Caelum

Cake shop · Barri Gotic

Caelum

Cake shop · Barri Gotic

2

Carrer de la Palla, 8, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

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Highlights

In Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, Caelum serves monastic-made pastries and rich coffee in a cozy cafe layered with medieval charm and history.  

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Carrer de la Palla, 8, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain Get directions

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@caelumbcn

€10–20

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Carrer de la Palla, 8, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain Get directions

+34 933 02 69 93
instagram.com
@caelumbcn

€10–20

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Last updated

Aug 2, 2025

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@afar

"Set among the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter, this café offers a delicious selection of cakes, tarts, cookies, and other desserts—all baked by nuns from convents and monasteries around Spain . There are truffles from the sisters of Valladolid, cider cake from Santa Inés of Seville, and tea biscuits from the Convento Madre de Dios in Cáceres. Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or pot of tea, or try the famous hot chocolate. You can get a table upstairs, but it’s down below that you’ll want to score a seat: The space—a medieval-era Jewish bathhouse—features ancient stone walls and high vaulted ceilings. Live classical music concerts are occasionally held there, making for one of the more magical places to indulge your sweet tooth."

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@atlasobscura

Caelum – Barcelona, Spain - Gastro Obscura

"Within Barcelona’s medieval Jewish quarter, a cafe provides a treasure trove of delicacies made in monasteries all around Europe. At Caelum (“heaven” in Latin), visitors can indulge in an array of pastries, confections, drinks, and other delights distinguished by their monastic associations. While the shop itself isn’t a religious institution, its owners have accumulated a range of delicacies, including traditional egg yolk candy, Trappist beers, and a decadent custard known as “bacon from heaven,” all made in monasteries and convents. The ground floor houses a cafe and store, your standard romantic setting for afternoon tea. A trip down to the basement, however, reveals a piece of medieval history: the remains of the quarter’s public baths. What better way to appreciate cakes invented centuries ago than surrounded by stone walls, flickering candles, and vaulted ceilings straight out of the Middle Ages? To maximize the experience, bring along a macabre delight such as nun-made Saint’s Bones to pair with monk-made Green Chartreuse liqueur. Know Before You Go Caelum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. every day. And, yes, that includes Sundays." - rachelrummel, Lana Velkov, Xavixavir

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/caelum-barcelona
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Mabelle Makary

Google
A magical and authentic spot in the heart of Barcelona. This is one of the most charming and unique patisseries I’ve ever been to. At the entrance, you’ll find a lovely selection of artisanal products made by monks and nuns, beautifully displayed and available for purchase — a rare and heartwarming touch that sets the tone for the whole experience. Walk further in and you’ll enter the heart of the patisserie: a cozy space with tables surrounded by an array of pastries, all beautifully presented behind glass. You can simply look, point, and pick what you want — everything is freshly made, and the taste lives up to the visual appeal. The coffee is excellent, and the staff is kind and welcoming. Caelum is a must-do in Barcelona if you’re looking for something traditional, soulful, and delicious.

Paula González

Google
Definitely don’t recommend the food! I was on my way back to the hotel and saw the macarons and had to stop, but they were definitely a disappointment - a hard cookie with sweet goo on the inside (definitely didn’t have that melt-in-your-mouth feel good macaroons usually do).The place looked so cute and the store had a good selection of packaged goods, however the cafe itself was not good. Such a shame! The staff was super nice but the food was VERY overpriced for what it was - each macaroon was 6 EUR and some change. Wouldn’t come again, felt like a tourist trap.

Irina Udodenko

Google
Today I visited this cafe. I had high expectations, especially regarding the pastries. I was terribly disappointed! The cakes tasted terrible. The sponge cake with cream was tasteless, leaving a greasy taste in my mouth. But what spoiled me the most was the disgusting service. The female waitress was dismissive of serving. It was as if we were bothering her by coming and asking for our order. I felt terribly awkward being there. I do not recommend it.

Irina Cornelia Colomei

Google
Very nice & cozy place! Great atmosphere! We got the lemon pie, strawberry pie and a crazy delicious cake with lemon, pistachio, pomegrante and sugar glazing on top. A bit pricey for what it is actually, but I think it is a great experience to have. The stuff was very very nice! 100% Recommend it!

RHON ACE BERMUDEZ

Google
"Awaken your senses at CAELUM! ☕️✨ Whether you crave a rich espresso, a creamy latte, or a cozy spot to unwind, we’ve got the perfect brew waiting for you. Join us for a sip of happiness today!"

ammar alawneh

Google
My experience was very good in this place. I start my morning with cream Catalan and American coffee the service is very nice and they are friendly. The quality of the suite is very good. The quality of the café is very good. and they have many different type of sweets and some products. You can buy recommend this place.

Kaan Erdogan

Google
A friend wanted to try this French bakery looking place and I am grateful. We tasted 3 different deserts and liked each of them. My favourite was the Cream Catalan - by far. (The lemon pie was too sweet for me and the monastery cake was too dry but both still good.) The staff is friendly and the place feels cozy. They were closing for the day at 8 so we had to have our pies as take away but could be a nice spot for some tea or coffee.

Jan Bäckström

Google
Excellent cakes, pleasant service and a very cosy and cute atmosphere
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Byron S.

Yelp
Great find for a cool drink and a sweet dessert. Plenty of fresh options. We selected the chocolate cake with orange and the lemon meringue. Very tasty! Enjoy.
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Jennie C.

Yelp
So mid in terms of food. The cake we got was so dense and a little big overpriced. However, the people were really nice and we loved the decor of the restaurant. The decor is really good! And so cute. The location is central and easy to find.
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Drew J.

Yelp
My wife and one child came here and said it was wonderful with French pastries and great coffee. So the other child and I went there. It was average coffee and really slow service. The macarons and other pastries were delicious. Maybe solid 3 and a half
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Farheen I.

Yelp
What an absolutely adorable little cafe! This is worth visiting for the vibes alone, but you'll definitely want to order a cup of coffee or tea and a cake of the day. In this instance, the cake of the day was an assortment of various pastries, cookies, and cakes. We got the carrot cake and whiskey cake, and each ordered some tea. The cakes were the best desserts we've had on the trip so far! They tasted so fresh and homemade, in the best way possible - moist, not too sweet, and with well balanced flavors. Really delectable!

Rylie S.

Yelp
A must try in Barcelona! The pastries are so delicious, I tried cherry almond cake and and carrot cake. So good we couldn't even wait to let the phones eat first!
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Fernando Z.

Yelp
Wonderful old world ambiance. Excellent coffees, macaroons and other pastries. Attentive service.
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Jean Y.

Yelp
I love this little cake shop - it's everything little old ladies like me ask for in a cafe. Cute vintage displays, little tables with rickety chairs and a window of local Catalan specialties. We loved the creme catalan tart- it's creme brulee in a pastry shell - so creamy with a burnt sugar top. The tart filled with chocolate was OK. Great cafe con leche and earl grey tea. The shop also supports the local nunneries and monasteries by selling their cakes and cookies and other treats which I appreciate. If I could I would repackage and market their brand with flying cherubs and gold curly trim.
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Carmen V.

Yelp
Caelum means heaven in Latin...and surely you will think you find it when opening the door of this patisserie in the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona. Just some steps away from the Cathedral, it is located in a building that hosted the Jewish public baths in 1300...what a surprise when my friend took me there a couple of weeks ago when I was visiting. And I thought I knew everything from my town! You have to descend the narrow stairs to enter to that magic, silent, spiritual world...and being surrounded of wonderful pastries, cakes and coffee helps a lot. They also do concerts in that secluded space, what a treat that must be! I deeply enjoyed my coffee time with my friend there, we were just the 2 of us catching up and receiving a super personalized and attentive service. When history, customer service and excellent meet...you get Caelum!
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Michael U.

Yelp
Items Tasted: Chocolate Biscuit Crema Catalana Tart Honey Walnut Torrone Apple Rum Cake Vanilla Almond Cake Focused on the baked goods of monasteries and convents across the Northeastern part of Spain, Caelum proved a most interesting diversion on the last full day in Barcelona, a visit to the corner Café during heavy rainfall providing not only temporary relief from the weather but five sweet treats that proved very enjoyable later. Set up as part-Market and part dine-in area, the former filled with both Wines and Candies bearing the names of their makers while the later offers a number of baked goods lined up as a glorious display in the window, it was with time somewhat limited that the decision was made to select a handful of Pastries that were boxed and paid for, a lunch-reservation in waiting unfortunately preventing a visit to the medieval Jewish Bath below that has since been turned into additional space for diners to gather. Saving the vast majority of items for later, only a Crema Catalana Tart eaten straight away for fear that the Chinese Egg-Custard style item would soak through its Chocolate-lined Pastry Shell in the intervening hours, suffice it to say that neither the Chinese nor Taiwanese have anything on the Nuns responsible for this dish, a crackling bruleed layer quickly yielding sweet Cream with the shell very flaky and chock-full of Butter. Enjoying the rest of the Pastries later that day, the complimentary Chocolate Biscuit little more than a dipped Shortbread, it was with utensils grabbed elsewhere that a Cake of Vanilla, Meringue and Almonds was carefully cut as Confectioner's Sugar launched skyward, the sweetness coming quick but dissipating fast and leaving behind a nutty linger. Warned that the Apple Rum Cake was "full with Alcohol," a fair warning for an item that ate much like a Baba au Rhum with a thin layer of Fruit Jelly on top, it was finally in a messy Honey-Almond Torrone that the tasting finished, everything about this item save for its visual presentation absolutely perfect as it married the flavor of Baklava to soft, sticky Nougat.
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Shane S.

Yelp
Wow, what an interesting and fun place. When you walk up it seems like your run of the meal dessert and specialty food shop. Then you walk downstairs and discover the dessert lair! A huge display of desserts and a bar with coffee and alcohol. Such a unique place and very romantic. The desserts were amazing and this should definitely be a stop on your Barcelona tour.
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Marian D.

Yelp
Came here on the recommendation of our tour guide who stated that this was the place to go for desserts in Barcelona. This quaint coffee/dessert place is about a 4 minute walk off of La Rambla and also located pretty close to the Barcelona Cathedral. On first look, you can you see the decadent pastries on from the window and they look so good they draw you in! There are two spaces to this place, you can either choose to eat and sip on your drink upstairs orrrrr you can venture down stairs and enjoy your desserts in what seems to be an old underground brick chapel. For drinks, my husband ordered an expresso while I ordered the Cappuccino - coffee in Espana is a lot stronger than it is in the states and so we highly appreciated it since we were both so tired from walking around for hours. It definitely gave us the pick me up we both needed. For food I ordered the tea biscuits to eat with my cappuccino and my husband ordered the Almond moon cake which was not overwhelmingly sweet and a perfect slice. I regret my decision and wished I ordered a slice of one the cakes they had on display but alas, maybe next time we come back. We went back upstairs to buy goodies they had packaged and was able to pay for our snack and goods with a credit card. After buying all the gifts for your friends back home on la rambla, treat yourself to some amazing pastries and come inside!
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Daniel V.

Yelp
A wonderful slice of Paris in the Gotic neighborhood. Come in, close your eyes, savor the pastries, and let the afternoon breeze take you to the left bank.
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Heidi A.

Yelp
Came here for an afternoon coffee and treat with friends.. We ordered a cappuccino, cafe con leche and earl grey tea. I am not a fan of earl grey but this one tastes delicious! My cappuccino was delicious but I wish I chose the CLL too. For food we ordered a chocolate cake, carrot cake and a raspberry cheesecake. All satisfying each of our palette cravings. By the end of it we were all quite full. Very cute place with a downstairs level that has more seating!
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Andrew P.

Yelp
Beautiful little pastry cafe located in an old walking neighborhood of Barcelona. Their pastries are pretty impressive and the decor is outstanding. It's a wonderful place to enjoy some coffee or tea with a friend or spouse over some sweets. They have a nice little gift shop where you enter with some interesting selection of sweets to go.
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Tammy C.

Yelp
This place was HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by my tour guide. The cafe is downstairs and has the most beautiful display of desserts. Apparently their takeout dessert box is made fresh daily by nuns. ‍ Their white chocolate raspberry is my FAVE and so was their cheesecake. Don't forget to pair it with their creamy café con leche :)

Linxi X.

Yelp
AVOID it by all means!!! Totally not worth the money and calorie!!! Place 4/5: nicely decorated and the dessert display was drooling. Food & service: 1/5: ordered a cheesecake with coffee, and the waiter literally slammed the dish on my table. RUDE!!! The cake was merely New York cheese cake, and dry af. If you crave NY cheesecake, go to NYC! If you crave cheesecake or a delightful treat, try Spanish styled cheesecake, and any shop even the chain store can delight you. Will I come back again? No.
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Jeff D.

Yelp
Quaint corner coffee and baked foods cafe. Worth the stop. The baked goods are stacked in the corner easily visible street side. And they taste good too. Atmosphere is relaxing and inviting.
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Mehdi L.

Yelp
It's just an incredible coffee place to absolutely not miss in Barcelona/ Gothic quarter. Their home made cakes are all fabulous and very tasty. A good and quite place to be alone or with a lover specially at midday when everybody is focusing on tapas. ;)
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Jennifer O.

Yelp
After arriving in Barcelona from Paris, we headed to Caelum to have some cake.... cuz that's normal, right? Anyway, the cafe is cute, it is the corner of a building and has a table of pastry right in the window. All of the pastry looked spectacular, but the chocolate cake we got was only so so. It wasn't very rich at all (and this may be a Spain vs France thing because other chocolate we had in the city was the same). Anyway, the cafe con leche was very good, creamy and delicious. The service was hurried and seemed stressed... trying to pay was a nightmare. If you come across this place, it isn't a bad place to stop, but I wouldn't make a special trip.
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Aleta D.

Yelp
A friend had recommended Caelum as *the* place to get drinking chocolate and pastries. I found the chocolate to be just ok, the pastries mediocre, and atmosphere quite snooty, not friendly to tourists at all. The place is filled with well-dressed locals talking quietly and drinking their tea daintily at their tables. If you dare to laugh you'll get stared at. My friend ordered what the menu described as a plate of mini rings, we were guessing donut-like things, and what she got was one. small. ring. Not quite a donut, and not anything amazing even when not comparing it with donuts. It had an odd, slightly stale flavor to me. If you want a place just to rest your feet after walking all day and have a nice warm drink and something to nibble on, I recommend Tostaderos Bon Mercat instead. It had a very welcoming atmosphere, the employees were very kind and explained the menu items, and the drinking chocolate was creamier.
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Scott M.

Yelp
We made a special trip to Caelum on the recommendation of a friend. However, we cannot bring ourselves to recommend it to anyone else after the experience we had. We were surprised that the restaurant does not take credit cards -- considering the large number of pricey items in its store (20 euro boxes of candies, 8 euro jars of confection, etc) and the fact that nearly every other business in the city takes credit nowadays. Our bill alone was 16 euros for 2 coffee drinks and some candies. The food was fine, though overrated. When we sought clarification about payment (in Spanish) the server and manager (?) were very rude to us. Although the menu did specify no credit cards, not surprisingly the notice was buried at the bottom of the menu's last page in very small text. Any restaurant that does not take credit these days is just being cheap, and Caelum is such a restaurant. I would rather they just raise their prices 2% to account for fees. There are so many wonderful establishments in the Barri Gotic neighborhood that deserve patronage, I'm sorry to say there is no need to make a special trip here.
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Robert B.

Yelp
This is a cute little coffee and dessert shop near the Cathedral in the pedestrian alleys. They sell packaged desserts from nuns from around Spain as well. The dessert in the window was achingly beautiful, so I had to go in. The Catalan style mille feuille-like dessert was as decadently tasting as it looked, and the caffe con leche was as good as any I had in town. The piano music (recorded) was a nice accompaniment. Make sure you see the bottom level as well downstairs...beautiful dungeon/wine cellar/candelabra feel. Too bad not a single of the 4 ladies working there cracked a smile much less made eye contact at any point during the experience...not the friendliest of service. Also, some poor girl had to run out to an ATM after discovering they don't take credit cards.
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Ulrich G.

Yelp
Amazin pastry and traditional xocolate. Handmade from nons in the area. Catalan pastry is done by the monastry in Barcelona. Really inspiring place.
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R S.

Yelp
Thank you Caelum for the most wonderful desserts and coffees we have had in Barcelona! Thank you as well for carrying wonderful liquers to bring home to family and friends for gifts! Marzipan cake? Chocolate torte? Carrot cake? Cheesecake? Fig, orange and chocolate cake? YES PLEASE!!!

Linda G.

Yelp
Our tour guide called it heaven and must have. It may just be me, but it was just "ok" we had the red velvet cake and the chocolate cake

Anonymous S.

Yelp
Simply divine. Came here for a quick snack and glass of wine around the corner from my temp spot in the Gothic Quarter. Definitely worth checking out.
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Alfredo R.

Yelp
A short walk from the cathedral of Barcelona, you will find the Caelum at the corner of Carrer de la Palla and Carrer dels Banys Nous (in fact, it IS the corner :-). The cafe has a nice retro touch to it, a sort of shabby chick doll house that would probably appeal more to Mrs. Espresso than it does to me. The staff was very friendly and prepared my espresso almost instantly. The espresso, however, was average in all aspects. Crema, richness and complexity of taste were acceptable but nothing to travel across town for. Overall this leads to a solid 3 star rating. espressorato-blogspot-de
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Clara M.

Yelp
I love this café. All the sweets and cakes are made by Spanish nunneries. The hot chocolate is also delicious, especially on cold winter days. The pity is that the place is small and sometimes there isn't empty tables :(
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Andrew A.

Yelp
Charming tea rooms with cakes. If there is no space upstairs try walking past the till area and go downstairs. Rich home made hot chocolate.

Jen J.

Yelp
It is a cute little place to sit down and have a drink and a sweet. We had a tea and a slice of cake that was made of acorns and chocolate.
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Missy J.

Yelp
The three of us found this quaint little place by chance. My husband wanted an iced tea but previously was only able to get the sweet canned variety or try to make his own concoction at the table with hot tea and ice. Not so here, they have a ready selection of cold teas available. The coffee was excellent and the pastries devine. Our friend had the strawberry tart and loved it. The service was attentive. Our waitress even told us a bit of history .... there used to be a Jewish bath house on the lower level which she allowed us to see. Everything was charming and clean. We loved it so much we went back the next day after sightseeing. It can be a bit tricky to find, but well-worth the effort!
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Valeria M.

Yelp
This place is heaven :) Not only because they specialize in sweets and other delicatessen which are hand-made in monastries all over Spain, but because the decor is absolutely charming, the staff exquisite and the delicatessen delicious. We ordered an espresso (which was perfect for my Italian tastebuds) and got an almond pastry upon asking for a recommendation to the owner and picking it out from the dreamy pastry layout in the shop window. The sweet treat was delicious! I bought a box to bring home, and plan on returning to stock up on some really nice mandarin- and vanilla-flavored liquors I spotted. Also, bonus points for being one of the few genuine/local spots in a tourist-trap packed area! Absolutely not to be missed.

Al F.

Yelp
Walked in the door, the upstairs tables were full and the woman behind the counter didn't even look up let alone tell us where to go. We saw others go down the stairs , we pointed and she just shrugged her shoulders, so we went down. We sat at the only open table in the basement, a waiter dropped two menus off and didn't come back. We finally figured out we had to point out the dessert we wanted from the display on the other side of the wall. Then we sat there with 3 desserts but they never brought forks to eat with. 2 of the 3 desserts were dry , certainly not worth the money. Forget this place. They don't want you there.