We’re always drawn to cafes that highlight casual comfort; places where you can lounge around while enjoying a solid snack and something equally tasty to sip. Beyond a nice mix of sandwiches and tapas, Bar Carabela’s concise menu also includes cakes and a couple of tex mex specialties, while their typical drink list (coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer, wine) is enriched with various fruit juices and shakes. Tiled walls and funky fixtures provide a homey interior, although it’s much more popular to make use of the sidewalk seating when the weather’s warm.

The outdoor terrace is a favorite summer feast of sun and people-watching, while the Roy Lichtenstein sculpture on the corner seizes the scene. Keep this place in mind as a pit stop on your way to Barceloneta, and as one of the most informal and relaxing ways to immerse yourself in the heart of the city.