Coffee & tea

Situated between Sol and Plaza Mayor, Yambala is a small jewel in the heart of the city. It is a very cosy place for teas, coffees and natural shakes during the day and mojitos and cocktails by night.

Yambala has a very narrow entrance and a chill out area at the back of the venue, where you can lay down and perhaps smoke a hookah.

The only problem is that it is so small, that most of the times you need to go there early to find a spot. The atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly, so it is perfect for passing the time.

Do not miss it!

One of my favorite pastry shops is hidden just off Gran Via and Fuencarral, though there are several locations around Madrid. I’m a sucker for their chocolate bon bons (€ 1 each, but well worth it), but their specialties lie in seasonal pastries like torrijas for easter week and fresh fruit tarts in the spring and summer. (And apparently their Roscon de Reyes, a special cake for Three Kings Day January 6, is to die for.) Their window displays are worth a visit alone: they are usually quite entertaining and inviting – as only sugar concoctions and chocolate figurines can do.

The shop doesn’t have much room to sit, but you can always stand and enjoy a coffee with a snack, or take your treat to go. If you’re not in a sweet mood, there are also breads and sandwiches prepared daily as well. I’m a big fan of the olive bread.

For obvious reasons, San Ginés is a big hit. The best thing after a night of dancing/a day of sight-seeing/anytime really, is a cup of thick chocolate with churros to dip in it (churros are like long crispy donuts).

This classy chocolatería has been around since 1894 and though maybe it’s not the finest chocolate in the world, it does the trick. Indoors they have white marble floors and tables, but the best part is sitting outside on the terrace in the tiny pedestrian street.

In addition to chocolate and churros, they have porras which are thicker than churros, and daily homemade cakes. If you really like the thick chocolate dip, you can buy the mix to make at home.

Chocolate lovers will have a place to go to have the Spanish hot chocolate, much thicker than in other countries…but so tasty!

The establishment uses only the finest cacao available, a mind-boggling selection of sweetmeats is categorized into “collections”: “flowers and herbs,” “liquors and digestives,” “gastronomic innovations,” and “spices of the Americas” to name just a few.

Aside from the coffee you have a store that sells all kinds of products made out of the best chocolate you can find… People who suffer from diabetes can also enjoy some sugar-free products as well. They have new varieties of chocolates which have weird flavours!

A typical Spanish “Cafeteria” where you will see a “limpiabotas” (shoe cleaner) like in the old times with people having breakfast, lunch or just having a coffee… It’s a big space with wooden tables and waiters dressed like waiters were dressed in Madrid not so long ago.

Coffees are served in big mugs (“taza de desayuno”). You can also have also ham & cheese sandwiches grilled with real butter like when we were kids!

I go often there to meet friends; you can spend the whole afternoon sipping a coffee or a freshly made orange juice. In summer you have a terrace. You can also eat the typical “platos combinados”, huge dishes with everything (salad, a steak or fish and French fries). It is worth trying.