Heading to Barcelona for a few days and want to see more than the Sagrada Familia and Barceloneta? Or just looking for some nice restaurants, cafés or cultural hotspots? Here I put down a few cool spots, I discovered on my last trip in that beautiful city. This time I arranged it by districts. I hope you enjoy it.
BARRI GÒTIC
Meet the creative underground at: Satan’s Coffee Corner
When strolling through the Gotico district, this coffee place is a must. This stylish place is situated on the corner of a cute little square. The interior is very inviting and the breakfast seasonal with a Japanese twist. Try their Kombucha as well.
Location: Carrer de l’Arc de Sant Ramon del Call, 11, 08002 Barcelona
Enjoy natural wines with a french neo-bistro ambience here: Bistrot Levante
Just opposite Satan’s at that little square you will also find the Bistrot Levante. The interior of this neo-bistro is very French and it offers Mediterranean dishes with a Middle Eastern twist. Great place for natural wine lovers.
Location: Placeta de Manuel Ribé, 1, 08002 Barcelona
EL BORN
A must go for coffee lovers: Nomad Coffee Lab & Shop
With three locations in town, Nomad is more than just a café, it’s a laboratory. They roast, serve, experiment and advise on coffee. I visited the Nomad Coffee Lab & Shop, which located in a beautiful passage in El Born. Here hidden away from the shopping street you can enjoy a wide range of beautiful coffees in a stylish green nordic interior while facing the natural greenery of the courtyard.
Location: Passatge Sert, 12, 08003 Barcelona
Health haven: Flax & Kale Passage
The absolute place to go for all vegetarians, vegans or people with special needs is called Flax & Kale. With three restaurants in town, you even have the choice. I visited the one in the passage below the Yurbban Passage’s rooftop and it was super yummy and just what I was craving. Because we all know how difficult it is sometimes to eat healthy when you travel. Here you will find your satisfaction. Next to the super inviting interior, Flax & Kale has everything you can ask for. From gluten free healthy pizzas to Asian fusion dishes to tasty Kombuchas.
Location: Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 31-33, 08003 Barcelona
Pastry heaven: Demasié
If you are a sweet tooth and in love with cinnamon buns, then I found your place. A huge range of all kinds of buns and also vegan options are waiting for you at Demasié. I’d call it heaven.
Location: Carrer de la Princesa, 28, 08003 Barcelona
Tasty tapas and wines in a stylish ambience: Orvay Born
This place is a hidden gem, it just looks like a stylish wine bar but its way more. Orvay Born totally convinced me with its food, the beautiful tapas and wines, all located in the heart of the El Born district. I totally recommend to go there if you are looking for a good restaurant located centrally.
Location: Passeig del Born, 4, 08003 Barcelona
Pass here at a night walk: Deuce Coop by James Turrell
This cool light installation by famous artist James Turrell located at the historic building of the current Civic Center. Don’t make the same mistake as me and make sure you come at night, otherwise you can’t see much. The neon installation is located at the entrance hall and emphasises the beauty of the old architecture. The view of the stunning Gothic cloister is the cherry on top.
Location: Carrer Comerç, 23, 08003 Barcelona
EL RAVAL
For architects and art lovers: MACBA
The contemporary art museum was designed by star architect Richard Meier and is located in the hip district of El Raval. Not only a must go for architecture and art lovers, the area around the museum is also a great hangout for a sundowner. On the terrace of the restaurant La Terraccita you’ll have a great view of the stunning Keith Haring mural.
Location: Plaça dels Àngels, 1, 08001 Barcelona
Ice cream lovers rediscover your taste senses here: Natas
Ice cream lovers stop here. Enjoy delicious seasonal artisanal ice cream at Natas. The shop looks a bit dark and rough from the outside, but surprises with the strawberry pink walls from the inside. It is run by Manuela, the former pastry chef from Satan’s Coffee Corner and situated in the heart of El Raval. She uses only local and seasonal fruits to create her flavours, which makes this place very unique. So definitely stop here when you stroll through that neighbourhood.
Location: Carrer d’Elisabets, 6, 08001 Barcelona
Casual drinks and tapas in a beautiful surrounding: Gats
Gats, meaning ‘cats’ in Catalan, is a great place to start the night. Their outdoor terrace is located on a cute little square in central El Raval, a perfect spot to observe the vibrant neighbourhood’s night cats, while eating tasty spanish tapas. The beautiful interior is a mix of brick walls, marble tables and eye catching lights hanging over the bar.
Location: Carrer d’en Xuclà, 7, 08001 Barcelona
Foodies better reserve here: Dos Pallilos
If you are in to food and want to have a Michelin star experience in town, you should definitely check this one out. Dos Pallilos is located in Casa Camper, (the stylish boutique hotel by Camper) chef Albert Raurich is offering an Asian fusion cuisine. Asian tapas in a stylish retro interior and a nice outdoor area in the heart of El Raval. Unfortunately I didn’t make it this time, but it’s definitely on my bucket list.
Good to know: You don’t have to reserve for the bar.
Location: Carrer d’Elisabets, 9, 08001 Barcelona
GRÀCIA
Neo-bistro meets tapas: Gula Bar
This place is definitely a must go when in Gracia. It was one of my highlights of that trip. Gula Bar looks more like a stylish bar than a restaurant, but the food is beyond that. Divided into three different sizes, they are offering contemporary Tapitas, Bocados and Platillos. All of that was extraordinary and experimental with an Asian and Middle Eastern twist. All is to share, so if you come in a group, you get to try even more of it.
Location: Carrer del Dr. Rizal, 20, 08006 Barcelona
POBLENOU
Catalan contemporary art meets beautiful architecture:
Museum Can Framis
Can Framis is the Museum of Contemporary Painting located in a former factory in the creative and technological district Poblenou. The reconstruction was done by the BAAS architectural practice and they turned it into a beautiful space for art and architecture lovers. Definitely a great place to start your tour through this district.
Location: Carrer de Roc Boronat, 116-126, 08018 Barcelona
Discover tasty vegetarian and vegan creations at: Sopa Barcelona
Opposite of the museum Can Framis you will find Sopa, the vegetarian café and restaurant. A place just ideal for having lunch during the week or brunch on the weekend. The very spacious and pretty interior is ideal to visit even in groups or with kids. Furthermore they offer a huge terrace opposite a playground.
Location: Carrer de Roc Boronat, 114, 08018 Barcelona
JUST OUT OF TOWN
The place to go for passionate architects or photographers: Walden 7
Located in Sant Just Desvern, a town 10km outside of Barcelona you will find the famous apartment complex Walden 7. The utopian masterpiece by architect Ricardo Bofill was designed in the seventies and up until today attracts architecture enthusiasts. Important to know: you can’t enter the building just like that, so if you wanna see the inside, you have to book a tour.
Location: Ctra. Reial, 106, 08960 Sant Just Desvern, Barcelona
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