Gràcia

A municipality of its own until annexed by Barcelona in 1897, Gràcia remains fiercely independent till today. And, on its most important square in the heart of its old town, sits a kiosk with a difference. Operated by cousins Juan Carlos and Luis, News & Coffee Gràcia is the embodiment of its location, surrounded by multiple generations of locals who take community very seriously indeed. With cool eateries, design stores and laidback nightlife now as much a part of the neighbourhood as its proud history, our injection of specialist coffee and curated magazines, fused with our family-first ethos, is the perfect fit for this singular Barcelona ‘barri’.

Walkable and inviting, Gràcia's streets are packed with independent retailers, small bars and restaurants, creative businesses and beautiful squares. Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia is one of those squares, and it is naturally Juan Carlos’s favourite spot in the neighbourhood, however he admits to returning to Gràcia in his free time to explore the new concepts and creative enterprises that are constantly opening. Most of all, though, he loves its people.

Cousins Juan Carlos and Luis had long been on the lookout for a creative project to get involved in, so when they found News & Coffee, there was no looking back. “The daily exchanges with people are the best thing about running the kiosk,” they explain. "The concept and the model of the kiosk makes it natural to chat with our clients, it’s rewarding to serve great coffee and spend five minutes talking to so many people with different ideas and interests.” Like all of our kiosks, people are at its core, and every one has different locals who we encounter every day. “We have so many different types of customers here in Gràcia,” says Juan Carlos. "There’s typical locals, we have famous people, eccentric people … but the kids are some of the funniest. We’re located in a square where a lot of children play after school, and a lot come and talk to us, mainly because they like our stickers. There’s one kid who’s had four birthdays already this year.”

With raw beans sourced from single origins that range from Guatemala to Kenya, Colombia to Ethiopia (South American produce favoured for Espresso, African for filter), the key focus is on the roasting process. Just the right temperature, just the right time. The result is a perfect speciality coffee for the street.

Here in this old but progressive part of town, titles around gastronomy and travel are some of the most popular; Paris-based MilK Magazine and Australia’s famous Lunch Lady are two of the best sellers. With some 100 independent magazines to choose from, it’s a tough choice for Juan Carlos when we ask him about his favourite, but he returns to a familiar subject: coffee.