Turkish Barcelona does exist. So if you are craving for food from this part of the world, eating kebabs in Barcelona either with your hands or elegantly served on a plate accompanied by rice, is an excellent idea.
Kebab is a Turkish term meaning “skewer of grilled meat”, vertical and elongated, either lamb, chicken, beef cut into strips and wrapped in a typical roll. It is then served with vegetables, pita bread and in some places with rice.
We help you answer the typical question: “where is a kebab near me”.
Sannin
This great Turkish delicacy is prepared by an authentic Lebanese with more than 22 years of experience in its preparation. The best known is the shawarma version which is delicious when accompanied by cheese, spinach or meat patties.
Address: Carrer de l’Encarnació, 44, 08024.
Bellako
In Bellako you will be able to taste a renewed and reinvented kebab, keeping a very important attraction: the price. The most expensive one costs 9 euros and the cheapest 5’8.
Address: C/ de València, 450, 08013 Barcelona
El Cocinero of Damascus
If you go to El Cocinero you will find a queue to get in. Their kebabs are very popular not only for the filling, but also for the exquisite bread in which they wrap it. This bread is toasted before being consumed and therefore, you can enjoy it very crunchy.
Address: Carrer dels Templers, 2, 08002
The Caravan
Very famous for the sauces offered to accompany the kebab. You will feel at home not only because of the service and the place, but also because this Turkish delicacy is prepared directly by its owner. Their baklavas are also very popular.
Address: Carrer de Mozart, 15, 08012.
Bismillah Raval Kebabish
Bismillah is another place to eat kebabs in Barcelona. They prepare the kebab with the meat marinade and bake everything, including the bread.
Address: Carrer de Joaquín Costa, 22, 08001.
A tu bola
You can’t miss the delicious kebabs at A tu bola. They offer you different options: from the traditional one, to the bacon with lime and coriander sauce or the smoked chicken with pineapple. A treat for the palate.
Address: Carrer de l’Hospital, 78, 08001.
Byblos
It is one of the best places to go to eat kebab. Although this delicious dish is their specialty, the most requested is the lamb one and it is more appealing if it is accompanied by hummus.
Address: Carrer de Marià Cubí, 209, 08021
Super Naan
It is a fabulous Indian fast food place where you can delight yourself with the preparation of a kebab of very high quality and delicious flavor. The bread (called naan) and the meat are cooked in a cylindrical oven called tandoor.
Address: Carrer de Ferran, 21, 08002
[update April 2022 – We are informed that unfortunately this establishment has closed].Istanbul stop kebab
In Istanbul Stop Kebab, you will find a different and pleasant atmosphere, with a warm and modern decoration, that invites you to come back, to continue tasting the meat and other specialties.
La Rambla, 121, 08002 Barcelona
Kebabs are really a delicious and wonderful finger food alternative, prepared in good restaurants with ingredients to your liking.
History of Kebab
Kebab is a delicious and popular dish enjoyed by many people around the world. Its history dates back to the 18th century in Turkey, where it originated as a meal for Ottoman warriors on the move. Since then, kebabs have been enjoyed in many forms and variations throughout the Middle East, Europe, Asia and beyond. In this article, we will explore the fascinating history of the kebab, from its origins to its current popularity as a fast food in Germany. Join us on this culinary journey and discover the rich and diverse history of this beloved dish.
Origin of the Kebab
The roots of the skewered meat dish can be traced back to 18th century Turkey. It is said that Turkish soldiers used to prepare their rations on the spot, skewering them on the end of their swords and cooking them over an open fire. To prevent the fat from dripping into the fire, they began cooking the food vertically. This cooking method eventually became the contemporary kebab we know today.
Since then, this skewered food has gained immense popularity throughout the Middle East and beyond. It is said that the ancient Persians were the first to use this culinary technique for their meals. Later, the concept of skewering and grilling the food was passed on to other areas of the Middle East and eventually to Turkey, the birthplace of the kebab.
Kebab is now a popular dish in many nations, such as Pakistan and India. In Pakistan, it is called seekh kebab and is made with minced meat, along with a mixture of spices and aromatic herbs. In India, kabab is the local version of kebab, which is usually made with poultry, lamb or mutton. Although kebab has gained worldwide recognition, it remains one of the most popular dishes in its country of origin, Turkey.
Kebab in the Middle East
The Middle East is the birthplace of the delicious kebab, a dish that is still highly prized today. Its savory flavor comes from a combination of cumin, coriander and paprika. Shish kebab is the most popular version in the region, using marinated pieces of lamb or beef skewered on a stick and grilled over an open flame. It can be accompanied by rice, bread or salad.
Also popular are kofta kebabs, made with minced meat mixed with spices and forming long thin sausages. This kebab can be lamb, beef, chicken or turkey, and is usually served with a spicy tomato sauce or yogurt sauce.
Doner kebab, a Turkish variant, is prepared by stacking thin slices of meat on a vertical spit and grilling them slowly. The cooked meat is removed from the spit and served on pita bread or flatbread with tomatoes, onions and a yogurt-based sauce.
Flatbread is often used to wrap kebabs and create an easy snack to eat on the go. Among these breads are pita, lavash and naan, all of which are popular in the Middle East.
The kebab in Europe and Asia
For centuries, this dish has been a favorite in Europe and Asia, and its popularity has only increased in recent years. In Europe, kebab has become an indispensable fast food, and kebab restaurants abound in many cities. The dish’s success in Europe dates back to the Ottoman Empire, which ruled much of the continent for centuries.
In Asia, kebab has been a prized food for generations. In countries such as Turkey and Iran, kebab restaurants abound, most specializing in a particular type of kebab. In India, kebab has adapted to local tastes, and many restaurants regularly serve kebabs made with chicken or fish. In Pakistan, kebab is often served with naan bread and a spicy yogurt sauce.
Despite its notoriety, the kebab has been the subject of disapproval in some parts of Europe, as it has been associated with fast food and low-quality ingredients. However, in recent times, many kebab stores have made efforts to produce kebabs with high quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods, with the aim of elevating this dish to the level of other gourmet recipes. As a result, the kebab is once again gaining recognition as a delicious and healthy food option.
[updated August 13, 2023]
