Founded in 1997 by six of its 19 current inhabitants, the Palo Alto creative complex (officially the “Private Foundation Centre of Artistic and Cultural Production Palo Alto”) provides studio space for designers of every stripe, from architecture to graphics to fashion, as well as exhibitions and other related events. Palo Alto sprawls across an expansive, smartly refurbished textile factory but its social hub is undeniably La Cantina del Palo Alto, whose colorful decor and tasty nosh attracts visitors as well as inmates.

The Cantina’s skilled chef Núria specializes in simple, effective dishes. The reasonably priced lunch menus are a particular hit: not only are they extremely good value for money—they also feature an appropriately inspired mix of Mediterranean and Catalan cuisine, prepared with locally-sourced ingredients.