I scream, you scream
Celebrating its fifth birthday this year, Gocce di Latte may not be the oldest ice cream parlour in Barcelona, but it can compete with the best. The shop’s small team bake fresh cinnamon rolls, crepes, cookies and waffles to pair with scoops of daring ice cream flavours such as pear with cinnamon and ginger, and dates with cardamom and orange. They even put funky twists on the standard chocolate, spinning it with lavender, and adding olive oil and sea salt to it. Refreshing mango or matcha green tea scoops are great if you drop in before heading to the beach—after all, it is right across the street.
Pla de Palau 4.
More than 100 years ago, El Tio Che began with a table on the street, a few batches of jarred horchata (tigernut milk), and Joan Pere calling out to potential customers, “Xe, prova” (“Hey you, try this”). After moving to Barcelona from Alicante in 1912, Joan, his wife, Josefa, and their son started mixing up creamy concoctions in the same happy, familial environment the shop maintains today. Along with its classic, freshly-spun ice cream, the shop also sells bocadillos, tapas and speciality drinks such as granizado (icy lemonade). You might also be tempted to try the leche merengada (frozen cinnamon and lemon flavoured meringue), or the Cubanito with chocolate or dulce de leche.
Rambla del Poblenou 44-46.
Owner and founder Massimo Pignata moved here from Italy, and we’re certainly glad he brought his skill of making quality gelato with him. The process from start to finish is important. Pignata arrives at the shop early each morning and whips up the most popular flavours: hazelnut, pistachio and strawberry Maresme, with strawberries sourced locally from the Catalan coast. In the summer, DelaCrem can produce more than 80 kilos of gelato on any given day, making new batches every other day to ensure only the freshest treats reach the mouths of loyal customers.
Enric Granados 15.
Although located in Barceloneta, this small ice cream joint will make you feel like you’ve been transported across the Atlantic. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by sombrero-topped calaveras (Mexican sugar skulls), a wall of crosses and the Mexican flag. The shop’s flavours continue the theme—the spicy chocolate and Mexican vanilla pack a punch. If you’re feeling a bit more daring, have a spoonful of the cannabis mint, champagne and strawberry, or tequila flavours. And if you need something savoury to offset the sweet, look no further. The shop has nachos, tacos and burritos—all vegan-friendly.
Mestrança 49.
Decadent gelato is in the bloodline of the Ma de Lourdes and Carlos Teodoro families. For two centuries the partners have used tropical fruits such as guava, mango, papaya and passion fruit for crafting tasty sweets. Today, they serve up 24 different flavours, which rotate with the changing seasons. Throughout the year, the shop’s team also runs a blog, with posts about everything from the cultivation of cacao to new flavour alerts and special events being hosted—such as when they sold ice cream cookbooks for Sant Jordi this year. The folks at Mannà Gelats are known for their welcoming demeanour and joyful work ethic, proving daily that their saying ‘Paradise is Gelats!’ is true.
Banys Nous 22.
Tucked away behind the city’s Roman walls, this ice cream shop used to be a printer’s workshop. Today, it’s run by husband and wife team Giovanni and Tracy, who moved to Barcelona in 2009. The duo serve up gelato made from organic milk and cream, as well as coffee and baked goods. Their favourite flavours include the hazelnut, whose ingredients are shipped directly from Italy, and the mascarpone fig, a rich treat with just the right balance of citrus fruitiness and creaminess.
Baixada de Viladecols 2c.