Do yourself a favor and stop here for torrija. I would recommend taking it to go or seeing if you…read morecan snag a spot upstairs. This place gets busy and packed and was hectic when we stopped in. The torrija was one of, if not the best one we had while in Madrid. The service was quick and friendly at the to go counter for me.

La Mallorquina came as a recommendation from our hotel when I asked for a local bakery with coffee…read more I'd had a long list of places I wanted to try but always like to ask as well. We happened upon it and I was so pleasantly surprised. I think we went three times during our time in Madrid. I loved the counter experience, I'd definitely recommend that option. I wasn't looking to sit down and do all of that upstairs so my review is solely based on counters on the first floor. The locals love this spot and that is quite obvious. I was told in advance that they do and coming here was very enjoyable. The pastries and coffee are very yummy, you won't be disappointed. Makes for the perfect spot if you really want to get your day started but want to grab a quick bite before doing so.

My first meal in Madrid and it was fulfilling. It was simple and the price was reasonable. The…read moreBocadillo jamón york y queso which is ham and cheese ( 1 slice of each was something amazing). The service was great..we felt welcomed.

What surprised us the most about this little gem tucked away off the high shopping street was the…read moreCOFFEE. What a delight! Sure, the pastries are great too but that coffee had our heads spinning. Magical, compared to the big green capital S behemoth you can find pretty much anywhere these days. Hurry up and GO here!

A pair of classics in their respective cities (2 of 2)…read more - - - - - I'm not surprised there are a lot of reviews. Then, I've had this bookmarked for an eternity based on the reviews of a Yelp friend (acquaintance) from the Yelp Talk chapter who did quite a bit of traveling. I had seen Chocolateria San Gines before but did not go in. I don't know why. This time, I did go in. They have two salons across the street from each other. I prefer the one on the east side of the street, which has the taller ceilings and more glass and mirrors. There may be a line around the side, but it will move quickly. I knew they had chocolate based on their name, but I didn't understand how they factored it into the equation. I sort of assumed that one could get chocolate churros. After all, there are now chocolate cannoli shells and, in some cases, cannoli can also have chocolate filling. The lady at the counter very quickly gave me an education. One gets the standard churros, but they come with a chocolate sauce that you dip them into. This all made for an interesting snack. This is not a place intended for a meal. The churros have a nice bland sort of crunchiness and the chocolate sauce is one heck of a counterpoint. The combination is tasty and unique. I also had a hot drink. Upon asking, they immediately provided me with a small glass of cold water - seen at many adjacent tables - probably to counter the effects of the richness of this snack. Be it at the counter or at the table, the staff was very well mannered and helpful, which was commendable for how busy they were. The interior is very clean and has a lot of history on its walls. The pricing was to my liking, so coming to Chocolateria San Gines is a "no brainer." Everything is there and the intersection of its history and visitors from the world over take this one to 5 stars. A friend of mine who once lived in Madrid laughed upon learning it was on my list. I mentioned I had already been to Mallorquina, which is a few blocks away on Plaza del Sol. The story was that Mallorquina is where Madrid's version of chatty magpies might go to do the dessert and coffee thing with their friends in the afternoon. It closes in the evening. Instead, Chocolateria San Gines is open all the time and might be the last stop of the evening or night before Madrilenos turn in from a night on the town. It is also very easy to reach, only a few blocks from either the Sol or Opera Metro stations, from which you can also take in fascinating nearby Plaza Mayor.

The churros here are a must try in Madrid, Spain…read more The chocolate sauce is divine and great for dipping the churros. There's a dining area to sit inside and outside. The service is relatively quick. The churros are crispy and not oily. If you're in Madrid go here!

This is such a beautiful bakery! It offers an intimate atmosphere and the stars are the desserts…read more You won't find sandwiches here but you'll have some of the best cakes and tartes in town. It is close to the Prado museum and would be a perfect stop afterwards. Service is attentive and it seems even they are bakers as well. You can watch them make cakes if you have the inclination. We hade the pecan bar which was outstanding and the alfajor which looks like a cookie sandwich- delicious

We two stopped by for coffee and cake before visiting the nearby Prado Museum. Excellent experience…read moreand great food. FOOD: 4.5 - Mango Cheesecake: 4.5. - Apple pie: 4.5 - Espresso: 4.5 (not sour) SERVICE: 5.0. Very considerate and focused on us as customers, though we spoke no Spanish. We felt appreciated. AMBIANCE: 4.0. About three tables inside and a bench on narrow street outside. We had our cake and coffee on the outside bench. Pleasant.

This is a small neighborhood cafe that is popular with locals and tourists alike. They have…read moreready-made sandwiches, fresh bread, and pastries. Their coffee is Guilis, and it's super bueno. The service was fast. Space is limited, so getting a spot is not always possible.

We stayed in Madrid for 10 days and every morning, and sometimes in the afternoons visited El Horno…read morefor their delicious breakfast and pastries. Extremely friendly staff always greeted us with a smile. Food is fresh as it is prepared daily. It was a very pleasant experience that will stay with us for a long time. Do not miss the opportunity to visit them.

Best bakery we found in Madrid. Easy and convenient to where we were staying. Try a chocolate…read morecroissant they were great!

Very good chocolate croissants and excellent bread. The woman in the morning is extremely friendly…read moreand helpful. The girl in the afternoon is the total opposite. I suggest going early. Good coffee as well.

Love this local chain, and I once knew a cat named Manolo. Fresh croissant, perfect espresso, quick…read moreSpanish service, and after struggling with Spanish it turns out they do speak English and other languages. They do seem to appreciate Spanish, even if poorly pronounced. Delicious coffee concoctions, no tea. Very popular with young Madrid denizens.

I am completely obsessed with Manolo Bakes. A local had told me about the Manolitos and I was sold…read more Upon visiting and seeing the palmitas, I had to get some of those too. In the end, I ordered way too many items and happily ate it for the rest of my trip. It's not easy to pick a favorite manolito, but the dark chocolate and cafe have to be in my top two. They aren't quite like anything I've had before, but kind of like a more eggy croissant? They're delicious. Just try them! I loved the palmitas as well, but if you only get one, definitely go for manolito! They also have savory manolitos, but if you can't tell, I have a sweet tooth and only opted for the sweet ones. There was a line out the door on the weekday morning I visited, but the line moved quickly. They have a lot of locations throughout the city, don't miss out!

My Airbnb host recommended this place and it is one of the best bakeries I've ever tried! Their…read moreservice was very quick and they had a beautiful interior. Where they really shine is their baked goods. I highly recommend the chocolate croissant with a coffee! I should've went here every day on my vacation. My only regret is not going early on my trip so I can go there everyday!

5 Enthusiastic stars for a gorgeous space that serves wonderful coffee drinks and pastries (along…read morewith hot dishes, but I didn't try those). I'm so thankful that my Yelp app always leads me in the right direction! My family and I were looking for a quick spot to stop and grab coffee in Madrid. I ordered their Pistachio latte con hielo (on ice) and we grabbed a table. Everyone enjoyed their coffees and the pistachio latte was really good (not overly sweetened, thank goodness). We got a few pastries from the counter and they hit the spot. Overall, a comfortable, beautiful space for taking a break and enjoying coffee with friends and family.

Delicious and great prices Tried the leche merengada and…read morewas surprised at how delightful and different it was. Their raspberry drink is also deliciously refreshing. Their tortilla was also great. Love that this establishment has been around since the 19th century!

The most amazing place to enjoy delicious coffee and pastries. Service is excellent. Oscar is one…read moreof a kind and you feel at home

I had walked down Gran Via towards Plaza Mayor with the intention of grabbing a snack at Mercado…read moreSan Miguel. Sadly, it is closed for renovation and upgrades. As I was walking back towards Gran Via, I found El Riojano and stopped in. There is the pastry shop in the front and a cafe in the back. I was seated immediately and almost all of the tables were full. This is a very casual place. The menus were on the table, and a server came quickly to take my order. I ordered a cappuccino and a puff pastry with spinach and goat cheese. Both were good and exactly what I needed for a bit of energy. I asked for the pastry to be heated, and it was slightly warm (still cold in the middle). My only critique is that I wish the pastry had been a bit hotter. A steady stream of people arrived and departed while I was there so this seems to be a popular place. I would visit again and look forward to trying one of the bartolillo (traditional to Madrid).

Cute spot for desserts and a warm drink. I tried their hot chocolate which was rich but did taste…read morelike it was thickened with starch and not as decadent as some other places. The pastries were great. I tried the Roscon which was fresh and airy. Not overly sweet either. We had a short wait of 10 minutes and also took some pastries to go after. Staff was veryyyyy busy and not the most attentive but otherwise friendly and helpful.