It all began when in 1802 Miquel Pons opened the Chocolatería del Mallorquín. It became so important that when Manuel Docampo bought it in 1830 he wanted to take advantage of the prestige he had gained and opted for this indicative name: Antigua del Mallorquín.
The establishment passed into the hands of Antoni Dòria in 1929 at a hopeful moment: the imminent opening of the International Exhibition. And he introduced a series of notable changes detailed on the Café de la Opera Bar-Restaurant's advertising card: “Refined à la carte service. National and foreign snacks from the best brands. Breakfast and special services after shows. The best Espresso coffee. English Tea. Cakes. Snacks. Sandwiches. Chocolates. Rambla dels Caputxins, 74 and Aroles, 6.”
It benefited from its strategic location, due to the frontality and proximity of the two most important and historic theaters, which assured it a select audience.
A decorative remodeling of Noucentista inspiration was then introduced. The series of mirrors with fluorine-engraved female figures displaying appetizing fruit dialogues well with the 18th-century mirrors, a period to which the cast iron columns and the ornamentation of the friezes and ceilings also belong. In the fifties they were in danger: the music lover Fèlix Valls i Taberner offered to buy them to decorate one of the large halls of the Cercle del Liceu. Dòria replied in this unappealable way: “These miralls will die with me.”
The parade of bullfighters, artists, writers has always been incessant. During the uncivil war it kept its doors open and hosted the gatherings hosted by journalists Sebastià Gash and Sempronio. A Sandro Pertini, president of Italy, acting as a ramblista, did not hesitate to have a coffee and savor that aroma of yesteryear.
Under Franco, the constant closure of cafes on the Rambla was witnessed with concern. That stage fortunately remained under the firm and successful hand of Rosa Dòria, his daughter, who did not hesitate to maintain the profile and atmosphere of the establishment even on the façade, by maintaining on the first floor, of her property, the historical signs of the now defunct Mas Sardá bank.
The helm is in the good hands of Andreu Ros, his son: for many years.
