We all probably know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But in Barcelona (and Spain) do we dedicate this meal the time it deserves? How is actually a typical breakfast in Barcelona? Which are the best places to enjoy this meal? To find out the answers to those questions, here we are again conducting another research on some of the topics we enjoy the most: food! :-P
How a typical breakfast in Barcelona (and Spain) looks like?
As in most cities, if you are running late to work the most probably kind of breakfast you are going to get is just a latte to take away, that you will have to manage to finish on your way to work (that is subway, walking on the street…). But when you do have time for having a relaxed breakfast before heading to work, or on in the weekend, how it is like? In Barcelona who will find these options
1. Coffee (mostly “café con leche”) + a pastry (a croissant, a cupcake or cookies)
Not the healthiest, but one of the most typical breakfasts in Barcelona. Coffee with milk (highly recommended the Spanish coffee guide we wrote ;-)) along with a pastry or even a piece of cake.
2. Coffee (mostly “café con leche”) + small sandwich (entrepà/bocadillo)
This is also another popular choice, coffee accompanied by a small sandwich, but not the “standard sandwich” you might have in mind, these “bocadillos” are usually made with baguette bread and of course following the “pà amb tomaquet” style.
3. Coffee (mostly “café con leche”) + Toasts with butter and jam
This is not that common in coffee shops, but however it is one of the most popular options when eating breakfast at home. Preparing some coffee and also some toasts with butter and jam. This option has also its own healthy version: toasts with avocado (and a natural juice maybe, instead of coffee).
There is also people that instead of coffee prefer other options such as milk with Cola Cao or Nesquik. And now you might be wondering “What is Cola Cao and Nesquik”. Well, to me they once were little treasures that I couldn’t find in any supermarket in Missoula. So I had to replace them for Cocoa (now you are probably getting an idea of what these weird names are refering too :-P). For more anecdotes, you can check out this post about my first experience doing the groceries in a supermarket in the United States (what a day!).
Where to have a traditional breakfast in Barcelona?
Depending on the breakfast you will like to have, there are many nice places in the city where the locals go. Here are two of our favorite places:
Granja Viader
We have always loved Granja Viader, and some weeks ago we did an interview to Mercè Casademunt (the 3th generation in charge of the business). They have been serving their famous breakfasts since 1870. Churros, melindros, homemade whipped cream… Not that Catalans go to this place everyday, but when they want to have a special breakfast with family or friends, this is the place chosen. Not only for the food but for the beautiful cozy atmosphere of Granja Viader.
Granja Petitbo
In Granja Petitbo you can have breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner… This place has gain a lot of popularity these past years, and it is probably not that quiet as Granja Viader. But the special decoration inside along with their delicious cakes makes it also another nice place to have a typical breakfast in Barcelona. Look at that light that gets in:
And if it is your first time going out for a meal in the city (or you are just spending a couple of days exploring the city), you might want to know first whether to tip or not tip in Barcelona and also the mealtimes in Spain.
