Where to Buy Cod in Barcelona: Markets, Shops and Online [2026]

Barcelona and Cod: A Mediterranean Tradition

Barcelona has a centuries-old relationship with cod. The tradition of cod in Catalonia is different from that of the Basque Country or Andalusia: here, cod is the star of esqueixada (raw salad), brandada (cod cream with oil and garlic), buñuelos de Nadal (Christmas fritters), and coca de recapte (savory tart). It is an ingredient that runs through all Catalan cuisine, from the humblest dishes to the most sophisticated.

The city has an exceptional network of municipal markets (more than 40 active markets) where you can buy quality cod. Barcelona is probably the Spanish city with the highest density of quality cod sales points per inhabitant, thanks to its tradition of food markets.

And among all these markets, there is one that is special for us: the Mercat del Ninot, where Bacalalo has had its physical store since 1990. More than 30 years selling premium Icelandic cod in the heart of Barcelona.

Mercat del Ninot: Our Home Since 1990

The Mercat del Ninot (Carrer de Mallorca, 133 — Eixample) is where it all began. Lalo González has been selecting and selling premium Icelandic cod in this Eixample market in Barcelona since 1990. Three decades of experience that translate into:

• Premium Icelandic Cod: We only work with the best provenance from the North Atlantic. Each batch is personally selected.
• All Cuts: Thick loins for pil pil, steaks for stews, flakes for croquettes and fritters, ready-to-spread brandada.
• Professional Desalting: We offer cod that is already desalted, with the exact amount of salt for each recipe.
• 30 Years of Advice: We recommend the exact cut according to the recipe you want to make, the quantity per person, and cooking tips.
• The Same Cod Online: Everything we sell in the market is exactly the same as what we send through our online store. There are no two qualities.

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM - 8:30 PM. The Mercat del Ninot was completely renovated in 2015 and is one of the most modern markets in Barcelona, with air conditioning, adapted access, and a restaurant area.

The Best Markets in Barcelona for Cod

• Mercat del Ninot (Eixample): our home. Premium Icelandic cod with 30 years of expert advice. Barcelona's most modern market after its 2015 renovation.
• La Boqueria (Les Rambles): Barcelona's and probably Europe's most famous market. Fish stalls with quality salted cod. Tourist prices at the front; the stalls at the back are fairer in price. Open Monday to Saturday.
• Mercat de Santa Caterina (Born/Ribera): market renovated by EMBT with an iconic wavy roof. Quality fish stalls with salted and fresh cod in season. Less crowded than La Boqueria and with more realistic prices.
• Mercat de Sant Antoni (Eixample): recently renovated, with ample space and well-stocked fish stalls. Salted and desalted cod. Good neighborhood atmosphere.
• Mercat de l'Abaceria (Gràcia): neighborhood market with fish stalls that offer quality cod at fair prices. Ideal if you live in Gràcia.
• Mercat de Sarrià (Sarrià): uptown neighborhood market with quality products. Fishmongers with good quality cod.
• Mercat de Galvany (Sant Gervasi): gourmet market with premium prices but exceptional products. Specialized fishmongers.

Comparative Table of Markets in Barcelona

Specialized Codfish Shops and Stores

• Bacalalo — Mercat del Ninot: our store. 30 years of experience with Icelandic cod. All cuts, including desalted, expert advice. More information.
• Bacallaneries del Born: in the streets of Born, some traditional cured fish shops remain. Salted whole cod and Catalan cured products.
• Grocery stores in Gràcia: the Gràcia neighborhood retains traditional grocery stores that sell salted cod by weight, along with other bulk products.
• Gourmet stores: establishments like Colmado Quílez (Rambla de Catalunya), Vila Viniteca (Born), and others offer select products including premium cod.

Cod Cuts and Prices in Barcelona

Barcelona has similar prices to the rest of the Spanish Mediterranean coast, slightly lower than Madrid and the Basque Country:

• Premium loins (Iceland): 28-42 €/kg. For pil pil, grilled, confit, esqueixada with loin.
• Steaks/centers: 16-25 €/kg. For stews, chickpea stews, zarzuelas (seafood stews).
• Flakes/shredded: 10-16 €/kg. For Christmas fritters, croquettes, esqueixada, brandada.
• Brandada: ready to spread. The most convenient product. 25-40 €/kg.
• Smoked cod: exclusive gourmet product. 65-80 €/kg.

Price Table by Cut in Barcelona (2026)

Buy Cod Online in Catalonia

If you can't come to Mercat del Ninot, we'll bring it to your home. At Bacalalo, we ship throughout Catalonia with 24-hour delivery (Barcelona city often on the same day):

• Same cod as the market: exactly the same product we sell at Mercat del Ninot. There are no two qualities.
• Already desalted and ready: no waiting 24-48 hours for desalting. Open and cook.
• All cuts: loins, shredded, brandada, smoked cod.
• Fast shipping to Barcelona: being in Barcelona, local shipments are the fastest. Usually 24h, sometimes the same day.
• All of Catalonia: Barcelona, Girona, Tarragona, Lleida, Costa Brava, Costa Daurada.

Catalan Cod Recipes

Catalonia has its own repertoire of cod recipes worth knowing:

• Esqueixada de bacalao: raw shredded cod salad with tomato, onion, black olives, and olive oil. The quintessential Catalan summer dish. Eaten cold.
• Brandada de bacalao: cod cream emulsified with olive oil and garlic. Eaten cold or warm, spread on bread. Basis of high Catalan cuisine.
• Bacalao fritters (bunyols de bacallà): Christmas and Lent tradition throughout Catalonia. Spongy dough with shredded cod, fried and crispy.
• Bacalao con samfaina: cod loins with Catalan sofregit of eggplant, zucchini, pepper, and tomato. See recipe.
• Bacalao a la llauna: baked cod in a metal tray (llauna) with garlic, paprika, and oil. Classic recipe from Catalan inns.
• Canelones de brandada: cannelloni filled with cod brandada with gratinated béchamel sauce. Catalan variation of Sant Esteve cannelloni.

Seasons and Demand Peaks

• Christmas (December): peak demand for fritters and cod for Christmas dinner. Buy 1-2 weeks in advance. Flakes sell out first.
• Lent / Holy Week: stews and esqueixada. Second annual demand peak.
• Skrei Season (January-April): the best fishmongers in Barcelona receive Norwegian Skrei. At Mercat del Ninot, we have it when the season is good.
• Summer: esqueixada is the star dish. Demand for shredded cod for cold salads.
• All year round: desalted salted cod is a continuous seasonal product, without quality fluctuations.

How to Choose Quality Cod

• Origin Iceland or Norway: the cold waters of the North Atlantic produce the best cod. Always ask for the origin.
• White-ivory color: uniform, without yellowish spots (oxidation) or dark areas.
• Firm texture: when pressed, the flesh should feel firm and elastic, not soft or watery.
• Clean smell: of sea and salt. If it smells strong, it is not fresh.
• Loin thickness: for pil pil and premium esqueixada, look for loins at least 3-4 cm thick.
• Trust the codmonger: a good professional advises you according to the recipe. Do not buy from places where they cannot explain where the cod comes from or which cut to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

• Complete guide: how to choose quality cod
• Cod with samfaina: traditional Catalan recipe
• Cod al pil pil: Basque recipe
• 15 recipes with desalted cod
• Skrei cod: season and recipes
• 50 cod recipes

Come visit us at the Mercat del Ninot or receive our premium cod at home. Same product, same quality, since 1990. Buy cod online | Visit store.