November 23, 2008, posted by Sairica | food and drinks

El Xampanyet

Locals swear by this cornerstone of Catalan charm, where a whole host of young and not-so.young go to gaggle, graze and gulp. Cava flows like water, at this unpretentious, rustic little Champagne bar in the heart of the Borne. Tucked away near the Picasso Museum, El Xampanyet is a collision of old world charm and new world flava.

 

Blue-tiled walls and antique artifacts blend with marble tables and a zinc bar where you can soak up the excesses of the Spanish Elixir with fresh anchovies, cockles, mussels and Serrano ham on bread. Get there early if you want to snag a table, or, if all else fails, prop yourself up on the bar for as long as you can stay steady.

A bottle of the house will set you back around 7 euros, and there is a good beer selection for those who wish to opt out on the bubbly specialty. 

 

A word of warning: Be under no illusions… if chic, spotless and minimal floats your boat then you’ll find El Xampanyet about as appealing as toothache. If however, like me, you wish to wade into layers of Catalan history, and don’t mind the inevitable squash that has become a trademark of this charming bar’s popularity, then get down here for a swashbuckling benvinguts with bells on.

 

Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday 12am-4pm and 6.30pm-11.30pm

 

C/Montcada 22 
Barcelona 
Tel: +34) 93 319 7003