Image by Anna Boluda

This beautiful park -one of the best ones in Barcelona, if you ask me- is a little bit far from the typical tourist places, and actually is normally pretty quiet. For me, it’s an oasis of peace just on the edge of the city. Metro station Mundet (green line) is the closest one, and then you need to walk for about 15 minutes to get there. 

The park has an open part, normally busier with neighbors from the area, and the labyrinth area, where access is limited and costs two euros (discounts are available for youth, and it’s free on Sundays and Wednesdays). 

Once you enter that part of the park, the combination of silence and birds singing makes you forget that you are in a big city. The labyrinth itself is pretty interesting, and finding the exit might be harder than it seems! Besides this there are some more areas with local plants, and the whole walk can take an hour or more. There are some nice spots to sit and read too. 

By the way, the place used to belong to a marquess family, who brought an Italian architect over to build these gardens at the beginning of the 19th century. It became public in the 1970′s. 

For me, it’s the perfect place to hide from civilization once in a while… also on the hottest sunny days, as there are some shadowed parts that are perfect for those times!

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Parc del Laberint | Relaxing | Entrance (free on Wed & Sun) € 2
Castanyers 1 | Above diagonal
10:00 – dusk daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Anna Boluda

I love this restaurant both for the food and the decoration. Opened in 1970, it keeps the same kind-of-pop style: it is all painted in white, with the image of a young female photographer on every wall. The wall lamps are actually the flash light of her painted camera.

Some people go there because of the hamburgers as they are supposed to be some of the best in the city, even though they are served with no bun. Their secret is that the meat is mixed with capers, and that offers a very peculiar flavour.

But what I really like about this place is the variety of omelettes to choose from: over 70. Yes, you got it right: 70!!! They seem to be able to cook anything with beaten eggs. My first choice, in winter, is the artichoke one (they only serve it when the veggie is in season). The spring baby garlic and the eggplant ones are great too, as well as the cod omelette. Of course they also have the typical Spanish omelette with potatoes, and some with cheese, sausage or even a tasting option with some of them in one dish. 

One more great thing about the place: you can eat there almost anytime, as they don’t close in the afternoon as most local places do, and they keep the kitchen working until well after midnight. 

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Flash Flash | Restaurants (Intern.) | Omelette € 9
La Granada del Penedès, 25 | Above diagonal
13:00 – 01:30 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

I’m going to talk about one of your favourite places in Barcelona, even though probably you don’t know it yet. If you consider yourself as a “Special-Corners Hunter” and you enjoy Thai food you really have to know El Petit Bangkok. It’s a tiny cozy restaurant that can hold just a few people, that’s why it’s always convenient calling to make a reservation before going there.

If you live in Barcelona you know that there are a lot of places that pretend to be much more than they can really offer. This never happens with El Petit Bangkok because it’s a place without other aspirations beyond of what it actually is: A tiny Thai corner.

If you’re looking for a special way to start a remarkable night or ending a hard day I recommend this place to you. The main secret of this place is perhaps its simplicity and quality. The price is honestly fair, considering the culinary offer in this city.

If you go once, you will go twice… at least.

Update: They just moved to a new address about one block away. (Check it out!) It’s one bigger yet cosy place. Enjoy!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
El Petit Bangkok | Restaurants (Thai) | Dinner from € 15.00
Carrer de Saragossa 85 | Above diagonal | +34616185196
Tue – Sat 13:00 – 16:00 & 20:00 – 23:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

The Turó del Putget Park is one of those beautiful green spaces this city offers to whom nature plays a very important role in any urban scene.

I consider it a lovely privilege to be there for two important reasons. The first -most of the lazy people will like this- it is very easy to visit this park and enjoy a moment of peace. The second reason is the views of Barcelona you can enjoy once you’re there at the top of the hill this park is located. You can see almost 360º around, so it’s a great spot to understand how this city works from the Tibidabo’s Mountain to the beach.

I highly recommend you start the visit from the highest side of the park. You will need to climb a long slope until reaching the top but I promise this tiny effort worth it. Feel free to take your photo camera with you and walk down until the main entry.

Shhh… Do you hear it? Hmmm… You don’t hear anything, right? That’s the idea, don’t you think? Go and enjoy.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Turó del Putget Park | Relaxing
Manacor 9 | Above diagonal
10:00 – 18:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

After 6 years of living here I have gotten to know a lot of pizzerias in Barcelona. This time I will talk about one of my very favorites. I want to recommend to you the Nova Fontana Pizzeria.

They offer slices of pizza so you can try many flavors. The pizzas are crusty and delicious. Every time I go I ask for a beer and 2 pizzas, usually a “Nova Fontana” and the other a “4 cheeses” because I’m one of those cheese lovers who can’t help to enjoy the flavors and textures of melted cheese in the palate.

I know 2 other similar places at Barcelona that offer pizzas in the same way, however I think you will find the best ones at this place. It’s a great place to eat and it’s located in my neighbourhood. What else could I say? I feel lucky and I’m happy to share this secret with you.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pizzeria Nova Fontana | Snacks, Restaurants (Italian) | Pizza € 12.00
Santjoanistes 8 | Above diagonal
Tue – Sat 12:30 – 16:00 & 20:00 – 00:00

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

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

When I started living in Barcelona I was not used to the Spanish commercial schedules at all. I still think the most of the stores here should change their opening times to the new people’s way of living. I can’t help but feel that stores don’t want to sell more than they do because they’re closed just when people are off, and are walking on the streets.

However, I know a secret that could save your life the same night you come home late at night. When you open the fridge and then you realize it’s empty, don’t worry! You still have a last chance to find some bread, cheese and drinks at La Perla de Sant-Gervasi. This place is not just another bakery. You will find there many types of canned supplies, all kind of drinks, some vegetables, snacks and confectionery or even… bread! As you see this is not just a tip but a great advice. Use it wisely.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Perla | Shopping
Santjoanistes 6 | Above diagonal | +34932371930
10:00 – 00:30 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

What is delicious and what is not? Sometimes is very hard for me to give a correct answer. Since I remember, enjoying natural fruity juices is extremely easy for me. It’s not the same with beers or wine, for example; I confess I learned to enjoy these flavors and I had to “practice” a lot to find the main secrets of these beverages. But, come on! Orange juice is delicious and almost any blend of fruits can awake the feeling of “inner peace” in me. I don’t know! It’s strange but it’s also true that I can feel the balance of the universe every single time I drink some fruity blend.

The Zuum is a sort of battle-fruit star ship, the right way to reconnect ourselves with our most basic composition. Drink life, refresh your cells, quench your thirst healthily and follow this advice. It’s about your body and mind. It’s about your nature. Wanna join the adventure of the nature’s trip? Try the Zuum. O RELAX or choose your favourite blend if you prefer.

Sorry for my good mood… I just got back from there.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Zuum | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Smoothies € 7.00
Plaza Molina, 6 | Above diagonal | +34934146180
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

Perhaps the best way to describe the Catalonian coque (English – coca. Pronounced cohcah) is this: Crusty thin and long bread as versatile and multipurpose as a pizza. It’s not a pizza at all, I know, but I need to use it as a reference because it’s much more known than coques for sure. Coques can be sweet or salted, you can eat them at any temperature. Wow! Now that I think about it, maybe astronauts should carry coques to outer space.

Indeed. Most human beings don’t know coques and pizzas represent one of the most common flavors of the Mediterranean Sea, but this fact is kept by the locals as a secret and coques mean a sort of regional proud always present in their traditions and holidays.

You should consider La Coqueria as a bank of regional secrets, a place to find a good selection of wines, cheese and sausages; a sophisticated spot to know the other side of these Mediterranean flavours you don’t know yet.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Coqueria | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Spanish) | Meal € 18.00
Saragossa 66 | Above diagonal | +34934161560
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 16:00 & 18:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona

Image by Pedro Ghinaglia

As coffee lovers we know perfectly that having a good cup of coffee it’s not just drinking a coffee.

This magical beverage needs some conditions to be properly enjoyed. At Liadísimo Café you will find the most of these conditions. Perhaps the first and most important it could be the kind attention you will receive for sure. Ohh! I know! A good service could be hard to find sometimes… But at Liadísimo’s this good service is guaranteed.

I’ve known this place since it opened a couple of years ago. It’s very near to my house so you can find me there almost every afternoon around 18:00. The Liadísimo Café is a sort of “Central’s Perk” for me and my friends. We’re used to meet there and share some drinks and talk about our day and plan some common projects and keep updated with our lives.

I recommend you go and enjoy a coffee there, never mind if you’re alone or not, you can ask for the wide variety of teas and other drinks they can offer always with a big smile attached to the service. They’re also English speakers and I’m sure they would help you if you have any doubts about this city.

Once you’ve gained new energy to take another hike you can walk to see another Gaudi’s oddity: Casa Viçens, located just two blocks away at Barrio de Gracia. Feel free to explore this neighbourhood; I’m sure you will discover new places and experiences.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Liadísimo Café | Coffee & tea | Meal € 10.00
Guillem Tell 23-25 | Above diagonal | +34933682630
Mon – Fri 07:30 – 21:00, Sat 09:00 – 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Barcelona