The Best Cafes in El Born, Barcelona

The Best Cafes in El Born, Barcelona

El Born is the heartbeat of Barcelona’s old town. It’s the hub of restaurants, bars, cafes and boutique shopping; a neighborhood you can’t help but spend too much time in, especially when your intention was to simply pass through.

El Born sits just inland of the Barceloneta beaches that make up the east coast. Despite being incredibly trendy, el Born is also incredibly laid back and hanging out in beach wear is largely permitted.

Ina Espai de Cafè i Piadina in El Born – by Ina Espai de Cafè i Piadina – Uploaded by them

I love cafes in el Born, because they open early to serve breakfast, brunch and lunch — and then stay open deep into the evenings, having turned into cocktail bars along the way.

Blau Cucina e Caffé in El Born

Blau Cucina e Caffé is a charing little Italian cafe in the northern side of el Born .

Italian cafes are interesting because they do cafe-style meals but instead of avo on toast or Eggs Benedict you’re getting a prosciutto sandwich or eggs with melon. It’s traditional Italian cafe eats in the heart of Barcelona.

Blau Cucina e Caffé in El Born – by Blau Cucina e Caffé – Uploaded by them

In true Italian style, Blau Cucina also does authentic Italian coffees. They bring them in from Italy and roast their bean fresh daily. Another thing made fresh daily is their homemade tiramisu.

This cafe is on the same block as the Santa Caterina Market. This is a high point for el Born; a market of fresh produce and meats from around the country. There are also a few vendors and street food stalls available.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday –  10am to 12am

ADDRESS: Carrer de Freixures, 5, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Jaume I

Ina Espai de Cafè i Piadina in El Born

Ina Espai is this interesting grunge meets hipster meets health food cafe hybrid. It’s a cafe where you can have an acai bowl and an ice cold beer at the same time and call it a balanced diet.

Since they are open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and late night dining, their menu needs to cater for people of all diets and it does. There are as many options for vegans and vegetarians as there are for the carnivores.

Ina Espai de Cafè i Piadina in El Born – by Ina Espai de Cafè i Piadina – Sourced from their Facebook

I love their house sandwiches and the homemade hummus as a side. They are widely known for their great piadinas; made in traditional Italian style with either meaty or vegetarian fillings.

After 10pm this spot is more of a bar hangout, though certain menu items are available all night long.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Wednesday TO Monday –  9am to 1:30am

ADDRESS: Carrer dels Carders, 43, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Jaume I

Buenaventura Cafe in El Born

Buenaventura Cafe took Barcelona by storm when it opened up and brought a vegan Eggs Benedict to the people. It’s been going strong ever since, and for the record it is not a vegan cafe.

Their menu is simply inclusive. They have catered generous options to the vegan, vegetarian, lactose free and gluten free communities as well as to the meat eaters. They also do freshly baked gluten free bread loaves that are available for purchase.

Buenaventura Cafe in El Born – by Buenaventura Cafe – Uploaded by them

You’ll march right past Buenaventura during a free guided walking tour through Barcelona’s old town; it’s right in the heart.

Prices are affordable considering the overall quality of food and impeccable service. I love coming here before a day on the beach a few blocks down.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Saturday –  9am to 10pm

ADDRESS: Carrer de Trafalgar, 50, 08010 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Urquinaona

LULU in El Born

LULU is actually closer to the beach than Buenaventura is. It’s more of a typical European cafe in that it opens early and closes early too, you won’t be able to enjoy late night drinking or dining here.

But LULUs is home to many locals in these parts. It’s a space where creatives come to co-work in the space, and travelers come because they’ve read about it on travel blogs.

LULU in El Born – by LULU – Uploaded by them

Note that there are certain hours of the afternoon where LULUs closes their kitchen for service. While the cafe itself will remain open, certain main dishes will not be available. It’s not clear what time this occurs, I usually call before I go just to be sure.

Though not a vegan cafe by any stretch, they offer a fantastic vegan ice cream that can be served on its own or with a slice of their fresh baked apple crumble. It’s as good as it sounds, yes.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday –  9am to 8pm

ADDRESS: Av. del Marquès de l’Argentera, 7, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Barceloneta

Alsur Café & Backdoor Bar in El Born

Alsur is one of el Borns best kept secrets because it is so, so good but so, so hidden away all at the same time. It’s as far north as you can go in this neighborhood, and boarders the lower boundary of the Ciutadella Park.

Alsur does all the brunch foods you know and love. Decadent pancakes and waffles, Eggs Benedict that the British would approve of, Florentine sandwiches that melt in your mouth. They also do a banana bread French toast dish that I went back to eat the day after I tried it the first time.

Alsur Café & Backdoor Bar in El Born – by Alsur Café & Backdoor Bar – Sourced from their Facebook

They call themselves the Backdoor Bar as well because as the night descends on Barcelona this cafe comes more and more alive. The bar is on the back terrace; drinks and food are 10% higher in price out here but absolutely worth it.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday –  9am to 12am

ADDRESS: Carrer de la Ribera, 18, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Barceloneta