Walking and eating in Catalonia Back to News

We’ve always considered that a good meal at the end of the day is crucial to making a walking holiday into a great walking holiday. It’s so much more than just fuel – it’s an experience in itself, and a celebration of what you’ve achieved during the day.

We and our hedonistic walkers spend a lot of time hunting out the best places to eat, only occasionally encountering a dud along the way…  The search is much easier in places known for their fabulous food, and we can now recommend Catalonia to you with added authority, as it is officially World Region of Gastronomy 2025. This recognition brings into focus the wonderful local produce and cooking of the northeast corner of Spain – see more here.

While hiking our Catalonia: El Priorat route there are lots of typical Catalan dishes to look out for, all making the most of the first-class ingredients produced in these landscapes. You’ll find lots of pork, and also plenty of grilled vegetables, garlic and ground nuts. Botifarra is a pork sausage that appears in many different varieties, and typical sauces include picada, a basic combination of almond, bread and liquid that can be flavoured with garlic, saffron or parsley. You might finish your meal with crema catalana, a sweet custard that is also found in pastries.

And, of course, in the Priorat region there’s a multitude of excellent wines to pair with the freshest seasonal cuisine. Make time for a wine tasting at Clos Figueras, our accommodation in Gratallops, followed by an excellent meal in their Slate Wine Bar, or add a bespoke wine tour with our local contact, Joanna.

The Wine Fair (Fira de Vi) in the town of Falset, your final destination, is a fun way to find out more about local wines – take a look at what’s on if you already have a booking to be there in early May 2025 (some events require advance booking). Falset is also planning a new Food & Wine Inspiration Centre, which we hope walkers will be able to visit next year!

If you’d like to push the boat out a little bit one evening, you could consider the Michelin-starred restaurant Quatre Molins in Cornudella where you’ll find influences from French and Asian cuisines as well as the best local ingredients.

Whatever gastronomic delights you discover in Catalonia, you’re sure to come away enthused by the wonderful flavours of this very special part of Spain.

Find more about On Foot’s route in Catalonia here

See more walking routes in Spain