Esmorzars de forquilla - breakfast in Barcelona

Esmorzars de forquilla - what does it mean?


Esmorzars de forquilla literally means “fork breakfasts” in Catalan. This is a traditional Catalan-style breakfast that is heartier and more elaborate than a typical morning meal and involves dishes that are usually more common for lunch or dinner, often accompanied by wine or beer.

Instead of brunch, light pastries or coffee, these Catalan breakfasts include meats, stews, eggs, and sausages. The name comes from the fact that you need a fork (and often a knife) to eat these substantial dishes. Unlike most breakfasts, it is common to have a small glass of red wine, sometimes mixed with soda as a "vi amb sifó" and sometimes served in “porró” - or with a glass of beer.

Typical Esmorzars de forquilla dishes could be:

Cap i pota (stewed calf's head and feet)
Tripa (tripe stew)
Botifarra amb mongetes (Catalan sausage with white beans)
Callos (spicy tripe stew)
Bacallà amb samfaina (cod with a ratatouille-like vegetable sauce)
Egg dishes (like truites or fried eggs with chorizo)

Origins
Esmorzars de forquilla is associated with the famous Catalan writer Josep Pla, who is said to have coined the term to refer to the breakfasts prepared at the Fonda Europa restaurant in the Catalan town Granollers, an establishment where muleteers and vendors used to go for breakfast before going to the market. Little by little, due to the pace of our lives and the rise of fast food and ultra-processed products, this wonderful Esmorzars de forquilla tradition has been lost.

In times gone by, it was necessary to get energy to work in the fields or in the factory. Eating a stewed oxtail or some cheeks with wine and bread at 8:00 and then going to the office may not make much sense now, but it's still a tasty and healthy way to stock up on energy for a good days work.

Where to eat Esmorzars de forquilla?

Try Bo de Bernat, a restaurant on Comte d'Urgell 27 which specializes in traditional Catalan cuisine which is a traditional local restaurant and they serve plenty of Esmorzars de forquilla dishes for breakfast. Or Restaurante Teruel on Gran Via 686.

Bon Profit!

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 February 2025 15:56
 

Wednesday, 12 March 2025


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