Madrid is well served when it comes to bakeries, but cakes and cheesecakes aren't usually the best thing on offer - La Merendona is an exception.
This small, welcoming Colombian-owned cafe-bakery has fresh homemade cakes every day and the most tempting window display I've seen in a long time! Lemon merengue pies, orange angel cake with cream cheese frosting, cheesecakes with chocolate, forest fruits and dulce de leche toppings, carrot cakes and chocolate cakes all beautifully decorated with fresh fruit and flowers stop passersby in their tracks!
You can eat in and have breakfast (they have great coffee!) with croissant or some other pastry, cereal bowls and fresh juice, or enjoy a light lunch - they have a very good sandwich selection as well as quiche, Argentinian empanadas and savoury pies. They also have cookies, brownies and bread.
For me though, these all play a supporting role in what's on offer - the stars of the show are the cakes!
Find your way with 258 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Microteatro por dinero" in Madrid is simple: 15m² - 15-minute plays - 15 spectators. It's a new way to to go the theater. What a thrilling experience!
by
"La Pentola Mágica" in Madrid makes the best Italian food I ever had. The chef's a character, the food's amazing... I can't stress it enough. Just go.
by
Madrid in the 1980s was certainly rocking and she became a fixture in the city’s music scene, always going out in her famous leather jacket and cap.
by
Misión Café serves top-tier coffee and flaky pastries in a cozy, modern space — perfect for a quick fix or a slow, dreamy breakfast in Madrid.
by
This fantastic wine shop, "Vino y Compañía" is the place to discover the fantastic variety and quality of wine on offer in Spain. Come with an open mind!
by
Although it’s a Galician restaurant, they do an excellent paella mixta (chicken and seafood) and arroz negro, flavoured and coloured with squid ink.
by
The apartment block this cafe sits under is an ugly beauty and I love it, not least for the exuberant planters that are an integral part of the building.
by
I didn’t think Madrid was lacking anything but now I’ve found "Mazál Bagels and Café" I’m wondering how I survived without its bagels all these years!
by
What sets this bar apart is its exceptional handling of ingredients, creating dishes that sing with Andalusian flair—a nod to Manu's roots.
by
They have a wide selection of wines to suit all pockets, and you can also discover some weirder flavours if your tastes run to the unique...
by
"Mo de Movimiento" in Madrid offers a new take on the restaurant business - sustainable organic ingredients, recycled materials and second opportunities!
by
Sala Canal Isabel II in Madrid used to be a water tower: now it's an uber-cool gallery used for media exhibitions. I love it, and not just because...
by
258 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 258 Insider Tips