The Best Cava Bars In Barcelona

Can Paixano aka La Xampanyeria

This old fashioned tapas bar is known as one of the best places in Barcelona for cava, so much so it has earned itself the nickname Xampanyeria in Catalan or Champañeria in Spanish. The bar is extremely popular with both locals and visitors so expect to be shoulder to shoulder with the other guests. In order to enjoy the extremely affordable sparkling wine at Can Paixano you will be expected to purchase a ración (small portion) of food. This is the perfect place to experience an authentic cava bar at a relatively cheap price.

Can Paixano, Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 7, Barcelona

This stylish little wine bar located just opposite the church of Santa Maria del Mar holds an impressive selection of wines from across the country, including a wide range of different cavas. You’d be forgiven for mistaking La Vinya del Senyor for an over priced tourist trap given its location, but this is a place that works hard to give its customers a great experience, with friendly service and a choice of interesting wines, each with their own story to tell. If you’re lucky enough to get a seat on the terrace you’ll be able to enjoy one of the nicest settings in town, surrounded by the stunning architecture of Barcelona’s Old Town.

Best known for being one of the largest and most impressive purveyors of wine in Barcelona, Vila Viniteca is something of an institution on the local wine scene. In operation since 1932, the shop works with over 200 bodegas across the world but is especially well supplied in Spanish wine, stocking some of the most prestigious names on the Spanish viticultural scene. In addition to the main wine selling shop (which is well worth a tour), there is a gourmet deli with a small bar attached where guests can sample some of the wines on offer. Although the bar area is not particularly remarkable for its décor or atmosphere, it’s a great place to stop off for a swift refreshment after perusing the many bottles on offer in the shop.

Located in the cool neighbourhood of Gràcia, away from the at times hectic city center, Cata 181 is a modern wine bar which takes its vocation seriously. Of course, what self-respecting wine bar in Catalunya could not have a selection of traditional cavas, as well as a few more unusual bottles too. The name of this elegant locale is itself a reference to the experience of discovering new wines – the Spanish word ‘cata‘ is the term used for a food or wine ‘tasting’. If you happen to get hungry then rest assured, the kitchen offers a selection of small dishes and plates to share with some modern variations on Catalan classics.