Barcelona’s Gastronomic Museum

Barcelona’s Gastronomic Museum, known also by its Catalan name of Museu Gastronòmic, is a museum dedicated to the world of Catalan cuisine. Being located so close to the Sagrada Familia, its target market is mainly the many tourists who visit Gaudí’s magnificent temple, but a lot of the city’s locals also call in, attracted by the interesting activities that the museum organises, or simply in search of a gourmet product or delicatessen items.

More than just a museum

Although its name is slightly ambiguous, the Gastronomic Museum is actually much more than just a museum, as is defined by the words above the entrance: ‘Shop’, ‘Taste’ and ‘Experience’. It’s therefore a space dedicated to the dissemination, promotion and recognition of Catalan cuisine that also allows visitors to discover new products, and find out more about products that they already know and like.

Tasting of the products, and the shop

The tastings are, without a doubt, one of the museum’s main attractions. You can taste the wines as well as trying various tapas that have been made entirely from products that are sold in the museum, so if you like them (and we’re sure you will) you can buy any of the products before you leave. Given the elegance of the space, its perfect presentation and the huge effort that the owners have put into launching the museum, this will be too much temptation to give in to for anyone who chooses to visit the museum.

The visit to the museum

The welcoming museum, to which entry is completely free of charge, is divided into 16 spaces, 15 of which are dedicated to specific products, and the other to the importance of the gastronomic culture in Catalonia. Next to the entrance there’s a small table outside, with a sofa, where you can taste various products. You can also do this at one of the tables inside, and this will give you the benefit of being surrounded by the wonderful unique atmosphere and décor of the museum, all of which serves to highlight the real protagonists of the museum, which is of course the products themselves.

Of all the gastronomic delights from Catalonia, all of which are accompanied by informative panels in Spanish, Catalan and English in the shop-museum, the wines and cavas are real highlights. The history and evolution of the wine culture in Catalunya is explained in the displays, along with a map showing the different geographical areas of this great tradition of wine cultivation, as well as informing the visitor about the different varieties of grapes that are grown there.

Other typical liqueurs such as Vermouth, food such as cheeses, cold meats and chocolate, and various spices and sauces also take pride of place in the museum. Various varieties of high quality extra virgin olive oil are also available to try and purchase, as well as the internationally-known alioli and the wonderful Espinaler sauce.

Products

Sauces, spices and condiments

* A traditional Catalan condiment made from diced aubergine and courgette, onion and tomato with olive oil

** A traditional Catalan sauce made from wine vinegar, red peppers, black pepper and special spices

Drinks

Photo gallery

Map

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