🎉 Feliz Año Nuevo from Barcelona!
That means Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas — I certainly did. Being in a gorgeous city like Barcelona is always a gift. I’ve been taking more photos than ever, and my sister suspects I might secretly be a spy! Every picture I snap is with this website in mind — for those who’ve visited, are planning to visit, or simply dream of Barcelona.
📸 Stay up to date with my latest snapshots on Barcelonafrommyheart 's Instagram..
🥂 A Nostalgic Visit to Can Paixano
Yesterday, just before the year ended, I did something I hadn’t done in over 25 years — I visited a xampanyeria, a cava bar my dad used to take my brother and me to when we were little. It’s a special spot near the harbour, famous for its bocadillos de chistorra — spicy sausage sandwiches served in proper Spanish bread rolls (not your average sliced bread!).
I wasn’t sure if the place still existed. My brothers thought it was “El Xampanyet,” but the photos online didn’t match my memories. I had a hunch the real place hadn’t been refurbished — and I was right. The place we loved was Can Paixano, and it still has the same look and feel after all these years. There’s now a shop at the back selling cava and other goodies, but the vibe remains unchanged.
I went with my nephew — the same one who helps make this website look so modern and beautiful. He’d never been to a xampanyeria, so I had the joy of introducing him to it myself. We weren’t even hungry, but it felt like a must to soak in the atmosphere.
“Two Cokes,” I asked. The server laughed and said they’ve only served cava and water for the past 45 years! I could’ve sworn I had Coke there as a kid, but who knows? So, cava it was. I’m not a big drinker — I have a sweet tooth — but the cava was sweet and refreshing, and I downed it with surprising ease. We shared a bocadillo and promised to return soon.
Price: 2 glasses of cava, 1 bocadillo de chistorra, and a bottle of water — just €4.75. A spontaneous early New Year celebration!
I can’t believe it took me so long to revisit this place. I’d forgotten about it for years, but it holds a special place in my heart. If someone special ever took you somewhere meaningful — go back if you can. Life is short. My dad passed away in 1992, but the memories live on.
đź“Ť Can Paixano Details
- Address: Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 7, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Phone: +34 93 310 08 39
- Opening Hours:
- Bar: Monday to Saturday, 09:00–22:30 (Yes, cava from 9am!)
- Shop: 09:00–15:00 and 15:30–20:00
- Closed: Sundays and public holidays
- Note: No chairs — it’s meant to be a quick stop!
- International: Can Paixano products are available in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, and Romania. Interested in distributing? Visit their official website.
🍾 What Is a Xampanyeria?
A xampanyeria is a casual cava bar serving sparkling wine, small tapas, and bocadillos. Once popular with sailors, it’s now a favorite among locals and tourists looking for a tasty bite and great vibes.
🍇 What Is Cava?
Cava is a high-quality Spanish sparkling wine made using the traditional method — with a second fermentation in the bottle. It’s served chilled (4–6°C) and produced in the Mediterranean region, where sunnier skies and less rain yield grapes with lower acidity than Champagne.
🥖 What Is a Bocadillo?
Bocadillo means “little bite.” It’s a Spanish bread roll or baguette filled with cold or hot ingredients — sausage, omelette, tuna, ham, chorizo, steak, pork loin, frankfurt… you name it!
🌶️ What Is Chistorra?
Chistorra is a thin, spicy Spanish sausage — flavorful and perfect in a bocadillo.
📶 A Note on Wi-Fi in Barcelona
Updating this website without my computer — and with barely any Wi-Fi — has been a challenge! I upgraded my mobile plan for unlimited roaming (calls and texts only), and the operator assured me I’d find Wi-Fi easily in Barcelona. I replied, “You’ve clearly never been to Spain, right?” I was right!
Local spots like Can Paixano don’t offer Wi-Fi. Even popular places like Ciudad Condal tapas bar skip it — they’re so good, they don’t need it. These days, most people have mobile data, so restaurants can get away without installing Wi-Fi. Customers keep coming back for the food — and that’s what matters!
