Café de les Delícies

El Raval, Barcelona –

Situated near the southern edge of Rambla del Raval, Café de les Delícies is a cozy little bohemian café that promises a relaxed escape from this ever-bustling thoroughfare.

The sidewalk patio is popular on warm weather days for breakfast or an afternoon coffee, but also makes for great people-watching as pedestrians stream by both day and night.

Inside, the mismatched walls are layered in textured paint and covered with local art and gig posters, while scattered newspapers and a full bookcase invite patrons to curl up and read.

A 1970s-era jukebox still manages to creak out a mellow mix of retro and contemporary indie hits – think Moby followed by jazz or Spanish guitar – and though the old piano in the back room doesn’t get much use, regular acoustic acts usually set up nearby as the weekend washes in.

Light snacks and tapas accompany Café’s drinks selection, which besides coffee includes a small but artisanal array of beer.

Evenings see the space liven up with artsy locals, international students, and older tourists who have made it their destination for the night, while those in search of more energetic prospects drop in for some cake and espresso before heading north into the rowdy Rambla night.

Either to prime a day, recover from one, or meet a few cool cats over a few pints of Estrella Galicia, Café de les Delícies really is – as its name suggests – a café of delights.