10 restaurants in Barcelona for less than 20 euros to survive January's financial strain

Don't let the January slope stop us from continuing to enjoy the pleasure of eating out. All of these restaurants in Barcelona offer proposals that hover around twenty euros per person (maybe a bit more if we want to splurge), with an excellent quality-price ratio, good service, good products, and a great atmosphere.

174 Paral·lel

Mama Pizza

It is easy to overlook this pizzeria on Paral·lel, which can be confused with some establishments of dubious reputation found in its surroundings. Big mistake, as their wood-fired pizzas are pure fantasy. They are made with flour fermented for 36 hours and with that Neapolitan love that chef Michele Martino puts into each and every one of his creations. The result is a elastic and fluffy dough (which can also be whole wheat), accompanied by the best ingredients from Italy to make both classic and creative pizzas. There are the truffle-infused pizza or the Buffala 2.0, winner of the PizzasFest. Nothing beats a time bomb called Nutella Pizza to forget all the January blues in a single bite.

81 Comte Borrell

Bar Ramón

This bar in Sant Antoni remains a rare find in an increasingly gentrified neighborhood. Bar Ramón was already a landmark when the area was all fields, and its popular meatballs with chocolate are an iconic dish from a place that pays homage to traditional tapas: rich, simple, unpretentious, and accessible to everyone. On their menu, you can find Andalusian-style baby squid, croquettes (completely homemade, and it shows), shredded salted cod with peppers, roasted vegetables, cheeses and cured meats, spicy potatoes, mini hamburgers, chicken wings, garlic prawns, and even pan-seared foie gras. Their steak with foie gras is a must-try.

254 Aribau / 137 Sepúlveda

Dr Zhang Dumplings

Taking a seat at Dr. Zhang's bar is always a pleasure. Here, Chinese tradition is combined with Asian cuisine recipes to create a short and inspiring menu based on dumplings (whether you call them wontons, gyoza, or shao mai). The ideal way to enjoy it is by sharing a selection of dumplings and pairing them with appetizers such as the delicious noodle salad with peanut sauce or the Chinese eggplant in marinade. Quality is served without compromising on price, which will not exceed €20 per person, allowing us to finish the feast with a green tea mochi without worrying about our wallets.

40 Guadiana

Zaytun

This contemporary and informal bar in Sants captures the tradition of Jaén, fuses it with Catalan cuisine, adds flashes of other gastronomies to the mix, and creates a surprising proposal that is always accessible and appetizing. In Zaytun's Catalan-Andalusian menu, you can find everything from heart sweetbreads with hoisin and green mojo to the Barceloneta bomb of steak tartare and creamy potato, sautéed broad beans with black pudding and poached egg, and other classic recipes in a playful version. They offer great desserts like the fried milk with lime and a very good selection of wines.

450 Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes / 71 Martínez de la Rosa

Baby Jalebi

Baby Jalebi is the Indian restaurant to go to when your body craves a good curry, but your wallet needs some restraint. With locations in Gràcia and Sant Antoni, here we always find the pungent aroma of spices and the warmth of the typical stews from the streets of southern India. Behind it, we find partners who know a lot about Indian cuisine: the brothers Majid and Mani Alam, with roots in this country and also the masterminds behind venues like Fish & Chips or Antonia’s Burger. Their samosas are fantastic, as well as the meats cooked in the tandoor oven, the curries, the naans, and the vegan dishes.

200 Diputació

Vrutal

This vegan burger joint achieves something that few can: making even the most carnivorous forget that they are in a place free of animal protein. There are options for all tastes: grilled tofu with homemade kimchi; black beans with veganaise and vegan cheddar; pulled mushroom pork with barbecue sauce, and a long list of vegan dishes capable of satisfying even the least inclined to innovation palates. They also offer desserts such as New York-style cheesecake or triple chocolate cake, reminding us that vegan food can also be food porn.

23 Magdalenes

Machiroku

At this central Japanese restaurant, you always eat well and you're always treated wonderfully. Their €16 lunch menu brings together locals and workers from the Gòtic area (many of them Japanese), who are looking for places with character in a predominantly touristy area. Equally tempting is a homemade and simple menu, where you can find starters like seaweed salad, yakitori, or gyozas, alongside rice dishes, meats, salads, a varied selection of makis, and some gourmet nigiris (such as eel or marinated mackerel), designed for those looking to treat themselves.

1 Horta

La Massana Winery

Occupying a table in this small Horta tavern that will soon turn a century old means stepping back in time. Traveling to an era where waiters called you by your name and hearty fork breakfasts were a daily staple. The barrels lining the walls perfectly complement the dishes coming out of the kitchen: pig trotters, blood sausage with beans, eggs, sandwiches, bravas potatoes, anchovies, and an assortment of tapas always perfect to accompany vermouth. It feels like no one here (neither the staff nor the regulars) has any clue what a brunch or a mocktail is, which invites us to momentarily recall what life was like without them.

42 Escultors Claperós

Milanesería by Popular

In this tiny establishment in El Clot, they prepare large milanesas, both in size and quality. Behind Milanesería by Popular, we find Pizzería Popular, a reference in Argentina that, after pizzas, specialized in milanesas and exported the concept to Europe. The formula is foolproof for any Argentine and also irresistible for lovers of breaded meat of any nationality. Their milanesas come to the table accompanied by all imaginable toppings. They also offer starters, vermouth, empanadas, mac & cheese, and other dishes for those who do not count calories. As for pairing, Fermet is the choice.

42 Villarroel

El Tianguis

The menu at this restaurant is a feast for lovers of Mexican flavors, thrill-seekers, and that typical tavern atmosphere so common in Mexican cantinas. The dining room at Tianguis is pleasant, bustling, and somewhat disheveled, and their tacos are so delicious that it's difficult to choose between the cochinita, pastor, or shrimp ones, although there are many more options. They also offer ceviches and quesadillas, tasty desserts, and a selection of cocktails. Beware of their margaritas: they go down so smoothly that they may make the bill go up.