Muebles RAM

Dark walls piled high with retro furniture; teetering piles of chairs; lights swinging from overhead beams; mirrors and picture frames leaning against shelves stacked with lampshades, baskets, and vases; ancient electronic equipment recalling a time when touch screen, handheld and wireless were still the domain of science fiction. Muebles RAM is nostalgia distilled, packed into a warehouse next to Eixample's famous Els Encants market. It's a regular stomping ground for those in the film and theatre industries – arrive early to beat them to the best picks.
• Carrer del Consell de Cent 547,+34 93 265 5780. Open from 8.30am

El Rey de la Màgia

Living up to its name, the "King of Magic", in the Born district, has been purveying magical goods for 130 years, and was once the only shop of its kind in the country. It attracts amateur dabblers, budding enthusiasts and full-blown magicians alike – you'll find gadgets, books, manuals, playing cards, magic boxes and every kind of accessory to assist you in your conjuring career. If the historical side of the illusionary arts are more your cup of tea, head to the nearby Teatre Museu, where there's a permanent collection of magical objects, books, shop archives, and regular magic shows.
• Carrer de la Princesa 11, +34 93 319 3120, elreydelamagia.com. Open Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, 5pm-8pm, Sat 1am-2pm. Teatre Museu, Carrer de les Jonqueres 15, +34 93 318 7192

Flores Navarro

The only place in Barcelona where you can buy bunches of flowers (or, funnily enough, Chupa Chups lollipops) at 4am. Flores Navarro in Eixample – founded in 1960 and open 365 days a year – is one of the last of a dying breed of florists who pride themselves on both the size of their bouquets, and the quality of the flowers (or Chupa Chups). Ready-made newborn baby bouquets cross paths with funeral coronas, bonsai trees, roses, all gathered with an artistic sensibility and for a very reasonable price. Ideal for a drunken romantic gesture on the way home from a party, a thoughtful daytime purchase, or even a phone call from the comfort of your home (they deliver too).
• Carrer de València 320,+34 934 574 099, floristeriasnavarro.com. Open 24 hours

Papabubble

A boutique for sweet-lovers, this shop is a compact cornucopia of brightly coloured confectionery, located in the middle of the Barri Gòtic. Shelves are piled high with jars full of sugary goodies and bags of sweets swing from the walls. The staff busy themselves across the counter, combining sugar, glucose, water and a Wonka-esque imagination into brightly coloured and fantastic creations in front of your eyes. From sushi-shaped sweets (including chopsticks) to candy rings, lollipops, sucking sweets and chopped caramel sticks, the innovation and artistry of the staff at Papabubble is seriously impressive. If you have something particular in mind, they create personalised productions based on your ideas.
• Carrer Ample 28, +34 93 268 8625, papabubble.com. Open Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, 4pm-8.30pm, Sat 10am-8.30pm

Le Swing

Oddly, for a city that revels in fashion and design, and is bursting to the seams with creativity, good vintage shopping is not Barcelona's forte. Le Swing, however, is a notable exception: the two-store salvation for vintage enthusiasts. Both stores are in the super trendy Born neighbourhood: Blow is all about the accessories, with a range of 80s sunglasses, but Le Swing has the edge, leaning more towards clothing for the modern dandy. The two proprietors, Renier Guerra and Guiselle Berntson Valiente, travel constantly in Europe and to the mecca of classic glamour, Hollywood, to find the vintage gems that populate the shop. The result is deliciously eccentric ensembles from every decade of the 20th century: a Chanel bag here, an embroidered Hermès tie there, a Gucci purse or some early-60s YSL high heels.
• Carrer del Rec 16, +34 93 310 1449; Blow by Le Swing, 3 Guillem, +34 93 302 3698, leswingvintage.com. Open Mon-Sat 11am-2.30pm, 5pm-9pm

CD-Drome

Accessibility is key at this Raval music institution – in terms of price and genre. CD-Drome houses everything from indie to rock, americana, pop and electronica, and most tastes are catered for. While a broad range can sometimes damage the music catalogue of smaller record stores, here the selection of records reflects the general good taste and eclecticism of the staff. Be sure to probe them, as they usually have something interesting up their sleeves. Their Electronica catalogue is a strong point – with an excellent selection across the spectrum of house, techno, minimal and disco. And everything is clearly catalogued and meticulously presented – a pedantic browser's dream. Also a very useful place to pick up flyers and tickets for gigs and concerts.
• Carrer de Valldonzella 3, +34 93 317 4646, cddrome.com. Open Mon-Fri 10.30am-8.30pm, Sat 10.30am-2pm, 4.30pm-8.30pm

Formatgeria La Seu

Cheese rocks – so thinks cheese fanatic Katherine McLaughlin, who's set up this shop in Gòtic specialising in hand-crafted farm cheeses sourced from small independent producers across Spain. Whether it's from a cow, goat or sheep, each has its own particular taste, consistency and story. Try the intense Torta de la Serena, a soft, fluid and spreadable Merino sheep cheese made with a technique using thistle heads – perfect on toast. Or if you're in the mood for a slightly harder cheese, try the six-month matured manchego. They also offer the unique Formatgelat products: a fusion of three of the cheeses with artisan-made ice-cream. The tastings are divine: three types of cheese combined with apple slices, membrillo and a small glass of wine; and private breakfasts and lunches are also available at very reasonable prices, although you'll need to reserve in advance.
• Carrer de la Dagueria 16, +34 93 412 6548, formatgerialaseu.com. Open Tue-Thu 10am-2pm, 5pm-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-3.30pm, 5pm-8pm

Sombrerería Obach

This famous family-run millinery in the Barri Gòtic was established in 1924 and has steadily developed into an institution. Timeless designs and an unswerving dedication to quality have ensured a steady flow of business – whether you're in the market for a bowler hat, a cap, a beret, a panama, a straw hat, a montero or any other type for that matter, they'll have it. Pick out the one you want from the window or ask the attendants – whose diligent service matches the 1940s atmosphere – and you'll have a stylish, exquisitely made, and reasonably priced creation sitting atop your head in no time.
• Carrer del Call 2, +34 93 318 4094. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-1.30pm, 4pm-8pm, Sat 10am-2pm, 4.30pm-8pm

Fantastik

Haven't you always wanted a Mexican skull rattle? Surely you've been hankering after a robot moon explorer from China? I know you've had your eye on a recycled plastic zebra from South Africa. This curious store in Raval, which describes its products as mystic, bizarre, odd and original, boasts more than 400 products ranging from toys, household items, decor and religious paraphernalia selected from Mexico, India, Bulgaria, Russia, Senegal and 20 other countries. Truly Barcelona's leading light in kitsch. If you haven't sated your desire for buying absolutely useless (but ever-so-fun) products after leaving this establishment, well, there's no hope for you.
• Carrer de Joaquín Costa 62, +34 93 301 3068, fantastik.es. Open Mon-Thu 11am-2pm, 4pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm

Freaks

As its name implies, this Born shop is for the obsessives among us. Alongside cult classic films, there's an exhaustive selection of B-movies, bizarre comics from Kent Williams and Charles Burns, and rare editions such as Milton Caniff's Terry and the Pirates and works by David Mazzucchelli. Graphic novels, tattoo catalogues from Papua New Guinea, books on graffiti, burlesque, graphic design, animation and sneaker culture: each have their place – lining the walls and piled upon every available surface. This feels like visiting an authentic nerd inner sanctum.
• Carrer d'Ali Bei 10, +34 93 265 8005, freaks-books.com. Open Mon-Sat 10am -2pm, 5pm-9pm

• Leo Pollock works for arts and listings guide Le Cool Barcelona