Barcelona restaurant guild denounces 30 Mercadona stores for illegal in-store dining areas

The complaint

The Gremi de Restauració de Barcelona has filed an administrative complaint against 30 Mercadona supermarkets, arguing their in-store eating areas violate municipal regulations. The guild says these “mercaurantes” offer cutlery, napkins, microwaves, and seating for up to 30 people, effectively operating as restaurants without the required licences.

“Las normas se deben cumplir y los límites se han de respetar.”

The guild cites Barcelona’s food-commerce ordinance, which bans any commercial or service activity in the zone between checkout tills and store exits. Pallarols described the spaces as “low-cost restaurants” and demanded the city council order the removal of tables and chairs and impose fines.

Mercadona’s position

Mercadona rejects the restaurant label, calling the areas “rest zones” where customers may heat and eat a purchased meal or simply sit and read a newspaper. The company says it charges no extra fee and that the furniture is taller than typical restaurant seating.

“No es una zona de restauración, sino de descanso, con diferentes usos.”

The retailer points to its evolution in ready-to-eat food, with the “Listo para Comer” section launched in 2018 and a first prepared-meal range in 2008. Mercadona stresses it employs no waiting staff.

Broader battle over bakery degustation

The action against supermarkets extends a long-running campaign by the restaurant guild against bakeries that let customers eat on-site. The guild has been complaining since 2019; it took four years to get the first municipal response. The pressure intensified in 2024 with over 100 formal complaints, followed by 82 more in 2025.

City inspectors have now confirmed 57 infractions in 22 bakeries, mainly exceeding the maximum degustation area of 20 square metres and, in some cases, selling alcoholic drinks. Yet the guild says none of these bakeries has been fined, only asked to comply.

What the guild wants

Roger Pallarols argues that the city’s tolerance of unlicensed eating spaces undermines neighbourhood restaurants, which face stricter inspections and higher costs. The guild is preparing to denounce other supermarket chains beyond Mercadona in the coming weeks.

“No sirve de nada tener buenas palabras para la restauración de proximidad si después se permite que se vea obligada a competir con los gigantes de la distribución.”

The guild is also filing a fresh complaint against 50 bakeries with degustation, citing repeat offences and warning that if the council still fails to sanction, it will take the matter to the public prosecutor’s office.

Escalating numbers

The flow of formal denuncias illustrates the guild’s intensifying push.

2024100

202582

202680

2024

100 complaints

2025

82 complaints

2026

80 complaints

Data from the article text

The figures are drawn from guild disclosures: around 100 complaints in 2024, 82 in 2025, and the combined 80 targeting mercaurantes and bakeries announced on 16 June 2026.