Oriol Balaguer in Barcelona's Sant Gervasi is the uphill pastry showroom of the four-time World Pastry Champion: the cruffin and his signature panettone.
Tip: Closed Monday. The panettone needs to be pre-ordered three days ahead in November-December.
Address: Plaça de Sant Gregori Taumaturg 2, 08021 Barcelona
Forn Mistral in Barcelona's Sant Antoni has baked Catalan country breads since 1879 in a stone-floored shop: country loaves, coques and the morning-only croissants.
Tip: Open daily from 07:00. The pa de pages country loaf is the order; coca de fuet for lunch picnics.
Worth the queue: Coca de fuet
La Pastisseria Barcelona in Barcelona's Eixample is Josep Maria Rodriguez's modernist pastry counter: laminated croissants, Saint Honoré and competition-grade chocolates.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The Saint Honoré holds best at room temperature; eat within four hours of pickup.
Worth the queue: Saint Honore
Forn Baluard in Barcelona's Barceloneta is Anna Bellsola's Mediterranean bakery: pa de blat, coques, ramats, the canonical seafront forn since 2007.
Tip: Closed Monday. Get there before 11:00 for the full coca de fuet range; the ramat is the take-home order.
Worth the queue: Coca de fuet and ramat
Turris in Barcelona's Eixample is Xavi Barriga's sourdough chain: long-fermentation loaves, laminated croissants and a daily-bake pizza al taglio at lunchtime.
Tip: Open daily. The sourdough sells through by 16:00; queue at 12:00 if you want a whole loaf.
Worth the queue: Sourdough loaf
Escriba in Barcelona's Eixample is the four-generation Escriba family bakery: chocolate Easter eggs, modernist gateaux, and the kiosk on the Rambla since 1820.
Tip: Open daily. The chocolate Easter eggs are a March order; the Mona de Pascua is the Holy Week pick.
Worth the queue: Chocolate Easter egg
Panes Creativos in Barcelona's Sant Antoni is Daniel Jorda's artisan-sourdough bakery: sculpted bread, long-fermentation loaves, and the Barcelona-Bread champion title twice over.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The sculpted breads are the centerpiece; pre-order for a dinner party.
Worth the queue: Sculpted bread
