Madrid

Café Gijón is a famous café and Spanish restaurant that has been a fixture on Madrid's main boulevard since its establishment in 1888. In the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the café became a gathering place for the country's most celebrated intellectuals, writers, and artists. Over the years, Café Gijón has attracted many famous visitors, including Hollywood stars like Ava Gardner, Orson Welles, and Truman Capote, as well as foreign writers who found inspiration in the café's vibrant atmosphere. Today, Café Gijón remains a beloved cultural institution, steeped in history and tradition, and whose walls are adorned with illustrations and poems created by some of the most illustrious names in Spanish literature and art.

Founded in 1894, Chocolatería San Ginés is Madrid’s oldest and most famous chocolate cafe. Be sure to try a (typically very thick) hot chocolate with some churros. San Ginés is open 365 days a year, 24/7, which means that you could stumble upon several revellers after a night out if you happen to visit the café around 4 am. For a quintessential Madrid experience, this is definitely a must-visit.

Celicioso is an all-gluten-free bakery and café with plenty of yummy options and a great location in the city centre. This cosy café is celebrated for its baked goods and the friendly staff that serves insanely delicious sweet treats, such as red velvet cupcakes, lemon cake, chocolate cake with a raspberry glaze, and banana bread.

Experience a dream of chocolate with a side of traditional churros at Madrid's oldest churrería. With four generations of history, the current owners of this establishment remain faithful to the old recipes of these beloved deep-fried pastries. The interior design combines both vintage and contemporary elements, and visitors are welcome to observe the staff preparing fresh churros in the open kitchen. In addition to their signature churros, the churrería offers a variety of breakfast options, sandwiches, waffles, and more.

Café Manuela looks like something straight out of the 1930s, with an elegant art nouveau look and picture-perfect decor. It is immensely popular not only for its wonderful coffee, regional wines and food–ranging from tapas to cakes–but also because of the ample selection of board games visitors can enjoy as they eat and drink.

Café Murillo is a chic and sophisticated establishment with a lovely terrace seating area that offers delectable Spanish bistro cuisine, fine wine, and delightful baked treats. It's a perfect choice for a relaxing break right beside the world-renowned Prado Museum. Whether you're in the mood for a light breakfast of coffee and pastries or a more substantial meal, Café Murillo has you covered. Their dining room offers a variety of tasty options, including huevos rotos, a delicious dish consisting of fried eggs served with coveted Spanish ham.