I’m a coffeeholic. My morning doesn’t start after a cup of cafe con leche or americano. I’m also a super fan for independent cafes. Whether it’s vintage, hipster, or Nordic style, any places with unique decor and good coffee are on my list. And Barcelona offers exactly what I need.
The top 5 cafes I’ll be introducing today are also my favorites while I was living in Barcelona back in 2016.
#1 Onna Cafe
This has always been, and will always be the No. 1 cafe that I will recommend to anyone that’s visiting Barcelona. Why? Not only do they have the best cafe con leche in the whole Barcelona city, they also got the most delicious banana bread! Onna imported coffee beans from Costa Rica and they roasted fresh coffee every single day. So you are guaranteed to receive a fresh cup accompanied by a warm Hola! whenever you step into this little cozy shop. Onna sells its own brand of coffee to the customers in their shop but you can also find other cafes using their products. The baristas there are all professionally trained and makes good recommendations on coffee choice for your personal taste. Onna is definitely a gem you don’t want to miss in the Gracia neighborhood.
#2 La Bicicleta
Another cool cafe that located just couple blocks down Onna is La Bicicleta. As the name suggests, it’s a bicycle-themed cafe. There’s a board hanging outside the shop, showing other light bites and authentic pizzas that they serve. La bicicleta is more like a cafe/restaurant where you can get a proper meal. Once you step inside the cafe, you will instantly notice the decorative walls and ceiling filled with different parts of a bike like tires and handles. A real-size bike is also displayed outstandingly on the wall outside the kitchen. I always ordered a tiramisu whenever I went there. I love how they spread chocolates powders in the shape of a bike on top of the dessert. I still remember vividly the first visit with my Italian colleague. We left with a tummy of good food and mind of blissfulness. Make sure you stop by this little cafe when you’re in the Gracia neighborhood. One reason I love about Barcelona is that every neighborhood comes with their distinctive vibes that will surprise you in every corner you turn.
#3 Spice Cafe
Now let’s hop on the metro, take the green line and visit Spice Cafe in Poble Sec. Spice Cafe is well known for its yummy homemade baked goods. Ranging from cakes, muffins and even quiche. Their spiced chia tea is a must-try if you love the rich aromatic flavors dancing in your mouth. I ordered a cafe con leche (duh) and the iconic carrot cake. Best combo ever! Poble Sec is one of the neighborhoods where most expats are living. Therefore, the owner organise different events every week. Sometimes you’ll also find people doing Spanish/English exchange in groups. I think it’s a wonderful way to meet new friends and improve your Spanish. If you are or you were working in Barcelona like me, your colleagues are the best teachers/guides to show you the best of Barcelona.
#4 Cosmo Cafe
Cafe Cosmo is a cafe loved by both me and my colleagues. To start off, it’s located nearby the University of Barcelona. Therefore it’s always filled with students and gives off an young, energetic vibe. It may look plain on the outside but the decor inside Cosmo cafe will make you wonder if you’re entering another world. I would say it’s a cafe of perfect balance between conflicts and harmony. You see signs written in Mandarin, menus in English and Spanish, painted art with completely different styles. Paper cranes with various sizes hung below the ceiling. Everything seems to standout yet blend in quite beautifully with the whole background setting at the same time. You have to be there to truly understand what I just described to you. At Cosmo cafe, their seasonal fruit and vegetables juice are what I like the most. (second to coffee of course) Oh! And their Bikini served with crispy toast, ham and cheese…yum! I honestly don’t mind having my meals here every day!
Last but not the least, Satan’s Coffee Corner, another highly recommended coffee shop in Barcelona. Before you go there’s one thing you need to know. They don’t offer WiFi and they specifically mention that on the menu. Some people might think it’s a bit extreme but I think it’s actually quite nice. We should really just spend some quality time have a cup of quality coffee either alone or with your friends and enjoy this little quality moment. Yes, it’s about quality in Satan’s Coffee Corner. I particularly love their design of the space. There are benches where you can sit outside for some quick espresso. There’s also a big long table where you share it with other people. If you’re more of a window seat person like me, you can take a stool and and watch the passersby through the glass.
Barcelona is a city where independent quality cafes continue to bloom. It’s strictly impossible for you to visit all the cafes in this dynamic city because new cafes pop up every once in a while. That’s even better because that means I’ll have all the time to explore more cafes every time I visit there!
What are your top recommended cafes in Barcelona? Have you been to any cafe mentioned above? I would love to know your thoughts! Follow me on Instagram: @viajeradelibre for more travel photos.
Viajera De Libre 
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