Top 7 Cava Bars in Barcelona
If you come to Barcelona and you like wine, you can't miss trying Cava, which is the Spanish equivalent of Champagne. Cava is made in the same way as champagne, but after that the similarities end. Both the grapes and the climate are different and result in wines with completely different expressions. (read more here).
In Catalonia, cava is enjoyed at all times of the day, for all occasions and with food instead of wine or beer. Typically, however, cava is consumed at the local bar or café, where it is sold by the glass and enjoyed standing up with some tapas or a bocadillo (popular Spanish sandwich).
Below you will find our recommendation for the 7 best cava bars in Barcelona where you can not only taste cava but also get close to the locals and experience the culture up close. And if, like us, you get lost in the Spanish bubbles, you can always find cava from small local producers in our webshop that suits your favorite occasions. Enjoy!
Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria)
Address: Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 7, Barcelona
Website: www.canpaixano.com
This tapas bar from 1969 is known as one of the best places in Barcelona for cava, so much so that it has been nicknamed 'Xampanyeria' in Catalan or 'Champañeria' in Spanish. The bar is extremely popular with locals and visitors alike, so expect to stand shoulder to shoulder with the other patrons. To enjoy the extremely cheap cava at Can Paixano, you are expected to buy a ración (small portion) of food. This is the perfect place to experience an authentic cava bar at a very reasonable price.
El Xampanyet
Address: Carrer de Montcada, 22, Barcelona
Website: www.elxampanyet.com
This quirky little tapas bar is located in the back streets of Born, tucked away among the artists’ workshops and old buildings that give the area its charm. El Xampanyet is relatively small with just a few tables available for those who arrive early. The reason locals love this place is precisely because of the warm, cozy atmosphere and small talk from both old and young who come here to enjoy a glass of cava or two. You’ll also find a great selection of traditional tapas, from Spanish omelette to boquerones (marinated white anchovies). The bar’s popularity means that, like most places in the city center, you’re likely to find yourself surrounded by locals, students and tourists alike, but in many ways that’s what gives this place its quirky charm.
The Vineyard of the Lord
Address: Plaça de Santa Maria, 5, Barcelona
This stylish little wine bar, located just opposite the church of Santa Maria del Mar, stocks an impressive selection of wines from all over the country, including a wide range of cavas. You’d be forgiven for mistaking La Vinya del Senyor for a tourist trap given its location, but the place works hard to give its customers a great experience with friendly service and a selection of interesting wines, each with their own story to tell. If you’re lucky enough to get a seat on the terrace, you’ll be able to enjoy one of the most beautiful views in the city, surrounded by the stunning architecture of Barcelona’s old town.
Vila Viniteca
Address: Carrer Dels Agullers, 7, Barcelona
Website: www.vilaviniteca.es
Best known for being one of the largest and most impressive wine purveyors in Barcelona, Vila Viniteca is something of an institution on the local wine scene. The shop has been around since 1932 and works with over 200 bars and restaurants worldwide, but is particularly well-stocked with Spanish wine, representing some of the most prestigious names on the Spanish wine scene. In addition to the main wine shop (which is worth a tour), there is a gourmet deli with a small bar attached, where guests can sample some of the wines on offer. Although the bar area is not particularly notable for its decor or atmosphere, it is a good place to stop for a quick refreshment after perusing the many bottles on offer in the shop.
The Cava Corner
Address: C/ de Blasco de Garay, 53,
'Cava Corner' is definitely one of our favourite cava bars in Barcelona. As the name suggests, this place is tucked away a little off the beaten track on an unassuming street in Poble Sec. But if you're looking for good cava and tasty tapas at a shockingly good price, this is your place! Glasses of the Catalan bubbly start at €0.85 and bottles start at €4.
Maestrazgo Winery
Address: C/ de Sant Pere Més Baix, 90
Another of our favorite cava bars in Barcelona. This emblematic wine shop in the heart of the Born neighborhood has been run by the same family since 1952 and is filled with endless rows of incredible wines. At the back of the shop you’ll find one of the cutest wine bars in Barcelona and a real gem in the neighborhood. Ask the wonderfully sweet owner José for a few recommendations and prepare for a deep dive into the dynamic world of Spanish oenology.
Clos Montblanc
Address: C/Pau Claris 169
Website: www.closmontblanc.com
Just off Passeig de Gracia, a block away from Gaudi’s Casa Mila, is the wine bar Clos Montblanc. The winery itself is located in Barberà de la Conca, very close to two symbolic places in Catalonia’s history: the fortified town of Montblanc and the monastery of Poblet. The bar is a great place for a quick sip after some sightseeing, or a great place to pick up a gift, such as a bottle of the Montblanc Cava Brut Rosat. Cava is served with complimentary small dishes, such as olives.
