Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo

Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo was founded around the year 1700 by Joan Thomàs, who was born in Valldemossa. Initially, it served the ice that was stored in the ‘snow houses’ of the Serra de Tramuntana.

The original establishment, located next to the Santa Eulàlia Church, sold ice and fresh water. Later, it added fruit juices to make ice creams, hence the name Joan de s’Aigo. In fact, Joan Thomas travelled all over Europe in search of new recipes for the business.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the business was acquired by Antoni Martorell Guasp and moved, in 1976, to its current location on Carrer de Can Sanç, preserving the hand-painted sign made by the La Roqueta factory. The menu was expanded to include hot chocolate, ensaïmades (spiral-shaped buns), sponge cakes and other local artisan and everyday products. Toni’s son, Joan Martorell Pol, inherited the establishment.

Today, the business is run by nine cousins from the family, who manage the three premises on Carrer Can Sanç (1976), Baró de Santa Maria del Sepulcre (1990) and Porta de Sant Antoni (2018).

It’s one of the most characteristic, traditional and long-standing ice cream parlours and hot chocolate shops in the city. Its flagship products are homemade hot chocolate, almond ice cream, horchata (a sweet almond drink) and exquisite quality sponge cakes.

The decoration and furniture exude an ambience of times gone by, with the ceramic sign made by the La Roqueta factory and the hydraulic tiles being of particular note.