Travel for Bliss

The best sweet shops in Gracia, are also some of the best sweet shops in Barcelona. Spend a day or a week exploring this local suburb and taste some of Barcelona’s finest pastries, cakes, and cookies. Barcelona has long been famous for its churros and Crème Catalana but in the last few years, a trend for creative and decadent sweet shops has been emerging.

If you’re looking for the best cookies in Barcelona or the best vegan sweets or even a simple chocolate croissant then I have you covered. This was one of my favourite blog posts to research, and I have personally taste-tested all of my recommendations. Thanks to sleepless nights due to my new baby I have immensely enjoyed all of these sugary delights. I can honestly say that these are some of the best sweet shops in Barcelona.

It’s hard to describe the decadent naughtiness of Sil’s American Bakery. It’s one of the best sweet shops in Barcelona and their tag line says it all; Fuck The Diet. This is where you can buy an Oreo cake, a carrot cake that transcends all carrot cakes, or a proper American apple pie. Their cookies are inspired creations of matcha or dolce de leche, and if you ever have the chance to try their gooey caramel brownie, don’t hesitate. You may need to eat it in two goes because it’s so rich, but it is so worth it.

Chök is a chain of sweet shops selling some of the best sweets in Barcelona. This is where you can buy brownies, cronuts, or doughnuts. Chök has a lot of vegan options that look even better than non-vegan options. In summer they do ice cream cookies and iced matcha. In winter you can warm up with a sweet, spicy chai, or rich hot chocolate. The sweets at Chök are as photogenically beautiful as they are delicious, which makes it hard to choose from the large selection.

Candela Canela does specialty coffees and cinnamon rolls. If you’re going to only sell one type of sweet then it better be good and this little bakery does amazing scrolls. You can choose from the normal fluffy, cinnamon scroll, or try their cinnamon scroll with apple (like an apple pie). The other options get more decadent and rich like a dulce de leche or forest gateau scroll. They also do a vegan option and bagels if you’re not feeling like a scroll (I hope you are as they are so delicious!). Their coffee and infusions are definitely some of the best in Barcelona, and the little frothy hearts are too good not to snap a photo.

The name of this sweet shop says it all. If you’re looking for rich chocolate cookies or delicious cakes, while still helping the planet, then this is the place to be. Everything is vegan, and everything still tastes amazing. No sugary high or taste sensation has been sacrificed in the substitution of animal products. The staff are super friendly and can answer any questions in English or Spanish.

Be Chocolate is a chocolate shop on the pedestrian Asturias street in Gracia. It sells beautiful handmade truffles and chocolate balls, but this is not the only reason that I consider it one of the best sweet shops in Barcelona. Be Chocolate is famous for its hot chocolates. You can get a Chai Chocolatte, or a Matcha Chocolatte, or a hot chocolate with mint or orange. They also have vegan hot chocolate options. In summer they have a build your own ice cream bar. You can choose the base, the chocolate coating and then add sprinkles to the top of it.

Mistral is one of the best bakeries in Barcelona but also offers up tasty sweet treats along with popular Spanish bread. Named after the famous wind, Mistral almost always has a line out the front made up of locals. This is where you can get your traditional Catalan sweets for Three Kings Day or Semana Santa. My favourite sweet is their unassuming chocolate croissant. They do just the right mix of pastry and chocolate.

Paral lelo is one of the best sweet shops in Barcelona, and this time they have the awards to prove it. Tucked down the quiet and local Carrer Seneca, Parallelo usually has a line of patiently waiting people, especially since Time Out Barcelona gave the secret away. This little gelato shop specializes in creative and quirky ice creams. Some of my favourites are Mango and Passionfruit or Avocado with dark chocolate. They have a dairy and a vegan menu to choose from.

Dou is a sweet little sweet shop that has opened in Gracia in Barcelona. They make cookies, banana bread, assorted creative croissants and fancy doughnuts. If you’re not feeling fancy you can also buy one of their delicious traditional doughnuts. I had the Peanut Butter doughnut and it was just the right mix of salty and sweet. If you’re looking for your naughty but nice sweet fix then add Dou to your Barcelona food adventures.

This little artisanal Portuguese food shop isn’t just a sweet shop, but the sweets that it sells are some of the best in Barcelona. The stars of the show in this beautiful little shop are the pastel de nata, which is the traditional Portuguese custard tart. These are perfectly creamy and custardy, with just the right amount of base to hold it all together. If you’re not feeling like pastel de nata (not possible), there are other delicious looking sweets, savoury quiches and the famous Portuguese sardines if that’s what you’re after.

If you’re feeling like a crazy, rich, mouthwatering brownie then you need to visit Petit Pastis on the pedestrian Austurias street near the Fontana metro station. This little shop is new to the scene but is already creating a buzz with its neon pink sign and dramatic cake stands and lighting. The brownies, cookies and slices are as sugary as any dessert that you would find in America. A lot of them are based on a traditional dessert but with a twist. One of my favourite brownies is the Peanutbutter and Jelly Brownie. It’s a perfect blend of sweet, salty and slightly sour.