Written by Ash

17 Best Breakfast Restaurants in Barcelona

January 28, 2023 | 25 comments

The best breakfast in Barcelona can set you up for a hell of a day – or get things off on the wrong foot.

In fact, with so many wannabe Barcelona breakfast places ripping off tourists it’s no wonder they haven’t outlawed the meal altogether.

That’s why I’m rounding up the top breakfast spots in Barcelona from local eats to American brunch and everything in between.

Let’s take a look!

Best Barcelona Breakfast Places

La Pubilla

€€-€€€ | Area: Gracia | Plaça de la Llibertat 23 | Metro: Fontana (green line L3)

This Gracia neighbourhood classic is much loved by locals – you’ll find it right in front of the Mercat de la Llibertat, one of Barcelona’s best markets in a modernist building.

Take a seat at the long wooden bar, plug into the bustling atmosphere, and try the classic esmorzar de forquilla, or simply put: knife and fork breakfast.

You’ll get a plate of scrambled eggs with pancetta or sobrasada (a typical cold cut/salami from Mallorca with pork tenderloin and paprika) plus a tasty Spanish tortilla that would put to bed even the biggest of hangovers.

🥘 Looking for food + history + wine + fun? Take one of Barcelona’s best food tours.

Granja Viader

€€ | Area: Ramblas | Carrer d’en Xuclá 4-6 | Metro: Liceu (green line L3)

If you’ve already read about the local classic chocolate con churros then consider this version of the popular fried donut sticks added to the list. Granja Viader is my favourite of all breakfast places in Barcelona to feel like a kid again.

It’s got that old school feeling of a bake shop your grandmother used to take you to. It’s been there since 1870. It was originally a dairy product shop and in fact they still make their own yogurt.

If you’re looking for a traditional sweet breakfast of crema catalana (a type of creme brule), mel i mató (a type of ricotta with nuts and honey), or ensaimadas (a spiral sweet bread) you’re in the right place.

An authentic local joint like few others left in the city.

Pinotxo

€€€ | Area: Ramblas | Carrer de la Rambla 89 | Metro: Liceu (green line L3)

When people ask for the best breakfast in Barcelona for authenticity, I tell them to sit down and eat at a restaurant famous for sourcing its ingredients from La Boqueria: the place CNN called the world’s best food market.

El Pinotxo is the place for traditional Catalan food, sitting at a bar right in the heart of a bustling market, flagging down the barman for a cafe amb llet like a local.

The safe bet is another delicious Spanish omelette but for a savory stab into the culinary dark opt for the garbanzo beans and blood sausage. Just make sure you get there early or you’ll be fighting for a spot.

Best Brunch in Barcelona

Brunch and Cake

€€ | Area: Eixample | Carrer Enric Granados 19 | Metro: Universitat (various)

My American friend says Brunch & Cake feels a lot like being in California and I can’t blame her.

This modern stop delves out breakfast classics like fresh squeezed orange juice, eggs Benedict, and smoked salmon bagels. Then they throw in delicious cakes.

The pancakes here are also a hit: go for the Nutella chocolate or banana matcha versions and wash it all down with some of Barcelona’s best coffee offerings.

The colourful, modern presentation here is really impressive.

El Avenida Palace Hotel

€€ | Area: Eixample | Gran Via 605 | Metro: Passeig de Gracia (various)

If you’re looking for the Barcelona hotel breakfast buffet experience then look no further than El Avenida Palace.

One of the best luxury hotels in Barcelona actually hosted the Beatles back in the 60’s for their only ever Spanish tour. If it’s good enough for them how about us? You’ll get a selection of top quality sweet and savory options.

The mound of jamon iberico was impressive. My visiting guest also couldn’t believe the all-you-can-drink sparkling white and fresh squeezed orange juice.

Add sausages, scrambled eggs, and freshly made croissants and this is a great spoil yourself option.

It costs just €15.00.

Eat My Trip

€€ | Area: Eixample | C. del Consell de Cent, 378 | Metro: Girona (yellow line L4)

Brunch spots in Barcelona might be a dime a dozen, but at least here at this cute, cozy breakfast restaurant they try and add a little creativity.

If Thai eggs benedict or roasted sweet potatoes with kimchi sound good, then maybe this is your spot. Injecting flavours from the orient into classic American brunch dishes is a stroke of genius in our opinion.

Eat My Trip also has bottomless mimosas (you’re on the clock for one hour) for €12.50.

Healthy options like the superfood brekkie are also welcome, though you’ll probably take one look at the pancake party photo and got in another direction.

La Donuteria

€ | Area: El Raval | Carrer del Parlament 20 | Metro: Poble Sec (green line L3)

Ever thought of going into a Dunkin’ Donuts for your morning coffee and breakfast treat? Stop right there!

We’ve got a delicious, small batch donut alternative courtesy of American pastry chef Richard Bies.

You’ll find La Donuteria on one of Barcelona’s most trendy streets with a rotating menu of 12 flavors that change every day. Some examples? Apricot and pistachio, chocolate and violet, creamy lemon with raspberry, grapefruit and ginger, and vanilla glaze.

If your mouth doesn’t water looking at those beauties there may be something wrong with you.

A great place for a cheap breakfast in Barcelona as prices range from €3.00 to €3.50.

El Flako

€ | Area: Born | Carrer del General Alvarez de Castro 5 | Metro: Jaume I (yellow line L4)

The idea of dumping half a liter of milk into a big bowl of my favourite cereal and pigging out is really something to do at home in my pajamas for a Sunday breakfast. Then I went to El Flako: Barcelona’s first cereal cafe.

Since March of 2017 it has been love at first crunch for cereal lovers at this homely retro 70’s feel spot that serves over 150 types of cereal. Just pick your fully customizable cereal, add toppings, and tip in some regular or flavoured milks.

The best Barcelona breakfast if you’re seeing Barcelona with kids.

Caravelle

€€€ | Area: El Raval | Carrer del Pintor Fortuny 31 | Metro: Liceu (green line L3)

The high ceilings, comfy chairs, and warehouse feel of this hip brunch spot are more London than Barcelona, perhaps owing to its running by an English-Australian couple.

The name of the game at Caravelle is updated classics like the pulled-pork eggs Benedict and French toast with ricotta and fruit compote. Other favourites include avocado on toast, huevos rancheros, and a full vegetarian breakfast.

Try their famous dirty chai latte (an espresso combined with chai tea and milk) or a craft beer.

Granja Petitbo

€€-€€€ | Area: Eixample | Passeig de Sant Joan 82 | Metro: Verdaguer (various)

Situated along one of Barcelona’s prettiest pedestrian avenues and walking distance to the legendary Sagrada Familia church is the sofa-heavy, super hipster American-inspired brunch spot that’s straight out of Friends.

Don’t let the necessary mix of foreigners and fashionable locals scare you – the breakfast at Granja Petitbo is amazing.

The juices made in house are as fresh as a June dip at the best beaches in Barcelona. Try the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon or the chocolate and banana pancakes.

The mimosas are as good as any of Barcelona’s best bars.

The Egg Lab

€€ | Area: Eixample | C/ de Sepúlveda, 80 | Metro: Rocafort (red line L1)

The Egg Lab is one of the best breakfast spots in Barcelona if you’re a huge fan of the humble egg. Yes, virtually any way you want to cut it they’re serving them up – via free range, organic, unprocessed dishes.

Everything down to the pastrami, pulled pork, and smoked salmon is made in house for utmost quality.

They also get freshly baked bread every morning from an artisan baker, and all their coffee is local microroast. Tourists looking to taste local will be best served here.

Best English Breakfast in Barcelona

Flaherty’s

€€ | Area: Gothic Quarter | Plaza Joaquim Xirau | Metro: Drassanes (green line L3)

Whether you call it an English breakfast, an Irish breakfast, or anything else this one’s for people who want a no-nonsense fry up: two sausages, back bacon, black pudding, mushrooms, eggs, tomato, hash browns, and baked beans.

Flaherty’s is a hit with Barcelona stag dos and it’s also a great breakfast place to get some drinks that’ll take you right into the afternoon football – it’s one of the best sports bars in town.

You’ll pay no more than a tenner with drink included.

Milk Bar and Bistro

€€ | Area: Gothic Quarter | Carrer d’en Gignàs, 21 | Metro: Barceloneta (yellow line L3)

For a little more refined approach to the classic English breakfast look no further than Milk Bar’s fry up: bacon, eggs, beans, mushrooms, home fries, tomato, and toast.

It’s just one of the items on the classic Recovery Brunch menu at Milk Bar.

You also can’t go wrong with any of the smoothies, chorizo hash, or the breakfast burger with smoky bacon and eggs. Tourists have raved about the Blood Mary, a good way to get back on the wagon for another Barcelona nightlife sesh.

Best Healthy Breakfast in Barcelona

Flax & Kale

€€-€€€ | Area: El Raval | Carrer dels Tallers 74b | Metro: Universitat (various)

As if the name didn’t tell you enough already. This is flexitarian place is highly rated among Barcelona’s best restaurants by foodies and is in the heart of Raval between skaters, hipsters, tourists, and the Best Barcelona kebab joints.

One thing all these urban tribes have in common though is a tasty and healthy breakfast. So dig in to the acai bowls (or any of the ‘healthy bowls’), quinoa pancakes, and cold-pressed juices.

Flax & Kale is a great choice as far as Barcelona gluten-free restaurants go.

Santoni

€-€€ | Area: San Antoni | Ronda de Sant Antoni 63 | Metro: Universitat (various)

Even though I don’t swing that way, I wouldn’t miss the chance to add a vegan breakfast option to the list. Santoni is small coffee shop just outside of Plaza Universitat that serves delicious food sans animal products.

I suggest getting any of the baked goods (especially the chocolate vegan croissant) and either a fresh fruit juice or vitamin water to really get the day going. There are also great lunch options including a vegan burger and saitan kebab.

Best Ethnic Breakfast in Barcelona

Malpaso

€€-€€€ | Area: Eixample | Carrer de Girona 59 | Metro: Girona (various)

If you’re looking to both gorge and go a bit off the board then look no further than this Mexican restaurant that’s got an amazing price-quality ratio.

Not only was Malpaso the after work drink place when I used to work in the area, but it’s actually got a breakfast buffet every weekend serving classic Mexican dishes with a few western ones thrown in.

That means you’ll be able to load up your plates with tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and even some pancakes and a fried egg. Hey, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. And keep an eye out for the curated collection of books on display.

Buffet price is €20.00.

Can Dendê

€€ | Area: Eixample | Carrer de la Cuitat de Granada 44 | Metro: Llacua (yellow line L4)

If you’re looking for Latin flavour then this place will win you over in a heartbeat.

If you’re a lover of Brazilian cuisine like pão de queijo (delicious fried cheese balls) or yuca you’re in the game, but there’s also a traditional Anglo-brunch based on Nutella pancakes and eggs Benedict.

The kicker here at Can Dende is that the servers are delightful and cheery – something of a rarity around these parts. If you’re late to the game there’s always some great burgers and salads on the lunch menu.

Still Looking for the Best Breakfast Places in Barcelona?

As always if you’ve got any special requests I’d be happy to find you the perfect place to have breakfast in Barcelona – what are you looking for? Get at me.

And if you’ve had any experiences good or bad please don’t hesitate to share them below.

Happy breakfasting 🙂

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