4 pretty cafés for snacks or brunch in the Eixample Esquerra quarter

The Eixample is one of Barcelona’s most central quarters. Laid out on a grid plan between Plaça Catalunya and the Passeig de Gràcia, where you’ll find Gaudí’s most famous houses and some pretty shopping streets, it’s also home to some great cafés where you can stop and recharge your batteries while exploring the city!

Whether you’re looking for brunch, breakfast or a mid-afternoon treat, these places tick all of the boxes. Time to wake up and smell the coffee…

Cosmo Gallery: a café… and an art gallery

Cosmo Gallery is a contemporary café which combines elements from different artistic disciplines to create a truly inspiring experience. Listen to the music, view the art, taste the food – it’s a multi-sensory treat! The concept behind the food is great, too: high-quality, local produce transformed into simple but delicious dishes.

• The coffee served here is NØMAD, the crème de la crème of coffee in Barcelona.
• The bread is brought in fresh from El Forn de la Llibreria, a craft bakery just metres down the road.
• All in all, this is slow food at its best!

Cosmo Gallery is a favourite with Barcelona’s “influencer” crowd – helped along by the fact that it offers excellent value for money!

• Try the house “Munch”: boiled egg, toast, fruit salad, and two options from a selection of salmon, avocado, beetroot hummus or brie… all for a mere €8!
• Treat yourself to one of the deep-filled sandwiches (€6). Our favourite is the vegetarian Verdi option: goat’s cheese, edam, avocado, spinach and pesto. Delicious!
• Don’t miss the incredible carrot cake, one of the best in Barcelona.

• The Cosmo is a victim of its own success, and can get very busy at certain times. Not the best option if you’re in a hurry! However, note that Cosmo Gallery has two “sister” cafés, Cometa (carrer del Parlament, 20) and Orion (Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 511), with exactly the same menu!

Why? For the art and the hip vibe
How much? Under €10 (breakfast options from €3-4)
When? Every day, 10am – 10pm
Where? Carrer Enric Granados, 3

Café El árbol: rhapsody in green

The latest addition to our list is also the most unusual! El árbol, which opened in 2017, is a little oasis of greenery in the heart of the Eixample, a few minutes from Plaça Universitat.

As you might expect from a place called “the tree” (we even help you to brush up on your Spanish here – you can thank us later), there are plants everywhere, from the floor to the ceiling. There’s also a garden swing and soft, natural wood décor. Pop into this forest glade for a tasty brunch and you’ll forget you’re in the middle of a bustling city!

• The menu features all of the brunch classics and current favourites, including avocado and salmon on toast, pancakes, breakfast bowls and eggs benedict. Better still, nothing will cost you more than €10.
• The “café con leche grande” (more Spanish revision), at €2.50, is one for even the most die-hard coffee addicts: almost a whole bowl of the good stuff.
• Top tip: El árbol is open 365 days a year. No excuse not to visit!
• The portions of cake are humungous – consider sharing one and split the bill! (You could always order a second piece later. Just saying. 😉 )

• One small criticism: the red velvet cake, an American classic, is very well presented, but the filling is actually thick whipped cream rather than the traditional frosting. It’s not bad, but if you’re expecting “proper” red velvet, you may be disappointed.

Why? For the greenery… and the swing
How much? Full breakfast, €10-15
When? Every day, 9am – 10pm
Where? Carrer de Consell de Cent, 252

Oma Bistró: THE brunch spot for locavore hipsters

Oma Bistró is yet another place you’ll want to tell your friends about. The industrial-style décor is bright and original, the cakes are home-made, and the food is eminently Instagrammable. One of the best places to start your day off on the right foot!

“Oma” means “granny” in German (more language revision!), and everything here is home-made, from the cakes to the beer! The menu is short but sweet and impeccably designed.

Our favourites:

• The fluffy pancakes, served with berries, banana, maple syrup and whipped cream (€6)
• The perfect, textbook Eggs Benedict (€11)
• The cakes. Aaaaaaall the cakes.
• The traditional breakfast options, priced between 3 and 6 euros, all served with a drink.

• For a slightly different and enriching experience, why not take a seat at the big table, alongside other travellers and locals in for their morning coffee? Yet another opportunity to brush up your language skills!

Why? For the light and the international vibe
How much? Breakfast/brunch for around €10 (set options without a drink, €6)
When? Every day, 9am – 9pm
Where? Consell de Cent, 227

Cup&Cake: life in technicolour!

The Cup&Cake family is something of an institution in Barcelona. What started out as a single shop selling tasty American-style cupcakes is now a chain with five different branches across Barcelona, serving non-stop brunch all day long.

Experts in creating a subtle balance of colours and tastes, they specialise in transforming classics into surprising, multi-coloured feasts for the eyes. From purple poached eggs to decorated pineapples via syringes of guacamole, you won’t know where to look first! It all tastes as good as it looks, too – whatever you choose, it’s sure to be delicious.

• The menu changes with the seasons, but a number of timeless classics are always on offer, including Eggs Benedict, avocado on toast and the “super sandwiches”.
• All of the products used are organic and local wherever possible, including French Valrhona chocolate and 100% organic coffee – and it shows!
• If you’re on the hunt for brunch, then head to the Rosselló or Enric Granados 19 branches. The one at Enric Granados 145 specialises in cakes and cupcakes, so it’s better for coffee and cake or afternoon treats.

• The family slogan is “In Grandmothers we Trust”. Everything is made slowly and by hand – the old way.

Why? For the irresistible cupcakes!
How much? Cupcakes €2.50, slices of cake €4.50, brunch €8
When? The Enric Granados branches are open every day from 9am – 8pm; Rosselló, 8.30am – 10pm
Where? Enric Granados 145 and 19, Carrer de Rosselló 189

If you’re looking for brunch in other areas of Barcelona, see our article on Barcelona’s top 5 brunch spots. Bon appétit!