Let’s talk about my current favorite breakfast spots in Madrid! For your convenience, I’ve also created a map that you can save to explore the city’s cafés like a local. Every time I visit Madrid – which is almost every month – it’s the perfect excuse to go on a fresh coffee hunt, discovering trendy new spots and favorite finds along the way.

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Where to Find a Delicious Breakfast in Madrid

Spanish Breakfast in Madrid: A Guide for First-Time Visitors

For those of you visiting Madrid for the first time and hoping to try something typical and traditional, I’d love to share what Spaniards usually eat for breakfast – along with some of the classic spots that first-time travelers often visit in Madrid (plus my personal tips for each).

After that, I’ll share the cafés where I personally like to have breakfast in Madrid, so you can decide what suits you best and make the smart choice that fits your own travel plan. You can find all of my Madrid tips and itineraries under the #Madrid hashtag.

What Locals Eat for Breakfast in Spain

The main thing to know about breakfast in Madrid is that most locals in Spain prefer a light start to the day. The most typical option is tostada con tomate – toasted bread topped with grated tomato and olive oil. Another classic is the Spanish omelette, or tortilla de patata, one of Spain’s most famous dishes.

In Madrid, the traditional tortilla version is slightly runny in the center. For an award-winning omelette, check out La Falda de Camberi, though for a simple toast with tomato or a slice of omelette, you can find it at almost any café or bar in Madrid – it’s a widely loved morning meal.

A good coffee – whether it’s an espresso, cortado (espresso with a small amount of warm milk), or café con leche (equal parts coffee and hot milk, similar to a latte) – is an essential part of breakfast culture in Spain. Tea or matcha lovers might struggle in traditional bars and cafés in Madrid, as the tea selection is usually quite limited. Most places offer only basic supermarket tea bags, typically black or green tea, chamomile, or mint.

If you’re looking for high-quality tea or matcha, you’ll need to visit a more modern café. Many of the brunch spots in Madrid that I recommend serve matcha alongside specialty coffee and a wider tea selection. Overall, Spain has a strong coffee culture, and tea on the menu is often there mainly to accommodate international visitors.

Traditional Spanish Toast with Tomato — *10 Must-Try Delicious Spanish Toast Recipes*

Spanish tapas in Spain tortilla — *Tortilla de Patata is one of Madrid’s most iconic tapas*

Churros for Breakfast in Madrid?

If you only have a day in Madrid, many travelers opt for churros con chocolate at San Ginés, another Madrid staple. However, it’s usually very busy, so I’d recommend visiting later in the day for a snack rather than breakfast. Churros aren’t typically something Spaniards eat for breakfast, and I personally don’t enjoy them first thing in the morning – especially in such a touristy spot. But if you’re short on time in Madrid, keep this iconic dessert and location in mind.

If you’ve already visited San Ginés and want something a bit less touristy, check out Churrería Milagros in Madrid. It’s top-rated and growing in popularity every month, though it’s impossible to beat San Ginés in terms of fame, as it’s considered the city’s historic churros spot – so most tourists still end up there.

valencia churros spain — *Churros con chocolate*

La Mallorquina: The Most Traditional Pastries in Madrid

Another iconic pastry stop in Madrid is La Mallorquina, which has multiple locations across the city offering both sit-down coffee areas and take-away pastries. They serve a wide variety of traditional Spanish sweets, though the central locations – especially Puerta del Sol, 8 and Calle Velázquez, 39 – can be crowded and touristy. Personally, I find the coffee quite average.

That said, if you’ve never tried classic Spanish desserts like torrija, La Mallorquina might be worth a visit. For a more relaxed experience, consider going to one of the less central branches, such as Pastelería La Mallorquina Quevedo (C. de Arapiles,1).

Mallorquina traditional pastries in Madrid — *La Mallorquina: The Most Traditional Pastries in Madrid*

Traditional Spanish sweets To try and buy as souvenirs — *Best Spanish Sweets to Try and Buy as Souvenirs*

My Favorite Unique Coffee Spots in Madrid (+map)

As someone who loves Madrid and visits the city almost every month – after 15+ years in Spain, I’ve lost count of my city breaks – I adore the city for its vibrant foodie scene. When it comes to trendy cafés, tapas, and cocktails, only Barcelona can rival it, though Barcelona’s port city vibe feels more international, while Madrid retains a distinctly Spanish atmosphere.

Here are some of the most unique cafés in Madrid that I recommend for breakfast and pastries. My main criteria are usually a sophisticated interior and excellent coffee, though I also enjoy spots with delicious pastries, brunch options, and avocado toast.

Here’s my map of the coolest cafés in Madrid. These spots, marked in blue, are highly rated and beloved by locals, making them essential stops for breakfast in the city. In addition, I’ve also highlighted Madrid’s top sweet treats (marked in orange), ranging from bakeries to takeaway pastry shops and street vendors. There’s plenty to satisfy any sweet tooth in Madrid!

I often get asked for more specific recommendations in Madrid, so here are a couple of gems: for delicious gluten-free pastries or breakfast, head to Chök Pastries (marked in orange on the map), Leon The Baker (Plaza de Sta. Bárbara, 4), or La Matería (C. de la Palma, 31). And if you’re a matcha lover, don’t miss Oki Doki Matcha & Smoothies Labs (C. de Gravina, 3) and La Machateria (Calle de Apodaca, 6) – two of the best spots for matcha in the city

best spots for breakfast in Madrid — *Delish Vegan Donuts in Madrid*

Best coffee in madrid — *While shopping in Madrid last time, I liked Wolføx Madrid Specialty Coffee Roasters*

Specialty coffee in Madrid — *While book shopping in Madrid, I stopped at Naji Specialty Coffee to try a pistachio latte. It was good, though I still prefer unflavored coffee.*

Madrid in may roses bloom Retiro — *If you’re visiting Madrid in May or June, the roses are in full bloom, and the Rosaleda in El Retiro Park is a perfect spot to enjoy a morning coffee on the go*

Brunch & Avocado Toasts in Madrid

Beyond traditional Spanish breakfast foods, Madrid is packed with trendy spots for brunch and avocado toasts. Top-rated locations include Almalibre Açaí House, Brunchit, Zenith Brunch, and EatMyTrip – the last three have multiple locations across Madrid, making it easy to stop by no matter where you’re staying. If you’re craving avocado toast in Madrid, these spots are worth a visit:

Gosto Cafe (check out the location)
Subrosa Cafe (check out the location)
GreenCoffees (check out the location)
Religion Speciality Coffee (check out the reviews & location)
EatMyTrip (check out the reviews & location)
Nomade Cafe (check out the reviews & location)
Osom Coffee Atelier (check out the reviews & location)
Natif Coffee & Kitchen (check out the reviews & location)
Urbano Specialty Coffee (check out the reviews & location)
HanSo Café (check out the reviews & location)

brunch and breakfast in madrid — *Avocado Toast at Gosto Cafe*

madrid tips food spain best coffee — *Avocado Toast at Subrosa Cafe*

avocado toasts in madrid breakfast places — *Avocado Toast at GreenCoffees*

Booklover’s Coffee Stops in Madrid

If you’re visiting Madrid and love the combination of books and coffee, you can check out:

Librería La Mistral (Travesía del Arenal, 2) – a chic bookstore featuring a cozy café downstairs.
Cafebrería ad Hoc (Calle del Buen Suceso, 14) – a cozy laid‑back bookstore + café offering.
Ocho y Medio Cinema Books Bar (Calle de Martín de los Heros, 11) – a quirky cinema‑and‑book‑themed bookstore with an inviting bar/café area.

For more unique bookstore locations around the city, check out my Madrid for Book Lovers guide.

Best Experiences in Madrid for Foodies

10 Tapas 2.5-Hour Cooking Class (check availability)
Paella & Tapas Cooking Class with Local Market Visit (check availability)
Spanish Gastronomy and History with 3-Course Meal (check availability)

Huevos rotos tapa in Spain — *Best Spanish Tapas and How to Make Them at Home (read it)*

My Top Madrid Travel Tips (Video Guide)

If you’re researching Madrid, the video below brings together my most useful travel tips in one place. I share advice on accommodation, transport, museums, neighborhoods, and everything else I wish I had known before my first visit.

8 Comments

Syd on June 19, 2024 at 5:28 PM

I see a lot of places that I love (cannot get enough of Delish Vegan Doughnuts) and some new places to try! Thanks for the recs!
Jolayne on June 19, 2024 at 6:15 PM

I have never tried avocado toast before, but it looks delicious.
Peggy Carlaw on June 19, 2024 at 8:21 PM

Yum! I’ve got a new way of touring a city now. Follow the avo toast. We’ll be there in January so this is a very helpful post. Thanks!
Gabby Leopard on June 19, 2024 at 8:34 PM

Those doughnuts look very tasty I do remember eating good food in Madrid
Shweta on June 20, 2024 at 6:56 AM

I love avocado so you have listed down some cool spots for me to try. But what about local breakfast dishes? Did you try any of that?
Carolina on June 20, 2024 at 3:12 PM

I love love LOVE Madrid! One of my favorite cities in the world as well. Thank you for sharing these. I’m planning another trip to Spain next year so this will come in handy!
Michelle on June 20, 2024 at 6:13 PM

Eating my way through Madrid was one of my favorite parts of our visit. The food is incredible! As an avid fan of AVO toast, I’ll have to give some of your breakfast recs a try next time I am in Madrid.
Stacey Peters on June 22, 2024 at 2:59 AM

I loved reading about your breakfast experiences in Madrid! The avocado toasts look delicious, and your descriptions make me want to try each one. Your photos beautifully capture the vibrant café culture of the city. Thanks for sharing such a delightful and mouth-watering post!

Delicious Breakfast in Madrid: My Top Picks for Coffee, Pastries & Avocado Toasts (+map)

Where to Find a Delicious Breakfast in Madrid