Café Barcelona

Delectable Breakfasts in a Cozy Atmosphere

Venturing into the vibrant heart of Streatham, where grumbling trains serve as a morning symphony, I found myself seated within the intimately animated embrace of Cafe Barcelona. Bearing more than a whiff of Iberian flair, this gem near the station has garnered something of a devoted fanbase, and it is rather easy to see why. Picture toasties oozing with cheese, wedges of orange and almond cake that whisper tender promises at your taste buds, and churros dipping outrageously into thick, voluptuous chocolate. Breakfasts extend to 3 PM—joyfully blurring boundaries between first and second meal—served with delightful mugs of cortado or cappuccino that rise above pedestrian liquid energy delivery.

While not quite firing on all cylinders in the service department on the odd Tuesday afternoon—a gentle prompt to management here—the illusion of atmospheric imperfection was easily dispelled by my crumbling devotion to the legendary natas and a breathtaking Cuban trio strumming away on Fridays. Yes, the quarters are a tad cozy and portion sizes might lean towards petite for those arriving with brunch behemoths on their minds, but the warm glow radiating from personable owners and love-struck regulars more than accounts for any spatial shortcoming. The eye-popping decor coupled with a penchant for brilliant bohemian vibes brought an air of continental adventure to a sunny corner of south London—fizzing quietly with neighbourly patter and the relentless extraction of espresso shots. Certainly worth stepping off the train's thundering path to luxuriate in its small yet delectable world. — Penelope Savory