Taking kids for a snack in Barcelona has its challenges: finding a place with good value for money, in a safe area where children can move around freely, with options the whole family will enjoy, without queuing for twenty minutes in the middle of August. It’s not as easy as it sounds.
This guide rounds up the best places to take kids for a snack in central Barcelona in 2026 — especially in summer, when the afternoon snack becomes the plan of the day. Organised by area, with hours, prices and what you’ll find at each spot.
La Palau (Born): the most complete snack plan in the centre ⭐
If you only have time to read one option, make it this one. Gelateria La Palau is on Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 14, literally facing the Palau de la Música Catalana, in the heart of the Born — and it’s the spot that best solves the “snack with kids in the city centre” problem.
Why it works so well for families
✅ The street is pedestrian-only. Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt is one of the few streets in the centre completely free of cars. Kids can move around freely while the adults pick their ice cream without having to watch for traffic. In summer, with the terraces and the atmosphere of the Born, it’s exactly the kind of space where a snack turns into a full afternoon plan.
✅ The waffle + gelato combo is unbeatable. The star dish for kids: a freshly made, warm waffle, topped with a scoop of artisan Italian gelato from Menodiciotto and a topping of your choice. Toppings include Nutella, whipped cream with M&M’s-style candy, banana with chocolate, and crunchy bits with dulce de leche.
✅ The gelato is the real thing. Menodiciotto is an Italian gelato workshop founded in Turin in 1986 by master gelatiere Luca Grassi. The fruit flavours — lemon, strawberry, mango, melon, passion fruit, peach — are made with real fruit, no artificial colours or flavourings. Kids notice: it tastes different.
✅ There are options for everyone. The fruit flavours are lactose-free, gluten-free and vegan. There are also sugar-free artisan GÜD ice lollies, traditional Valencian horchata and freshly squeezed natural juices. Nobody is left out.
✅ The price doesn’t hurt. In a city where a snack can easily cost €8-12 per person, the waffle + gelato + topping combo at €4.90 is one of the best value options in the centre.
👉 Get directions · Check the menu
Other places to take kids for a snack in Barcelona, by area
Chocolat Box (Carrer de Jaume I, 3) is a solid option if you’re in the Gothic Quarter: waffles dipped in melted chocolate with different toppings, open from 8:00 to midnight. Carrer de Jaume I gets a lot of tourist traffic, but the shops are easy to reach and the prices are fair. It doesn’t have a spacious terrace like La Palau, but if you’re already strolling through the Gothic Quarter with kids, it’s an easy stop.
Sweet Gaufre (La Rambla, 83) has been the go-to waffle shop on Las Ramblas since 1986. The offer is classic — waffles and crepes with traditional toppings — and the location is unbeatable if you’re already walking along Las Ramblas. The atmosphere is very touristy and there can be a queue in summer, but it’s a trustworthy spot.
Farggi has several shops spread across the Eixample. As a Barcelona family chain since 1957, its offer is well known: artisan ice cream, waffles with classic combinations and a family-friendly atmosphere. If you’re in the upper part of town or in the Eixample, it’s the most accessible option. It doesn’t have the uniqueness of Italian artisan gelato, but it does the job well.
Waffle Barcelona (Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 300) goes a step further: all-day brunch from 8:30 to 21:00, with both sweet and savoury menus. If the kids are genuinely hungry and not just after an ice cream, it’s an option to sit down and eat something more substantial before dessert. The atmosphere feels more like a restaurant than a gelateria, which can be more comfortable for families with younger children.
Orxateria Astúries (Carrer d’Astúries) has been a Gràcia classic since 1956. Its speciality is traditional Valencian horchata — a perfect snack for kids in summer — and they also serve waffles with chocolate to go alongside it. The terraces in Gràcia are much quieter compared to the centre, and in summer there’s something special about having a horchata on a terrace in Gràcia.
Bubbwrap (Carrer dels Tallers, 80) is different from everything else: bubble waffles, the sweet treat that originated in Hong Kong’s markets, blending the waffle with ice cream in a cone to go. The batter has bubbles poking outward instead of squares, giving it a completely different texture from a classic waffle. For kids who have tried everything and want something new, it usually works very well. More than 25 toppings, with batter in original, chocolate or matcha versions.
How to choose your snack spot depending on where you are
Tips for snacking with kids in Barcelona in summer
Recommended time — The typical afternoon snack in Barcelona happens between 17:00 and 19:00. In summer, with the heat, many families push it back to 19:00-20:00, when things cool down a bit. Spots like La Palau, open until 23:30, allow for total flexibility.
Quieter areas — Central Barcelona in August is very crowded. The pedestrian streets of the Born — Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, Passeig del Born — are much more comfortable to visit with kids than Las Ramblas or the Gothic Quarter, where tourist traffic is very dense.
Budget — A reasonable range for a snack with kids in the centre is €4 to €7 per person. La Palau’s waffle + gelato + topping combo at €4.90 is on the good end of that range. Ice cream alone usually costs between €2.50 and €4.50 depending on size and flavours.
Kids with allergies — Always ask for the allergen sheet before ordering. At La Palau we have it available for all Menodiciotto flavours. The fruit flavours are generally gluten-free and lactose-free, but always confirm if there’s a severe allergy.
Where we are
La Palau is located at Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 14, in the Born, Barcelona, facing the Palau de la Música Catalana. Metro Urquinaona (L1) or Jaume I (L4). We’re open every day from 12:30 to 23:30.
Check out all our flavours on our ice cream menu or drop by and we’ll help you in person. You can also see how to get here on our location page.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I take kids for a snack in central Barcelona?
The best spot to take kids for a snack in central Barcelona is Gelateria La Palau (Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 14, Born), with waffles + artisan gelato from Menodiciotto for a €4.90 combo. It’s on a safe pedestrian street, open every day from 12:30 to 23:30, and has options for kids with allergies or intolerances.
What’s a good snack for kids in Barcelona in summer?
In summer, the most popular snack for kids in Barcelona is artisan ice cream or the waffle + gelato combo. At La Palau (Born), the warm waffle + scoop of cold gelato + topping (Nutella, chocolate candy…) combo for €4.90 is the favourite plan for many families passing through the Born.
How much does a snack for kids cost in Barcelona?
A reasonable budget is €4 to €7 per person. La Palau’s waffle + gelato + topping combo costs €4.90. Ice cream alone is between €2.50 and €4.50 depending on size. Classic waffle shops (Sweet Gaufre, Chocolat Box) have similar prices.
Is there gluten-free ice cream for kids in Barcelona?
Yes. At La Palau (Born) all the fruit flavours of Menodiciotto’s artisan gelato are gluten-free: lemon, strawberry, mango, melon, passion fruit, pineapple, peach, coconut and mixed berries. Dark chocolate is also gluten-free. We can check the allergen sheet for any flavour on the spot.
What can kids do in the Born at snack time?
The Born is one of the most comfortable neighbourhoods in Barcelona for taking kids: many pedestrian streets, a lively atmosphere without the crowding of the Gothic Quarter or Las Ramblas, and a good choice of snack spots. The most direct plan is Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt with a stop at La Palau — facing the Palau de la Música — followed by a stroll through Passeig del Born or the Mercat de Santa Caterina.
What time is best for a snack with kids in Barcelona?
In winter, between 17:00 and 18:30. In summer, when the heat is strong, many families wait until 19:00-20:00 to snack once it cools down a bit. Spots with long hours like La Palau (open until 23:30) let every family adapt to its own rhythm.
Where can I take kids for a snack near the Palau de la Música?
Gelateria La Palau is literally facing the Palau de la Música Catalana, at Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 14. It’s the closest snack spot to the Palau, open every day from 12:30 to 23:30, with waffles, artisan gelato, ice lollies, horchata and natural juices.
Are there sugar-free snacks for kids in Barcelona?
Yes. At La Palau we have artisan GÜD ice lollies, a range made with natural ingredients and no added sugar, in many fruit flavours. We also serve freshly squeezed natural juices. They’re an alternative to classic ice cream for kids who can’t have sugar or families who prefer lighter options.