ARTICLE
Where to Have Breakfast on the Costa Brava
The Costa Brava isn't just beaches and hidden coves. In recent years, the breakfast gastronomy scene has evolved spectacularly. From the traditional "cafè amb llet i croissant" to Australian-style brunches with avocado toast, the variety is enormous. This guide covers the best breakfast options across the Costa Brava, organised by area.
What You Should Know Before Choosing Where to Have Breakfast
The Costa Brava has almost 200 kilometres of coastline, from Blanes to Portbou. The breakfast offering varies enormously depending on the area:
- Tourist areas (Lloret, Platja d'Aro): many options, but quality is uneven
- Charming villages (Begur, Cadaqués, Pals): fewer places, but usually better
- Residential areas (S'Agaró): limited options but authentic
- Girona city: the highest density of quality coffee shops
Important schedules: Many places close between seasons (November-March). In summer, the best ones fill up quickly — especially at weekends between 10:00 and 12:00.
Zone 1: S'Agaró — Platja d'Aro — Sant Feliu de Guíxols
This is the area with the most quality options within a short radius. In 10 minutes by car you can choose from five or six good spots.
🐇 Dirty Rabbit — S'Agaró
Avenida Platja d'Aro 275, S'Agaró · Google Maps
Dirty Rabbit is our café (yes, we're writing this guide, so the bias is obvious). But we'll tell you why we think it's worthwhile, with facts.
We serve coffee from La Cabra, the Danish roaster that's been among the best in the world for years. We prepare it on a La Marzocco KB90 with reverse osmosis filtered water. If coffee is your thing, you'll notice from the first sip.
But Dirty Rabbit is more than coffee. Breakfast includes toast with Benfumat smoked salmon (the best smoked salmon in Catalonia), pastries from La Puntual (Girona bakery), and sourdough bread from Origo Bakery (Barcelona). We also serve REQ matcha and Awachai chai — we're not limited to coffee.
Location: 3 minutes' walk from Sant Pol Beach. Perfect for breakfast before or after a swim.
Languages: Spanish, Catalan, English, Polish. Menus in Russian, French and Ukrainian.
Best for: Relaxed breakfasts, brunch with friends, remote work with WiFi.
La Maglia Coffee & Co — Platja d'Aro
Carrer Juli Garreta, 10, Platja d'Aro · 5 min drive from S'Agaró
La Maglia has the honour of being the first speciality coffee roaster on the Costa Brava coast. They roast their own speciality coffee with 100% arabica beans. The name comes from the Giro d'Italia pink jersey — on Saturday mornings you'll see groups of cyclists drinking flat whites.
They serve açaí bowls, sourdough toast from La Farinera (Sant Feliu) and natural juices. The terrace is large and works well for a quick breakfast or staying a while.
Best for: Cyclists, local coffee lovers, healthy breakfasts.
ANNNA — Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Carrer de l'Hospital, 21, Sant Feliu de Guíxols · 7 min drive
Ana and Pascal opened ANNNA in Casa Trachsler, a 19th-century manor house in Sant Feliu's old town. It's speciality coffee, 100% gluten-free artisan bakery and concept store — all in one.
Their gluten-free sourdough is one of the best we've tried in Catalonia. The selection of local products (oils, wines, ceramics) is worth a visit just to browse. The space itself is beautiful.
Hours: Thursday to Monday, 9:00–15:00. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Best for: Coeliacs, design lovers, slow and beautiful breakfasts.
Maison Marcel — Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Carrer Major, 5, Sant Feliu de Guíxols · 5 min drive
French artisan bakery run by Andrea and Franck. They make everything themselves, 100% homemade — and it shows. Their butter croissants with local organic flour are legendary. Pain au chocolat, Paris-Brest, tiramisù... If you're looking for serious pastries, this is the place.
The coffee isn't from a speciality roaster, but you come here for the bakes, and they're exceptional.
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 8:30–19:30. Sunday 8:30–14:30. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Best for: French pastry lovers, sweet breakfasts. One of our favourite recommendations in the area.
Grace Coffee — Platja d'Aro
Carrer Pineda del Mar, 27, Platja d'Aro · 5 min drive
Practical option if you're in central Platja d'Aro and don't want to move. Decent coffee, varied breakfasts, good reviews (4.6 on Google). It's not certified speciality coffee, but it's above average for the tourist area.
Best for: Quick and convenient breakfasts in central Platja d'Aro.
Zone 2: Palamós — Calonge
Zero — Palamós
Carrer Pagès Ortiz, 55, Palamós · 12 min drive from S'Agaró
Palamós is famous for its red prawns, but it also has decent coffee options. Zero offers speciality coffee, espresso, filter and cold brew. Breakfasts and lunches with vegan options. Free WiFi and calm atmosphere.
Hours: Every day 8:00–15:00.
Best for: Calm breakfasts, vegan options, escaping more touristy areas.
Dupla — Sant Antoni de Calonge
Sant Antoni de Calonge · 8 min drive
Relatively new speciality coffee and brunch. Near the seafront promenade. Information is limited — we recommend checking hours on Instagram (@dupla) before going.
Best for: Exploring new options in the area.
Zone 3: Begur — Pals — Calella de Palafrugell
This is the most "instagrammable" area of the Costa Brava. Charming villages, postcard coves and some very good cafés.
Fitzroy Café — Begur
Carrer de Francesc Forgas, 1, Begur · 20 min drive from S'Agaró
Fitzroy is an institution. Inspired by Melbourne coffee culture, it offers cult brunch: legendary banana bread, kimchi toasties, smash avo toast, banana pancakes. All on a beautiful terrace in Begur's old town.
Note: It's seasonal — open mainly in high season (spring-summer). Check before going in winter.
Hours (season): Monday, Wednesday to Sunday 9:00–14:00. May open evenings.
Best for: Top-level brunch, cool atmosphere, the prettiest village in the area.
Grava — Pals
Carrer de la Font, 7, Pals · 20 min drive
Café + pizzeria + natural wines. They work with Right Side Coffee from Barcelona (to be confirmed). Very popular with gravel cyclists. The patio is perfect, and the location at the foot of medieval Pals is unbeatable.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday 8:30–13:00 and 18:30–00:30. Closed Wednesday.
Best for: Cyclists, breakfast + medieval village, natural wines.
Rustik Empordà — Bellcaire d'Empordà
Carrer del Molí, 4, Bellcaire d'Empordà · 25 min drive
Bakery and café in a small inland village. Famous for incredible toast, filled croissants (try the chocolate and banana one) and yoghurts with fresh fruit. Popular with cyclists as a route stop. Pets welcome.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:00–13:30. Saturday and Sunday 7:30–13:00. Closed Wednesday.
Best for: Cyclists, authentic village breakfasts.
Zone 4: Girona City — The Coffee Capital
If you like speciality coffee, Girona city is the provincial epicentre. In a 15-minute walk through the centre you can visit five or six international-level cafés.
La Fábrica — Girona
Carrer de la Llebre, 3, Girona · 35 min drive from S'Agaró
Founded by professional cyclist Christian Meier and his wife Amber in 2015. They roast their own coffee under the Approachable Coffee brand. The venue is a former carpentry workshop with stone walls. Amber bakes the pastries. Over 90 professional cyclists frequent the place.
It's probably the best-known café in Girona and a reference for speciality coffee in Catalonia.
Hours: Every day 8:00–17:30. Only closed 25 December and 6 January.
Best for: Cyclists, top-level coffee, authentic atmosphere.
Espresso Mafia — Girona
Carrer de la Cort Reial, 5, Girona · 35 min drive
La Fábrica's little sibling, opened in 2017. Same coffee (Approachable Coffee), more modern space, more experimental. They serve up to five different coffees with tastings, nitro coffee and seasonal specials.
Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00–19:00. Saturday and Sunday until 20:00.
Best for: Trying several coffees in one place, more urban atmosphere.
Federal Café — Girona
Carrer de la Força, 9, Girona · 35 min drive
Part of the Federal chain (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia). Australian-style brunch: avocado toast, eggs benedict, pancakes. Reliable speciality coffee. Near Girona Cathedral.
Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:00–17:00. Friday 8:00–19:00. Saturday and Sunday 8:00–17:00.
Best for: Classic brunch, central location, groups.
Oniria Café — Girona
Carrer del Nord, 11, Girona · 35 min drive
Small, intimate café with guest roasters from across Europe (rotating). Raw vegan and sugar-free pastries. If you like trying different coffees each visit, Oniria is your place.
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00–17:00. Sunday 11:00–17:00. Closed Monday.
Best for: Exploring European roasters, vegan options.
Hors Catégorie — Girona
Carrer del Perill, 3, Girona · 35 min drive
Cyclist café working with Nomad Coffee from Barcelona. The name comes from the hardest climbing category in cycling. Healthy food, craft beer, cycling memorabilia. Also open evenings.
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 8:30–23:00. Wednesday to Saturday 8:30–00:00. Sunday 8:30–23:00.
Best for: Cyclists, coffee with evening atmosphere.
Zone 5: Northern Costa Brava — Cadaqués and L'Escala
Casa Nereta (Café Nereta) — Cadaqués
Carrer Pintor Joan Ponç, 1, Cadaqués · 60 min drive from S'Agaró
The big surprise of the north: Casa Nereta serves La Cabra — the same Danish roaster we use at Dirty Rabbit. Since 2025, Cadaqués has world-class coffee. Pastries from El Puto Ken, premium matcha from Kettl (Japan). The space is inside a boutique hotel with Japanese inspiration.
Hours: Every day 8:00–15:30.
Best for: La Cabra in Cadaqués, premium experience.
It's Coffee Time — L'Escala
Passeig del Mar, 18, L'Escala · 40 min drive
Café with sea views in L'Escala. 100% arabica, pancakes, smoothies, açaí bowls. Reviews are excellent (4.8 on TripAdvisor). In an area where quality options are limited, it's an oasis.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday 8:00–13:00. Closed Wednesday.
Best for: Breakfast with sea views in Empordà.
Zone 6: Southern Costa Brava — Lloret and Tossa
The southern Costa Brava is more touristy and the quality breakfast offering is more limited. But there are exceptions.
Mozaik Coffee Bakery — Lloret de Mar
Carrer Pla de Carbonell, 21, Lloret de Mar · 30 min drive from S'Agaró
Café and bakery with smoothies and natural juices. One of the few quality options in an area dominated by mass tourism.
Best for: Something decent in Lloret.
Types of Breakfast: What Are You Looking For?
Traditional Spanish/Catalan breakfast
- Toast with tomato and ham + café con leche: Any village bar
- Best elevated version: Dirty Rabbit (Benfumat smoked salmon), ANNNA (artisan gluten-free bread)
Australian/international-style brunch
- Top picks: Fitzroy Café (Begur), Federal Café (Girona), Dirty Rabbit (S'Agaró)
- Includes: Eggs benedict, avocado toast, pancakes, bowls
Artisan pastries
- Best croissant: Maison Marcel (Sant Feliu)
- Gluten-free: ANNNA (Sant Feliu)
- Catalan pastries: La Puntual (Dirty Rabbit's supplier)
Healthy breakfast
- Açaí bowls: La Maglia, It's Coffee Time
- Vegan: Zero (Palamós), Oniria Café (Girona)
- Matcha: Dirty Rabbit (REQ), Casa Nereta (Kettl)
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do locals have breakfast?
Weekdays: 7:30–9:00 before work. Weekends: 10:00–12:00 is peak time. If you want to avoid queues, go before 10:00 or after 13:00.
Can you have breakfast on the Costa Brava in winter?
Yes, but many places close or reduce hours. The ones we mention as "non-seasonal" usually stay open year-round. Always check before going.
Do you need to book for breakfast?
Normally no. Exceptions: Fitzroy in Begur (summer weekends), Federal Café in Girona (market days). Dirty Rabbit doesn't take breakfast reservations — it's first come, first served.
How much does breakfast cost?
- Standard bar: €4–6 (coffee + toast)
- Quality café: €8–15 (coffee + dish)
- Full brunch: €15–25 (drink + main course + extra)
Our Recommendation
If you only have one morning in the S'Agaró–Platja d'Aro area:
- Dirty Rabbit — La Cabra coffee + toast with Benfumat salmon
- Sant Pol Beach — 3 minutes' walk, for a post-breakfast swim
- ANNNA — if you have time left, to take home gluten-free bread
If you have a full day and want to do a route:
- Morning: Dirty Rabbit → La Maglia
- Midday: Grava in Pals (pizza + coffee)
- Afternoon: Fitzroy in Begur (if in season)
Coming to S'Agaró? Pop into Dirty Rabbit — Avenida Platja d'Aro 275. We open the door, prepare you a proper coffee, and you stay as long as you like. This is your home away from home.
Last updated: February 2026