Can Paixano — Restaurant in Barcelona

Went over the weekend, was a classical tapas bar although really overcrowded for parts which slightly pulls down my score on atmosphere.

However my biggest issue was the very poor and outright rude staff when ordering; when ordering a bottle I was told a minimum of 2 plates needed to be ordered despite me already asking to place an order for 5 or so plates as eating with a friend.

The barman was also annoyed that we did not have one of the blocks with a number on to order? I still didn’t know what that actually was because it was never actually told to us nor given by the person showing us our spot?

Whilst ordering the barman continued to walk off often for a minute or two and seemed to do other work before finally brining back the plate I had ordered. I was therefore standing around like an idiot at the bar for a prolonged and unnecessary time.

When I finally ordered the final plates and paid for all that I ordered the same barman stood around and looked at me like I was an idiot when I asked him where was my croquettes… I had to show him that the receipt, which I paid for just a second prior, had them on the tab he then reluctantly went to go fetch them.

To top things off when he returned with them I then repeated to have the two glasses for my bottle which he still hadn’t gave me, he more or less threw them towards me with the croquettes in doing so making me drop half of them and almost smashing one of the glasses onto a near by customer and their food. Needless to say I felt disgusted by his behaviour and felt quite embarrassed by the whole ideal.

It was a shame as his actions seriously hurt my experience of this place, which could have been a very...

If I had been given better service, this place would’ve been an easy 5/5, no doubt.

I waited 30-40 minutes in line with my mom and a friend. As we were waiting to be the next to enter, a random girl that we had not noticed before snuck in. We went to the front to tell the manager (seems to be of Argentine descent) that someone had gotten in without queuing. We told him in a polite manner and he exploded on us. He began yelling at my mother and became verbally abusive, insulting her and telling her that he “ran the place” and that no one would tell him to do his job. A local intervened and said that she had also seen the girl enter, to which he seemed to calm down.

The food was amazing, I have no complaints here. The botifarra was really good. Morcilla was good. Croquetas were good. Their cava is made in house and it is probably the best I’ve had in my life. I also had some sort of chistorra “hot dog” that was really nice as well.

However, I just can’t get over the service part. The women who were waiting behind us in line were some older Colombian ladies and they had also seen someone sneak in. The manager ONCE AGAIN became hostile and yelled at them in front of everyone. The ladies even said how they had seen that one girl skip us and asked if they had to pull out people who skipped themselves. The guy was extremely disrespectful and lacks any knowledge of customer service.

The only saving grace of the service was an older, bearded Catalan man that worked behind the bar. He was quite nice and provided good recommendations...

Can Paixano, affectionately known as La Xampanyeria, is a cherished cava bar located in Barcelona’s Barceloneta neighborhood. Since its establishment in 1969, it has become renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, exceptional house-made cava, and swift, friendly service.  

The bar offers a selection of sparkling wines, with the rosé cava being a standout favorite. Priced affordably—often under €2 per glass—it’s a popular choice among both locals and visitors. To accompany your drink, Can Paixano serves a variety of bocadillos (sandwiches) and tapas, featuring local meats and cheeses. It’s customary to order food alongside your cava, enhancing the overall experience. 

While the venue is typically bustling, especially during peak hours, the staff manages the crowd efficiently, maintaining a lively yet welcoming environment. For a more relaxed visit, consider stopping by earlier in the day.

If you’re seeking an authentic Barcelona experience with delightful cava and quick, amiable service, Can Paixano is a...