Spring in Barcelona.
New spots on my maps, now in your inbox.
Hello Spriiiing!
My favourite season. The season we slowly emerge from our dark little caves and ease back into the world. The sun resumes its quiet work of burning our skin, nature awakens and blooms, my favourite ice-cream spot reopens and the blueness of the sea becomes a deeper, far more electric blue. I loosen my grip and decide to soften, move a little slower, a little lighter. Because if spring has arrived, maybe it’s time for me to do the same.
Had I been in Cyprus now, i’d be looking at that deep blue color of the sea. (Currently catching glimpses of it through other people’s Instagram stories and yes it makes me a little homesick.) Instead, i’m in Barcelona—and cannot complain—taking longer walks to relish the sunshine, consuming more affogatos than I should, making lighter salads for lunch and taking longer to hang my laundry on the rooftop veranda in hopes of catching a tan.
On the subject of affogatos: my favourite ice-cream spot in Gràcia—if not the whole of Barcelona—is AMMA gelato. They make no-fuss ice-cream only using natural ingredients. So when you’re having pistachio, it really does come from the fruit.
After being closed during the winter months, probably they too, being in a dark cave, they came in strong with a newly-built coffee corner inside the shop, serving specialty coffee by SlowMov, blending their insane ice-cream with high quality coffee and making the best affogatos in town. Order yours with pistachio instead of vanilla. Trust me, it’s a sure winner.
On one of my longer walks through the neighbourhood, on my way to the showroom of Alaire (a gorgeous Barcelona-based brand!), I stumbled upon this spot: Cafe de la casa. Can’t seem to find an instagram page but in case you want to swing by it’s on Rambla de Prat, 10, Gràcia.
This spot I used to go to, Auto-Rosellon got a full-blown renovation and is now called SuperAuto. Gorgeous interiors, a new brunch and lunch menu, and a killer wine list if you’re looking for a-one-spot-does-it-all.
Sometime in July or August i’ll be moving to Sant Antoni so I’ve started keeping a close eye on new openings in the neighbourhood. A week ago I found Fonik Café. Coffee, music and ice-cream. Right up my alley.
And close to that, is this absolut gem of a place i’ve discovered: Kiosco de Ideas. If someone had to create my dream space, this would be it. A hybrid of library, gallery, and coffee spot, it brings together independent publications, thoughtful exhibitions, and a rotation of weekly events.
