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Aldea

Barcelona

Farm-to-glass sips in a well-designed space

El Born, home to some of Barcelona's best bars, is one of the city's most bustling neighbourhoods. There's nothing quiet about a night out on its cobblestoned streets. And yet, on a little side street, you'll find the pastoral atmosphere of Aldea – meaning 'hamlet' in Spanish. Don't expect cowbells and grazing sheep, of course, but rather an oasis of calm and big, honest flavours. The project is the brainchild of Silvia Dorninger and Fran Falco, who spent months hand-building the furniture and interior to reflect the values of rural self-sufficiency. Dorninger, a farmer's daughter from Austria who travelled the world to make drinks, has translated her background into a space that feels intimately personal and deeply intentional.

The cocktail programme is designed to evoke memories and places through innovative flavour combinations. The Coral Reef Club is a highlight, featuring a unique oyster shell distillate paired with a dill and raspberry sorbet topped with cava. The bubbly slowly dilutes the sorbet and the cocktail evolves one sip at a time, for a result that's saline, fruity, and effervescent. For those seeking deeper, earthy notes, the Boteco combines bourbon with passionfruit, maple and shiitake mushrooms, showcasing the downstairs lab's ability to balance savoury and sweet elements. These drinks are best enjoyed alongside their signature Japanese-style sandos, which add a layer of casual comfort to the avant-garde experience. Aldea provides technical precision with a soul, providing a quiet retreat in the heart of a touristy area.

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