Caravelle Barcelona is a comfortable cafe that excels at brunch and tacos

When I first arrived in Barcelona in 2013, there was a distinct absence of 3rd wave coffee. One place: Caravelle Barcelona stood out from its peers. It has maintained it’s quality. I can get a great cup of coffee. They use a La Marzocco machine and source their coffee from a small roastery called Right Side . Their flat white is the real deal while their version of a cappuccino is served in a red cup with a thick lip and comes with a sprinkling of cocoa powder.

The food at Caravelle Barcelona is carefully considered. It starts with an excellent brunch. Things like fluffy ricotta pancakes with honeycomb butter or ‘poached’ eggs on avocado toast. Glasses of chia pudding with plant-based milk and house-made pineapple compote. Most things at Caravelle Barcelona are made from scratch. From the condiments to the jams. The kitchen is conscientious and strives to make everything the best you can get. And I would say they nail it most of the times. There is no hastily thrown together of a trending Instagram dish at Caravelle. When they make a shakshuka, it’s good enough to have been served at its point of origin in the Middle East.

The service is well organized. This is a popular spot that has a constant stream of hungry customers coming in through the day. It’s not a place to linger with your computer but one where you eat and enjoy your food. You are welcome if you come alone but you will be directed to sit either at the communal table or the bar.

Caravelle is an independent shop and an only shop. The long in the realizing project of The Unemployable Chef and I think it shows. In the care taken with the food, the coffee, the trained staff, and the interior. Even the sparse branches planted in vases around the room. There is pride in this undertaking and that usually makes for good eating and drinking.

Caravelle recently underwent a redesign, making the space even nicer to spend the day in.