FASTVíNIC

They do have the classic ham and cheese bikini on the menu here, but this “environmentally responsible”, “sustainable” and “social conscious” place is no ordinary sandwich shop.

Sure, it may all sound a bit hippie lesbian and Greenpeace rather than somewhere you’d pay to eat, but this meticulously designed hangout is anything but. Fastvínic is the brainchild of Sergi Ferrer-Salat, the man behind the marvellous next-door wine temple Monvínic, and just like its oenophile neighbour, this showcase of sustainability is nothing but a sensory indulgence.

The menu of sandwiches, created by Monvínic’s talented chef Sergi De Meià, is deceptively simple but incredibly tasty, using only prime ingredients sourced locally and bread from Baluart, Barceloneta’s artisan bakery. Leave room for the delicious pastries from Escriba and, more importantly, ensure that you’re able to drink; 24 different wines are available to sample by the (Riedel) glass, from relatively inexpensive finds priced at around two euros per fill to finer vintages at around a tenner.

Open all day and close to the bars of Gayxample and the shops of Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla Catalunya, it’s the perfect place to drop in for a quick bite or slowly work your way through the wine selection. Dispensed from self-service wine stations, here there’s no shame in getting your umpteenth refill.