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.

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La Flecha | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Coffee € 2.50
C/ Juan Bravo, 37 | Salamanca Area | +34915639846
07:30 – 00:00 daily

Just as when it opened back in 1931, the place is idyllic to have a tea with pastries or scones. Embassy has the “savoir-faire” of good old times. Around 18:00 you will find all the grannies having their afternoon snack. There is also a delicatessen store nearby where you can buy the exquisite thin as a leaf sandwiches they serve.

If you are not a tea person you can sip a mimosa just enjoying the place that sets you back in the beginning of the twentieth century. You can also buy bonbons there; home made and natural.

If you don’t feel like staying there, just have a taste of the sandwiches or the excellent goodies they have and keep walking to the Colon square. Here you will find a little statue in a big pedestal commemorating the great Spanish explorer, Columbus.

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Embassy | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Coffee € 3.50
Paseo de la Castellana, 12 | Salamanca Area | +34915764877
09:00 – 21:00 daily

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!

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Cacao Sampaka | Coffee & tea | Hot chocolate € 4.00
C/ Orellana, 4 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34913195840
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 21:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 14:00 & 15:30 – 21:00

Sula is a place where you can enjoy the best Spanish ham (“jamón serrano”). Joselito (trade mark) is a top quality cured ham class “ibérico”. It’s expensive but worth every bite. The staff uniforms are created by Spanish fashion designer Amaya Arzuaga. Their wine list is worth studying it!

The two-level space has a shop stocking superior items like “jamón ibérico” and sells 200 different Spanish, French and Italian wines. The kitchen, overseen by the great Quique Dacosta of Alicante’s El Poblet, serves amazing modernist “tapas” like the Foie gras mousse with a rum-and-Coke reduction. It offers a varied range of freshly prepared “tapas” using only the best ingredients from the Mediterranean cuisine.

The clientèle of the restaurant is quite snobbish but all the courses are delicious.

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Sula | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Mediterranean) | Meal & wine € 45.00
C/ Jorge Juan 33 | Salamanca Area | +34917816197
Mon – Sat 13:30 – 15:30 & 20:30 – 23:00

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!

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Yambala | Bars, Coffee & tea | Tea € 2.50
Calle Coloreros, 4 | Sol
Mon – Fri 16:00 – 01:30, Sat – Sun 16:00 – 02:00

I know this cafe is mentioned in the Lonely Planet guides, but I can guarantee that locals also go there for a good chat. Café del Real is old-bistro style with dark-red painted woodwork, cigarette stain-coloured walls and ceilings and proper bistro tables and chairs. It´s usually crowded in the evenings during the weekends as it´s really cosy and comfortable for a cup of coffee.

I personally prefer the upper floor, where you can seat close to the window and see the Opera building from a perfect view. It’s actually perfectly located, just in front of Opera metro station (in the city centre) and it´s a good alternative after dinner or for a cake in the afternoon (what we call “merienda” time).

Once you enter, your eyes will go directly to the fantastic cakes that are shown at the bar. Carrot, chocolate, cheese cakes are some of the options. Then you can also ask for different types of coffees or teas. If you ask for a beer or a coke, for example, they´ll serve you some peanuts, so it´s pleasant to combine the salty snacks with your drink.

The music varies a fair bit, depending on who is working. I love when they play classical or instrumental music. It makes it a relaxing place, although people speak loudly around you…In Spain we normally do, so get used to it… you´ll enjoy it in the end!!

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Café del Real | Coffee & tea | Cake € 4.75
Plaza de Isabel II, 2 | Sol | +34915472124
09:00 – 00:30 daily

Located on the 9th (top) floor of the commercial centre called El Corte Inglés (don’t worry, there are escalators or several lifts to get there), this coffee shop is one of the best examples of how beautiful Madrid is from the roof.

You´ll never imagine that inside a huge commercial centre, in its cafeteria, you´ll find such a fantastic atmosphere. But it´s real!! And there´re still a few privileged people who can enjoy it. I say “just a few” because the large window from where you can observe the whole city is available for a maximum of six-seven tables. The rest of the coffee shop is a regular venue where you can order your meals or drinks.

It gets so crowded during lunch time, that I won´t recommend it because you even have to wait your turn to sit beside the window. So the best moment to enjoy your coffee with “tortitas con nata” is just before dinner, in the late afternoon (between 16:00 – 19:00).

This is an ideal place for a drink while you see how it gets dark, either to impress your friends or your couple with an exquisite place. It´ll depend where you sit, you´ll be able to see the Royal Palace, the Opera, Gran Vía, or even Casa de Campo.

Enjoy the view!!

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Cafetería El Corte Inglés | Coffee & tea | Main meal € 12.00
Plaza de Callao, 2 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34913798000
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 22:00 (11:00 – 21:00 on holidays)

This has got to be the most popular film lovers hangout. The Spanish Filmoteca is housed in the historical Cine Dore. You can pick up and study the monthly programme line-up flyer whilst you sip your café con leche in the coffee shop.

If you don’t speak Spanish, don’t worry all films here are original version so if you’re in luck you’ll find your pick in English, Swedish or even Bengali. There are several themes and seasons chosen each month.

You may stumble across a selection of Portuguese cinema, to a Truffaut season and a space is also importantly kept for documentaries. In the summer months there even is an outdoor screen, so you can enjoy your favourite ‘peli’ under the starlit Madrileño sky.

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Cine Dore | Cinemas, Coffee & tea | Ticket € 2.50
Calle Santa Isabel, 3 | Lavapies & Latina | +34913691125
Tue – Sun from 16:15

I was recently asked where to get the best bread in Madrid and I was hard-pressed for an answer. Most of the Spanish breads I’ve tried are not spectacular – let’s assume that is to not take away from rich food it is usually sopping up.

I’m a big fan of this Belgian bakery chain that has popped up around Madrid because they have flavorful breads and delicious desserts. Their lunch and dinner menus are impressive as well featuring fresh greens and fruits. Do try the Belgian waffles or the multi-grain bread that is served with nut butters and tasty jams. If you take a loaf of bread to go, you can ask for it to be sliced.

Oh, and I don’t drink coffee, but apparently this is the best place to get real foam on a cappuccino! I stick to the homemade lemonades.

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Le Pain Quotidien | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Baked goods) | Waffle with fruit € 3.80
Gran Vía 46 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915234004
Mon – Thu 08:00 – 00:00, Fri 08:00 – 01:00, Sat 09:00 – 01:00, Sun 09:00 – 00:00

At first I was skeptical of this touristy-looking chain of restaurants around Madrid, but after some Spanish friends took me there, I’m a huge fan. First of all, the selection of jamón is immense, and secondly, they have a great lunch pre-fixed menu with so much food I was full after the first plate. If you order from the “carta” beware of the prices, some of the dishes can be ordered in small, medium and large sizes.

Another plus, the dining area is huge, but during lunch hours, it’s packed with a line down the stairs. They don’t take reservations, but there are seven locations in the city center. On your way out, stop at the busy counter and grab some ham, cheese, or bread for later in the day.

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Museo de Jamón | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Spanish) | Lunch menu € 12.00
Calle Mayor, 7 | Sol | +34915314550
Mon – Sat 07:00 – 00:30, Sun 10:00 – 00:00