Cafè del Centre
Cafè del Centre
Cafè del Centre is Barcelona's oldest continuously operating café-bar at Carrer de Girona, 69, la Dreta de l'Eixample, founded in 1873. Contemporary Catalan kitchen, poetry readings, good value daily menu.
Background
About Cafè del Centre
The Story
Cafè del Centre has been at Carrer de Girona, 69 since 1873, over 150 years, making it Barcelona's oldest continuously operating café-bar. The room has grown its kitchen over the generations from a traditional neighbourhood café into a contemporary Catalan restaurant, while the historic interior and poetry-reading programme remain part of the identity. It earns multiple generations of the same customers.
The Cuisine
Contemporary Catalan cuisine built on market produce, with rice dishes, a good daily menu, bar seating, and a locals' favourite identity. The kitchen covers contemporary Catalan preparations: cod fritters, steak tartar, confit cod with black garlic, Iberian pork, and seasonal market dishes. Weekday lunch menu at accessible pricing. Average spend €35 per person.
The Team
Since 2022, Victor Ferrer (formerly chef at Belén) has led the kitchen at Cafè del Centre, building a contemporary Catalan tapas-led menu that complements the modernist setting. The restaurant is part of Grup Confiteria, the group founded by Enric Rebordosa and Lito Baldovinos around 2014 to revive Barcelona's most historic bars (also includes La Confiteria, Paradiso, Stravinsky, and Monk).
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
Cafè del Centre Ratings & Reviews
Professional Ratings
Recommended. 'The oldest cafe-bar still operating in Barcelona. A nice, cosy little spot where they also put on poetry readings.'
Traditional Catalan café-bar in la Dreta de l'Eixample. Good value menú del día, rice dishes, locals favourite. Average spend €35.
Diner Ratings
4.6
2,730 reviews
Yelp
4.0
8 reviews
Professional recognition includes a Time Out 5/5 recommendation and Macarfi food 7.5/10. Diners rate it 4.6/5 on Google (2,730 reviews) and 4.0/5 on Yelp (8 reviews).
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Reservations
How to Book Cafè del Centre
Booking
Cafè del Centre is open Monday through Thursday from 13:00 to 00:30, Friday 13:00 to 01:00, Saturday from 12:00 to 01:00, and Sunday 12:00 to 00:00. Reservations recommended for groups, book via Google Reserve or contact the restaurant.
Reserve
Experience
Cafè del Centre Dining Experience
Barcelona's oldest continuously operating café-bar, a historic room in la Dreta de l'Eixample that still hosts poetry readings alongside its contemporary Catalan kitchen. Good value, group-friendly, with bar seating and a locals' favourite identity. Review feel: cozy, romantic, classic, casual; warm attentive service; good wine list; popular with locals and neighbourhood regulars. The late-night hours (until 00:30 most nights, 01:00 on weekends) make it work as both a lunch destination and an evening venue.
Navigate
Cafè del Centre Location & Neighbourhood
Getting There
Cafè del Centre is at Carrer de Girona, 69, in la Dreta de l'Eixample, on the Girona street corridor that runs parallel to Passeig de Gràcia through the eastern Eixample grid. The nearest metro is Girona (L4, approximately 200m walk).
Nearby
La Dreta de l'Eixample is the eastern half of the Eixample grid, the quadrant between Passeig de Gràcia and the Sagrada Família corridor, shaped by Ildefons Cerdà's 1860 urban plan. Carrer de Girona is one of the grid's parallel streets, running from Gran Via north to the Diagonal. The neighbourhood draws a dense mix of Barcelona residents, office workers, and tourists, with a strong local residential identity around the quieter interior streets. Cafè del Centre's 150-year presence on Girona predates the Eixample's transformation as a restaurant corridor by several generations.
Nearby Restaurants
Bisavis
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Casa Amàlia
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Chef Jordi Castán runs a Catalan dining room in la Dreta de l'Eixample.
Details
Cafè del Centre Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 13:00–00:30 |
| Tuesday | 13:00–00:30 |
| Wednesday | 13:00–00:30 |
| Thursday | 13:00–00:30 |
| Friday | 13:00–01:00 |
| Saturday | 12:00–01:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00–00:00 |
Cafè del Centre hours verified 2026-03-01. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Recommended for groups. Book via Google Reserve or walk in.
Good to Know
Social
From cafedelcentre1873 on Instagram
El menjador del Café del Centre. Un espai que forma part de la història de la ciutat, on la cuina i la sala mantenen l'esència de 1873. #CafeDelCentre #Emblemàtics #Eixample
Ens ho heu demanat i nosaltres complim! Allarguem la proposta especial per la temporada de la carxofa uns dies més. Una manera de continuar treballant el producte en el seu millor moment, des de la cuina de sempre. 📍 Café del Centre 📅 Fins al 6 d'abril
Emplatar, servir i tornar-hi 🍽️ Cada dia. 📸 @gsprods_bars #CafeDelCentre #Emblemàtics #Eixample
Plats de sempre, detalls coneguts i taules que es repeteixen 🍽️🙂 I de fons... a vegades, també sona jazz. 🎷 📸 @gsprods_bars #CafeDelCentre #Emblemàtics #Eixample
Foc encès, plats al centre i el ritme de sempre 🔥 Així es mou el servei. 📸 @gsprods_bars #CafeDelCentre #Emblemàtics #Eixample
Un plat al mig, pa per sucar i algú que diu "demanem-ne un altre". Així passen molts dinars aquí. 📸 @gsprods_bars #CafeDelCentre #Emblemàtics #Eixample
Questions
Cafè del Centre FAQ
Is Cafè del Centre really Barcelona's oldest café-bar?
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Yes, Cafè del Centre has been operating continuously at Carrer de Girona, 69 since 1873, making it over 150 years old and widely recognised as the oldest cafe-bar still operating in Barcelona.
Do they still host poetry readings at Cafè del Centre?
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Yes, poetry readings remain part of Cafè del Centre's identity in the historic dining room, a cosy spot that combines the 1873 bar with a contemporary Catalan kitchen.
What's the difference between the daily menu and à la carte at Cafè del Centre?
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The daily menu costs €15–20 and offers a weekday lunch set menu with starter, main, dessert, and drink. À la carte features contemporary Catalan dishes like cod fritters, steak tartar, and confit cod with black garlic, ranging €8–28, with average spend around €35 per person.
How close is Cafè del Centre to Girona metro station?
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Cafè del Centre is just a 1-minute walk from Girona metro station on Line 4. The restaurant is located at Carrer de Girona, 69.
Why do locals eat at Cafè del Centre?
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Cafè del Centre draws locals for its good value, quality daily menu, and authentic neighbourhood identity. It has earned multiple generations of customers over its 150-year history.
Can I eat late at Cafè del Centre?
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Yes, Cafè del Centre serves until 00:30 Sunday-Thursday and 01:00 on Friday-Saturday.