What Food To Try in Girona and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Girona for 2024.
National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Girona cafes and restaurants
$14.2
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $12.01
$49.1
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $32.75
$8.7
Combo Meal
Starting from $8.13
What to Try in Girona
Must-try Dishes
Esqueixada - Catalan Salted Cod Salad - Shredded salt cod, served with tomatoes, onions, and olives, drizzled with olive oil and vinegar. Often enjoyed during hot summer days, it's a refreshing dish perfect for a late lunch by the river.Pa Amb Tomàquet - Bread with Tomato - Crusty bread topped with ripe tomato, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt. Locals typically enjoy this as a breakfast option or as a simple snack, perhaps while sharing stories at the bar.
Calçots - Grilled Green Onions - Charred green onions served with romesco sauce made from roasted peppers and nuts. This seasonal delicacy is best enjoyed during Calçotada in winter and spring, often among friends and family gathered around a grill.
Fideuada - Seafood Noodle Dish - Short, thick noodles cooked in a rich seafood broth with fresh local fish and shellfish. It’s a common fixture in family gatherings or weekend dinners, bringing everyone together for a hearty meal.
Botifarra - Catalan Sausage - A robust pork sausage often grilled and served with white beans. Typically eaten during winter feasts, it showcases regional flavors and is a staple at any local barbacoa.
Xató - Endive Salad with Romesco - A zesty salad of endives, tuna, and anchovies drizzled with a creamy romesco sauce made from nuts and peppers. An essential dish during carnival season, it's a true testament to local ingredients and customs.
Empanada - Catalan Stuffed Pastry - A flaky pastry filled with meat, vegetables, and spices. This popular street food is a great grab-and-go option for locals, often enjoyed during a quick lunch on the run.
Canelons - Cannelloni with Leftovers - Pasta tubes stuffed with a rich filling, typically of leftover meat and béchamel sauce, baked until golden. Traditionally served on St. Stephen's Day, it’s a cozy meal that brings a taste of home to festive gatherings.
Desserts & Drinks
Café amb Llet - Café amb Llet (coffee with milk) - A delicious combination of strong espresso and steamed milk served hot. Locals often enjoy it mid-morning as a pick-me-up, paired with a “croissant” for a traditional breakfast. Granita de Llimona - Granita de Llimona (lemon slush) - A refreshing icy treat made from finely shaved ice mixed with fresh lemon juice and sugar. Perfect for hot afternoons, this classic dessert is often enjoyed in the summer months while strolling along the beautiful streets of Girona.
Cava - Cava (sparkling wine) - Sparkling wine produced mainly in Catalonia, it’s made using traditional methods from local grapes such as Macabeu and Xarello. Often popped open during celebrations and festive gatherings, this bubbly drink is best enjoyed chilled, so keep an eye out for seasonal promotions at local shops.
Xuxo - Xuxo (cream-filled pastry) - A delightful filled pastry rolled in sugar, traditionally yeast-leavened and often filled with custard or chocolate. Popular during local festivities, it's best served warm and gives a sweet kick to your day as you wander around the city’s charming alleys.
Crema Catalana - Crema Catalana (Catalan crème brûlée) - A rich custard dessert with a caramelized sugar topping, flavored with cinnamon and lemon zest. Savored during special occasions like Sant Jordi, this cold treat is perfect when you need a smooth finish after a savory meal.
By the way, don't confuse Cava with Prosecco; while both are sparkling wines, Cava comes from right here in Catalonia!
Food and Groceries in Girona
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.31 |
| Bananas | $2.42 |
| Oranges | $2.37 |
| Potatoes | $1.91 |
| Apples | $2.49 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.77 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.47 |
| Imported Beer | $1.02 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $7.64 |
| Milk 1L | $1.15 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $11.74 |
| Chicken | $8.57 |
| Cigarettes | $5.46 |
| Rice | $1.36 |
| Local Cheese | $10.26 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
The bustling market in the heart of Girona is a captivating scene every day, especially during the late morning hours. Locals flock to stall owners, exchanging cheerful banter over vibrant fruits and artisanal cheeses, a ritual that reveals a strong community connection to food. It's a chance to grab a light breakfast, often a slice of pan con tomate with a café con leche, which you might pay around €3 at one of the market cafés.
Meal times in Girona are quite different from those in places like Barcelona. Lunch typically unfolds between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, while dinner doesn’t start until 9 PM or later. This late-night dining culture may confuse tourists who are often accustomed to earlier meal times. A common mistake visitors make is expecting restaurants to be open during siesta, especially those in the historic Barri Vell, where many close between 4 PM and 8 PM.
When it comes to dining districts, the area around the Onyar River offers a mix of trendy eateries and traditional bodegas (taverns). Here, a solid lunch with a glass of wine can range from €15 to €25. If you wander towards the quieter Plaça de la Independència, you might indulge in tapas for a similar amount, but the ambiance is more relaxed.
Most locals pay using cash, though credit cards are accepted at larger establishments. However, having some euros handy is wise, particularly at markets and smaller cafés. Oh, and before I forget, tipping in Girona is not obligatory, but rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip (around 5-10% for good service) is a grateful gesture appreciated by staff.
A unique dining custom here is enjoying a “sobremesa,” where people linger at the table long after the meal has ended, swapping stories rather than rushing off. It's a celebration of companionship and reflects the local culture's leisurely pace.
For those planning to dine out, making a reservation is a smart idea, especially on weekends or during the tourist season, when space can be limited. Trust me, it saves you the frustration of last-minute scrambling.
With the approach of spring, many restaurants are beginning to incorporate fresh, seasonal offerings into their menus, leading to price fluctuations. Enjoying a well-crafted menú del día at this time could only cost you about €12, a value rarely found outside the city. Girona’s dining scene constantly evolves, balancing tradition with modern tastes while keeping a firm grasp on its culinary identity.
Meal times in Girona are quite different from those in places like Barcelona. Lunch typically unfolds between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, while dinner doesn’t start until 9 PM or later. This late-night dining culture may confuse tourists who are often accustomed to earlier meal times. A common mistake visitors make is expecting restaurants to be open during siesta, especially those in the historic Barri Vell, where many close between 4 PM and 8 PM.
When it comes to dining districts, the area around the Onyar River offers a mix of trendy eateries and traditional bodegas (taverns). Here, a solid lunch with a glass of wine can range from €15 to €25. If you wander towards the quieter Plaça de la Independència, you might indulge in tapas for a similar amount, but the ambiance is more relaxed.
Most locals pay using cash, though credit cards are accepted at larger establishments. However, having some euros handy is wise, particularly at markets and smaller cafés. Oh, and before I forget, tipping in Girona is not obligatory, but rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip (around 5-10% for good service) is a grateful gesture appreciated by staff.
A unique dining custom here is enjoying a “sobremesa,” where people linger at the table long after the meal has ended, swapping stories rather than rushing off. It's a celebration of companionship and reflects the local culture's leisurely pace.
For those planning to dine out, making a reservation is a smart idea, especially on weekends or during the tourist season, when space can be limited. Trust me, it saves you the frustration of last-minute scrambling.
With the approach of spring, many restaurants are beginning to incorporate fresh, seasonal offerings into their menus, leading to price fluctuations. Enjoying a well-crafted menú del día at this time could only cost you about €12, a value rarely found outside the city. Girona’s dining scene constantly evolves, balancing tradition with modern tastes while keeping a firm grasp on its culinary identity.