Tomato Bread in Barcelona

May 31, 2018 12:48 PM

We are looking for the best tomato bread in or near El Born.

We are looking for tomato bread like this: chewy toast that you rub tomato and garlic on. We had it at El Sortidor, and are looking for something similar near El Born/the Gothic Quarter. Please help!

posted by molla to Travel & Transportation around Barcelona, Spain (10 answers total)

So funny. I was in El Sortidor about a week ago and was staying in El Born. I too loved their tomato bread but unfortunately didn’t find anything comparable in El Born.
posted by peacheater at 12:58 PM on May 31, 2018

Response by poster: Ah what a shame. In any case, the link should have gone to the sixth photo in the Trip Advisor gallery.
posted by molla at 1:14 PM on May 31, 2018

Yes, that is exactly what we had, down to the aioli on the side, which I haven't seen elsewhere. Following this question with interest.
posted by peacheater at 1:47 PM on May 31, 2018

It's called pan con tomate if that helps. I have eaten it many times in El Born but cannot remember the names of any of the places. It's very common!
posted by stevedawg at 3:50 PM on May 31, 2018

It is extremely common and called 'pan con tomate' or 'pa amb tomaquet' in Catalan.
That will help you Google for recommendations: "mejor pan con tomate barcelona"
posted by vacapinta at 4:09 PM on May 31, 2018 [1 favorite]

Oh my understanding is that you were looking especially for the version served at El Sortidor or something similar? Otherwise yes, you order it almost at any restaurant in Barcelona (we put this to the test as our 9 month loved it, so we tried to order it even when not on the menu).
posted by peacheater at 4:35 PM on May 31, 2018

We called it pa amb’oli on Mallorca so you could try that as well if other search terms aren’t getting it.
posted by mygothlaundry at 5:53 PM on May 31, 2018

Response by poster: Thank you all for the suggestions. I should have been more clear: We are looking specifically for the version of the dish similar to what El Sortodor serves: add-your-own tomato, and slightly stale, airy, ciabatta-like bread.
posted by molla at 11:40 PM on May 31, 2018

I've seen that very airy bread called pan cristal...I haven't seen anywhere in El Born that serves it "unconstructed"...bormuth serves something approaching that bread though.
posted by conifer at 7:05 AM on June 1, 2018

Response by poster: Just to follow up, we never did find another place that served something similar. We ended up going back to El Sortidor and having two orders of the stuff.
posted by molla at 10:40 AM on June 5, 2018 [1 favorite]