Eating is also part of the journey, gastronomy in Girona

Its historical monuments. Its streets. The landscapes that surround it. There’s so much to see when you travel to an unfamiliar region.
But to truly get to know it, you also have to try its traditional dishes.
That’s why with this article, we aim to help you learn a bit more about the culture and history of Girona through its gastronomy.
So, we’re going to tell you about some of the iconic recipes of Girona’s cuisine.
And you might be surprised to know that some of them were born in Girona.
Ready? Let’s get started.

What’s special about Girona’s gastronomy?

The first thing that surprises tourists when they come into contact with Girona’s gastronomy is its contrast of flavors.
In fact, Girona’s cuisine has two very distinct roots:

El Ampurdán (Empordà): The dishes served in the inland towns of Ampurdán draw from Navarrese and Aragonese cuisine, which is especially noticeable in the use of meats and the frequent presence of cured sausages on the plate.
The Costa Brava: In the coastal towns, traditionally fishing areas, seafood products are the clear stars.

These two very different origins have led to both the sea and the mountains being present in most of Girona’s traditional dishes.

5 dishes from Girona’s gastronomy you can’t miss

If you come for gastronomic tourism in Girona, these 5 dishes capture the best from every corner of the Catalan province.

Suquet de pescado

How could something as common as a simple fish soup find its way into Girona’s gastronomy?
Part of the charm comes from the high salinity of the sea in the Costa Brava area, which gives the fish caught there a special flavor.
This recipe was born among local fishermen, who used the fish that were harder to sell at the market to make a soup with potatoes, vegetable sofrito, and fish stock.
A very popular variation uses monkfish (a strong-flavored fish that perfectly suits this dish) and red prawns.

Mar y montaña

There are different dishes known as “mar y montaña” (“sea and mountain”). But if you order it in Girona, what you’ll get is a curious stew with chicken and lobster.
This is a very typical dish of the province that you can’t overlook if you’re a fan of gastronomic tourism.
Once again, its origin can be traced back to the fishermen of the Costa Brava.

Patatas de Olot

Now we head to the volcanic area of La Garrotxa, specifically to the town of Olot.
This small enclave is famous for its gastronomy, called “volcanic cuisine”.
That’s where this potato recipe comes from, and it bears the town’s name.
Patatas de Olot are sliced potatoes stuffed with minced and roasted meat.
A dish as simple as it is filling, which you’ll find in most restaurants in La Garrotxa, and one of the most requested in our excursions to the inland areas of Ampurdán.

Anchoas de La Escala

Another delicacy whose name gives away its origin. In this case, we’re talking about the anchovies made in La Escala, in the Alto Ampurdán area.
The factories that make this salted product take pride in using the same traditional methods that have been employed for centuries.
The anchovies from La Escala are so renowned that they have a quality designation.

Butifarra dulce

About the great variety of sausages in Catalonia, there’s hardly anything new to say. But have you ever heard of sweet butifarra?
This is a dish you’ll hardly find outside Girona and, generally, it’s a love-or-hate kind of thing.
The butifarra is served on toast with sugar, lemon, and cinnamon; or stewed with apple.
If you want to know whether this dish is for you, the best way is to come and try it for yourself.

Xuixo

If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, you’ve probably ordered a Xuixo from your local bakery at some point.
But did you know that the originals were born right in the city of Girona?
It was in the 19th century when a local pastry chef came up with the idea of frying dough in oil, filling it with cream, and coating it in sugar—creating the “suso” (or xuixo).
So, to taste the authentic ones, you’ll have to come here.

Which Girona dish would you like to try?

The dishes we’ve shown you are just a small taste of Girona’s cuisine.
But if you really want to dive into its gastronomy, we recommend joining one of our guided tours.
Through them, you’ll discover:

The history of the city, its origins, and its legends.
The best restaurants to enjoy authentic Girona cuisine.
The medieval villages of the Costa Brava and Ampurdán, where most of these dishes originate.

Like the idea?
Then visit our website, book one of our tours, and let’s get started.