A story that
begins in 1850.

Six generations linked to the nougat-making trade, with a way of doing things that has been passed down from generation to generation to this day.

The union of two families

Planelles Donat was born in 1954 from the union of two nougat-making families from Xixona, the Planelles and the Donat. Rooted in Barcelona for generations, they have made tradition and quality the hallmark of the house.

The doorways of Portal de l’Àngel

Both the Planelles family and the Donat family began selling nougat in different doorways and building entrances in Ciutat Vella, until they settled in two different doorways on Portal de l’Àngel.
In 1894, the postmodernist painter Isidre Nonell portrayed our ancestors at the stall on Carrer de Cucurulla, 9.

A landmark establishment since 2014

In 2014, we were recognised by Barcelona City Council as an emblematic establishment, in recognition of our history, our roots in the city and the preservation of artisan tradition.

From seasonal to year-round

In 1989 nougat stopped being a seasonal product and we began making and selling it all year round.

Timeline

Since 1850

1850

The Christmas Products Fair

As early as 1850, the ancestors of the Planelles family took part in the Christmas Products Fair held in Plaça Reial and on Las Ramblas, selling nougat. Their stall was under the arches of the square. In 1868 the City Council abolished the fair because the 1888 Exhibition was approaching and it did not want to give the city an old-fashioned image.

1887

From the Fair to the doorways of houses

In 1868 the street fair was banned and the stalls were moved to the doorways of houses. Not being able to have a space on the street or a shop for the whole year made this option popular among the city’s nougat makers.

Over time it has become traditional in Barcelona to buy nougat in the doorways. The Planelles family went to Carrer de Cucurulla no. 9, where they still are.

In 1894, Isidre Nonell made this drawing of our great-grandparents while they were working at the Cucurulla stall. In those days we only sold from All Saints’ Day until Candlemas. Since then the season has gradually lengthened and today we are open all year round.

1920

Antoni Donat goes independent

In the 1920s, grandfather Donat, who had always worked for others, went independent on Carrer de Trafalgar and created Antoni Donat nougat. At first he set up at number 2, but because of Barcelona’s second exhibition, in 1929 the corner of Trafalgar and Jonqueres was demolished and a new building was constructed there. For this reason grandfather Donat moved to sell nougat at number 5, where this photograph was taken.

1927

We open at Portal de l’Àngel 25

In 1927 the Donat family moved to Portal de l’Àngel 25, where grandfather Donat, in order to have activity all year round and as he knew the trade, began making and selling horchata and ice cream in the summer. That year the workshop on Carrer de Montsió was acquired, where horchata and nougat were made, and where we still are today.

1939

The return after the war

Since 1868 the Planelles family have not missed their Christmas appointment on Carrer de Cucurulla, except for the three years of the Civil War, as this moving letter from the owner of the house to our grandparents shows.

Barcelona 9 de Mayo de 1939.

Sr D.José Planelles, Queridos amigos recibimos su carta que nos produjo una gran alegría al ver que después de la guerra se han podido reunir todos otra vez a pesar de los sufrimientos pasados. Nosotros estamos todos bien y reunidos sin que en los últimos tiempos nos viniera algo desagradable pues afortunadamente ninguno de nosotros estaba en el frente. Supongo que ustedes tendrán intención de venir como todos los años, la entrada de la casa está alquilada pero tienen en el contrato una cláusula que les obliga a abandonarla en 48 horas a la llegada de Vds. Las familias Torrella y Martínez están bien. María me encarga muchos saludos para ustedes y de mi todo el aprecio de su amigo, Juan de Vilaclara.”

1954

The two families unite

1947, Otilia Donat selling ice cream and horchata at the stall on Portal de l’Àngel. In 1954 the families and the businesses joined, giving rise to the company Planelles Donat, a byword for quality and tradition in the city.

1987

We open at Portal de l’Àngel 7

In 1987, taking advantage of the momentum the city was gaining and in order to provide better service, we opened a new shop at number 7 Portal de l’Àngel. In the photograph, the three Planelles Donat brothers preparing the nougat for the opening of the new shop.

This shop closed in 2025.

1997

The family business grows

In 1997, following the spirit of improving our service and progressing, we opened a new shop at number 27 Portal de l’Àngel, right next to the traditional stall.

2014

We open our online shop

In 2014 we ventured into the digital world and opened our online shop with the aim of meeting the demand of all our customers.

2025

The sixth generation joins the nougat-making tradition

The sixth generation joins the nougat-making tradition, at the same time bringing a renewed vision focused on innovation and on adapting to new consumer habits.

The craft that defines us.

Generation after generation, we maintain a way of working based on the quality of the raw materials, respect for the product and artisan production.

Our way of doing things

Tradition, product and time.

We are nougat makers and ice cream makers by trade, and we live the year following the rhythm of two essential seasons. In September, the almond harvest; from November to January, the tiger nut harvest. Two moments that give rise to the products that are part of our identity.

Six generations,
one essence

Today, the sixth generation continues at the helm of Planelles Donat, preserving the identity and the craft of always with a renewed outlook, open to innovation and to new consumer habits.