La Clandestina

Nestled deep in the Barri Gothic is a place called La Clandestina. It's a relatively small café, and if you didnt know where you were going in the twisting and turning streets of the Barri Gothic you'd walk right by it. The entrance is a deep forest green, with some graffiti over it, but remains inviting.

When you walk in you are immediately greeted by a calming and warm atmosphere. The walls are painted yellow and green with parts of the brick wall underneath showing in places. The café has a collection of wooden, and leather chairs, as well as old fashioned coaches, and mosaic tiled tables. There are glass and paper lanterns and lamps hanging from the ceilings and attached to the walls. If you look up at the ceiling it has large wooded beams painted gold, with purple paint in between the beams. The café has a certain aroma to it, like a mixture of shesha and incense with the occasional burst of scent from a tea or special coffee being made. It has a collection of rustic antiques such as vases and tea kettles displaced around the café. The main counter has a selection of delicious pastries and cakes displayed, along with jars and jars of tea leaves and mixtures lined up on a shelf behind the counter. On the counter also stands 5 Hookah pipes all different shapes and colours next to a large beautiful glass mirror. When you order a tea it comes in an old fashioned silver teapot with a Moroccan style tea cup, which looks like a large shot glass with intricate designs on it. As I sit here, relaxing on a coach I just listen to the sounds of the café, which consists of relaxing modern light jazz/piano music similar to Norah Jones, the clanking of tea cups or cutlery, the noise of the coffee machine as the barista makes a coffee or tea, and the background chatter of Spanish locals. This is exactly what Ive been looking for. A place to come and relax and read, or write, a place that isn't filled with American tourists, or isnt well known.

I could spend hours here, reading a book, surfing the web or just enjoy a cup of tea. They specialize in many different kinds of tea, so far being here twice Ive tried a Rooibos tea with flowers and fruit, and a Massala Chai tea, both have been delicious.
From 4pm onwards the mood of this little café changed, it became more lively and a popular hang out spot for locals. People sit at the bar sipping coffee, sitting close to each other discussing whatever is on their minds. On eof the barista's is cleaning a hookah pipe to give to a table to smoke shesha. Three guys sitting behind me play cards at a small round table by the door. A woman beside me, sits alone and smokes a cigarette while typing on her mac laptop. 4 Spanish men sitting infront of my enjoy beers while catching up with each other about the week's past events. I now sit at a breakfast bar type seating where I am able to charge my laptop. Quiet or loud, I love this café either way. It's relaxing and also full of life, offering a great hang out spot, or a place to come with friends. Either way, i will be returning here a lot.