11+ Best Breakfast Places in Madrid
Written by Nadia Podrabinek
Hello, my name is Nadia. I usually write about traveling (there are so many places to fit all the lifestyles), relocation, and living in a foreign country (adapting to a different culture). My travels stretch beyond Spain, with journeys to the US, Italy, Norway, Portugal, and France. Relocating to Spain in 2018, I lived in cities from Barcelona to Madrid, currently calling Valencia home. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn! ... show more
Breakfast culture in Spain is different, with much lighter and simpler meals than served in the United States. A typical Spanish breakfast often consists only of a small pastry or toast with tomato or marmalade and a cup of coffee. This is because Spanish people eat quickly for breakfast and their tradition of having big, late dinners.
However, the breakfast culture is changing, especially in Madrid, the capital city. Now you have plenty of choices for any breakfast there, including brunches and vegetarian dishes.
These are the best spots in Madrid to make your breakfast a perfect start to the day:
Plenti
My favorite breakfast spot! Get there no later than 10 AM! Try their porridge with apples, peanut butter and almonds, and guacamole, cherry tomato, yogurt, spring onions & sesame seeds toast. The coffee is delicous, too!
- What people say on Google: 4.7 stars, 1,954 reviews
- C. de Moreto, 17, Retiro, 28014 Madrid
- +34910531117
- plentimadrid.com
- See on the map
Umami Specialty Coffee
My second favorite spot in Madrid, for their delicious toast, specialty coffee, and friendly staff. Try toast with slices of avocado, fresh cheese, sunflower seeds, and black salt. Ask to throw in a fried egg to get the perfect breakfast. They also have some poke bowls and fresh pastries (try “bizcocho con pera y chocolate” – a cake with pear and chocolate).
- What people say on Google: 4.8 stars, 510 reviews
- C. de la Alameda, 1, 28014 Madrid
- +34910722473
- umamispecialtycoffee.com
- See on the map
Read also: 51 things to do in Madrid and Coffee in Spain: How to order and what to try
Useful Video
What people say on Reddit
I’d recommend Federal Cafe on Plaza Comendadoras. For em it has the best breakfast and brunch choice in Madrid. Not too pricey either, but it’s always busy on the weekend. It’s not traditional Spanish, but in my book, as a vegetarian, that’s a good thing.
Beyond that, I can’t really recommend much else. Decent breakfast has just become a thing here in the past 2 years or so.
Poley_g
On calle Postigo de San Martin (just uphill from the plaza) you can get churros to dip into hot chocolate if you want to stay nearby at a place on the left before you get to Callao. If you’re willing to venture farther then I’d second the recommendation for Federal. Also in Sol, just a few minutes away, you can go to La Mallorquina for amazing and famous nepolitanas. I’m not sure if they have them yet but keep an eye out for torrijas, which are also great at La Mallorquina. They are typical around Easter and are like very sweet French toast.
goodgoodthings
Hola! Id recommend Van Gogh cafe and chocolateria san gines for sweet breakfast, its amazing and san gines is a really famous spot. Im currently living here for some months, if you have any questions feel free to ask!
stachen
the thing is that traditionaly breakfast in madrid is usualy a coffee with a piece of pastry or toast with shredded tomatos garlin and olive oil.
Or the famous “taxi driver breakfast”, a Sol y Sombra (coffe and cream liquier) and a cigarette (its a joke).
I´d probobly recommend pastry shops like Pomme sucre or going in to the nicer food markets like San anton or barcelo.
Aevum1
Etual Café
It is right next to Umami café, which is quite helpful – both spots are relatively small so you have the option to move from one to another in case all seats are occupied.
It is the perfect spot for a weekend breakfast or to get some work discussions done during the week. The menu offers delicious seasonal food and great coffee, all served with warm and friendly service. Though there are laptop-free tables (and also very small), it will surely be one of your favorite cafes once you check it out.
- What people say on Google: 4.8 stars, 175 reviews
- C. de la Alameda, 8, 28014 Madrid
- See on the map
Honest Greens, Gran Via 7
They have a wide selection of vegetarian-friendly options, ranging from protein bowls to sides such as hummus and sweet potato fries. Not only that, but they also cater to those with gluten dietary requirements. As for the drinks, they have specialty coffee and cold-pressed juice. Reasonable prices, nutritious and healthy food, LGBT+ friendly, worth checking out!
- What people say on Google: 4.6 stars, 626 reviews
- C/ Gran Vía, 7, 28013 Madrid
- +34931227664
- honestgreens.com
- See on the map
Bucólico Café
Another must-visit spot for breakfast aficionados! The atmosphere is pleasant and comfortable, with lounge music playing in the background. They offer all sorts of drinks, including coffee, matcha latte (which they are particularly known for), chai latte, rose beetroot latte (recommended to be ordered with oat milk), and more. Moreover, their homemade pastries vary day-to-day, so you can always expect something new every visit.
Apart from drinks and pastries, their Eggs Benedict Toast is one of the best I have ever tried, hands down! Overall, top tier place.
- What people say on Google: 4.8 stars, 835 reviews
- C. de Barbieri, 4, 28004 Madrid
- +34663316039
- linktr.ee/bucolicocafe
- See on the map
Brutal Specialty Coffee
It is a lovely place with a small “tienda” (shop) selling designer t-shirts and hoodies. It is located on Plaza de Ángel and offers delicious coffee, toast, yogurt granola, and cakes!
- What people say on Google: 4.8 stars, 36 reviews
- Pl. del Ángel, 5, 28012 Madrid
- See on the map
Federal Café
It is an Australian-inspired cafe with a wide selection of breakfast options, such as filled croissants, “morning” burgers, and French toast. They also serve fresh juices, smoothies, classic tea, and coffee, including the iconic “flat white.” There are also some options for vegetarians.
- What people say on Google: 4.1 stars, 2,547 reviews
- Pl. del Conde de Barajas, 3, 28005 Madrid
- +34918526848
- federalcafe.es/madrid-condedebarajas/
- See on the map
Instagram Review
El Perro De Pavlov
It is a small and cozy coffee shop with a name that alludes to a famous “Pavlov’s dog” thought experiment (See the “Frequent questions” section below). No surprise, the spot is dog friendly! Great coffee, toast, and cakes.
- What people say on Google: 4.8 stars, 410 reviews
- Costanilla de San Pedro, 5, 28005 Madrid
- See on the map
Brunch Club
![Brunch Club cafe, m]Madrid](https://whythisplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Brunch-Club.jpg)
A decent spot for brunches near Gran Via street. They also have a mini-brunch option and a selection of smoothies, teas, cocktails, and coffee.
- What people say on Google: 4.5 stars, 1,204 reviews
- C. del Barco, 15, 28004 Madrid
- +34910461934
- brunchclubcafe.com
- See on the map
Toma Café 1
A trendy cafe with an array of breakfast dishes, including acai bowls & avocado toast.
- What people say on Google: 4.5 stars, 2,770 reviews
- C. de la Palma, 49, 28004 Madrid
- +34917049344
- tomacafe.es
- See on the map
HanSo Café 2
A solid choice for brunch, specialty coffee, and French toast. Try their Matcha waffle! As for bringing your laptop to work – it might not be the best place.
- What people say on Google: 4.5 stars, 423 reviews
- Cost.ª de los Ángeles, 7, 28013 Madrid
- +34918643018
- hansocafe.es
- See on the map
Chocolatería San Ginés
For the sweet teeth! Yummy churros! But do not just order churros; try “Porras,” the bigger ones! And you can share the chocolate because it is very thick and big.
- What people say on Google: 4.5 stars, 45,995 (!) reviews
- Pasadizo de San Ginés, 5, 28013 Madrid
- +34913656546
- chocolateriasangines.com
- See on the map
Frequently Asked Questions
Tipping is not expected in Spanish cafés and restaurants; it solely depends on your mood, habits or gratitude. If you drink a coffee or have breakfast – you are not expected to tip at all. But if you still want to leave a tip, €1-€2 would be appropriate. Read more on tipping culture in Spain.
Specialty coffee is a type of high-quality, gourmet coffee that has been processed, roasted, and graded to meet specific standards. It usually comes from single-origin beans or unique blends of Arabica varieties and contains little to no defects in the bean structure. Specialty coffees are recognized by their delicate aromas, complexity in taste, full body, and little-to-no acidity compared with traditional drip-brewed coffees.
Flat white is an espresso-based drink popularized in Australia and New Zealand. It consists of a double shot of espresso and hot, steamed milk with no foam. The texture is creamy – not too thick or thin like latte art suggests – making it one of the most popular drinks at specialty cafes.
Pavlov’s Dog is a philosophical experiment proposed by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov. He asked whether it was possible to condition an animal to respond the same way to two different stimuli. In this hypothetical scenario, one could train a dog (or any other animal) so that whenever it hears a bell ringing, it will automatically associate the sound with food and salivate as if expecting its meal. This study aimed to explore how behavior can be controlled by external influences rather than being innate or predetermined through evolution or genetics.
Yes! Although many coffee shops are closed for Christmas holidays, there are always some cafés that operate these days, e.g., Honest Greens, Umami, Toma Cafe, etc.
Read also: Best Michelin star restaurants in Madrid
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