Food & Drink – Caj Chai – authentic teashop in Barcelona

Caj Chai is a rather beautiful, slightly quirky, very subdued teteria (tea shop) hidden in the squiggly old streets of the Gothic Quarter.

Caj Chai is undoubtedly the best tea shop in Barcelona, and one that will make you want to order a second pot of tea in order to take advantage of doing absolutely nothing when you should absolutely be doing something else far less important than relaxing.

The décor is one of deep red tones, the lighting is subdued, the walls bare brick and the furniture consists of random formations of retro chairs and armchairs clustered around more random tables. The ambience is of comfortable sophistication.

Each tea is beautifully prepared as if by an artist, and comes served in traditional pots. Prices are a little steep (pun intended) but the experience is divine.

They serve an incredible number of teas, from whites, greens and reds to oolong teas from all different areas of Asia, plus a large range of fruit and herb infusions. Whatever you choose it will be beautifully made following traditional processes with water heated to the exact correct temperature.

If you feel like the tea should be washing something down, if you get my drift, they sell typical oriental and Arabic cakes, such as green tea mochi – those cold, pasty, dusty, squashy, ovate bean-filled pasties that sound disgusting but taste blissful.

Caj Chai is owned by a New Yorker who trained in the Czech Republic and fancied creating something different in the twisty streets of Barcelona.

Caj Chai is the perfect spot for a clandestine meeting with a would-be lover, or with an enchanting book, and the best thing about it is, there is no wifi. Just you, and your tea.

Sant domenec del call, 12
Gothic Quarter

www.cajchai.com

Tuesday – Sunday 10 30 – 22hrs
Monday 15 – 22hrs