ARTICLE
Best Speciality Coffee Shops on the Costa Brava
The Costa Brava has been synonymous with beaches, hidden coves and beach bars for decades. But in recent years, something has changed: a new generation of cafés is transforming the area into a destination for those of us who love good coffee. This is the most comprehensive guide to specialty coffee on the Costa Brava — written by locals, updated in 2026.
The Specialty Coffee Map of the Costa Brava
The specialty coffee scene on the Costa Brava is young but growing fast. From Cadaqués in the north to Lloret de Mar in the south, there are more and more places to have coffee that goes beyond the usual cortado.
We've divided it by area so you can plan your coffee route:
- S'Agaró — Platja d'Aro — Sant Feliu → The epicentre, with 5+ options in 10 minutes
- Palamós — Calonge → Expanding zone
- Begur — Pals → Beautiful village + real coffee
- Girona city → The province's coffee capital
- Cadaqués — L'Escala → For those heading north
Zone 1: S'Agaró — Platja d'Aro — Sant Feliu de Guíxols
This is the area with the highest density of specialty coffee on the entire Costa Brava. Within a 10-minute drive, you have five real options.
🐇 Dirty Rabbit — S'Agaró
Avenida Platja d'Aro 275, S'Agaró · Google Maps
If you ask us (and yes, it's us, so the bias is obvious), Dirty Rabbit is the best speciality coffee on the Costa Brava. But we'll explain why with facts, not marketing.
We serve La Cabra, the Danish roaster that's been among the best in the world for years. It's not just "good" coffee — it's single-origin coffee, traceable to the producer, processed with precision and roasted in Copenhagen. We prepare it on a La Marzocco KB90 with reverse osmosis filtered water — every variable controlled.
But Dirty Rabbit isn't just about coffee. It's a place to have eggs benedict after a swim at Sant Pol, work on your laptop on the terrace, or stay for two hours chatting. We call it "your home away from home" because that's what we want it to be.
Breakfast and brunch: Toast with Benfumat smoked salmon, La Puntual pastries (Girona), Origo Bakery sourdough bread (Barcelona). REQ organic matcha. Awachai chai.
Languages: Spanish, Catalan, English and Polish. Menus in Russian, French and Ukrainian.
Best for: The coffee (La Cabra), the space (bright, cosy), the location (3 min walk from Sant Pol Beach).
☕ La Maglia Coffee & Co — Platja d'Aro
C/ Juli Garreta, 10, Platja d'Aro · 5 min drive
La Maglia has the honour of being the first specialty coffee roaster on the Costa Brava coast. They roast their own speciality coffee. The name comes from the Giro d'Italia pink jersey — it's a very cyclist café, so on Saturday mornings you'll see gravel groups drinking flat whites.
They offer açaí bowls, toast with La Farinera sourdough (Sant Feliu) and juices. The large terrace works well for a quick coffee. They're expanding to a 300m² space in Calonge for 2027.
Best for: Their own roast — if you're interested in local coffee, it's a solid option.
☕ ANNNA — Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Carrer de l'Hospital 21, Sant Feliu de Guíxols · 7 min drive
Ana and Pascal set up ANNNA in Casa Trachsler, a 19th-century manor house in Sant Feliu's old town. They work with Three Marks Coffee from Barcelona. It's speciality coffee, gluten-free artisan bakery and concept store — all in one. Their gluten-free sourdough is one of the best we've tried, and the selection of local products (oils, wines, ceramics) is worth a visit just to browse.
Open Thursday to Monday, 9:00–14:30. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Best for: Toast with their artisan bread + a flat white. The space itself is beautiful.
☕ Maison Marcel — Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Sant Feliu de Guíxols · 5 min drive
A cosy spot in Sant Feliu with quality coffee. It's not confirmed they work with a recognised specialty roaster, but the level is noticeably higher than the area average. Good brunch and pleasant atmosphere.
Best for: Quick option if you're in Sant Feliu and want something above standard coffee.
☕ Grace Coffee — Platja d'Aro
Platja d'Aro · 5 min drive
Quality-focused café with good reviews (4.6 on Google with 275 reviews). If you're in central Platja d'Aro and don't want to move, it's an option for decent coffee.
Best for: Central location in Platja d'Aro.
Zone 2: Palamós — Calonge
☕ Dupla — Sant Antoni de Calonge
Sant Antoni de Calonge · 8 min drive
Speciality coffee working with La Finca Coffee from Barcelona. Near the seafront promenade.
☕ Zero — Palamós
Palamós · 12 min drive
Palamós is famous for its red prawns, but also has coffee options. Zero offers speciality coffee from Originem (Girona) in a modern atmosphere.
Zone 3: Begur — Pals
☕ Fitzroy Café — Begur
Begur · 20 min drive · 🏖️ High season
Fitzroy is an institution. Inspired by Melbourne coffee culture, they work with Hola Coffee from Barcelona. They offer cult brunch (their banana bread is legendary), cocktails in the evening and a terrace that's pure Begur. It's seasonal — open mainly in high season.
Best for: Brunch + the terrace in a beautiful village. Worth the trip.
☕ Grava — Pals
Pals · 20 min drive
Café + pizzeria + natural wines. They work with Right Side Coffee from Barcelona. Very popular with gravel cyclists. If you come by bike through the Pals rice fields, it's the perfect stop.
Best for: The combo of coffee + pizza + wines in a spectacular setting.
Zone 4: Girona — The Coffee Capital
Girona city is where the specialty coffee concentration is highest. In a 15-minute walk through the centre you can visit 5+ international-level cafés.
☕ La Fábrica — Girona
Girona · 35 min drive
Founded by cyclist Christian Meier, La Fábrica roasts their own coffee under the Approachable Coffee brand. It's probably the best-known speciality coffee in Girona — cycling, specialty and a beautiful industrial space.
Best for: Their own roast and the connection with cycling culture.
☕ Espresso Mafia — Girona
Girona · 35 min drive
From the same group as La Fábrica (Approachable Coffee). More central, smaller, faster. Good espresso to go.
☕ Hors Catégorie — Girona
Girona · 35 min drive
They work with Nomad Coffee from Barcelona. Another café with cycling DNA. Good level and considered atmosphere.
☕ Oniria Café — Girona
Girona · 35 min drive
Rotating guest roasters from across Europe. If you like trying different coffees each visit, Oniria is your place.
☕ Originem — Girona
Girona · 35 min drive
Km0 focus and local product. Specialty coffee with proximity consciousness.
☕ Federal Café — Girona
Girona · 35 min drive
Part of the Federal chain (Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia). Reliable specialty coffee with Australian-style brunch.
☕ Tramuntana — Girona
Girona · 35 min drive
One of our favourites in Girona along with Oniria. Top-level speciality coffee in a cosy space.
☕ SHOTS Coffee & Brunch — Girona
Girona · 35 min drive
Quality coffee with brunch focus. Good option if you're in the area.
Zone 5: Cadaqués — L'Escala
☕ Casa Nereta (Café Nereta) — Cadaqués
Cadaqués · 60 min drive
The big surprise: Casa Nereta serves La Cabra — the same Danish roaster we use at Dirty Rabbit. Since 2025, Cadaqués has world-class coffee. The trip is worth it if you're in the north of the Costa Brava.
Best for: La Cabra in Cadaqués. Unthinkable a few years ago.
☕ Re Mei — Cadaqués
Cadaqués · 60 min drive · 🏖️ High season
More restaurant than café, but works with Nomad Coffee from Barcelona. If you're in Cadaqués in season, it's another option for specialty.
☕ It's Coffee Time — L'Escala
L'Escala · 40 min drive
100% arabica with quality focus. In an area where options are limited, It's Coffee Time is an oasis.
How to Plan Your Coffee Route
If you have half a day (from S'Agaró):
- Dirty Rabbit (S'Agaró) → breakfast + coffee
- La Maglia (Platja d'Aro, 5 min) → try the local roast
- ANNNA (Sant Feliu, 7 min) → gluten-free bread + concept store
If you have a full day:
- Morning: Dirty Rabbit → La Maglia → ANNNA
- Midday: Grava in Pals (pizza + coffee)
- Afternoon: Fitzroy in Begur (if in season)
If you're in Girona:
La Fábrica → Espresso Mafia → Oniria → Hors Catégorie. All walking distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is speciality coffee worth it?
Yes. The difference between a standard bar espresso and one from specialty coffee is like the difference between box wine and a crianza. The bean, the roast, the preparation — everything changes. Try it once and you'll understand.
What makes coffee "specialty"?
Coffee scored above 80 (usually 85+) on the SCA scale. Traceable to the farm of origin. Roasted with care to highlight the bean's natural notes, not to hide them. Prepared by baristas who know what they're doing.
Is it much more expensive?
A coffee at Dirty Rabbit costs between €2.50 and €4.50. At a standard bar you'd pay €1.50–2.50. The difference is €1–2 for a completely different experience. We think it's worth it.
What's the best time for a coffee route on the Costa Brava?
Spring (April–June) or autumn (September–October). All places are open, no crowds and the weather is perfect. In winter some close (Fitzroy, Re Mei). In summer there are lots of people but all options are available.
Coming to S'Agaró? Start at Dirty Rabbit — Avenida Platja d'Aro 275. Open the door, order a coffee and stay as long as you like. This is your home.
Last updated: February 2026. Know a speciality coffee shop on the Costa Brava we're missing? Write to us at hola@dirtyrabbit.es.