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Tucked away on the patio of the Museu Frederic Marès (Museu Frederic Marès) is this alluring, sun-strewn terrace café, replete with stone pillars, climbing ivy and orange trees.

This lovely outdoor café, hidden upstairs at El Mercadillo (El Mercadillo), is shaded by trees and vine-covered walls.

In summer, bask in the old town’s medieval atmosphere at the Plaça del Rei terrace. By night, sip Rioja in the intimate, rustic basement bodega.

The Església de Santa Maria del Pi casts a shadow over this café’s terrace. And for when you’re in that kick-back-and-do-nothing mode, street artists keep you entertained.

Sit back and relax with tea and sweet Arab cakes. Do not miss the Sardo, an Oriental style pizza with a variety of fillings.

At the foot of the Columbus statue (La Rambla), this long-time café is a choice spot to soak up the rays, knock back a beer and people-watch.

Plaça Comercial is dotted with cafés, including the laid-back Café del Born, which evolves into an amiable bar as night descends.

Uptairs sells honey, preserves and other foods made in convents and monasteries all over Spain. Downstairs you can sample all the delicacies in a cozy café on the site of a 15th century baths.

Colourful and inviting, this café-restaurant serves great coffee and tea as well as plenty of fresh fare, including innovative salads such as “Erotica”, with asparagus, tuna and tomato.

This family-run xocolateria has long been serving up decadent desserts and baked goodies, such as fig ravioli with peach ice-cream.