Barcelona day trips

For an out of the box idea consider Zaragoza, about 1:30 hr from Barcelona via AVE train. Zaragoza has many things, Roman ruins, a Moorish palace, and one of the greatest cathedrals in Spain. Also it's one of those "backdoors" to Spain that will give you a look at the real local Spanish life. I think that Zaragoza is one of those undiscovered gems that Rick Steves calls "back doors". The best area for tapas in Zaragoza is a neighborhood called El Tubo (https://www.spain.info/es/lugares-interes/barrio-el-tubo/). Another good place to eat is a Gourmet Food Market off the Plaza de España, called Puerta Cinegia Mercado. The historic Mercado Central de Zaragoza, with its wrought iron exterior, has recently been renovated and is a delight to explore.

Girona is another Catalonian atmospheric gem with architecture of the Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and one of the most-intact Jewish quarters in all of Europe. Girona also has a three-star Michelin restaurant called “ El Celler de Can Roca” owned by the three Roca brothers. It’s acclaimed as one of the best restaurants in the world having been named best restaurant in 2013 and 2017.
If the restaurant’s €250 menu is too much, you can visit Jordi Roca’s ice cream shop called “Rocambolesc Gelateria.” It doesn’t require three hours for a meal that breaks the bank.
You won’t be lacking for world-class restaurants in Barcelona where the restaurant “Disfrutar,” also run by three chefs, was just named the world’s best restaurant in June at the Las Vegas Pellegrino-sponsored convention of epicureans.

This may not be what you are looking for, but we were in Barcelona recently, and a highlight of our trip was MontSerrat. I won't take the time to describe it; you can look it up. But I would recommend that place extremely highly.