Foodography: A Singapore Food Blog

1. Flying Monkey x Oz Bakery – For a Mediterranean-inspired Breakfast and Homemade Pastries

On my first day in Barcelona, right after landing and storing my luggage in the morning, I hopped over by train to Flying Monkey for breakfast/brunch. Established in 2022 by the group behind Barcelona’s acclaimed La Balabusta, this popular brunch spot serves Mediterranean inspired food, specialty coffee, and house-made pastries (by their own Oz Bakery) in the day, and natural wines in the evening.

The space was warm and inviting when I stepped in, filled with sunlight. What stood out to me was that the open kitchen was literally surrounding the indoor dining space, so you could not only watch the barista and chef/servers in action but also interact with them easily.

My first cup of Cappuccino (EUR3.2, +0.3 for oat milk) in Spain was to my liking – light-roasted, smooth and well-balanced. Just what I had needed to fight the jetlag.

Unfortunately, their Matcha Latte (EUR4.5, +0.5 for oat milk) was below expectation, as I spotted them using matcha syrup, which could not achieve the same taste and quality of using matcha powder whisked on the spot.

From the All Day Kitchen Menu, I had the Scrambled eggs, Challah Bread and Aioli (EUR13.5), adding on avocado for an extra sum. The combination of the fluffy scrambled eggs, soft and fluffy bread, creamy avocado and savoury aioli made a simple yet mean sandwich which I gobbled down in minutes.

When I revisited the café on another day, I tried their Sourdough Toast with Labneh and Marinated Salmon (EUR13), which once again proved to me that their homemade bread dishes were superior.

In the basement was their very own Oz Bakery where pastries are made and displayed on the shelves by a window in the café. I went ahead with my server’s recommendation of the Tahini Cookie (EUR4.5), which was rich with sesame flavour from both tahini and sesame seeds.

Carrer d’Amigó, 37, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08021 Barcelona, Spain

Mon 8.30am – 9.30pm

Tue to Fri 8.30am – 11pm

Sat 9am – 11pm

Sun 9am – 4.30pm

2. Raw Studio – For a Scandinavian-inspired Breakfast with a Raw, Minimalist Interior

Just a few minutes on foot from Flying Monkey is Raw Studio, one of the cafes which I’ve most anticipated to visit. The founder used to spend several years in Copenhagen and was inspired to create this space which would blend quality coffee, wholesome food and intentional design, with Scandinavian influences.

With just a few individual tables and a communal table, the minimalist space was constantly packed with patrons throughout the day, though the waiting time was not long as they came and left at a moderate pace. The space was crammed, so I could fully hear conversations from neighbouring tables with little space in between them. Though not in an uncomfortable manner.

I was excited to see that coffee here was supplied from La Cabra, one of my favourite coffee roasteries in the world. My Cappuccino (EUR3, +EUR0.2 for oat milk) was from their Yacuri, a single-origin coffee with delicate flavour profiles like white tea, stone fruit and jasmine.

I’ve had both the Homemade Granola (EUR9) and Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds (EUR11) – both came with seasonal compote (mango, at my point of visit) and Greek yogurt, and were healthy and satisfying. If I had to pick one, I would choose the granola.

For the savoury option, I chose the Soft Parmesan Eggs (EUR12) which came with sourdough, parmesan cheese and whipped butter. The eggs were simple and good while the sourdough and whipped butter were the highlights for me.

Carrer de l’Avenir, 66, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08021 Barcelona, Spain

Mon to Fri 8am – 3pm

Sat to Sun 9am – 2pm

3. Pècora – For a Quick Coffee and Bite-sized Pastries in a Whimsy Setting

Pecora, meaning sheep in Spanish, was a petite café I visited in the creative Poublenou district. Rather than a conventional coffee shop, Pècora grew organically from the success of Mas Meriendas, an artisan bakery founded by a pastry chef.

From the terrazzo floor to the retro plastic chairs to the small menagerie of toy animals by a glass mirror-topped table by the front of the café, the interior had a touch of whimsy. As there were no proper tables – just chairs and stools, the café served more takeaway customers rather than a dine-in destination.

From the selection of homemade pastries at the counter from Mas Meriendas which many gluten free and vegan options, I had the Carrot Cake, but found it to be too dry for my liking. Other items available were cookies, brownies, blondies, and sliced loaf cakes.

Coffee here was supplied by Three Marks Coffee, a café and roaster which I reviewed below.

Carrer de Pujades, 113, Sant Martí, 08005 Barcelona, Spain

Mon to Fri 8.30am – 3.30pm

Sat to Sun 10am – 5pm

4. Sin amor no – For a Healthy and Wholesome Greek-inspired Breakfast

After my light breakfast at Pecora, I walked past Sin Amor No – a morning bar that brings together speciality coffee, freshly baked pastries and Greek-inspired breakfast fare.

The interior was small but the combination of white surfaces, exposed brick walls and warm details gave the cafe a casual, welcoming quality, while its location in Poblenou added to the creative, design-conscious character of the café.

There was a scrumptious display of large-sized sweet and savoury bakes by the counter, ranging from Burrata Sandwich to their Canela Twist (which I tried a sample of and was really good).

Since I was café-hopping through the morning, I had limited stomach space so I skipped all the goodies on display and went for the Seasonal Granola Bowl (EUR8) on the menu. It was simple, natural tasting and wholesome, made with fermented chai granola, Greek yogurt and seasonal compote. There was a good balance of tart and sweetness while not being cloying at all.

I paired the granola bowl with the Matcha Latte (EUR 3.9, +0.2 for oat milk), which was apparently made with Japanese ceremonial grade matcha imported by ReqMatcha. However it did not reflect the quality of Japanese ceremonial grade matcha which I was expecting.

Carrer de Pujades, 127, Sant Martí, 08005 Barcelona, Spain

Mon to Fri 8am – 3pm

Sat to Sun 9.30am – 2pm

5. Three Marks Coffee – For the Best Specialty Coffee in Barcelona

If you’re a serious coffee lover visiting Barcelona, Three Marks Coffee is often regarded as one of the city’s standout specialty coffee destinations, operating as both café and roastery. I came by on a weekday morning and the café was visibly packed – with takeaway customers, patrons reading, working, catching up with friends. I patiently waited for the window seat.

Inside, the café extended across two floors, with large windows and the high ceiling creating a wonderfully airy and bright atmosphere. The design combined grey industrial elements with a clean, minimalist aesthetic.

Depending on the day, you could choose between different single-origin coffees and espresso options, with beans showcasing very different flavour profiles. The café offered coffees from origins including Honduras, Rwanda, Colombia, Ethiopia and Brazil, among others.

There was also an impressive selection of brewing methods. Alongside espresso-based drinks, Three Marks is known for its filter coffee, batch brew and pour-over preparations.

I had their Cappuccino (EUR3.5), which turned out to be my favorite cup of coffee from the stay in Spain. The barista was also friendly and made effort to interact with me, despite the constant flow of customers.

To complement the coffee, there was a small display of pastries, from which I chose the Cardamom Bun – unlike the ones I’ve had in Scandinavia, this one was felt too doughy and saccharine.

Carrer d’Ausiàs Marc, 151, Eixample, 08013 Barcelona, Spain

8am – 7pm daily

6. Wanna Place – For a Scandinavian-inspired Breakfast With an Interior Suitable for Working

Tucked in the quieter Sarrià-Sant Gervasi neighbourhood, WANNA place is a relatively new addition to Barcelona’s ever-growing specialty coffee and breakfast scene. The café has a Scandinavian-inspired concept, with its food drawing particularly from Danish breakfast traditions and pastries.Tucked in the quieter Sarrià-Sant Gervasi neighbourhood, WANNA place is a relatively new addition to Barcelona’s ever-growing specialty coffee and breakfast scene. The café has a Scandinavian-inspired concept, with its food drawing particularly from Danish breakfast traditions and pastries.

When I arrived at brunch time, the café was already half-filled with the work-from-café gang, and became fully packed shortly after. Thankfully, unlike Raw Studio, the café interior was spacious and uncluttered, so there was ample space between tables.

As a basic brunch girl, I had the Avocado Toast (EUR11) with came with mashed avocado, chives, lemon, salt and pepper topped on sourdough bread, and added scrambled eggs (+EUR3). It was unassumingly delicious, with every element standing out.

Along with the avocado toast, I also had the Cappuccino (EUR3) which was alright, not necessarily note-worthy.

Carrer de Sant Hermenegild, 2, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08006 Barcelona, Spain

Mon to Fri 8am – 3pm

Sat to Sun 9am – 2pm

7. Mooii Matcha – For a Legit Cup of Matcha Latte Beside La Sagrada Familia

Steps away from the Sagrada Familia was Mooii Matcha, where I stopped by for a mid-afternoon drink after admiring the Sagrada Familia from different angles and viewpoints. Founded and helmed by a Chinese couple, the café had a minimalist décor, with a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere despite being close to a major tourist attraction.

The couple brought in ceremonial grade matcha from China, of which there were 3 different tiers (Fresh, Deep +EUR0.5, Pure +EUR1) I could choose from for my matcha latte.

I went with the highest tier for my Hot Matcha Latte (EUR4.5) with oat milk. Out of all the matcha lattes I had in Barcelona, this was the best, with pronounced earthy and mild bitter notes of matcha.

Most desserts were already sold out when I went, so I settled for the Matcha Mochi (EUR3.8). Unfortunately, I felt that the matcha cream within was too mild, and the mochi skin too thick for my liking.

For the more adventurous, you can also try their special creations – Matcha with blueberry, strawberry, mango, yuzu or white mocha.

Carrer de Sardenya, 342, Eixample, 08025 Barcelona, Spain

10am – 8pm daily

8. Funky Deli & Eatery – For Yet Another Mediterranean-Inspired Breakfast and Homemade Pastries

Part of the Funky family of venues, alongside Funky Bakers and Funky Deli, Funky Eatery is a contemporary neighbourhood bistro which combines Mediterranean and Turkish influences with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Before catching my flight out of Barcelona, I went early in the morning right when they opened. The restaurant was modernly styled, with a mish-mash of colours and furniture such as steel-top tables, marble tables and wooden chairs and benches. Direct sunlight streamed through the large glass windows.  

Coffee here was from Nomad Coffee, a well-established roastery from the city. They had a special blend I had the Cappuccino (EUR3, +0.3 for oat), which was light and smooth.

Amongst the 2 items I picked (one from the savoury menu and one from the sweet menu), my favourite was the savoury Green Frittata (EUR13.9). The eggs were prepared with greens, baby spinach, mint, dill, parsley, basil and Ezine cheese – wholesome and delicious as you can tell from the shade of green.

I ended with the Atlas Favourite Fluffy pancakes (EUR11.9), featuring buttermilk pancakes with whipped butter, maple syrup and caramelised seasonal fruits. Though the pancakes were decent, there was also nothing notable or memorable about them.

You might also like to try their daily homemade pastries displayed on the trolley by the entrance, and check out the next-door deli which offers a range of artisanal goods imported from around Europe.

Carrer de la Diputació, 347, Eixample, 08009 Barcelona, Spain

8am – 7.30pm daily