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 cod tradition 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 (vegetable and sausage tart). It is an ingredient that runs through all Catalan cuisine, from the most humble to the most sophisticated dishes.

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 to 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 market in Barcelona's Eixample district since 1990. Three decades of experience that translate into:

To choose between different cuts and origins, you can explore all the cod in our catalog: 49 selected references in Mercat del Ninot since 1990.

• 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, slices for stews, flakes for croquettes and fritters, ready-to-spread brandada.
• Professionally desalted: we offer cod already desalted, with the exact salt point 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, 8:00-20:30. Mercat del Ninot was completely renovated in 2015 and is one of Barcelona's most modern markets, 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. The most modern market in Barcelona after its 2015 renovation.
• La Boqueria (Les Rambles): the most famous market in Barcelona and probably in Europe. Fish stalls with quality salted cod. Tourist prices at the front; the stalls at the back are more honest 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): upper-class neighborhood market with quality products. Fishmongers with cod of good origin.
• Mercat de Galvany (Sant Gervasi): gourmet market with premium prices but exceptional products. Specialized fishmongers.

Comparative table of markets in Barcelona

Codfish shops and specialized stores

• Bacalalo — Mercat del Ninot: our shop. 30 years of experience with Icelandic cod. All cuts, desalted included, 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 preserves traditional grocery stores that sell salted cod by weight, along with other bulk products.
• Gourmet stores: establishments such as 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.
• Slices/centers: 16-25 €/kg. For stews, chickpea stews, zarzuelas.
• 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.

Table of prices by cut in Barcelona (2026)

Buy cod online in Catalonia

If you cannot come to Mercat del Ninot, we will 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 24-48h 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.
• Cod fritters (bunyols de bacallà): a Christmas and Lent tradition throughout Catalonia. Spongy dough with shredded cod, fried and crispy.
• Cod with samfaina: cod loins with Catalan sofrito of eggplant, zucchini, bell 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.
• Cannelloni with brandada: cannelloni stuffed with cod brandada with gratinated béchamel. 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 / Easter: 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 premium pil pil and esqueixada, look for loins at least 3-4 cm thick.
• Trust your fishmonger: A good professional will advise you according to the recipe. Don't buy from places where they can't tell you where the cod comes from or what cut to use.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

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

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