Image by AC Uribe

I discovered this place thanks to one of my classmates for University, who told me her mom used to take her here to eat “the best chocolate croissants” in Barcelona. And they are not only delicious – they can be tiny.

One of the best sellers at the Forn Mistral (literally, Mistral Bakery) are the small chocolate croissants, sold by weight. But you can also take home regular sized croissants and other sweets delights, without even taking into consideration different kinds of bread – designed to please even the most picky eater. They also make traditional birthday cakes and if you need anything special in terms of size, it is just a matter of asking.

The main shop is at Ronda Sant Antoni, but in the street just behind it (Torres i Amat 7), there is also a big cafeteria where all the fresh produce in the shop is sold to eat at the place, along with coffee, tea, orange juice or other refreshments. The baguettes turn into delicious and traditional bocatas and the white ensaimadas are better when soaked into a cup of warm café con leche.

No English is spoken, but you can get around pointing at things. The way in the cafeteria is ordering, eating and paying at the counter before leaving. When ordering a coffee with milk, you’ll be asked if you want it “muy caliente” – very hot. If you say yes, be careful not to burn yourself. And don’t miss those croissants!

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Forn Mistral | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Chocolate croissant € 1.80
Ronda Sant Antoni 96 | El Raval | +34933018037
Mon – Sat 07:30 – 21:00

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Image by AC Uribe

This is not the typical tapas joint for tourists – it is so not it, they don’t open on Sundays! They cater mostly to people that work around and look for a nice combination on good price and excellent food. From breakfast to late dinner.

Their name (Flauta – Flute) comes from the small sandwiches they make with very fresh bread, not to big, which allows you to taste more than one. But they also have all kinds of salads and a great variety of fresh tapas, always according to what is available in the market.

La Flauta can take groups with lovely rooms upstairs, but it should be booked in advance: everything, from working lunches to birthdays, happens here everyday. Many people also just stay in the bar for a quick bite and a fresh glass of beer – or caña. It’s also a classic for people working around, since the midday menu on weekdays is reasonable in price (around €12) and really worth the trip.

Another good thing is that their tapas kitchen is open all day long, so you can have early dinner or late lunch. However, if you get in around 21:00 at night be prepare to wait along the bar – but the wait is worth it.

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La Flauta | Snacks, Restaurants (Tapas) | Lunch menu € 11
Aribau 23 | Eixample | +34933237038
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by AC Uribe

One new traditional Italian plate is sweeping Barcelona: the piadinas. They are easy to eat, not very expensive and can be as imaginative as the client adventurous. The idea is simple: a basic bread, thin (very much like Mexican tortillas, I have to say) that you can fill with both savoury and sweet foods.

At Santa Piadina they make the artisan mixture in-situ to serve the piadinas fresh and authentic. The fillings keep on changing, with “Piadina del Día”, and also some seasonal or market variation, includying for example, fresh calamari. You can have them with a soda, a beer or a glass of bubbly Italian lambrusco. If your salty tooth is satisfied, don’t leave without some sweet discovery: maybe one with Nutella and banana or other fruits, honey and sugar.

Somewhere between a crêpe and a taco, it’s a quick and tasty way to eat for me, even on the go. And if none of the “standard” combinations really attract you, it’s always possible to make your own combination. Ask! They are friendly!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Santa Piadina | Snacks, Restaurants (Italian) | Per piadina € 6
Plaça Sant Pere 11 | El Borne | +34932683359
13:00 – 00:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by AC Uribe

La Campana is a store well known in Barcelona for their delicious turrones – the typical Spanish toffees, classic for Christmas. But the fact is that this high-calory treats are great whenever you feel a little chilly.

Be warned – being La Campana, one of the traditional turrón stores in Barcelona, you can find huge queues outside to get something – for Christmas dinner or to enjoy on a sweet-tooth afternoon. But if you can stand the challenge, just go and try. Indulge in the delicious smell coming out from the store and on the great holiday wrappings and package gifts.

Being a family business, you’ll find people behind the corner eager to explain the candy and even let you test it. If you want to take something back home or give a nice souvenir, don’t even hesitate. This is as local as you can get.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Campana | Snacks | Per kilo € 20.00
Flassaders, 15 | El Borne
Winter 10:00 – 21:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafa

Barrio Gotico is the heart of the nightlife in the city.

Along with Born, Raval and Gracia are one of the most bohemian districts in the city, filled with parks, squares, bars, clubs and clandestine underground after hours, as well as some rare unique unusual exotic delicious litle sins, like Belgian crepes and smoothies.

Don’t miss the 69 combo. No my friends, they don’t sell horizontal experiences, though you might become infatuated by the combination of a salty and a sweet crepe!

Or let it loose to experience certain internal conditions and emotions, which might be noticed externally, that will drive you to a different state of consciousness with the mango passion smoothie.

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Belgious | Bars, Snacks | Combo 69 menu € 6.90
Carrer Avinyo 50 | El Barrio Gotico | +34934124965
Mon – Thu 13:30 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 13:30 – 03:00, Sun 16:00 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafael Dujarric

What you see is what you get! Nor fancy outfit neither gourmet extravaganza, just warm and family atmosphere, hospitality, gentle touch, interesting chat, contagious mood, great Mediterranean food and better prices.

It’s located in the heart of the Gothic quarter, at 3 minutes walk from the city hall and 10 minutes from the Gothic cathedral.

Don’t miss their falafel and humus wrap.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
El Cocinero de Damasco | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants | falafel / wrap € 3.50
Templers 2, corner with Palau | El Barrio Gotico
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Rafa Dujarric

“we had wine, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun…”

Well, despite the fact the summer is almost gone, we still have some wine and sun. But even if we didn’t, we would never run out of fun!

But thank god, it’s not so hot anymore. So it’s time for a juicy and succulent hamburger, not made with discarded items from the chain of consumption, surrounded by an urban vibe.

Anyway, despite the season Pim Pam will still be there before, during and afterwards – definitely the best and bigger burgers in town!

For the meat epicures and fast food sibaritas they also have frankfurters, bratwurst, chicken burgers, home made chips and stroganoff.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pim Pam Burger | Snacks, Restaurants (Hamburger) | Roquefort burger € 5
sabateret 4 | El Borne | +34933152093
13:00 – 12:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Bill Sinclair

In 1969 the U.S.A. supposedly first landed men on the Moon. They stopped going there in 1972. They’d visited the place just six times. Why did they stop going there? There was no atmosphere they said.

Well, there’s lots of atmosphere at this little moon – morning, day and night.

Tucked inside a cozy basement on the busy corner of Provença and Balmes, Moon is one of a few places I know of which, regardless of the time of day between 8.30 and 01:30, you can rely on getting a bite, a drink and atmosphere.

There are loads of spots which are good for an early morning coffee and a pastry, and a fair few places which are good for an esmorzar later in the morning. There are innumerable places for a good menú del día; and a good many spots good for an afternoon beer, coffee or tea – or berenar/merienda. There are a host of good places for an early evening vermut, or tapas; dozens of places for dinner, and loads of places for an after-dinner drink or cocktail. At Moon you can get it all – from breakfast coffee to after-midnight snacks and cocktails, complete with books, magazines and music.

The hamburgers and vegetarian burgers here are really very good, as are the salads. And their menú del día is very good value.

Try it, and, unlike the U.S.A., you’ll find you’ll want to go back time and again.

You can rely on Moon – it’s a very good, conveniently located, all-rounder.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
MOON Café-bar | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants | Menú del día € 9.95
Provença, 213 | Eixample | +34934881721
Mon – Fri 07:00 – 02:00, Sat 09:00 – 03:00, Sun 17:00 – 03:00

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 Bill Sinclair

This welcoming bar-restaurant, one of three of a small chain, with its bohemian vibe and quirky art and decor, has become one of my favorite places for meeting up with a friend for a drink, a bite and a good old chinwag. There’s no TV blaring away in the corner, no slot machines and no crap music. But there is good, reasonably priced food and drink and friendly service.

The owner is an artist-photographer and the collection of artwork is worth a closer look. The rooms at the back are cosy and intimate, ideal for project meetings or just gossip.

Try one of their sartens (small frying-pans) of provolone cheese, served with breadsticks, or chorizo or morcilla (black pudding) with scrambled egg or ciervo (venison)- delicious. The menu is refreshingly different – and the wines are very good value too.

And, as a bonus, they serve probably the best gin and tonics in the city. Honest. Even if you don’t try one – just watching the bar staff prepare them is fun.

And, if you’re interested in architecture then another bonus is that Salvador Valeri i Pupurell’s magnificent Casa Comalat is just a hundred meters away, on the opposite side of the street.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Úbeda | Art & culture, Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Spanish) | Sarten € 5.00
Còrsega 339 | Eixample | +34934152537
Mon – Thu 07:30 – 00:30, Fri – Sat 09:30 – 13:00 & 20:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona