Granja Dulcinea: Restaurant interior
You can't leave Barcelona without trying some hot chocolate and churros (or xurros). Yeah, even if it's the middle of August and hot chocolate doesn't quite seem appropriate, you got to give this super thick chocolate concoction and sweet fried dough combo a go. And, if you're going to do it, do it right. Don't settle for the fast food street vendors you'll find scattered about the city. They're ok, but you should really head to a place that specializes in this kind of decadent delicacy.

Along Carrer Petritxol, a medieval alley in the Barri Gòtic near Plaça del Pi, there are a few spots that do a fine job with these treats. One of the best is Granja Dulcinea. It's an old-style café with a lot of dark wood, old photos, artifacts from a by-gone era and short menu of sweets and munchies. Just a tip: dunk the churros in the chocolate to get the full experience.

If it's really sweltering in the summer and you really can't handle a hot chocolate, try an orxata (or horchata), a cold beverage made of ground almonds, rice, barley or tigernuts (chufas); most frequently chufas are used in this region.

The place can get packed, but an upstairs area and a fairly quick turn-over helps keep things moving.

Metro: L3 Liceu
Location

C/ Petrixol, 2

Barri Gòtic

Barcelona, 08002

Spain (Espana)