Coffeebreak
Balzac Café, on Passeig de Sant Joan in Eixample, has a 3.9 rating from over 800 reviews that reflects a genuinely mixed but often passionate response. One long-time regular describes experiences ranging from terrible to wonderful, while others call it a true standout in the neighbourhood's coffee scene, crediting much of the charm to Cheo, the owner, who is consistently present and hands-on. It's worth a visit for travelers curious about a character-driven local café, though it's less consistent than some newer specialty spots nearby.
✨ Reasons to go
💡 Good to know
⏱️ Typical visit
20 min
🕰️ Best time
early morning, morning, lunchtime, afternoon or early evening
🚶 Walking intensity
Easy pace
What people say
"This place is close to my house, so I've been there many times, and my experiences have ranged from terrible to wonderful. I'll start with the great: the filter coffee, which many people criticize because of the price, is the best coffee I've ever tried!!! The owner really knows what he does and loves coffee and his work. If you've never tasted anything other than burnt bitterness in coffee – you have to come and try their special filter coffee. Then you'll definitely understand that specialty coffee is different from regular coffee. In my opinion, it's a fair price for a great experience! Balzac is also very beautiful, always has fresh flowers and delicious pastries. The place has a great atmosphere, and it's clear they put their heart and soul into it. Cons: every time I tried to get coffee to go and was in a hurry, I got stuck in line, or my order got lost, or something else happened, and I ended up being delayed for 20 minutes or more. So I don't recommend this place if you're in a hurry. Overall, I think this is a great place if you want to try some interesting coffee, spend some time with friends, and aren't in a rush. It's also dog-friendly. I wish the place prosperity, and overall, it's a 5/5!"
— Natalie P.
