Can Dende - Where Happiness Lives
I had heard interesting things about Can Dende before visiting it for the first time, but it exceeded every expectation I had. The place is very small, and with the benches strategically placed outside you get an early warning that it might get very busy, up until the point that people would wait outside for their table. I was lucky and arrived just in time, and got myself a table, to enjoy a lovely brunch with a friend.
Can Dende, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
Now this is when it gets complicated. What to choose? The menu is packed with interesting things, and you get a handwritten paper with the daily specials, AND there are items on the blackboard too. My friends and I decided on sharing some fried green tomatoes as a starter. I only know of one other place in Barcelona that serves these, Picnic Restaurant, and they are supposed to be delicious. Well so where these; a stack of the fried stuff with really good salty cheese in between, and not-spicy pico de gallo.
Can Dende, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
For the main course we couldn’t decide between the savory and the sweet, so we compromised: we chose savory pancakes with bacon, and French toast. The pancakes were big and fluffy, and for me, a savory pancake virgin, it really hit the spot. And the French toast… Excellent. The bread was toasted just perfectly without being too chewy, and the slices not too big. They were covered with berries, banana and nectarines.
Can Dende, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.
As a good brunch eatery they obviously have eggs Benedict, Florentine, burgers, and…wait for it… waffle fries! And a dessert that they are famous for: the Infancia Feliz (Happy Childhood).
The decoration of the place is worth mentioning. Even if it’s tiny it makes great use of its space. The open kitchen is smack in the middle of everything, and that adds to the charm. There is a cool light installation made of a piece of wood just above the bar, and behind one of the tables there are shelves filled with pantry items that don't fit in the open kitchen. And the benches outside add to the charm.
Except for the food there is something else that stands out with this place. The staff is very, very friendly. Friendly in the way that you become all happy and fluffy inside, just like their pancakes. A friendliness like that is a rare find.
Address: Can Dende, Carrer de la Ciutat de Granada 44, Barcelona (Poblenou).
