food & drink

“Good things happen after coffee,” reads the wall at Noor. It’s a cheerful promise from the Barcelona specialty coffee group, whose Arc del Triomf branch makes a compact stop in Sant Pere. An ornate façade frames the entrance; inside, the look is simpler, with a pale green tiled counter, wooden bench seating and trailing plants. Warm lighting runs beneath the shelves, which hold coffee bags and Noor merchandise. A little greenery goes a long way in a room this size.

The drinks run from espresso to cold brew and iced coffee, with matcha and tea for anyone in a different mood. There are baked goods in the glass display beside the counter, making coffee and a pastry the obvious starting point. It’s an easy combination for merienda, or for a brief pause during a walk around the old town. Takeaway suits those with more ground to cover.

The shelves make a case for continuing the habit at home. Alongside mugs and reusable cups are bags of coffee, including the group’s Noor Blend: Colombian and Mexican beans, washed and medium roasted. Noor describes notes of dark chocolate, ripe fruit, toasted nuts and molasses, with a delicate acidity. That gives the curious coffee drinker a few specifics to go on when choosing a bag.

There are caps, T-shirts and tote bags too, for those ready to wear their coffee allegiance. The simpler option is a cup and a seat on the bench. Dogs are welcome – so your usual walking companion can join you.