Bar Colòmbia 1913 - a charming cafe in Sant Andreu, Barcelona
Bar Colòmbia 1913 is the oldest cafe in Barcelona's charming district of Sant Andreu, and here is a short account of my unplanned visit there. Read on to know why this place can make anyone fall in love with the cafes of Barcelona, and why it's such a great idea to travel without an itinerary in an unknown city...
Sant Andreu is one of the oldest areas of the city of Barcelona and even today it retains an old town charm within the metropolis. The area developed around the church of Sant Andreu del Palomar and even today the church retains it's central place. The charming location was one of the reasons why I decided to pick an airbnb host here. The house was hundreds of years old, though refurbished now, and my stay was memorable. My fantastic host was a fan of bike-riding and took me to many unusual places, and we did an excellent shoot capturing Barcelona at sunset from a hilltop.
The next morning I was up really early and desperately needed some coffee. It was weekend and I didn't want to wake up my host, so decided to take a walk on the nearby Rambla de Fabra and hunt for a place for coffee and some food. I have always loved breakfasts in Europe, and my romance with them started years ago in Italy. But I had no plans today, except to find an open cafe which served some good coffee. Most shops were closed, so I ended up asking a lady at a newspaper stand and she immediately recommended a small and old cafe just around the corner - Bar Colòmbia 1913.
The moment I saw the place, I knew I was going to love my breakfast here, even if it was terrible to taste! The place had such charm that I was immediately bowled over. It was only later that I learnt that the cafe is actually the oldest in Sant Andreu and one of the most popular with the locals, though unfortunately it's unknown to most of Barcelona's millions of tourists. I was so happy with the place that I decided to write a short article about it, and spread some good vibes about the place :)
However, the best part was a long chat with Albert Miro, the owner of the cafe, who initially gave me stern looks but then warmed up when I told him about who I was and why I loved his cafe so much!
This is what Miro had to say :)
"I have been working here for all my life, for the last 50 years at least. The cafe-bar was started by my grandfather in 1913 (and hence the name) and it's has been a popular joint in the neighbourhood, though it's not known anywhere else in the city."
He spoke almost no English so I had to talk through his apprentice, who was much happier to chat up with an Indian traveller as it's not common to see one in this side of town.
Of course, I didn't just talk but also had some food here - a chocolate croissant and coffee, and I must mention they were both good (but then they are good at almost any cafe in Spain). I spoke to an elderly couple who were extremely curious to see me clicking so many pictures, and they recommended me the sandwiches there.
Anyway it was time to walk some more and click some oranges in the inner lanes of Sant Andreu, and that's exactly what I did :)
Address
Rambla Fabra i Puig, 1
Sant Andreu
Barcelona 08030
Map of Bar Colòmbia 1913
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| Bar Columbia 1913 |
Sant Andreu is one of the oldest areas of the city of Barcelona and even today it retains an old town charm within the metropolis. The area developed around the church of Sant Andreu del Palomar and even today the church retains it's central place. The charming location was one of the reasons why I decided to pick an airbnb host here. The house was hundreds of years old, though refurbished now, and my stay was memorable. My fantastic host was a fan of bike-riding and took me to many unusual places, and we did an excellent shoot capturing Barcelona at sunset from a hilltop.
The next morning I was up really early and desperately needed some coffee. It was weekend and I didn't want to wake up my host, so decided to take a walk on the nearby Rambla de Fabra and hunt for a place for coffee and some food. I have always loved breakfasts in Europe, and my romance with them started years ago in Italy. But I had no plans today, except to find an open cafe which served some good coffee. Most shops were closed, so I ended up asking a lady at a newspaper stand and she immediately recommended a small and old cafe just around the corner - Bar Colòmbia 1913.
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| On the wall... |
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| The bar counter |
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| Going up or coming down? |
The moment I saw the place, I knew I was going to love my breakfast here, even if it was terrible to taste! The place had such charm that I was immediately bowled over. It was only later that I learnt that the cafe is actually the oldest in Sant Andreu and one of the most popular with the locals, though unfortunately it's unknown to most of Barcelona's millions of tourists. I was so happy with the place that I decided to write a short article about it, and spread some good vibes about the place :)
However, the best part was a long chat with Albert Miro, the owner of the cafe, who initially gave me stern looks but then warmed up when I told him about who I was and why I loved his cafe so much!
 |
| Albert Miro and his apprentice |
This is what Miro had to say :)
"I have been working here for all my life, for the last 50 years at least. The cafe-bar was started by my grandfather in 1913 (and hence the name) and it's has been a popular joint in the neighbourhood, though it's not known anywhere else in the city."
He spoke almost no English so I had to talk through his apprentice, who was much happier to chat up with an Indian traveller as it's not common to see one in this side of town.
Of course, I didn't just talk but also had some food here - a chocolate croissant and coffee, and I must mention they were both good (but then they are good at almost any cafe in Spain). I spoke to an elderly couple who were extremely curious to see me clicking so many pictures, and they recommended me the sandwiches there.
 |
| Finally my humble breakfast :) |
Anyway it was time to walk some more and click some oranges in the inner lanes of Sant Andreu, and that's exactly what I did :)
How to reach Bar Colòmbia 1913?
The cafe is located on the junction of Great Streets and Sant Andreu Barcelona.Address
Rambla Fabra i Puig, 1
Sant Andreu
Barcelona 08030
Map of Bar Colòmbia 1913
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