I'm in awe of cafes that manage to make something creative out of their drinks menu. Specialty coffee, matcha, and chai latte are great, but we need a bit more to make it exciting, right?

When I first passed by Maison Coffee, I was in a hurry, but I caught a glimpse of the drinks menu and was thrilled. The menu was filled with fun coffee and tea creations, complete with photos to illustrate what they actually look like. I couldn't wait to return to try some of them.

*Maison Coffee, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.*

My hunch about Maison Coffee was correct. The cafe went straight to my list of favorite cafes. It might look small from the outside, with a street-side table, a couple of chairs, and a counter and a bench inside. But it actually has plenty of seating inside; just walk down the narrow corridor (and make sure to catch a glimpse into the kitchen!), and you'll find a cute room with different-sized tables, perfect if you go by yourself or in a group.

Maison Coffee Barcelona — *Maison Coffee, Barcelona. Photo © Barcelona Food Experience.*

The specialty coffee they serve is roasted by local roasters Right Side Coffee, and the barista will make you a nice cup of whatever you fancy. Should you want to try something different, there's a machine where you can get latte art based on a photo you bring! You'll also find several other options of coffee drinks that you probably won't find anywhere else, such as the Toque de Thai, with coconut milk, mint, and espresso.

Should coffee not be your favorite drink, fear not. There is plenty for you to pick from. Just the matcha options were fascinating: you can have your regular (albeit high-quality) matcha if you wish, or maybe spice things up with a matcha with jasmine and cream. I tried this beautiful concoction and loved it: the jasmine gave it such a lovely floral touch and the cream a softness. They even finished the drink at the table, which was a nice touch.

But let's not stop here. The range of tea-based drinks here is vast and worth a second and a third look. I highly recommend you check with the team and let them guide you. They take these things seriously, and we should, too. For example, the Oolong Mousse Tea, with semi-fermented oolong tea, osmanthus flower that is said to be one of the most captivating floral fragrances in the world, cream, and cream cheese (!). This should pretty much give you an idea of what we're discussing here: something exceptional.

What would a nice hot (or cold) drink be without something sweet, you ask? Fear not; Maison Coffee's got you covered with their, obviously, homemade cakes. I'm not the one who gets easily blown away by a cheesecake: it seems that Barcelona has been taken over by a cheesecake craze for a couple of years already. But having said that, I was truly blown away by the cheesecake here. It was so creamy and soft, not too sweet, with a perfect, thin crust. And because one piece of cake is not enough, we also opted for the pistachio cheesecake. For any pistachio fans out there: just go for it. The flavor of pistachio was intense without being overpowering. Their signature matcha and lime cake is also an appealing option, not only visually, and the almond and salt (!) cake sounded intriguing.

If you're craving something savory, you'll find that on the menu too. Croissants filled with salmon and cream cheese, cute little bagels, and toasts are among the options for when you're looking for something to compensate for the sweetness.

Maison Coffee is the kind of place you'll want to return to again and again, not only for your caffeine fix but to work through their whole menu: it is that cool.

Maison Coffee, C/ de Provença, 158, local bajo, 08036 Barcelona.

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