Question about ordering tapas
 

Will be in Barcelona for the first time and from this board gather that others often order tapas at dinner time (not just as a snack with drinks at a bar)

Do you sit down, browse the menus then order all the plates you feel you will eat at once, or keep ordering just one or two at a time?

Appreciate the advice.

The various tapas will be spread out on the bar and you will simply point to what you want.

You might also check out "raciones", which are slightly larger portions, albeit still snack-sized. Tapas are traditionally free, but nowadays less so in tourist areas. Raciones are always charged for.

As Michael said, you can order tapas by pointing (or by name if you know the terminology). You might be offered a raciones menu.

I have never had a 'sit down' dinner consisting only of Tapas, although we have at times ordered a dish para repartir. Restaurants will usually provide small plates (or bowls) to make it easy for you to 'split a dish.'

At the bar you can order a tapa, a ración or media ración of anything you see under the glass.

If you order a ración, it will probably be served with bread, for which you will also be charged

There are tapas bars/restaurants in Barcelona that offer a good selection of tapas or raciones, including Comerç 24, Taktika Berri (Basque style pintxos), Paco Meralgo Alta Taberna, Cata 1.81, Taller de Tapas, Bossborn, Inopia and Euskal Etxea (sit down pintxos). The tapas/pintoxs culture is not quite the same as it is in Navarra and the Basque country, but it is growing in popularity.

if you are ordering from a menu at a sit-down place, the staff will probably appreciate not being asked two-by-two on items in repeated succession. this all depends as spaniards and catalans love to while away the afternoon "at lunch".
I think I have never ordered tapas more than 3 times in a single sitting, i think two or three times is normal.

Or simply order tapas at the bar and keep going back as much as you want. same for pintxo bars, order as much as you want.

Best (fish) tapas bar in Barcelona if you get a table outside Jai-Cai on C/ Ginebre in Barceloneta. It's inexpensive, traditionally slow and grumpy staff, but great atmosphere!

*P.s. there's no menu in there, so have a good look at the bar beforehand.

Good info, everyone. Gracias.