Natas (CLOSED)

Get the mint chip. Just do it. Or if you’re not a fan of mint, at least ask for a sample. Because if you’ve ever wondered what exactly sets ‘artisan’ ice cream apart from the regular stuff, here’s a case study. The mint chip at Natas isn’t quite the blindingly neon green you’ll find at other shops; it’s just a lot better. It has the fresh, natural flavour of peppermint leaves like you’d get in a mojito.

Other selections promise more pleasant surprises at Natas, a charming parlour not far from La Rambla in El Raval. At a glance, the shop’s aesthetic is a little confusing: medieval Gothic brick and graffitied door on the outside, polished, pink-walled ice cream boutique on the inside. But soon all that matters is the ambrosial taste of the scoops you’ve just eaten. Everything is good, but some of their best is on the menu of seasonal flavours that you can’t find elsewhere – during summer try the mango lassi, which flawlessly converts the popular Indian yoghurt drink into ice cream. And if you like alcohol in your dessert, there are always options like the Valenciano, which combines vanilla with orange juice and rum.

Natas is affordable and in a lively location that’s worth checking out during any stroll through El Raval.