THE TOUR

Ever heard of Esmorzar de Forquilla? It’s the Catalan way of saying “breakfast means business.” None of this croissant-and-go nonsense. We’re talking slow mornings, strong coffee, and a plate of something so hearty you could nap after. This tour is your backstage pass to how Catalans actually start their day—market stops, proper plates, and a bodega that’s been in its own little world for decades.

We start easy: coffee and a flaky pastry in a corner bodega that hasn’t changed much since the 70s. Worn marble counters. Old men reading the paper. The smell of ground coffee that’s been here longer than you’ve been alive. Depending on the day, maybe you get a sugar-dusted ensaïmada or a custard-filled xuixo. Whatever’s fresh, whatever’s good.

Then we step into Sant Antoni Market. This isn’t just a pretty food hall—it’s the city’s pantry. You’ll see locals haggling over fish, old ladies inspecting tomatoes like diamonds, and stall owners calling you over with a smile (and maybe a slice of cured sausage). We’ll taste as we wander—little bites to keep the curiosity and the appetite going.

And then, the main event: Esmorzar de Forquilla. A sit-down, fork-and-knife breakfast that’s pure Catalan soul. We duck into a neighborhood bodega that’s been marinating in its own history—same tiled walls, same creaky chairs, same handwritten menu on the wall. You could swear it’s 1983 in here, and no one’s in a hurry to change it. On the table: slow-cooked meats, rich fish stews, or maybe fricandó with wild mushrooms, plus pa amb tomàquet the way it’s meant to be. There’s wine if you want it (locals do), and a little after-lunch shot the old guys swear is “good for digestion.”

Highlights

• • Morning coffee and fresh pastries in a no-frills local bodega

• • A wander through Sant Antoni Market with seasonal tastings

• • Esmorzar de Forquilla: a sit-down, fork-and-knife “breakfast” Catalan-style

• • Classic bodega that’s frozen in time—same walls, same locals, same rhythm

• • Hearty plates, wine or beer, cheese, and a proper digestive to close it out

• • A deep dive into the way Barcelona actually wakes up

Wander through bustling markets and into old-world bodegas on this breakfast tour, where strong coffee, hearty plates, and local traditions start the day the Catalan way.