Federal Café: Urban Eatery in Pere Garau

The new urban eatery juts out onto Plaça de les Columnes like the bow of a ship. To both sides people are sitting in the open windows, dangling their feet. In no time Federal Café became popular among travelers and local coffee lovers in Pere Garau.

Years ago, when Federal opened their first specialty coffee shop in Barcelona, the concept of a place where you can grab a bite at any time of the day was rather unconventional. Today, you find late revelers indulging in a savory breakfast while young parents nurse a strong coffee, comforting their toddlers. Digital bohemians next to neighbors chatting over a beer. All at the same time and at the same place.

Sweet and Hearty

There’s salads and sandwiches, pastries and smoothies, coffee of course, wine and beer. So you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner whenever you want. If you have a sweet tooth, the pancakes with passion fruit are a real treat. Those who are more into hearty snacks may relish the reuben sandwich or one of the egg dishes. Maybe after starting with a yogurt or muesli.

In Company

The open space and the bright furnishings make you feel at home, right away. While couples like to linger in the small window alcoves, there is also a big table in the center of the café. Sometimes occupied by groups of friends. At other times the temporary home of single travelers who don’t like to eat alone.

Australian Coffee Culture

The concept of Federal Café was actually created by two Australians who named their coffee shop after a quiet little town near Sydney. First they took Barcelona, followed by Madrid and other destinations popular with city travelers.

The Barrio

So it comes as no surprise that Palma followed, recently. The opening in Pere Garau though is another sign of the transformation of the barrio. For now, the pedestrian zone in Carrer Nuredduna and the traffic restrictions in the former roundabout turn the lively neighborhood of Plaça de les Columnes into an even more livable one.