What to do in Barcelona: irresistible breakfasts and afternoon teas
Afternoons are getting colder, which can only mean that winter is well on its way… But we’re not worried! Why not? Because this is the best time of year for eating cakes and pastries, cradling a welcome hot chocolate and spending the afternoon in one of the cosy cafés in Barcelona. Not sure where they are? Read on, although be warned that they’re not places to be counting the calories. By the end, you’ll want to visit them all!
The top ten cafés in Barcelona for all tastes!
Traditional cafés, Japanese pastry shops, homemade-cake heaven, places inspired by Alice in Wonderland or Harry Potter… Barcelona has endless places where afternoon tea is a true pleasure. Coming?
• Faborit Casa Amatller, Paseo de Gracia 41
This hot chocolate paradise is in an unbeatable location right by Modernista gems Casa Amatller and Casa Batlló. Not only is their hot chocolate delicious, it comes with toast and, if you’re feeling fancy, served with cream and cocoa powder on top. If you haven’t got quite such a sweet tooth, try their matcha tea, fresh fruit juice or lovely sandwiches and salads.
• Forn Mistral, Ronda de Sant Antoni 96
If you’re dying for a good old traditional afternoon tea, this is the place for you. Their chocolate croissants will bring back childhood memories in a trice, not to mention their ensaïmades, mini-croissants and other tasty pastries made on special days. You won’t find better rosquillas de cuaresma, coques de Sant Joan or roscones de reyes anywhere else.
• Pudding Barcelona, C/ Pau Claris 90 and Avenida Diagonal 515
Looking for a children-friendly café? Pudding Barcelona has two shops that never fail to hit the spot with kids. One is in the city centre, set in Alice’s Wonderland, complete with giant mushrooms; the other is close to Illa Diagonal, where you can have tea with Harry Potter at Hogwarts! As well as the fantastic setting, their cakes and drinks are wonderful. They also provide board games, so if you’re stuck for fun ideas one afternoon, head on over.
• Several Café, C/ Gran de Sant Andreu 165
The often-forgotten neighbourhood of Sant Andreu is home to several gems, including this café. Their freshly made cakes include original creations that make deft use of Oreo biscuits. Check out their chocolate with cream and cinnamon or natural smoothies. Unbeatable service. If you’re lucky, you might get a table on their lovely terrace.
• La Donutería, C/Parlament 20
If you like doughnuts as much as Homer Simpson, get over to Donutería now! Their Sant Antoni café might not be very big but it has doughnuts for all tastes. Chocolate with violets, dulce de leche with sea salt, red berries with beetroot… With or without filling: the choice is yours. If you’re a coffee lover, you’ll be thrilled to know they serve Cafés el Magnífico and fresh milk from Granja Armengol.
• Granja Viader, C/ d’en Xuclà 6
The top place in Barcelona for chocolate con churros is Granja Viader. Over 100 years old, they invented Cacaolat, the chocolate drink famous throughout Catalonia. This impeccable traditional café also serves delicious dairy-based desserts such as cheesecake, crème caramel and crema catalana.
• Takashi Ochiai, C/ Comte d’Urgell 110
Perfect for savouring all kinds of typical Japanese pastries such as dorayakis and mochis. Here you’ll find them filled with strawberries, green tea mousse and even crema catalana! If you’d rather have something a little less exotic, they also serve award-winning homemade butter croissants and panettone, as well as a wide range of cakes, tarts, chocolates, truffles, chocolate almonds and an irresistible matcha tea smoothie.
• Cookona, C/Rosselló 160
Cookie monster heaven! They serve a wide range of cookies, brownies, cakes and an amazing biscuit sandwich filled with ice cream or cookie dough! You can then add your favourite sauces and toppings. Close your eyes and you could be in the United States! Recommendations? Their cookie pizza: it tastes delicious and looks amazing on Instagram. Leave room for more!
• La Marquise Décadente, C/Casanova 191
This café will take you back to the Belle Époque, with stylish armchairs, teacups and teapots. But as well as their delicious homemade cakes, they also serve tasty pastries from all over the world, such as Medovik (a honey-based Russian pastry), Quindim (a Brazilian baked dessert made with sugar, egg yolks and coconut) and Baklava (a traditional Turkish pastry). Their selection varies every day, making it the perfect place for deliciously sweet adventures.
• La Desayunería, C/Comte Borrell 75
This amazing café serves all-day international breakfasts, so take note for when you’re feeling peckish. They’re open from 8 am to 9 pm, making it the perfect place for starting your day with a spring in your step or popping in on your way home after work. They serve sweet and savoury pastries, mega-sandwiches, cakes and all kinds of breakfasts imaginable. Located right by Mercat de Sant Antoni!
