Image by Eco Centro

A bit tricky to find the first time, EcoCentro is one of the only and in my opinion, the best vegetarian and natural food offerings that Madrid has.

It has one store for dried goods and household items, another for produce/dairy and then a restaurant downstairs and a café on the ground floor.

In the café they offer a great menu for lunch during the week, but you can also create your own salad at the salad bar which has an amazing variety of fresh stuff that you can’t find elsewhere; quinoa, brown rice, fresh beets, seaweed, etc.

The place is perfect for people with food allergies or if you just need a break from fried tapa-dom. For dessert they often have a dulce de leche yogurt which is to die for and you can’t feel too bad because it’s yogurt!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
EcoCentro | Shopping, Restaurants (Vegetarian) | Mon – Fri lunch menu € 8.50
Calle Esquilache 2- 6 | Chamberi | +34915535502
Store & cafe 10:00 – 00:00 daily | Restaurant 13:00 – 17:00 & 21:00 – 00:00 daily

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Plaza de Olavide is considered to be the center of the Chamberí neighborhood, which makes sense because decades ago it used to house the local fruit and vegetable market.

I like to think of it as the ‘people’s plaza’ because it is secluded away from busy streets and is usually bustling with people walking dogs, going for tapas, meeting before going to the cinema or after shopping along Calle Fuencarral.

The surrounding restaurants are all typical Spanish joints, while the center of the plaza has benches and a fountain, perfect to sit and people watch.

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Plaza de Olavide | Bars, Relaxing, Snacks | Free
Plaza de Olavide | Chamberi
24 hours daily

Image by A. Collet

This charming little store opened in 2005 and it is owned by some young people who are fanatics of the comics and its culture.

You can find almost everything related to the Comic culture (Marvel, DC, Manga, American Underground, BD, etc.) and if you do not come across of what you are looking for they will get it for you.

They also have merchandising, t-shirts, DVDs… The owners can spend with you hours and hours trying to explain all the aspects of this art. Since I like comics but I am not a fan, when I go there I like to spend time with them so I can learn what’s new…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Atom Comics | Art & culture, Shopping | Comics from € 5.00
C/ Feijoo, 11 | Chamberi | +34914462368
Mon – Sat 10:45 – 14:00 & 17:00 – 21:00

Image by Heladería La Romana

Very creamy, natural, handmade and tempting in every season.

The ice creams of Heladería La Romana are simply delicious. I heartily recommend the pistachio one but you can not always find it because the flavors are constantly changing.

Indeed, some fruit flavors are only available if it’s the right season. For winter you also have semi-cold ice cream (less cold that the common ice creams) and cioccolata calda, excellent hot chocolate.

I love the one that has hazelnuts. Of course, you can take away the products or eat them in the shop which is modern and comfortable. The ice cream is not cheap but I think it’s worth a visit.

There are two other gelaterias in Alcobendas and Majadahonda, two cities near Madrid.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Heladería La Romana | Coffee & tea, Snacks
Santa Engracia 155 | Chamberi | +34915331495
Sun – Fri 10:00 – 22:00, Sat 10:00 – 23:00

Image by A. Collet

A charming little store for babies and children clothing near Genova street just opened in Madrid, it is the cutest place to buy presents for the youngest of the family.

The store offers an affordable clothing line for infants. Even though it is a small store there is a wide variety of outfits. It is quite unique in a sense. There is a friendly atmosphere and the shopping is really pleasant.

My nine year old god son and his brother have stuff from the place and they love it!!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
CdeC | Shopping | Shirts € 25.00
C/ Fernando el santo, 3 | Chamberi | +34913104985
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 20:00, Sat 11:00 – 14:00