Hijos de Nata transforms Gràcia with artisan ice cream and Argentine design

An Argentine ice-cream parlour is winning over Gràcia with unique recipes and carefully considered aesthetics. Barb Bruno and Gerard Lazcano are committed to fresh ingredients and original flavours. The premises are already planning to expand to other neighbourhoods. Discover the story behind this new phenomenon.

The Hijos de Nata ice-cream parlour has burst into the Gràcia neighbourhood of Barcelona with a proposal that combines artisan signature ice creams and an image carefully crafted down to the smallest detail. Behind the project are Barb Bruno, an Argentine businesswoman with experience in fashion, and her husband Gerard Lazcano, a psychiatrist specialising in childhood autism, who have chosen to bring their entrepreneurial spirit to the world of ice cream.

The couple, based in Barcelona for more than a decade, had already left their mark on the city with brands such as Tinycottons and We Are Gommu. Now, with Hijos de Nata, they are seeking to replicate their success in the food sector. The production workshop, located in Gràcia, supplies the first shop opened in Plaça de Gal·la Placídia and is ready to supply up to eight points of sale.

Fresh milk arrives weekly from the Cal Porta farm and the menu always keeps 20 flavours in rotation, all exclusive to the brand. The options include classics such as stracciatella and pistachio, alongside original creations such as black sesame with miso caramel or vegan dark chocolate with salt. The ice-cream parlour’s philosophy is based on quality ingredients, reduced sugars and organic products whenever possible.

The design of the premises, with retro and Italian touches, reflects Bruno’s passion for aesthetics and brand experience. Every detail, from the spoon to the uniform, is designed to offer an almost gourmet experience at accessible prices. Its varied and loyal clientele includes families, children and local residents, many of them regular customers of the businesswoman’s other brands.

After its success in Gràcia, Hijos de Nata is already preparing its expansion: in January, a second premises will open on Rubinstein Street, in Sant Gervasi, and Sants is among the next destinations. The couple are confident that their commitment to quality and visual communication will allow them to establish the ice-cream parlour as a benchmark in Barcelona.