Snack in Raval: Madame Jasmine..a cool pub

Photo: Joan Ortiz.

One of the best options in  Ramblas is turn left to Hospital Street, and go to Raval, to make a snack or lunch. Raval favourite lingers largely unnoticed between the scores of local kebab shops. Madame Jasmine is bizarre but cozy place, filled to bursting every night by young clientele. It specializes in cocktails and carefully prepared bocadillos (sandwiches) that are put together before one’s very eyes in a partially open kitchen. 

Photo: Joan Ortiz

A lively spot: perfect for a drink or mid-evening snack.. And recently there are new options: mint tea (style Marroc), Caipirinhas, Mojitos. That's a modern place, to take a snack or drink some alcohol drinks. Seems like a English Pub, but it's another ambient...

The History of Jasmine..

Photo: J. Ortiz.

It is named after one of the legendary residents of El Raval, the former Barrio Chino - Madame Jasmine was the owner of a brothel and opium den in the area around the turn of the 20th century, and she had a tragic life. Many of the late Madame Jasmine's items of furniture were apparently saved from her former opium den before it was demolished in 2003 (a whole street, Carrer San Geronimo, was levelled to make what is now the Rambla del Raval) and these items were used 

to decorate the bar.

Marta Adell (Traducción J. Ortiz, fotos J. Ortiz).