Sometimes you need a break from pounding the tourist trail in Barcelona, and it can be well worth walking a little further away from the throng to seek out a place which has more of the “real” Spain about it. With this in mind, a brunch-time visit to Granja Petitbo should be firmly inked onto the itinerary. Located in the Eixample district and within walking distance of the Sagrada Familia, this café has got bags of charm and a reasonably priced, well received menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Just be prepared to break out some of your phrasebook Spanish in this part of town.
Leather armchairs and sofas are always a welcome addition to an interior, and especially these well-worn ones that don’t stick to your bare legs as readily as new ones. The rustic wooden tables are another feature that have seen some service, and recycled crates, an old Euro-centric map, lightly battered terracotta tiling and a wall of ageing plaster add to the venue’s vintage quality. Finally, and somewhat bizarrely, we’re told by the owners that the place is cow-friendly – if you come accompanied by a cow, you’ll get free coffee. That’s what they said, but droving cattle through the streets of Barcelona might be more trouble than it’s worth.
