A great place to sample typical Catalan pastries, chocolates and take a coffee. The window display is an attention grabber and the bunyols, coca and croissants live up to their appetising appearance. The young manager is a friendly chap happy to serve in English.

On La Rambla de Catalunya

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An established (since 1827) chocolatiers in the Barri Gotic. My god, talk about mouthwatering....not too sweet. Pierre Marcolini has some serious competition!

A truly original and stylish gift to take back for the descerning chocolate-lover (actually, I can take or leave chocolate, but these are special).

The ladies behind the counter even gift-wrap their cheapest bars of chocolate for you without the sort of attitude one might expaect from such an institution. Shopping the old-fashioned way. Not cheap, but what do you expect?

Carrer del Pi, 16 in the heart of the Barri Gotic

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In addition to presenting the "history" of chocolate, the museum displays huge chocolate sculptures. There is also a cafe offering chocolate treats.

Comerç 36, in the Gothic Quarter;
tel: 93 268 7878;
metro: Jaume I or Arc de Triomf;
open: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 10am-3pm

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I don't know if this is a Catalan speciality, but it is absolutely gorgeous (and I am not even a chocaholic, not by a long way). In some, but not all, cafes, the hot chocolate drink is thick, a bit like custard, so that you have to eat it with a spoon. You might think it would be too rich, but no - because it's not too sickly sweet, just chocolatey. Often served with 'melindros' - almondy cakes a bit like spongy macaroons. Or 'churros' - unsugared doughnut 'worms' that are delicious.

Found in all cafes, but some serve xocolata thicker than others.

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The café is gone but the unusually flavoured chocolates thankfully remain. The chocolates are the stars, but the pastries are also gorgeous and the chocolate-themed gifts a lot of fun - chocolate beer anyone?

C Petritxol 11-13, 08003; tel: 93 3011197

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Think Willie Wonka versus Ferran Adria and you get a cosmopolitan, eclectic and mind-boggling menu featuring such random selections as hot chocolate soup with curry and yoghurt ice cream. Beats other neighbouring milk-bars in what is known as the hot chocolate street.

Carrer Petrixol 11, 08002; Tel: 00 34 93 301 11 97, www.xocoa-bcn.com/; nearest metro: Placa Catalunya

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