The transition from summer to fall in Barcelona always smells like a local festival. And this year, under the century-old shade of the trees in Ciutadella Park, it will also smell of slow-cooked stews, fresh produce, and freshly baked bread. From September 25 to 27, the centrally located Passeig dels Til·lers will transform into a vibrant open-air dining hall to celebrate the sixth edition of the Terra i Gust festival, the undisputed gastronomic epicenter of La Mercè.
In the midst of Barcelona’s year as European Capital of Local Trade, the City Council—in partnership with Slow Food Barcelona and the Baix Llobregat Association of Gastronomy and Tourism—has chosen to redouble its commitment to responsible cuisine. As a result, fourteen Barcelona restaurants will open their kitchens to the community with the goal of promoting sustainability and social cohesion, offering a street-food menu centered on small-scale producers and respect for the environment.
Twenty-eight small plates and a nod to Shanghai
Strolling along the Til·lers will be a real temptation. The fourteen participating establishments will serve a total of twenty-eight dishes made exclusively with organic, seasonal , and locally sourced ingredients , half of which will be strictly vegetarian options.
This year’s lineup features projects with as much character as Aguaribay, Bar El Pepino, Bar Súper, Bistrot Levante, Casa Xica, El Brot LH, El Filete Ruso, Espai Puntal, Fat Veggies, GastroGaratxe, Mescladís, Mosquito, and Teòric Taverna Gastronòmica. Joining them is Uniko, the restaurant tasked with bringing the flavors of Shanghai, the guest city of the 2026 Mercè Festival.
A Natural Toast and Pedal-Powered Coffee
To accompany the food, the drink offerings are just as impressive. In collaboration with the Barcelona Beer Festival (BBF), six craft beer producers who work with local ingredients have been selected. Wine connoisseurs can discover natural wines thanks to projects such as L’Olivera (Can Calopa), Rabassaires, Celler Nessu, Terra Buxena, and Clot de les Soleres, while Lov Kombucha will provide a refreshing and eco-friendly alternative.
The sweet finale will be provided by the expertise of Delacrem and its acclaimed seasonal ice creams. And for after-dinner coffee, The Milk & Coffee will offer specialty coffee brewed using a unique bicycle that grinds the beans and brews the coffee using energy generated by pedaling.
Farmers’ Market and Haute Cuisine Right on the Street
Terra i Gust is not just a place to eat, but a place to understand what we eat. The venue will host six stalls run by small producers where attendees can purchase organic fruits and vegetables, fermented foods, chocolate, raw cow’s milk cheeses, bread, pastries, olive oil, honey, wine, and preserves directly from the producers.
In addition, the Cooking Classroom will become a hub for educational activities, featuring workshops, games, and talks designed to rethink our habits. The highlight will be the cooking demonstrations led by renowned figures: Rafa Peña, chef at Gresca and winner of the National Gastronomy Award; Artur Martínez, from the Michelin-starred restaurant Trü; and Wenbin Peng, who will demonstrate how to fuse Shanghai cuisine with a Mediterranean twist.
Since no party is complete without dancing, the Mercè stage will pair gastronomy with a musical lineup as eclectic as the menus themselves. Throughout the event, the audience will be able to enjoy five concerts that will take them on a journey through different musical landscapes: from the festive live performance by Azucarillo Kings and the contemporary flamenco of dancer Marco de Ana to Sorvina’s fusion of rap, jazz, neo-soul, and gospel. The lineup is rounded out by the Cuban rhythms and timba of Tumbakin, and the unmistakable signature jazz of Barcelona-based double bassist Giulia Valle.
