this on the shores of the wonderful Mediterranean Sea!
Passeig Ribera, s/n. Sitges (Barcelona).
Phone: +34 93 894 75 96.
OUR EXCURSIONS
Chiringuito: beach bars in Spain | Photographer in Barcelona
These cute beach establishments are not to be missed.
Chiringuito attract vacationers with the opportunity to take a break from the hot sun, and also with super-appetizing aromas of freshly cooked sausages, squid, sardines.
The range of summer restaurants ranges from light wooden temporary houses, where people drop in to have a soft drink and a snack on the go, to design buildings with a fairly high level of comfort, where they stay for a long time in the company of friends.
Popular beach cafes in Barcelona
Chiringuito on the beaches of Barcelona are open only at the height of the beach season – from April to November. Among the numerous establishments of this format, Barcelona residents and guests of the city distinguish several of the most popular.
Chiringuito La Deliciosa
This is our companion bar. In it we can hold a romantic dinner or a wedding for you.
On Barceloneta Beach, guests are welcomed by the cozy La Deliciosa Café, the perfect place to complement the palette of beach pleasures with a delicious menu of Mediterranean cuisine and pleasant music.
Here you can live broadcast an important sporting event and use free wi-fi.
The menu includes a wide selection of salads, burgers, omelets, sandwiches. Drinks for every occasion and taste: juices and beer, non-alcoholic cocktails and wine, vermouth and shakes. Specialties include local piña colada, strawberry martini, original mojito with coconut milk and chili.
Chiringuito Vai Moana
The menu of this cafe, located on Bogatell Beach, is similar to La Deliciosa, since both establishments are operated by the Pantea Group restaurant chain.
Light relaxing music sounds in the stylish design interior, decorated in Polynesian traditions. Comfortable sun loungers are installed in the adjacent area – the order from the bar will be delivered right here. The regulars of Vai Moana are tanned, slender surfers who have chosen the local coast.
Chiringuito Bambu
Another Pantea Group beach establishment. The cafe is located away from the center of Barcelona, in the area of the Forum exhibition complex.
Here, as a rule, it is not crowded, so the atmosphere is conducive to a calm, relaxed rest.
In front of the entrance to the café there is an area with sun loungers. If you get bored of lying on the beach, you can walk along the picturesque coastline to Barceloneta.
The traditional Pantea beach menu is complemented by a set lunch at lunchtime – several courses and dessert.
Chiringuito Be Gay
Barcelona people call this cafe Chiringay. The institution owes its name to a special location – on the territory of the nudist gay beach Marbella. Representatives of non-standard traditions gather here to demonstrate a beautiful toned body, not constrained by even minimal clothing, meet like-minded people or make new acquaintances.
Chiringay always has a carefree and light atmosphere. A pleasant, relaxed background sets the musical accompaniment – DJs play techno and house. For companies fueled by alcohol, dance disco sounds.
The best chiringuitos in Spain
This selection of beach restaurants in various Spanish resorts, which, according to travel experts, is definitely worth a visit.
In fact, these are clubs.
Oli-ba-ba (Oliva, Valencia)
Cute beach club for daytime activities and nightlife. The main attraction is the giant statues copied from the famous stone idols of Easter Island. They were installed on the Playa de l’Aigua Morta thirty years ago, and still successfully cope with their mission – to attract guests.
The restaurant is designed in the style of a beach bungalow under a plant roof. It serves signature Valencian rice del Senoret, accompanied by sangria and cava.
Nikki Beach (Marbella, Malaga)
The most comfortable beach holiday – this task was successfully completed by the organizers of the restaurant and club complex in Marbella. The swimming pool is surrounded by a comfortable area with hammocks and Balinese beds.
The design of the complex is designed in light pastel colors, conducive to serenity and tranquility. The restaurant serves sushi and gourmet seafood dishes, tropical fruits and light cocktails.