THE PLACE: While in Barcelona this summer, I really wanted to take my family to an old-school churrería where we could get a breakfast of churros and chocolate. It seemed like all the places I had planned for near our hotel were closed for the week we were visiting. I started to panic, but somehow like the sea parting, we discovered the perfect spot amongst the ancient buildings and tourist shops of the Barri Gotic neighborhood. Granja La Pallaresa feels like it has been here forever (it’s been here since 1947) and had a nice mix of locals and tourists, not to mention the career waiters slowly coming by to take our order.
THE MENU: The breakfast here is sweet with a focus on fried food and dairy. I had very nice soft and sweet Melindros (like a ladyfinger), along with rich and nutty horchata (this one is made from tiger nuts). If coffee, sweet pastries, and dairy are not your thing, this is probably not the place for you. Unless you’re here for the ambiance, which is also a very good reason.
THE DISH: A required order are the fresh Churros y Chocolate. This combination has been a major part of my life since I discovered it as the name of my middle school Spanish text book. But it wasn’t until I came to Spain and tried crisp and light logs of dough dusted with sugar and served with decadent hot chocolate for dipping that I understood what Spanish life was all about. While the food across Spain is absolutely incredible, this local and simple breakfast combination is always required eating. Price: $5.50
| GRANJA LA PALLARESA |
| Carrer de Petritxol, 11 (between Career de la Portaferrissa and Career del Cardenal Casañas), Barri Gotic Barcelona, Spain +34933022036 |
