Boqueria – just off Las Ramblas and a proper working market. This is the place to stock up on your cheeses, Spanish hams and chorizo. I love looking at the fishmongers at work, they have such a huge selection.

Cacoa Sampaka – there are two Cacoa Sampaka stores in Barcelona. They have a good selection of chocolate tablets as well as cocoa powder, chocolate covered coffee beans and lemon peel. The one in the Gothic quarter is just a shop while the one off Passeig de Gracia is bigger with a café also. Try the spicy Aztec hot chocolate – it’s so thick your spoon will stand up.

flyingthud – I used to love Xocoa too, but the last time I was in Barcelona (Spetember) it had closed down.

Of course Barcelona also has an entire museum devoted to chocolate – I’ve never been but anything with lots of chocolate must be good!!

In terms of food the Tragaluz Group has a number of restaurants including Agua down on the seafront. My personal favourite is the main Tragaluz restaurant itself. Think modern European food with definite Catalan influences. I’m also fond of its young hip sister across the road which serves a good selection of Japanese food.

Not a sophisticated (nor as expensive) as Tragaluz is Senor Parellada. Located near the Jaume I metro stop it also opens on a Sunday night when many other restaurants close.

Enjoy your trip, we expect some lovely pictures from that nice new camera of yours also.

Centra Cafe is also kind of good but a little bit out.

My personal favourite tapas bar is called Bar Jaica located on Carrer de Ginebra, 13. The staff are rude, its kind of loud, but theres no tourists, and the pimientas alla padrone are great, if you don’t mind the occasional spicy one.