10 Most Authentic Japanese Restaurants in Barcelona

courtesy of Ramen-Ya Hiro

Barcelona is filled to the brim with Japanese eateries, which makes finding authentic experiences quite the challenge. If you’re looking for an average sushi or ramen joint, feel free to open Google maps and follow your gut. However, if you’re on a quest for the most authentic Japanese dining experiences in Barcelona, you’ve come to the right place.

What sets a Japanese dining experience apart from any other? Is it the sweaty atmosphere of an after-work izakaya, air thick with steam and smoke, an open kitchen where chefs prepare ramen bowls at record speeds? Or is it the lively interaction between assertive customers and gracious staff members?

We’ve carefully curated the ultimate list of Japanese cuisine in Barcelona that captures the essence of Japan's vibrant food scene.

1. Ramen-Ya Hiro

Specialty: Miso ramen and tsukemen
Address: C/ de Girona, 164, Local 2, L'Eixample, 08037 Barcelona

If you’re in Eixample and craving comfort in a bowl, Ramen-Ya Hiro should be your destination.This cozy space is one of Barcelona’s most-praised Ramen places. Not only does their menu feature all classics like Miso, shoyu, and shio, this place produces its own batches of noodles. For something different, try the tsukemen, where cold noodles meet a punchy dipping sauce. The minimalist decor, with its wooden charm and counter decorated with noren, whispers Japan in every corner. Make sure to finish with their home-made matcha ice cream.

courtesy of Ramen-Ya Hiro

2. Akashi Gallery

Specialty: Sushi and Japanese teas
Address: C/ del Rosselló, 197, local derecho, Eixample, 08036 Barcelona

Half art gallery, half tea house, and fully Japanese, Akashi Gallery offers a multi-sensory experience near Passeig de Gràcia. Sushi lovers can indulge in an expansive menu focusing on fresh, meticulously prepared fish. But the real charm lies in their tea ceremonies—sipping rare gyokuro or earthy matcha while surrounded by stunning photography is an experience to remember. Their desserts, especially the matcha tiramisu, are simply delightful. Come for the sushi, stay for the serenity.

courtesy of Akashi Gallery

3. Fujitaka Teppan

Specialty: Okonomiyaki and teppanyaki-grilled dishes
Address: Carrer de Santa Teresa, 25, 08911 Badalona, Barcelona

Hidden away in the quiet corners of Badalona, Fujitaka Teppan is more than a teppanyaki restaurant—it’s a true Japanese experience. Their signature dish, the okonomiyaki, a savory pancake filled with cabbage, meats, and seafood, is a feast both for the eyes and the taste buds. While the exterior is rather sober, inside the air is warm with laughter, the sizzle of the grill, art by local artist Yoshihito Suzuki on the wall, and the aroma of seasonal Japanese tapas, crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Be sure to make a reservation for this one.

courtesy of Fujitaka Teppan

4. Una Mica de Japó

Specialty: Bento boxes and yakitori
Address: C/ d'Aragó, 104, L'Eixample, 08015 Barcelona

We’re heading back to Eixample, where Una Mica de Japó feels like stepping into a tiny local Nakano Izakaya serving up traditional bentos. This family-owned joint specializes in comfort food straight from Japan’s heart. Think perfectly grilled meats, homemade karaage (crispy fried chicken), and delicate gyoza, all accompanied by rice and pickled vegetables. With its open kitchen and intimate setting, dining here is less like a restaurant experience and more like being a guest at a Japanese family dinner.

courtesy of Una Mica de Japó

5. Sensato

Specialty: Omakase sushi tasting menu
Address: Carrer de Septimània, 36, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08006 Barcelona

For those who crave exclusivity, Sensato offers an omakase experience that’s hard to match. With just eight seats, it’s as intimate as it gets. The atmosphere is calm, almost reverent, as diners watch the chef—often in complete silence—carefully slice and prepare delicate pieces of sushi. It’s a place for purists, where the simplicity of fresh fish is the star of the show, and every bite feels like a revelation. Zen-like and precise, this is a hidden treasure for serious sushi connoisseurs.

courtesy of Sensato

6. Ikoya Izakaya

Specialty: Grilled meats and sashimi
Address: Al davant del Mercat de, Av. de Francesc Cambó, 23, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona

In the heart of Eixample, Ikoya Izakaya brings the spirit of Japan’s beloved izakayas to Barcelona. This is where you come with friends to share small plates of grilled meats, sashimi, and tempura. Chef Hideki Matsuhisa, also of the Michelin-starred Koy Shunka, has crafted a menu that champions freshness and simplicity. With the addition of marinated squid and delicate seaweed salads, Ikoya adds depth to the typical izakaya fare. And the sake list? Long enough to guarantee a fun, relaxed night out.

courtesy of Ikoya Izakaya

7. Sato i Tanaka

Specialty: Nigiri sushi
Address: C/ del Bruc, 79, L'Eixample, 08009 Barcelona

Sato i Tanaka is a haven for lovers of nigiri. In this minimalistic, intimate setting, the focus is purely on the artistry of sushi. Every seat offers a front-row view of chefs Sato and Tanaka’s mastery, their knife skills as sharp as the flavors they create. The menu shifts with the seasons, always showcasing the best local and international seafood. It’s an unhurried experience where balance and presentation reign supreme. Advanced reservations are a must, as there are only 15 coveted seats.

courtesy of Sato i Tanaka

8. Carlota Akaneya

Specialty: Wagyu beef and sumiyaki grilling
Address: C/ del Pintor Fortuny, 32, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona

Step into Carlota Akaneya and you’ll be greeted by the hiss of charcoal, the clinking of tongs, and the sight of diners grilling their own food tableside. Specializing in sumiyaki, this is where you come to experience the primal joy of cooking premium cuts of meat like grade 5 Kobe wagyu beef, right at your table. The aroma of sizzling Matsusaka beef fills the sleek, dimly lit room, creating an atmosphere that’s both intimate and interactive. Sumiyaki might be the star, but the ambiance is just as memorable. If you want a chance to get in, be sure to book at least a month in advance.

courtesy of Carlota Akaneya

9. Shunka

Specialty: Sushi and sashimi
Address: Carrer dels Sagristans, 5, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona

A Michelin-starred marvel near the Gothic Quarter, Shunka is a pilgrimage site for sushi devotees. Here, chefs work with almost surgical precision, crafting sushi and sashimi from the finest seasonal seafood. The menu reads like a love letter to the ocean—fatty tuna, sea urchin, eel—each morsel prepared with such care that soy sauce is entirely unnecessary. The sushi bar, a focal point of the restaurant, allows diners to witness this artistry up close. Dining here feels like a quiet meditation on Japanese cuisine.

courtesy of Shunka

10. Tasca Japonesa Wakasa

Specialty: Sashimi and grilled fish
Address: C. de Nàpols, 287, Gràcia, 08025 Barcelona

Hidden in the Gràcia neighborhood, Wakasa is a small, unassuming restaurant that feels like a secret waiting to be discovered. With only ten seats, it’s an intimate affair where the focus is on market-fresh sashimi, grilled fish, and comfort dishes like lotus root stir-fry. The daily-changing menu reflects what’s available at the market, so you’re always in for a surprise. With its minimalist decor and quiet atmosphere, Wakasa is a reminder that simplicity, done right, can be utterly sublime.

These ten restaurants take you on a journey through Barcelona’s landscapes of authentic Japanese cuisine. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bowl of ramen or a multi-course omakase feast, Barcelona’s Japanese dining scene offers an authentic taste of Japan at every turn.

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