The food in Girona is terrific, and you should make sure to take time to taste all of the local flavors. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Girona is around $76 (€71) per person, with previous travelers spending from $34 to $143. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Girona are as follows:
- Breakfast: $8 to $23
- Lunch: $11 to $31
- Dinner: $23 to $53
- Coffee: $6
- Fast Food or Street Food: $11
Food in Girona largely follows the Catalan traditions of northeastern Spain. It is categorized as Western Mediterranean cuisine, and implements ingredients such as tomato, garlic, eggplant, artichoke, and other fresh vegetables, as well as mushrooms, legumes, bread, pasta, olive oils, all kinds of cheese, and wines. Inland (as is the case with Girona), pork is the staple meat product, while fish such as sardine, anchovy, tuna, and cod are specialties for coastal Catalonia. There are many stews, including escudella (characterized by the use of a large meatball called a pilota, as well as celery, carrots, cabbage, other vegetables, and sometimes additional meat) which dates back to the 14th century, as well as ollada which is a thicker, casserole-type stew made with meat and vegetables. Botifarra, or pork and bean sausage, is also very central to Catalan cooking, while allioli is a common sauce made of garlic and olive oil to coat grilled meats or vegetables.
There are also a number of Catalan wine-growing regions, which makes Girona a great home base for sampling vintages. And finally, there are the desserts. Throughout the region visitors will find crema catalana, the famous yellow cream made with egg yolk, milk and sugar. A Girona specialty, however, are xuixos-fried pastries stuffed with crema catalane and coated with sugar. Girona itself has been put on the map by culinary achievement. Be sure to visit El Celler de Can Roca, a restaurant that was voted the best in the world by Restaurant magazine for multiple years.
Many hotels include breakfast in their price, while some add it on as an extra charge. The price and quality can vary depending on the hotel. Knowing ahead of time can help you decide if you need to spend even more money. Maybe it's worth your money for the delicious buffet at the hotel. Or, perhaps you should just go to a nearby bakery or cafe that's much cheaper.
Enjoy the scenery while saving money by planning a picnic. Find a nearby grocery store or market, grab some fresh food, and choose a lovely park or picturesque spot for your meal.
Using a water bottle can save you money on drinks while being eco-friendly.
If you're planning to take a tour, make sure you know which meals are included beforehand. You might be on the hook to pay for some of the food yourself which can add to your budget.
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Girona. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Girona Morning Food Tour & Local Market for $105 details
- The 11 Tastings of Girona small-group tour and dinner for $102 details
- Girona Evening Food Tour & Tapas Bar Experience for $101 details
We only spent a day in Girona, but the restaurants and charm were great and it was easy not to spend too much money.