Cosmo Café

L'Eixample, Barcelona –

Located just steps from the highly regarded University of Barcelona, Cosmo is a popular café and dedicated art gallery where guests can enjoy a little nosh, sling a few cocktails, and try to figure out what the hell that blank canvas in the corner is supposed to represent.

Tall ceilings and bright white walls throughout give the L-shaped space an airy minimalist feel, with the front half serving as the place to get a meal and the back entirely reserved for exhibits that rotate approximately once a month.

Not surprisingly given its location, the venue sees lots of artsy-minded students dropping by between classes during the day, when they settle in to chat at the sleek, narrow tables or read a book on one of the cozy, big blue sofas.

Also not surprisingly – it is a gallery, after all – the place hosts many creative events, from eclectic jam sessions and movie showings to unique workshops like a hands-on cupcake decorating class.

Unless it’s part of some performance art showcase, raging blowouts probably won’t be found here. Instead, the contemporary design allows casual intellectuals and overworked tourists to escape the vintage feel of the city’s traditional cafés and enjoy some light eats or dessert over a bottle of wine.

An über-modern place to chill in a city brimming with history, a trip to Cosmo is just like visiting a museum…except this museum has booze.

And really good carrot cake.