Vegans in Barcelona, Spain
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Barcelona is a relatively new large city compared to most large European cities. Until the 1992 Summer Olympics Barcelona was a quaint mid-sized town that attracted few tourists. Now it is a hub for cruise lines and a popular destination for travelers.
We recently took a Mediterranean cruise which embarked in Barcelona, Spain. We decided to arrive in Barcelona several days early to take in the sites and culture of this port city in Catalonia. One of the many activities we took advantage of was a stroll down La Rambla, a tourist must-see destination. La Rambla is a street filled with sidewalk cafes, street performers and artists of every type.
Although there are several vegetarian and vegan eateries in the city, I recommend visiting Maoz on La Rambla. Maoz serves falafal pita sandwiches , smoothies and fries as well as sodas and salads. The menu is limited but the food is good and fairly priced. The original Maoz was opened in 1991 in Amsterdam, Holland. It has since become a popular European vegan eatery and has recently come to the east coast of the US.
For an excellent and detailed listing of other Barcelona eateries and grocery marts visit Sin Carne. This site has more information on Barcelona eateries than I can include in a single blog.
My favorite place to shop for fresh vegetables in Barcelona is an open market just off La Rambla called La Boqueria. It is a huge open market featuring over one hundred vendors selling everything from fresh fruits, herbs and veggies to cookbooks, pizza and paella. There are also a few small cafes serving expensive but authentic regional cuisine.
Spending an afternoon at La Boqueria is a must for everyone planning to visit Barcelona. The seemingly endless supply of colorful and aromatic foods is tantalizing, and well worth enduring the crowds.
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Labels: Barcelona, falafel, La Rambla, Moaz, Vegan, Vegetarian
