Travel & Experiences

Catalan cuisine a far cry from paella

A counter at La Boqueria Market.

A counter at La Boqueria Market. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Tribune

Oct. 9, 2015 11:24 AM PT

Spending a few days in the northeastern corner of Spain reveals several unique culinary traditions that go well beyond chilled gazpacho.

Barcelona

Don’t expect Barcelona to be all the paella you expect it to be. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Plenty to sample

La Boqueria Market puts out numerous treats. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

At Mont Bar

Tuna tartare at Mont Bar. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

La Boqueria

The entrance to La Boqueria Market. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

A Gaudi park

Park Guell is s a park with gardens and designs by architect Antoni Gaudí. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Olives at a market

Olives at Santa Caterina Market. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Come on in

The Santa Caterina Market has an inviting facade. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Canned fish

Don’t shy away from canned fish. These are the sardines at Bodega 1900. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Seafood counter

A seafood counter at La Boqueria Market. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Salmon with yogurt

Smoked salmon with greek yogurt at Bodega 1900. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

The look of Barcelona

Barcelona is Basque country in Catalonia. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Canned fish

Assorted canned seafood at Mont Bar. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Bodega 1900

Bodega 1900 is a great place to try Barcelona’s food. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Seafood array

Cured, canned and smoked seafood at Bodega 1900. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Gazpacho

Gazpacho at Monvinic. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

Shrimp at Mont Bar

Head-on shrimp at Mont Bar. (Steve Dolinsky / Chicago Tribune)

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