Barcelona’s Parc de la Ciutadella will transform into a vibrant hub of sustainable gastronomy during La Mercè 2026, hosting the sixth edition of Terra i Gust, the Festival of Sustainable Food. From 25 to 27 September, the Passeig dels Til·lers will welcome visitors to a curated celebration of local, organic and seasonal cuisine, aligned with Barcelona’s designation as European Capital of Local Commerce 2026.

Fourteen Barcelona restaurants committed to responsible gastronomy will present 28 small plates, half of them vegetarian, all made with organic, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Participating venues include Aguaribay, Bar El Pepino, Bar Súper, Bistrot Levante, Casa Xica, El Brot LH, El Filete Ruso, Espai Puntal, Fat Veggies, GastroGaratxe, Mescladís, Mosquito, Teòric Taverna Gastronòmica and Uniko. The latter will represent Shanghai, this year’s guest city at La Mercè, marking 25 years of sister-city ties with Barcelona.

Gastronomic Offerings and Local Producers

The festival’s drink selection will feature six craft beer producers chosen by the Barcelona Beer Festival, alongside natural wines from L’Olivera – Can Calopa, Rabassaires, Celler Nessu, Terra Buxena and Clot de les Soleres. Visitors can also sample organic kombucha from Lov Kombucha, artisanal seasonal ice creams by Delacrem and specialty coffee from The Milk & Coffee, a pedal-powered mobile café that generates energy through cycling.

Six local producers will offer organic fruits and vegetables, fermented foods, raw cow’s milk cheeses, bread and pastries, olive oil, honey, wine and preserves. These stalls highlight the event’s focus on short supply chains and ecological farming.

Cooking Workshops and Family Activities

The Aula de Cuina (Cooking Classroom) will host live cooking demonstrations, tastings and talks aimed at reshaping consumption habits. Featured chefs include Rafa Peña, National Gastronomy Award winner and owner of Gresca; Wenbin Peng, blending Shanghai cuisine with Mediterranean influences; and Artur Martínez of the Michelin-starred project Trü.

Families can join cooperative games on food waste reduction, explore sprouts and seedlings, meet local Barcelona fishermen or participate in a garrofa bean chocolate cooking workshop. Performances such as La Bleda and L’Ecopagès will use humour and creativity to engage children with sustainability themes.

Music and Responsible Consumption Zone

Live music will animate the weekend across the Mercè Stage, with performances from Azucarillo Kings, flamenco artist Marco de Ana, genre-blending group Sorvina, Cuban son and timba band Tumbakin, and jazz contrabassist Giulia Valle.

The Espai Consum Responsable (Responsible Consumption Space) will offer workshops and shows focused on ecological agriculture, natural resource preservation and food waste prevention. Activities include discussions on food sovereignty, sustainable fish consumption and zero-waste living.

Terra i Gust is part of Barcelona’s Healthy and Sustainable Food Strategy 2030, a cross-sector agreement promoting local food systems, waste reduction, and social inclusion.

Organised by the Ajuntament de Barcelona, the Association of Gastronomy and Tourism of Baix Llobregat, and Slow Food Barcelona, the event runs Friday from 18:00 to 22:30 and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 22:30. Admission to the site is free, with individual tasting plates priced at €5 and drinks at €2.50.

More information on the event schedule and participants is available via the Ajuntament de Barcelona’s official page.

Primary sources: Ajuntament de Barcelona, ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by laciutat.cat, El Periódico, CatalunyaPress.cat, La Ciutat.