Eye on Food Tours Review: Sips, Sites, and Bites in Barcelona (2024)
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Looking for a food tour in Barcelona? Below, below is a personal review of my experience with Eye on Food Tours in Barcelona!
I know it sounds crazy, but I had never taken a food tour as a Barcelona local. I had the chance to join none other than their founder, Adrian, on a Sips, Sites, and Bites tour through Barcelona.
He runs tours in Barcelona and Madrid, so you can follow him as you make your way through Spain. Adrian moved to Spain over a decade ago and his love for Spanish and Catalan gastronomy is clear, so there’s no doubt he knows what he’s talking about.
My Experience with Eye on Food Tours
As the name suggests, we made four stops for sips and bites and a few sites to top it off.
This tour seamlessly weaves together culinary adventures with historical exploration. I loved that we got the history of the foods we were eating and the history of the streets we were walking.
Before this tour, I really didn’t know much about the history and details of some of my favorite foods. To top it off, there were some foods I hadn’t even known to try before this tour!
We started the tour off with vermouth and olives, with the option to top it off with club soda. I thought I didn’t like vermouth. Turns out, I was wrong. So, I started this tour off on a pretty high note adding yet another Spanish favorite to my list.
One of my favorite parts about this tour was the group. Obviously, I got lucky with a cool group, but I think Adrian has a way of bringing the fun out of everyone. The group was also the perfect size so it wasn’t too overwhelming or crowded.
While the food was the star (of course), the sightseeing part of the tour was unique and provided a fantastic way to get acclimated to the El Born and Gotico area.
Living in Barcelona, it’s easy to miss the hidden gems right under my nose. I left the tour with new knowledge, discovered some new favorite places (which I’ve since revisited because I enjoyed them so much), and found new foods and drinks that I didn’t know I liked.
Additionally, I even made a few friends to keep in touch with. And most importantly, the tour was the perfect amount of time and offered just the right amount of food—I didn’t leave hungry at all.
Sound interesting yet? Read on or learn more on the Eye on Food Tours website. ►
PS: Use code Barcelona10 when booking!
Meeting Point
The meeting point is super accessible. I opted to take the metro for time, but if you’re staying in Gothic Quarter, El Born, or Barceloneta, you’ll have an easy 10-20 minute walk to the meeting point.
If you’re staying farther out, the metro is a safe, easy, and convenient way to get around Barcelona. The Barceloneta metro stop is just a few blocks from the start of the tour.
Sips and Bites
We visited 4 locally owned spots throughout El Born and Gothic Quarter. Each stop was a little different, had its own vibe, and offered a new experience.
You get to try all the most iconic tapas from olives to sausage and beer to cheese.
I won’t give away all their local secrets, but here are a few of my favorite food and drink highlights:
Sites
You’ll fill your time walking between taverns by listening to your guide fill you in on the history of the streets. Stop by the iconic Basilica de Santa Maria for a photo op – take a quick look inside if you’re interested.
Visit the Plaza de Rei and take in some history about the ancient royal history in the area.
Pros
- Perfect for History and Food Lovers: This tour is an excellent choice if you’re passionate about history or food. But even if you’re not a history enthusiast, you’ll still enjoy the walk around while learning fun tidbits about Barcelona. And if food isn’t your main interest, there are plenty of wine and cava available to keep you happy throughout the night!
- Timing: The timing of the tour was impeccable – a great start time and a duration that won’t be too tiring for even the “in bed by 8” friends. Plus, if you make a friend and want to continue exploring, the tour conveniently ends at a popular rooftop bar, making it the perfect spot to continue your night!
- Small Group: There were just enough of us to have a great time and make it feel like a party without being overwhelmed or feeling like you get lost in the crowd.
- Great way to get acclimated: If you’ve never been to Barcelona, I think a tour of any kind is a great way to get to know the place before exploring on your own.
- Easily Accessible: The tour is easily accessible from the metro stop, making it convenient for everyone. You won’t have to worry about complicated directions or long walks, as the starting point is perfectly located near public transportation.
- Local Dives and Favorites: Each stop on the tour is a local dive or favorite that you might not find on your own. This authentic experience stands apart from mainstream tourist destinations.
Book your Sips, Sites, and Bites tour on the Eye on Food Tours website. ►
Cons
- Not a drinker? If you’re not much of a drinker, you can still enjoy this tour, but there is at least one drink at every stop. I didn’t even finish all of my drinks.
- Picky eater? To be fair, if you’re a picky eater, you probably won’t be going on a food tour. But if you are, just know this is a set menu and you may not leave as full as the rest of us.
Why a food tour?
There’s nothing more Catalan than an evening of local favorite food and drinks. Better yet, I’d suggest starting your trip off with a tour like the Sips, Sites, and Bites.
The Sips, Sites, and Bites tour takes you through two of Barcelona's most historic neighborhoods - Gothic Quarter and El Born. An important stop on any Barcelona trip!
I'd also say this is a great tour option for couples or solo travelers. It's a neat way to bond, get to know some new people, and try some new things together!
With expert guides who know their food and deeply understand local history and culture, this tour is perfect for all you foodies, history buffs, and travel enthusiasts seeking an incredible local night out.
Your guide will share interesting facts about the history behind each dish or drink. You'll get to see the city like a local, learning about traditional Catalan cuisine and its influences from Mediterranean and European cultures.
For the "experiences over souvenirs" travelers, you can't go wrong with Eye on Food's "Sips, Sites, and Bites" tour.
Check pricing and availability. Use code Barcelon10 ►
Things to Know
- Wear comfortable shoes: this is a walking food tour, so you will get some steps in! Make sure you're prepared with a good pair of walking shoes.
- Bring water!! Water isn’t free at restaurants in Barcelona and it’s not included in this tour. Your guide will remind you before the tour to make sure you bring your own water bottle.
- Come hungry: Okay, this should go without saying but, this isn’t one of those “nipple on a few tastings” food tours. You aren’t eating a full meal, but the tapas are hefty and there are a lot of them!! Don’t eat too much before and don’t plan to go to dinner after. You won’t need it.
- Prepare for a [later] night out: Like I said, this tour isn’t too long, and it certainly doesn’t go too late - but unless you’re ready to hit the clubs after, you’ll likely be ready to hit the hay at the end of this evening.
- It's not just a food tour: This particular tour is named "Sips, Sites, and Bites" for a reason.
My Final Thoughts: Sips, Sites, and Bites with Eye on Food Tours
Hopefully it's clear how much I enjoyed this tour and it's helped you decide whether or not this is going to be your tour of choice on your next trip to Barcelona!
Overall, I had such an amazing and genuine time throughout this experience and would not only recommend it but would go again!
Use code Barcelona10 to book your Sips, Sites, and Bites tour with Eye on Food Tours!
