The City Girl Cooks Barcelona Brunch Guide 2019
Updated: Aug 9, 2021
I've always said, "I don't do restaurant reviews" and rest assured, I'm not about to start.
This is a list of solid brunch spots from a City Girl in Barcelona. Because everyone has their idea of brunch and sometimes it's a hit, sometimes it's a miss. This guide is to help you get closer to what you're looking for. Consider it your brunch mood board.
Side note: England gets the credit for being the first to brunch. An author named Guy Beringer in 1895 wrote in his essay Brunch: A plea, some sort of a suggested menu for the unlucky souls suffering those Sunday morning hangovers.Spoiler alert: it was mostly sausage
Brunching abroad
By now, brunch has become a worldwide institution and if you're a city kid like me, or if you travel a lot, it's become a universal comfort-meal that you can find almost anywhere. In Barcelona, just like in any city, there's usually a local twist thrown in which, depending on your mood, can be a great way to expand your horizons or maybe leave you a bit confused and sometimes disappointed. But don't forgo your eggs benny just yet.
It's a mood.
Wrapping your hands around a mug of fresh, hot coffee, topping off the bubbles in your mimosa, visions of saucy Eggs Benedict over a lightly crisped English muffin. Oven-roasted rosemary potatoes, salmon gravlax, fresh fruit, pancakes, french toast, and usually a frittata or Quiche. These are usually my brunch menu must-have's. And these things are definitely on the menu in Barcelona, but not everywhere.
Brunching in Barcelona.
To help avoid any unnecessary confusion, use this guide to help you navigate the Barcelona brunch scene to find the right spot for your mood and moment.
The list is a result of information gathered from local blogs, popular lists, magazines, influencers, recommendations from Spanish, English, and Italian sources, and a personal experience at each. It's from the perspective of an American born, half Italian writer and entrepreneur who loves brunch.
The City Girl Cooks Barcelona Brunch Guide
Brunch is a mood. These are the current places in Barcelona with a strong game.
Alsur
Auto Rosellon
Benedict
Billy Brunch
Brunch & Cake
Caravelle
Cecconi's
Clubhaus
El Arbol
Flax & Kale
Picnic
The Federal Cafe
1. Alsur
Alsur Al Born
Plaça de Sant Cugat, 1, 08003 Barcelona
Alsur Cafe and Backdoor Bar
Carrer de la Ribera, 18, 08003 Barcelona
Alsur Cafe Lluria
Carrer de Roger de Llúria, 23, 08010 Barcelona
Alsur Cafe Palau
Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 4, 08003 Barcelona
Chic and light, beach house vibe. Instagram friendly. Adventurous or easy eats, from the Kamikaze Skillet to a scrambled eggs with jamon Iberico. Get some local flavors with creative spins. People on laptops, families with kids, or just friends enjoying breakfast, you can take anyone here for any occasion. It's a Barcelona staple. In house bakery means sumptuous cakes like matcha cheesecake, and lemon pie. Limited but full selection of fresh juices and smoothies, good mix of sweet and savoury menu items for veggie and meat-lovers.
2. Auto Rosellon
Carrer Rosellon 182, Barcelona, Spain
A vintage feel, an artisanal hipster touch. A tiny space that feels airy and light with a focus on craftsmanship. The menu follows suit. Just a few choices one of which is a replay on Eggs Benedict with razor-thin shaved ham draped over a homemade bun and a touch of hollandaise. A great place to meet up but maybe not to linger. Curious eaters will enjoy something local and slightly elevated.
3. Benedict
Carrer d'en Gignàs, 23, 08002 Barcelona
The morning after; English University vibe. Whatever combination of basic brunch you desire, from bacon and eggs to french toast. Fully satisfying combos that include standard coffee and mimosas. International, young, college feel but not rowdy. Perfectly reasonable to meet up with friends or the family. Not very veggie forward but not impossible.
4. Billy Brunch
Carrer de Bailin, 115, 08009 Barcelona
Industrial and graphic art elements on top of antique Spanish tiles. Brunch on point. Hype Beasts to hippies, it's a popular spot that throws down a mostly classic, straightforward brunch for English, Aussie, or American brunch enthusiasts. Eggs Benedict with roasted potatoes, buttered toast, and sausages ("bangers"), pancakes, and of course, avocado toast. Seating out front or inside.
5. Brunch & Cake
Brunch & Cake Carrer d'Enric Granados, 19, 08007 Barcelona Brunch & Cake by the Sea Passeig de Joan de Borbó Brunch & Cake Rosselló Carrer del Rosselló, 189, 08036 Barcelona Brunch & Cake Granados Carrer d'Enric Granados, 145
Adventurous eating in Neverland, have cameraphone ready. Unique combinations for which you'll want to keep an extremely open mind. Like, Cardi B open. Expect the unexpected and don't ask questions. Make sure you bring an adventurous friend. Be ready for fun, fantasy, & (incredible) cake. You'll beat any of your foodie friends' photos back home. Creative seating and food preparations make spills common. Wear black.
6. Caravelle
C/ Pintor Fortuny 31 Barcelona, Spain
Cozy and cosmopolitan. A proper brunch. Contemporary dishes and decor will make you feel at home with your summer-y straw bag and linen pants. Subtle Australian touches (the owners are Australian) like Schnitzel and smashed avocado on toast in addition to classics like Eggs Benedict and Huevos Rancheros. Right off of Las Ramblas but without the touristy feel.