Eat better, to the rhythm of the markets
In the Poble-sec neighborhood, the Mercat de la Terra embodies the spirit of Slow Food. Every Saturday, Catalan producers offer seasonal fruits and vegetables, naturally leavened sourdough bread, raw honey, cold-pressed juices, and artisanal olive oils. The atmosphere is festive, encouraging exchanges and the discovery of local, regenerative food.
Other places to note: the Mercat de Sant Antoni and the Mercat de la Concepció, valued for their varied selection and herbalist stalls. These markets embody a culture of fresh, often local produce, where organic products are becoming increasingly common.
Organic grocery stores & smart nutrition
Barcelona has many organic retailers that prioritize transparency and local origin. The Veritas network is particularly present in the city, offering a wide range of certified products, dietary supplements, superfoods, natural cosmetics and allergen-free options.
In Gràcia, the cooperative “La Comunal” brings together only Catalan producers. It offers both raw and processed foods, as well as workshops on fermentation, preventive nutrition, and plant-based cooking.
The brand Ametller Origen, for its part, offers an accessible, agroecological vision of Mediterranean food, with production mostly sourced from its own farms.
A city committed to the food transition
Barcelona has been pursuing an ambitious sustainable food policy for several years. The municipal label “Comerç Verd” identifies responsible businesses – organic grocery stores, artisanal bakeries, seasonal restaurants – and helps residents make more conscious choices.
Another major initiative: the Biomarket Mercabarna, Spain’s first 100% organic wholesale market. This logistics center supplies food industry professionals with certified products, contributing to a more stable, fairer, and better-distributed organic sector across the city.
Plant-based, local and inventive cuisine
Barcelona is home to a vibrant culinary scene, where plant-based cuisine and local products meet with creativity. Spots like Teresa Carles or Flax & Kale highlight balanced recipes combining seasonal vegetables, superfoods, fermentations, and gluten-free options.
In the Gothic Quarter, Rasoterra offers a menu inspired by the slow food movement, built exclusively from local, seasonal, and often organic ingredients. All dishes are homemade, including fermented drinks, sauces, and preserves.
The city also teems with coffee shops specializing in functional drinks: turmeric golden lattes, green juices, adaptogenic elixirs, and even matcha infused with spirulina.
Healthy & Mediterranean lifestyle
Barcelona encourages a holistic approach to health. Group yoga classes take place every morning on Barceloneta Beach at sunrise. Studios like Yoga con Gracia also offer gentle, accessible practices on rooftops or in parks.
For a wellness break, some hotels go beyond simple accommodation. The Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa offers a 100% natural spa with plant-based treatments, a botanical hammam, purifying herbal teas and an energy massage in a calm setting, in the heart of the city.
On the café front, Matcha Gracias offers a menu of functional herbal teas, low-GI snacks and drinks enriched with medicinal mushrooms and natural adaptogens.
Practical tips for a natural health stay in Barcelona
- Favor neighborhoods like Gràcia, Poble-sec or Sant Antoni, which concentrate the most organic, sustainable and community-driven initiatives.
- Use the Go Zero Waste app to find bulk stores, plastic-free cafés and eco-friendly shops.
- Rent a bike or walk: the city is designed for gentle, low-impact mobility.
- Take home a few local treasures: Catalan herbal infusions, raw honey, fresh pollen, essential oils, artisanal soaps or lacto-fermented condiments.
