More than 30,000 people, 15 metric tons of potatoes, and thousands of liters of beer. This could sum up the most recent editions of the Mahou Bravas Fest, the festival dedicated to patatas bravas held in Barcelona, now in its fifth year. Now a well-established fixture on the city’s culinary calendar, the festival returns this fall to pay tribute to the most iconic dish found in Catalan bars.
From October 2 to 4, 2026, Montjuïc will once again become the grand temple of patatas bravas. For three days at Poble Espanyol, some of Barcelona’s most iconic restaurants and bars will gather to compete for the prize for the city’s Best Patatas Bravas. In addition, this year they’ll be joined by a musical lineup that’s stronger than ever.
Admission is free with advance registration, though visitors can also purchase a Fast Pass for €8.50, which includes priority entry and a meal package featuring a serving of patatas bravas and a drink. The Bravas Passport raffle is back this year: anyone who collects stamps from all the participating restaurants will be entered to win a special prize. There will also be other activities, such as workshops, cooking demonstrations, and tastings led by expert brewers.
The participants: a tour through the city’s neighborhoods
The fourteen participants represent the tapa tradition in different districts, from Sant Andreu to Ciutat Vella. Several festival regulars are returning: Senyor Vermut (Eixample), La Esquinica (Nou Barris), Bar Córdoba (L’Hospitalet), and the legendary Bar Tomás in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi.
Competing against them are Xinvic, winner of the 2025 People’s Choice Award, and Món Viêt, a Vietnamese-inspired restaurant and winner of the 2025 Jury Prize, both located in the Eixample neighborhood. Rounding out the list are 5 Hermanos Casa de Comidas (Nou Barris), Montesquiu (Sarrià-Sant Gervasi), Bodega Manolo (Gràcia), Collonut (Sant Andreu), El Menjador de la Beckett (Sant Martí), Ocaña (Ciutat Vella), El Sortidor de la Filomena Pagès (Poble Sec), and El Tap (Les Corts).
In addition to their patatas bravas, each establishment will present a tapa that encapsulates its style and a signature tapa outside the competition. A vast culinary selection to pair with an almost endless variety of beers.
The biggest lineup of any of the five editions
In this edition, music will no longer be just a side attraction but will become one of the event’s main highlights: the musical lineup kicks off with a live performance by Hotel Cochambre, followed by Johnny Tarradellas and the David Canal Quintet.
Behind the decks will be DJ Amable, a longtime resident at Razzmatazz, Miqui Puig, and Axel Pi, drummer for Sidonie. Also spinning will be Txarly Brown, Iván Pascual, Albert Gracia, Bress DJ, DJ Marian, Siamiss DJ, and DJ Uriowl.
The Jam Session Music School will showcase young, local talent as part of the Viu Montjuïc series, which takes place the same weekend throughout the mountain. The Big Band Jam will perform rock classics by Metallica, Deep Purple, and The Doors, and the supergroup Jam Nation will play hits ranging from Dua Lipa to Bruno Mars.
