Discover Artte with ShBarcelona

A relatively new concept in Barcelona, Artte opened in 2014 and is tucked away inconspicuously at Muntaner 83C in Eixample, in between Universitat and Passeig de Gracia metro stations. Its entrance belies its spacious and warm interior where friendly staff, art exhibitions and walls of tea canisters greet you.

Open Tues-Sun from 9am-midnight and Mondays 9am-6pm, Artte is a unique space offering a mix of music, art and tea. It has a full bar as well for the weekends and evenings when DJs play, but during the weekdays and midday on Saturday, Artte is a chilled place to catch an intimate live performance in the cafe at the back, and check out the current art exhibition with friends.

The genres of music are diverse – from Latino, world music, classical, jazz, funk and soul, West African rhythms, to the popular and electronic dance beats. Many of the performances are free, and Saturday afternoons are 5 euro. Artte also hosts the occasional special event such as New Year’s Eve, when it closes late.

While your ears enjoy the live music, your tastebuds will be occupied by the range of tea from all around the world. There is tea from China, India, Sri Lanka, and Japan – chai, macha, rooibos, jasmine, ceylon, green tea, etc in addition to favourites such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey and fruit and herbal teas will satisfy the most pedantic tea aficionado. If you appreciate tea so much you want to know how to make it as well, there are regular courses in their atelier in the front space.

If you’re hungry, the menu is a mix of light meals comprising mostly gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as substantive mains including steaks, merluza, chilli crab, red curry, and grilled vegetables, with vegan and vegetarian options, while the beverages include fruit smoothies and natural juices as well as ginger and lemon shots. There’s also a tasty cocktail menu.

If you’re not sold on the music performances or even tea, Artte is still a nice place to relax and catch up with friends, study or work, or take some time for yourself. There are newspapers and magazines, power points to plug in your laptop, and a coat rack in the cafe area. Its long couches at the rear and sides separates smaller tables for groups of 2-4, while a long table in the centre is for larger groups and families. There’s even a separate menu for children.
Artte is a perfect option to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of town and step into another world of music, art, food and tea.