There are a thousand ways to approach breakfast: sweet or savory, coffee or tea, a sandwich or toast… There are many options, but Barcelona has long since made its choice: the city’s quintessential breakfast is the croissant. The legacy of French pastries has taken deep root in the city, and there’s no doubt that the most traditional breakfast you can enjoy on a sunny terrace in the morning is acafé amb llet with a fresh, delicious croissant.
Whether it’s made with butter, French-style, or with lard—the local traditional way—the fact is that Barcelona is the capital of the croissant, and there are many bakeries that excel at it.
And as is the case in any capital city, everyone here wants to be king. In the heart of the croissant scene , there’s fierce competition to see who will claim the throne. We don’t know who the winner is, but to help you decide , here’s a list featuring some of the best croissants in the city of croissants.
Brunells, croissants with 200 years of history
Brunells Bakery has quickly earned a spot on this list. In 2020, just a few months after its reopening, it won the award for the best butter croissant in Spain. Its secret lies, in part, in the fact that one of the partners behind the reopening is Canals, a pastry chef from another of the bakeries that regularly wins the award. On the other hand, it lies in that two-century-old oven, as big as a room, which has stood in the same spot for nearly two centuries. Brunells is a century-old bakery, and although it has just reopened, its history is as old as Barcelona itself. Delicate, crispy croissants emerge from the oven, seemingly made of a thousand layers—a delight that makes it clear why they won the award.
📍 Carrer Princesa, 22, El Born.
Pastelería Canal, 70s-style croissants
As mentioned, if Brunells is the heir to Canal’s croissant, Canal simply had to be on this list. With several locations in the city’s upper district, this bakery—founded in the 1970s—won the award for Best Butter Croissant in 2016 and 2019. If they keep winning it every three years, this year is their turn, so keep a close eye on them. Their croissant, similar to Brunells’ (they are first cousins, after all), is also light, with a very fine, honeycombed interior. Be warned, though—it’s not the only pastry they make, so get ready for a hearty breakfast.
📍 Carrer de Calvet, 15, El Putxet
📍 Carrer de Muntaner, 566, Sant Gervasi
Forn Mistral, pleasure in mini format
Forn Mistral has earned its reputation through hard work. Curiously tucked away in the hustle and bustle of Plaza Universidad, this bakery—whose most appealing display is at the back door—offers one of the city’s smallest yet most celebrated treats for those with a sweet tooth. The mini croissant—plain or chocolate—is a bite-sized indulgence, a sweet treat that you buy sparingly at first but end up buying more of when you realize they’re gone in just a few bites. That’s not its only talent. The rest of the croissants, made with lard instead of butter in the traditional style, are just as good, and its country bread has already won several awards.
📍Ronda Sant Antoni, 96, Sant Antoni
📍Torres i Amat, 5, Raval
📍D’asturies, 35, Gràcia
Hoffman, haute cuisine croissants
They are by no means the only gourmet croissants in the city, but they are undoubtedly among the most iconic. From their small shop in the Born, they serve croissants that have been delighting locals and visitors alike for years with imaginative fillings that strike a delicate balance between a crispy croissant and rich, indulgent fillings. The mascarpone croissant is one of their signature items, but the classic chocolate croissant is a close second. It’s no surprise in a bakery that has won the last two awards for best bakery in the city. A must-visit spot to understand the city’s croissant culture.
📍 Carrer dels Flassaders, 44, El Born.
Sant Croi, by Albert Roca, croissants far from the center
The title is both literal and figurative. Albert Badia’s croissants are far from the city center, with a luxury bakery opened in an unlikely spot on the outskirts of L’Hospitalet. But his croissants also stray from orthodoxy, always seeking innovation. It’s no surprise, coming from someone who bears the first name of El Bulli’s best pastry chef and the last name of Celler de Can Roca’s best. A trivial coincidence, but in any case, his hands create pastries that are pure fantasy and delicious croissants that—take note—can be ordered for delivery in breakfast packs, to enjoy yourself or give as gifts. His croissants, take note, won the award for best butter croissant in 2009 and 2018, so we already have a plan for tomorrow’s breakfast.
📍 Carrer de Bassegoda, 56, La Bordeta.
Escribà, the king of the royal streets
Escribà is the superstar of Catalan pastry, the Ferran Adrià of sweets. A man who has taken pastry to another level, whether through his giant and absurd creations, his crossovers with the art world, or his television appearances. With two legendary locations on the Ramblas and Gran Vía, he serves a butter croissant that was one of the first to be introduced in Barcelona. It’s one of his signature items. If you manage to find them without getting lost admiring the fantasy pastries on his display counters or the work in the open kitchen, you’ll be rewarded with the chance to taste a true delight.
📍 La Rambla, 83, El Raval
📍 Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 546, Eixample Esquerra
El Prat-Can Carriel, from Roda de Ter, best croissant of 2023
Source: Barcelona Pastry Guild
The 16th edition of the award for the best butter croissant went in 2023 to the Prat “Can Carriel” bakery in Roda de Ter (Barcelona), the brand-new winners ofthe ‘Best Artisan Butter Croissant in Spain 2023’. This is the second time this bakery has won the competition, having first won in 2017.
Its croissant was the highest-rated among the sixty or so entries. The jury members particularly highlighted its flavor and the airy texture of its interior, in a competition where the jury scored the croissants according to the following criteria: taste (40 points), airiness (15 points), flakiness (15 points), color (10 points), shape (10 points), and finish (10 points).
L’Atelier Barcelona
More than just a bakery, L’Atelier Barcelona is a laboratory of sweet creativity. Behind this project are Eric Ortuño, former pastry chef at the Hofmann School, and Ximena Pastor, former head pastry chef for Albert Adrià, who have turned their space into a benchmark for innovation and excellence in pastry and have not stopped winning awards.
When it comes to croissants , they’ve dared to give the classic a surprising twist, transforming it into a puff pastry cone filled with irresistible flavors: mascarpone, lemon pie, or pistachio. And when the heat arrives, they take it to the next level with an icy version: hazelnut praline, vanilla ice cream, salted caramel, and Reus chocolate cookie. Pure fantasy in every bite.
Takashi Ochiai: Japanese-Spanish pastry shop in Barcelona
It’s no surprise to find Takashi Ochiai on the podium at Croiss&Fest, but what they’ve achieved this year at Poble Espanyol has raised the bar to stratospheric heights. The expert jury, which included luminaries like Edu González and specialists from the EPGB, had no doubts: the best croissant of this edition is his Berry Bliss.
From their bakery on Comte d’Urgell Street, where they’ve been blending Japanese precision with the soul of Barcelona since 1983, they’ve presented a creation that is pure balance. It’s an impeccable butter croissant, filled with a silky mascarpone cream, strawberry compote, and a hint of fresh mint, topped with a crunchy streusel that provides the perfect texture. A victory that reaffirms why this establishment remains the beacon of fine pastry in the Eixample.
📍 Location: Carrer del Comte d’Urgell, 110.
El Secreto de Ciscu: ’80s nostalgia with the “Dracula Croissant”
The People’s Choice winner at Croiss&Fest. El Secreto de Ciscu, hailing directly from Terrassa, has become the festival’s viral sensation thanks to its Dracula Croissant. The creation takes you straight back to the summers of the ’80s, inspired by the legendary Frigo ice cream.
This croissant stands out not only for its striking visual appeal but also for a combination of flavors that has won over thousands of attendees: a cola glaze, a vanilla-filled center, and the essential tart strawberry syrup. It has undoubtedly been the most photographed item on social media and proves that, sometimes, the best ingredient is a fond childhood memory.
📍 Location: Carrer de la Unió, 108 (Terrassa).
