10 Best Cafes in Barcelona

By: Tara Shadravan

I’ve been living in Barcelona for my fourth month now—I know because my 90 day metro pass just expired. I have established my favorite park, mastered the quickest path to get to class. Basically, I have definitely gotten myself into a routine. The one thing I make sure to do differently every week: go to a new cafe.

I live with a host family—which I would HIGHLY recommend doing—who has a cleaner who comes every Wednesday at around 10:00 AM. So, every Wednesday morning, I have to leave the house and find something to do before my 4:00 PM class. I have ended up trying out a new cafe each week at this time, and will share my absolute favorites. I feel like when you look up “cafes Barcelona” on any platform, you get the same few hits, and they are SUPER touristy. 

This list does have some popular spots, but every spot is so unique and is worth going to over and over again:

1. L’Ube Kape

L’Ube Kape is a family run cafe in Universitat that gets its name from the star of its menu: ube! Ube matcha, ube coffees, ube cakes and pastries. My personal favorite is the ube latte and the pulled pork focaccia, which is one of the most flavorful sandwiches I have had in Barcelona. The ube cake is pretty good, too! I feel like you can’t go wrong here.

2. ÖSS Kaffe

Also in Universitat, ÖSS Kaffe is a small coffee shop that has a really interesting menu with something for everyone. My favorite here is the Chocomorley, a peppered chocolate latte. Really vibey place, too. While you are here, go a few stores over and visit Bismillah Kebapish, where you can find the most unbelievable chicken tikka shawarma wrap. Cash only, though, for the second place!

3. Raw Studio

Near Hospital Clinic, Raw Studio just has a really nice atmosphere. It’s a little crowded, but I really enjoyed it. It seemed like a real “cool people” hangout. Try for brunch!

4. Lin Coffee

Little spot in Eixample! Has a really good Thai café with condensed milk which I haven’t seen anywhere else.

5. Camelia Art Cafe

Great to hit before or after class. A block or two away from CIEE. Great ambiance and amazing food, too! It’s not on the menu, but the best thing there is a lavender matcha. Their avocado toast is amazing as well, and so pretty!

6. La Central del Raval

For all the book lovers (or anyone who loves a cool secret spot)! A hidden cafe behind a bookstore with some wonderful outdoor and indoor seating options. Sat underneath the little patio on a rainy morning and enjoyed a book I had just bought at the store inside. Also…BEST CHOCOLATE CROISSANT EVER. 

7. Kasa TAOS

Calling all design majors! This cafe is a designer’s haven. Every chair and book is intentionally placed, every surface in the cafe is flawless; even the exterior draws you in. They have a really high-quality matcha here, and I got a spinach quiche that was good.

8. Cafe Cometa

A really cozy atmosphere and very colorful with a cool gallery wall. If you go during the fall, this is one of the only places I visited that had a pumpkin spice latte. 

9. Maldita Bar

A great newer spot near Diagonal metro stop that serves coffee and brunch in the mornings and food and drinks in the afternoons and evenings. I had a mango matcha latte the first time that I really enjoyed; then for their fall menu I tried a butternut squash toast that was really well done, too. 

10. La Papa

Ok. Maybe this one is worth the hype. La Papa is a really cute place with great food despite its virality. I had a really cool pink latte made with beetroot powder. I also had a “Danish breakfast,” complete with a soft boiled egg, pieces of focaccia, slices of cheese, and a honey sage ricotta that was to die for. Really cool-looking interior, too.

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