To be filed under “Next Trip to Barcelona”: Café Kafka offers a place to meet and imbibe in El Born, the city’s answer to New York’s Lower East Side or Le Marais in Paris.
Inspired by the remains of two old tables found on site, designers Yolanda Vilalta and Helena Jauma created a trendy cosmopolitan vibe while respecting the building’s history and structure. A notable collection of 1950s lamps, recycled vintage furniture, and shelves of classical books all combine to create the ideal setting to soak up Barcelona’s creative scene.
Photography courtesy of Café Kafka via Yatzer.
Above: Multi-coloured rattan stools made in France sit at the bar, adding a hint of the French bistro. The front of the bar has been paneled with cast iron sheets found on a demolished building.
Above: A table is ready for its guests.
Above: A collection of light fixtures from the 1950s bring an eclectic retro feel to the historic building.
Above: A full bar.
Above: Mirrors reflecting the glowing lights are dotted around the walls.
Above: A bookshelf filled with pale paperbacks is surrounded by a gold frame.
Above: A gold-painted column and velvet upholstery add a touch of luxury.
Planning a trip to Barcelona? My favorite bookstore La Formiga d'Or is tucked away in a side chapel of the Barcelona Cathedral. Be sure to pay it a visit.
The map below shows the location of Café Kafka in the La Ribera section of Barcelona.
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on August 15, 2013 as part of our Travels with an Editor: Barcelona issue.