Gopal – vegan Barcelona

Placa George Orwell
(just off Placa Real)

Monday to Friday 10hrs to 23hrs
Saturday & Sunday 10hrs to 24hrs

Photo via Pixabay

From Placa Real, (if coming from La Rambla) walk across the square and take the exit from the on the far right. Walk down this wiggly street until you get to Caracol (the restaurant on the corner with the rotisserie). Turn left onto this street and you will see a modern art sculpture. This is Placa George Orwell – a very popular square full of restaurants, but fairly difficult to find. Especially if you had one too many  mojitos.

Gopals is a sweet little place with a big heart. The staff is made up by very happy bohemian vegans who are eager to feed you full of vegan goodness.

This is an outlet for fast food vegan style, not really a place for raw food vegans. At one point Gopal was offering raw food dishes, but they gave that up for some reason. Most probably it was the lack of interest, as raw foodism is being embraced in Spain at a rate I can only describe as glacial. Do not hold your breath.

Related article: Vegetarian restaurants in Sarrià

What they serve

Starters are in the form of soups and cost €2.50. You can choose from vichysoisse, garbanzo (chick pea), lentejas (lentils), dhal, or miso.

You can get ‘chicken’ nuggets €4.75, nachos with jalapenos and ‘cheese’ €3.85, paella made with brown rice (integral), pinchos (Basque country tapas) made with vegan chicken substitute and empanadillas – all for €5.90.

Burger me up

Being in essence a burger joint, there are more than ten types of veggie burger available, including seitan and vegetables; quinoa and olives; and tofu.

There are a number of full menu options such as: quinoa burger, patatas bravas, a drink and a dessert. Alternatively you can get a salad, burger, patatas bravas, a drink and a dessert. These menus both cost €7 plus.

Carne sin carne

The strangest thing about Gopal is the vegan butcher where you can buy rolls of vegan chorizo, vegan mortadella and vegan polony. Not really my kind of thing as I prefer unprocessed natural foods but not all vegans are alike, and this is definitely quite unique.

Drinks come in the form of herbal Bionade or fresh juices such as orange, apple, kiwi and carrot.

Vegan soya milk batidos (smoothies) come in avocado, papaya, melon, orange and banana and cost €3 or more.

Related article: Where to find vegetarian sushi in Barcelona

Vegan ice ‘cream’

Photo via Pixabay

They also have a couple of vegan ice creams that cost between €2 and €4 – which is somewhat of a novelty and very, very welcome.

The Placa Georg Orwell is a great place. Over the other side of the square is Oviso – another favorite spot (not vegetarian or vegan but we are well catered for there). And Vegetalia’s flagship store also lives on this square. Which is a vegetarian restaurant with a number of vegan options.

Gopal is great for vegans and vegetarians, although not great for raw food vegans. Still, I have to say the juices are pretty good and the square is a great place to hang out.

Looking for a flat to rent during your stay in Barcelona? ShBarcelona is the answer.