Bristol Café — Restaurant in Barcelona

Bristol Café was a complete disaster. Whoever owns this place seriously needs to reconsider their staff because I have never encountered such incompetence in any brunch spot in Barcelona.

From the moment we walked in, the experience was unwelcoming—no greeting, no menu, just a cold QR code to order, with no receipt sent to email. Despite the café being half-empty, the staff acted as if they were overwhelmed, likely due to the constant stream of Glovo orders clogging the entrance.

After waiting 15 minutes for drinks, they finally arrived—one of them with dirty chia seeds stuck to the glass. That’s when I knew things would go downhill. Half our order was missing, and despite the kitchen alarm constantly pinging with ready meals, the staff ignored them, running past while smashing dishes on the already filthy floor. I had to physically stop a waiter to point out that our hot food (now cold) had been sitting there for over five minutes, while they prioritized takeout orders instead.

If the staff paid as much attention to their customers as they did to their phones, this place might actually improve. As for the food? Average (and tiny portions). The atmosphere? Equally bad....

They have lovely cakes and beautiful interior but it's not worthy the awful service! Every time I leave the place I feel completely devastated and angry. I live close and gave them a chance 4 times and every time it's a huge disappointment and ruined mood! They don't care about you at all. They may notice you in 20-30 minutes or may not, they may be rude, they may not let you sit where you want just because, their coffee with soy milk is flaky disgusting liquid. Seriously, every time I hope the previous experience was just a bad luck but they give me zero reason to come back and my friends share the same experience. Fourth time today and I just left unattended after waiting for almost 20 minutes at the table, I literally forced a waitress to stop and she told me I have to wait for being attended to order a cake and coffee for "AL LEAST 30 minutes" (they were hardly half full inside, the limited capacity terrace were almost full & yes they said they are running out of staff but freaking COFFEE & a piece of cake!!I). It's very very sad cause there are almost no beautiful places for a decent coffee and a cake in a neighborhood, but I never would recommend the...

Great art deco decor, but it was a little average in everything else. We came here based on some photos of the cakes, and the lemon meringue was very tasty, I'll say that. Even for someone like me who doesn't really like meringue, it was very pleasant. Really nice flavours and variety, and excellently made. Different to a lot of cake shops in the city.

The coffee was not good though. I didn't even know people made cappuccino this way anymore except those very old snack bars and cafes in villages in Portugal. For such a young staff and the cool retro look, the cappuccino seemed straight out of the 70s. And it wasn't very warm and tasted a little watery/milky. If this place was run by old people, I would get it. But don't expect 3rd wave coffee despite the hipster vibes.

Tea was nice in the artsy teapot.

Service was pretty middle of the road, nothing bad, nothing outstanding. The woman working the register was very friendly though!

If you want to escape the chain cafés and crowds around Sagrada Familia and want an independent café with a unique appeal, it's worth a stop but I wouldn't go on a special trip...