Exploring Madrid’s best coffee shops is a true modern-day delight. Just like with sourdough bread, finding specialty coffee in Madrid a decade ago was a challenge. Torrefacto coffee or blends were, and still are in many cases, the most common. This is a post-war legacy: to make up for the poor quality of coffee available to most Spaniards, they used to drink this roasted coffee with sugar or molasses, known as torrefacto.
Fortunately, things have changed. Today, Madrid is home to a growing number of cafés that are more than just coffee shops, temples of coffee, where the word “torrefacto” is banned. Grab a pen and paper because the craze for good coffee in Madrid, for specialty coffee (or “speciality coffee” if you’re feeling fancy), has already begun.
Pum Pum Cafe
Pum Pum Café is almost more popular with tourists than with locals. But beyond its Instagram fame, its products are organic, it’s a vegetarian café with vegan options, and its coffee comes from a small local producer in Madrid who roasts and grinds it almost daily. The project has been growing, and now they also have Pum Pum Bakery, Pizza Posta, Parque Café, and, more recently, Casa Victoria.
📍Location: calle Tribulete, 6 (Lavapiés) y calle Esgrima, 1 (metro station: Tirso de Molina)
Ruda Café
They serve 100% freshly ground Arabica coffee at Ruda Café. If you’re having it as an espresso, ask for it “naked.” The creaminess and density it brings are undeniable. Their sweets are just as impressive. The Rudas, small pastries with a hint of lemon, are perfect to pair with your drink.
📍Location: street Ruda, 11 (La Latina)
Toma Café
Toma Café is one of the most well-known specialty coffee spots in the capital, roasting and distributing its own coffee. They started in Malasaña, but now have two locations in Chamberí. Toma is the place for coffee connoisseurs to enjoy a luxurious breakfast or afternoon snack. Additionally, Toma 3 opens Thursday to Saturday nights under the name Proper Sound, where it also celebrates vinyl music and wine.
📍Location: street La Palma, 49 (Malasaña) | street Santa Feliciana, 5 (Chamberí) | street Raimundo Lulio, 16 (Chamberí)
1000 Cups Café
At 1000 Cups Café, they are expert baristas and roasters of their own specialty coffee. In addition to enjoying a doppio espresso, you can buy their coffee and even a coffee grinder, among other coffee gadgets, on their online store.
📍Location: street Capitán Blanco Argibay, 50 (Valdeacederas)
Rebel Café
Rebel Café selects coffees from diverse parts of the world, such as Burundi and Guatemala, which change almost every weekend (they announce it on Instagram) and offer a true experience for coffee connoisseurs. They also use different coffee makers, including one quite unique, invented in the 19th century.
📍Location: street Ponzano, 90 (Chamberí)
Cafelito
With a vintage touch and located in the heart of Lavapiés, Cafelito serves specialty coffee from Colombia. As if that weren’t enough, you can also exchange books here, and they organize cultural activities.
📍Location: street Sombrerete, 20 (Lavapiés)
Acid Café and Acid Bakehouse
Acid Café and Acid Bakehouse are two specialty coffee shops with exquisite pastries. The first has been serving coffee lovers in the Barrio de las Letras since 2017, featuring the Danish coffee brand La Cabra. The second is also a bakery, selling some of the best sourdough bread in Madrid.
📍Location: street Verónica, 9 (Las Letras) | street de la Magdalena, 27 (Lavapiés)
From cozy neighborhood cafés to trendy specialty spots, the best coffee shops in Madrid offer something for every coffee lover. Whether you’re searching for the perfect espresso, a quiet place to work, or a stylish setting to catch up with friends, Madrid’s vibrant coffee scene won’t disappoint. Explore the city’s hidden gems and discover why these are truly the best coffee shops in Madrid.