The travel guides on my blog continue and this one takes us to Madrid! Even though the titel „Coffee Guide“ perfectly describes this blog entry, it could also be called „24 hours in Madrid“ as that is exactly the amount of time we spent in the Spanish capital, the last stop on our roadtrip. Madrid, I have to acknowledge, blew me away. Maybe it is true what people say: if you don’t have any expectations you can only be surprised positively. That is how it was in my case at least when I explored Madrid this summer.

 

 

A perfect spot to ideally start the day in Madrid is the Pum Pum Café which is in the slightly alternative artists’ district Lavapiés. The café has a large selection of breakfast and lunch dishes such as avocado toast, sandwiches, salads, or granola. Even several vegan options are on the menu and don’t get me started on the vast choice of cake – thinking about it makes me hungry!

 

 

 

Pum Pum Café

Calle Tribulete 6
28012 Madrid

 

 

 

For a coffee after breakfast (and after a small walk to the trendy neighbourhood Malasaña) I can recommend the Bianchi Kiosko Caffé. The owner, Sandro Bianchi, has two passions: coffee and music. In Madrid he is also know as a DJ, in fact. The name „Kiosko“ stands for – you might already have guessed – kiosk and refers to the limited space in Sandro’s café. There are only a handful of seats but for a coffee to go or for a small break on the bench in front of the café I would definitely come back anytime!

 

 

 

Bianchi Kiosko Caffé

Calle de San Joaquín 9
28004 Madrid

 

 

Several concept stores are to the east of the Bianchi Kiosko Caffé, on the Calle Fernando VI. I especially liked the store Do Design – a very inspiring place with a mix of fashion, paper items, art, and home accessories.

Do Design

Calle Fernando VI 13
28004 Madrid

 

 

For shopping Do Design was not the only store we visited while being in Madrid. In Malasaña you can find a countless number of vintage shops – packed with fashion from past decades. Since we walked through this neighbourhood in the early afternoon we were very disappointed at first. The street where all the vintage shops were supposed to be (Calle Velarde) was deserted and quiet. Not until stepping outiside the only shop that seemed to be open did we realize that the shops had been closed due to „siesta“. One after the other shops reopened their doors and our disappointment quickly blew over.

 

 

A favourite among coffee fans seems to be the Toma Café only a few streets further. I am writing „seems to be“ since when we stopped by (after the vintage shopping tour) the café was so full that we decided to move on and keep it in mind for our next trip to Madrid. I can say as much that the coffee looked very good…

 

 

Toma Café

Calle de la Palma 49
28004 Madrid

 

 

 

Far more relaxed was the atmosphere in the HanSo Café. A chinese family opened this café last year and gave it its own particular charm – that definitely stands out. It is rather difficult to describe, but try to picture it as a mix of minimalist, yet intricately detailed interior paired with a nice welcoming atmosphere. At the counter the baristas create beautiful latte art and the many choices on the menu invite you for lunch or for coffee and cake. At HanSo Café the balance between coolness and friendliness is in perfect harmony – and that is exactly what I thought while I was sitting on my place on the window sill.

 

 

 

 

 

HanSo Café

Calle del Pez 20
28004 Madrid

 

 

Similar to the Bianchi Kiosko Caffé, the proprietor of my last recommendation has two passions as well. The first, who would have guessed, is coffee and the second, sneakers. Guillermo decorated the peacefully located „Coffee & Kicks“ with limited edition sneakers, but the main focus is on the coffee. You cannot buy sneakers, but you can drink an excellent flat white.

 

 

 

Coffee & Kicks

Calle de las Navas de Tolosa 6
28013 Madrid

 

 

At the end of our day – and at the end of our entire roadtrip – we treated ourselves to a unique sunset. On the roof of the theatre „Bellas Artes“ there is a bar which offers a fantastic view over the whole city. The ride to the top is not for free, but the view was definitely worth it. And there is no better way to end such a trip than by enjoying the magnificent sunset with a glass of wine…

 

 

Tartan Roof – Círculo de Bellas Artes

Calle del Marqués de Casa Riera 2
28014 Madrid