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Norma Comics
The largest comic store in the city (indeed the biggest comic-store chain in Europe) has a comic gallery, an astonishing international collection that stretches from Batman and Tintin through to Manga comics and more-or-less porn items such as Kiss . Kids will love all the comic hero toys, too.
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Obach
If the hat ever makes a comeback, the Obach family of milliners, in the heart of what was once the Jewish quarter, stands to make a killing. Since 1924 it has been providing gentlemen with apparel for their scones.
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Papabubble
They really make the boiled sweets here in front of your eyes! Sample the wares and try to resist walking away without a big jar of humbugs and other multicoloured wonders, or a house speciality, life-size candy phalluses.
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Red Market
Carrer de Verdi is one of the most enticing streets in Gràcia. Home to everyone's favourite art-house cinema, a colourful series of eclectic bars and restaurants, and practical things like internet centres, it also hosts numerous little fashion boutiques. This shop is great for casual urban-wear and accessories.
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Roser-Francesc
Civilised and muted, the men's and women's collections in this store encompass a host of international labels along with local names such as Lydia Delgado, Antonio Miró and Konrad Muhr.
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Sans & Sans
Take a veritable tour of world coffee with the friendly Sans family. They had so much fun with their beans and blends that they opened another store across the street, Sans & Sans, devoted to more than 200 types of tea.
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Sephora
This zebra-striped temple of fragrance is the largest in Europe and has every scent you've ever heard of, along with local flavours by the likes of Antonio Miró and Jesús del Pozo. A perfume organ allows you to experiment with your perfect eau, and if you don't come up smelling of roses, they'll happily exchange your fragrance.
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Taller Antic
Step back in time and place as you handle the delicate silver and glassware. Old-style perfume bottles, the kind of accessories ladies might and gents might have used in the 19th century, make this a nostalgic's corner of paradise.
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Tot Formatge
Some gifts can be a little cheesy, and none more than the olfactory offerings in this All Cheese locale. Little platters with samples of their products are scattered about the store. A powerful assembly of the best in Spanish and European cheeses is on display.
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Vila Viniteca
This unassuming shop has a superb range of Spanish and international wines, from cheap table varieties to vintage treasures, sold by enthusiastic staff. They know their stuff, having been in the booze business since 1932.
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Vinçon
Despite its lofty reputation as the frame in which Spanish design evolves, this superb shop is relaxed and unpretentious. Pamper your aesthetic senses with a journey through its local and imported household wares. Wander upstairs and out onto the terrace for unusual sidelong views of La Pedrera . The TincÇon (I'm Sleepy) annexe on Carrer de Rosselló 246 (C3) is in the same block and dedicated to the bedroom.
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Xocoa
Shield your eyes from the ultra-bright rose-and-white decor and prepare yourself for a different kind of choc. Carefully arranged inside this den of dental devilry are rows and rows of original chocolate bars, chocolates stuffed with sweet stuff, gooey pastries and more.
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Zara
The Spanish name synonymous with inexpensive and good-quality smart casuals (that aren't made in sweatshops) will surely draw you in, if only because the same clobber in your home town probably costs twice as much! There are branches throughout the city.
