Image by AC Uribe

I remember my mother saying it was a good option to cut your hair during new moon because it was supposed to grow quicker. However, when I came to Barcelona I realized there were other perks in cutting it in a full moon.

One of the most attractive hair saloons I had noticed was “La Pelu”. They have some stores around downtown, where you can always see interesting colors and styles in both the people that work and are served there.

La Pelu has a lot of special perks, but one of the longest running is the opening of the store at Argenteria (Argentería 70, near Santa Maria del Mar church) at night one Saturday a month, when the moon is full – from 22:00-01:30. On their web page they have the dates for these “special nights” – next ones are March 3, May 5 and June 2 (2012). An appointment is needed and you will get a reduction on the normal price – plus a fresh glass of cava and a very “Barcelonian” look. It is not possible to pay with credit cards.

If you want to take home a very personal souvenir, this might be a good experience. And well… maybe you even get your hair to grow faster than what you were expecting. Opening times change during summer months.

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La Pelu | Shopping | Haircut +/- € 40
Tallers 35 | El Borne | +34933019773
Mon & Sat 12:00 – 20:00, Tue – Fri 10:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Bill Sinclair

Built in 1892 Mercat de l’Abaceria is situated on the busy Traveserra de Gràcia, just 200 metres from the Library, very near John Lennon Square (see the Lennon square article) and even nearer to Bodega E. Marín (see the Bodega E. Marin article). it is one of four markets in Gràcia and one 39 food markets in the city.

You’ll find some of the very best veggies, fruit, fish, meat, cheeses and herbs here as well as Japanese sushi and fresh pasta, an Iraqi grocer selling food and drink from the eastern mediterranean, and a second-hand bookstall where all the books (some in English) are just € 1.00.

The market has three bars, all of which sell food prepared with ingredients from the market, so, when you’re done shopping for veggies you can cool your heels and slake your thirst before buying your fish, meats and cheeses.

The city council does a really inspiring job of promoting the city’s 43 markets (39 food markets and 4 non-food markets) – with healthy eating tours led by nutritionists – including tours for diabetics and weight watchers – practical demonstrations on food preparation and resource packs for local schools.

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Mercat de l’Abaceria Central | Bars, Shopping, Snacks
Travessera de Gràcia, 186 | Gracia | +34932136286
Mon – Thu 07:00 – 14:30 & 17:30 – 20:30, Fri – Sat 06:00- 15:00 & 17:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Anna Boluda

Every time I enter Colmado Quilez I feel that time doesn’t go by in this place. Shop assistants wear grey overalls and they have to give you the ticket that you take somewhere else to pay before getting your things… Weird now that we are used to the cask desks in supermarkets… and very interesting if you want to feel how our grandmothers used to shop, I guess. Actually, this grocery store opened in 1908 and is still in the same place. 

The reason for such a long success? The quality! They have the best brands -which does not mean the most expensive ones necessarily- of cheese, typical cold meats, canned veggies, foie, tuna, vinegars, olive oils or wines. Just to give you an idea of how this place is: they handle over 30 brands of bottled water from all over the world! 

I must admit that I rarely buy a lot here, at least not my regular shopping list, as I live far from the area. But when I’m looking for some special treat for myself, this is the place. I specially like the olive oils, the modena vinegar section, and they own brand of potato chips!

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Colmado Quilez | Shopping | Bag of potato chips € 1
Rambla de Catalunya 63 | Eixample
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 14:00 & 16:30 – 20:30, Sat 09:00 – 14:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Anna Boluda

This great shop is in one of the most interesting streets in Gràcia, carrer Astúries, filled with some local designers, a couple of eco food shops and some tiny soap or small tea businesses. And among all that, Olokuti is one of my favorite places. 

First, because they sell a lot of interesting stuff: from hippy-style Asian-made clothes to photo frames from recycled materials, fair-trade coffee and my favorite section: what they call eco-gadgets. That includes several types of solar chargers for cellphones or laptops, a bottle that filters tap water or a radio for the shower that uses water pressure as energy. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s worth a visit to see what they have there. I love it. 

The other interesting thing about the shop is that it is located in what used to be a real house, and they haven’t destroyed it in the process to become a business. So you can see the real room sizes, where the original doors and windows where and -the best of it- the different floor tiles for every space!

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Olokuti | Shopping | T-shirt € 20
Astúries 36 | Gracia
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 21:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Anna Boluda

This wonderful store has just opened (Dec. 2011, so new that their website is still under construction) and it’s already one of my favorites. And if, like me, you think that good local food is a great souvenir to take back home, you’ll love it too.

Els Bandolers de Gràcia offers the most typical Catalan products on its best quality options. From a selection of wine and cava (Catalan sparkling wine) and olive oil to sweets or cold meats. I haven’t had time to try them all yet, but I can already recommend the ‘fuets’ and ‘secallones’ (thin cured sausages) and the cans of wild mushrooms. My favorite so far is the selection of ‘olivadas’ (olive paste), specially the Arberquina one (arberquinas are tiny super tasty green olives from the south and interior parts of Catalonia).

On my ‘to try’ list are the local artisans beers and the ‘calçotada’ sauce (the one that is used with spring onions but that works perfectly well with any other grilled veggies too). And I’m sure it won’t take long for me to get back there and see what else they have…

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Els Bandolers de Gràcia | Shopping | Olive paste € 3.50
Verdi 12 | Gracia
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 14:30 & 16:00 – 22:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by AC Uribe

In honest truth, sometimes during vacation one needs a little time off from restaurants. However, one doesn’t feel so adventurous as to cook or eat solely sandwiches.

This little place near the Borne market offers a good solution. From a simple salad to an impressive sushi plate – going into different tradition catalan meals – you could get most interesting things from the international diet – with, of course, a special interest in the Mediterranean meal.

I won’t say it is especially cheap because it is not – it is a about great food ready to eat. Don’t be scared, either: a plate of sushi is around 8€ and a roasted chicken can be around 10€. You don’t have to give a great deal of thinking (and cooking) for your special at home meal, with everything prepared and ready to microwave. They have all the range from starters to dessert, and a great selection of wines.

I was drawn in by the sushi platters but the selection of cheeses, oil, vinegar and other delicatessen canned product is worthwhile the visit. A little hint of Catalan: Bon àpat means, literally, good meal. And, if you ever need it, they offer catering service – to be arranged at the Borne store.

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Bonàpat | Shopping, Snacks
Pg. del Born 34 | El Borne | +34932954262
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 23:00, Sun 11:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by AC Uribe

Wondering what to take back home? How to surprise that friend that has-it-all? How to preserve your memories of funky-Barcelona. Take a walk and go to WaWas. You might find what you need.

The idea of the people behind this shop is to make a unique souvenir shop, with changes from season to season. You’ll find a lot of stuff either designed or directly made in the city, which gives them a different sense from the global souvenirs – that lately seem to be all the same.

The range of articles is quite wide: from a nude book made in Barcelona with “real” women, to kitchen sets, tapas cookbooks, fridge decoration and nice handbags. Also, WaWas has a quite good selection of material for the photographer that went back to the Lomo Camera. Besides other small surprises.

I always find some “object of desire” that will either be good for me or as a very nice present to someone who is leaving far from this place. Take a look at the postcards and to the little corner that has been taken over by kids clothing and Mexican toys. You never know what you can find.

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WaWas | Shopping | Fridge decor € 3
Carders 14 | El Borne | +34933197992
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Anna Boluda

Maybe you need to be crazy about shoes (as I am) to appreciate this shop, but I have to confess that I am nuts about it. Too bad it’s not cheap or I’d probably try to buy the whole collection!

Nagore is a local brand of shoes. Well, actually it started in Menorca (one of the Balearic islands), but the only shop in the continent is this one in the Gracia neighborhood of Barcelona. They are a wild combination of funny design, the bravest colors, eco materials and bright colors. From sandals to high-heeled boots, for women, men and children, but only for open-minded people. 

Why do I say that? Because it’s hard for me to imagine some conservative looking person with some loud orange ankle boots or grass green sandals. Although they also sell more classical brown and black versions too…

I specially like the fact that they use vegetable tanning for the leathers, and either natural or recycled rubber for the soles. The shop itself is so nice I can’t help but going in to have a look every time I pass by. 

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Nagore | Shopping | Ankle boots € 120
Astúries 50 | Gracia
Mon – Sat10:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

This place great tip if you love cooking international recipes at home, but can’t seem to find some of the ingredients because they are odd here (never mind how popular they are in other latitudes). I’m talking about DeliShop, the kind of food and cooking supplies store you were looking for.

DeliShop develops an interesting culinary and commercial concept (world cooking basics), ideal for a city like Barcelona where an important proportion of its population comes from so many and different places.

What would you like to eat today? Where does that flavor come from? Let your appetite pick up the right destination: Maybe Japan or India, China, Thailand, North or South America? If you feel curious about other cultures you should go to the DeliShop and take a look. You will make a trip around the world at a glance.

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DeliShop | Art & culture, Shopping
Travessera de Gracia 141 | Gracia | +34932389945
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

Get ready. I’m going to give you some information that you won’t find anywhere else. I want to recommend to you a very special place. I’m talking about Bocí, one of these places where is really easy to find quality and great care about products and service.

What would you like to taste today? It doesn’t matter how complicated is your appetite or how demanding is your palate, Bocí knows perfectly how to satisfy your needs.

As frequent customer I know that Bocí offers much more than what I’m used to consume there. If I have a high regard for somebody I go to Bocí to find some box of chocolates to make a special gift or perhaps some delicious birthday’s cake. It’s also a great place to have a breakfast or ask for food to take away packaged carefully.

The staff is polite and they take good care of every single detail to present their goods. It’s one of those places where you go and think “I don’t know where to start” because you feel tempted to ask almost everything. The price reflects its quality but I know you won’t regret to pay for it.

Enjoy.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bocí | Coffee & tea, Shopping
Vía Augusta 112 | Above diagonal | +34932371313
07:00 – 22:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona