La Font del Gat: the return of a beloved Barcelona icon
Nestled in the heart of Montjuïc—one of Barcelona’s cultural and natural lungs—La Font del Gat has reopened its doors in spectacular fashion. After years of silence, this historic spot returns thanks to the Grup Confiteria, known for reviving some of the city’s most emblematic gastronomic spaces.
Its comeback is marked by a unique offering that blends traditional cuisine, popular culture, live music and open-air cinema—reviving the festive spirit that made this fountain famous since the late 19th century.
Address: Passeig de Santa Madrona, 28 (Barcelona)
A living legacy: from fontades to modern-day merendero
For decades, La Font del Gat was synonymous with celebration. Located in a modernist building by Puig i Cadafalch, it was a gathering place for Barcelonans who would climb Montjuïc to enjoy the renowned “fontades”—picnic-style feasts around the fountain, complete with music, wine, dancing and joy.
Grup Confiteria has aimed to rescue that collective and festive memory, updating it with a contemporary vision that remains deeply faithful to its roots. As co-founder Lito Baldovinos puts it, “We’ll preserve the spirit of Montjuïc’s merenderos, offering something simple, local and unmistakably Barcelonan”.
A space for all: culture and leisure every day of the week
The new La Font del Gat is not just a restaurant or a bar. It’s a true cultural gathering place, offering a different experience each day of the week:
Wednesdays: Fontada Musical – Live concerts in all styles, curated by figures from the Catalan music scene.
Thursdays: Sopars del Gat – Guest chefs from the city’s best restaurants serve special dinners paired with music.
Fridays & Saturdays: Fontadas de Tarda – Evenings of cocktails, tapas and music in the garden to kick off the weekend with joy.
Weekends: Vermut Musical – Aperitifs under the sun with live music and a relaxed vibe. A fresh take on the vermut tradition.
Open-Air Cinema – Twice a month, cinema takes over the night with themed sessions pairing iconic films with signature cocktails. Martini & Fellini, Paloma & Buñuel or Boulevardier & Truffaut nights turn every screening into a full sensory tribute.
The venue also hosts art installations, photography and sculpture exhibitions, and light-based artworks—reinforcing its multifaceted identity.
Rooted cuisine and soulful grilling
The culinary concept is a journey to the past with an eye on quality. The menu is built around traditional recipes and Catalan staples:
Skewers of meat, fish and vegetables cooked over open flame.
Sunday paellas prepared by guest chefs.
Classic favourites like homemade croquettes, Russian salad or coca de recapte.
All paired with a carefully selected list of wines, spirits and cocktails to complete the experience.
Local games, petanca and true Barcelonan spirit
La Font del Gat stays true to its playful past. The reopening includes forming a petanca team, organising traditional games, and hosting family-friendly participatory activities. The goal is simple: to make both neighbours and visitors feel like they belong, just as they did in the old days.
A project with soul: Grup Confiteria’s commitment
Reviving La Font del Gat is just one piece of the puzzle Grup Confiteria has been building since 2014.
With a clear mission to preserve history and breathe new life into iconic venues, the group has brought back to life spaces such as La Confiteria, Cafè del Centre, El Maravillas, Ultramarinos Marín, Bodega Molina, and the internationally acclaimed cocktail bar Paradiso—named the world’s best by The World’s 50 Best Bars.
“La Font del Gat stays true to its playful past and includes forming a petanca team.”
With over 25 renovated venues and around 300 staff, their gastronomic and cultural offering has revolutionised the Barcelona scene, blending tradition and innovation like few others.
Rediscovering Montjuïc together
With this new chapter, La Font del Gat reclaims its place as a gathering space for locals—a hidden gem where people can escape to enjoy the city from above, surrounded by greenery, history and good company.
It’s not just about food and drink—it’s about celebrating, sharing, and reconnecting with the cultural roots of Barcelona. La Font del Gat is back—and it’s here to stay.
Highly recommended.
(*) Photos: Pol Rodríguez.
