So, I live in Madrid right now. And I spend most of my free time in coffee shops.
I've tried many if not most. Here are the ones I keep going back to.
I will admit that I'm a little biased towards the neighborhoods I live in/near and frequent most (Lavapies, La Latina, and Las Huertas). A lot of other people will probably recommend more in Malasaña and the northern part of the city-center, another hip part of Madrid which is naturally known for its coffee shops. To each their own.
Another thing to note is that coffee shops in Madrid are generally NOT for working or doing anything productive besides reading or writing (on paper, not a tablet). If the coffee shop is not self-proclaimed as an INTERNET cafe- some of which I've listed below-, chances are they either do not allow computers or they have pretty specific rules on how you can use them (in a back room, at a cramped bar space on a high top, at a crowded communal table, only if you spend 10 euro on food and drinks, during certain hours of the day only, etc etc.).
And without further ado, here's the shortlist!
Best All Around (In My Opinion)
FELIZ COFFEE
@sarahpollock
My favorite coffee shop in the entire city. Something about the decor and the warm, charming feeling of being here... the people are also very very sweet and the quality of the coffee is great, and there are lots of cool natural wines and specialty items offered.
Another pro is that they don't allow computers but they DO allow kindles and iPads (unlike some other cafes)... so read electronically to your heart's content.
Try the mocha if you like mochas. It's made with real dark chocolate :)
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Los Felices
@sarahpollock
Owned by the same people as Feliz... get it? Feliz? Felices?
This one has a very similar vibe but in a bar setting instead. I think it's awesome that you can order specialty coffee at a full-on wine bar. And the wine selection is great. And it's located in one of the cutest squares in town!
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Best for Quality
UMAMI SPECIALTY COFFEE
@sarahpollock
The quality of the food and drinks here is top-notch, especially the baked goods (Everything except for the matcha, actually). It's super cozy too. I meet friends here a lot. And it's conveniently also across the street from the Prado.
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Bianchi Kiosko Caffé
@sarahpollock
A wonderfully consistent little place to stop if you're in the Malasaña area! I thoroughly enjoy my beverage each time and have no complaints.
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DABOV Specialty Coffee Spain
@sarahpollock
Super super high-quality coffee. I also know because it's around the corner from my apartment that this place has a very dedicated fan base.
It's not quite a vibe for sitting, but if you don't mind your coffee to go or are the type that would be content sitting on the window sill outside, don't let that stop you!
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News & Coffee
@sarahpollock
I've actually only ordered chai lattes and dirty chai lattes here (it's the best chai in the city in my opinion), but my taste of espresso in the latter has been wonderful- I can tell the coffee is great too. Plus a lot of other people agree with me!
Also, come to look at one of the coolest collections of art books and independent publications in Madrid- mostly in English too!
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La Deseada Specialty Coffee
@sarahpollock
A little out of the way if you're based in the city center, but conveniently close to the Sorolla museum and Mazál bagels to make for a nice little afternoon! The vibe inside is wonderfully curated without being stuffy and they use Nomad coffee from Barcelona (amazing). The pastries and food also look phenomenal although I have yet to try them.
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Best to Get Work Done
Pum Pum Bakery
@sarahpollock
GREAT quality bakery and VERY very good menu offerings.
Plus, it's one of the only cafes of true quality that allows you to work on a computer! The only downside is that they don't have outlets, so plan accordingly with battery power.
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Cafelito
@sarahpollock
Very cute cozy hipster vibe. The back room is pretty dim but the front area has some very pleasant natural light if you find yourself sitting there for a while (you can work on your laptop in the front room). They also have Wifi AND outlets... and may actually be the only cafe listed which does.
note that the kitchen closes at 3:30. And that the chai and matcha are good but not great. I have yet to try the coffee.
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Café del Art
@sarahpollock
One of the most beautiful cafes in Madrid.. easily. A lot of people feel this way because it's always packed. But unlike most other cafes, it's actually big enough to hold all the people! The food isn't great, but the coffee is.
There's also a designated table for laptop users that, again, is actually big enough for everyone to sit at! And there are no outlets, but the wifi is fast. If you're coming to be productive, I'd recommend this as a nighttime café, once most of the people are gone. It closes at 10:30 pm and has that perfect peaceful evening vibe from about 8 pm onwards.
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Ruda Café
@sarahpollock
I really love this little hole-in-the-wall. It was the first coffee shop I went to in Madrid and the people who work there are incredibly kind. I also appreciate that the local crowd I tend to see there is almost always locals.
Beware that the coffee is on the stronger side, but good! Their prices are also great and they don't charge extra for alternative milks, plus the food (especially the baked goods) are really, really good.
Also, there's only like 1 and a half real tables but you CAN work on a laptop there if you're lucky enough to snag a decent seat.
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Best for Vibes
Faraday
@sarahpollock
Part coffee shop part record store in Chueca.
It's definitely cool inside! I would only beware that the seating to demand ratio is not always super favorable. Nor are there tons of other good options in this particular part of town, so if you're trying to sit for a while and it's packed you might end up sol.
That being said, go on the off times if you can. They are pretty particular with technology rules (laptops and tables only upstairs and only till 1 pm I think... I learned the hard way) but they're otherwise very chill here!
I like this cafe for meeting friends specifically
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Pan y Pepinillos Café
@sarahpollock
Suuuuper cute place tucked away off some main shopping streets in Malasaña. If you want to sit somewhere and take a break from chain stores for a second, definitely stop here!
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Nomade Cafe
@sarahpollock
Very popular spot in Lavapies, but for good reason.
Like some others, they're pretty stingy on technology rules. They don't allow laptops or tablets in the main cafe with all the natural light which is unfortunate.
I usually bring a book/journal or save for social gatherings. Ambiance and menu offerings are both great.
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Mansilla Libros y Café
@sarahpollock
Exactly what it looks like! Mismatched furniture, quirky mugs, books to peruse... if you like those types of things in a cafe I have great news for you :)
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Kaldi café
@sarahpollock
A very solid cozy neighborhood spot on a busy street. Fair prices, too. No complaints. If you find yourself in La Latina/Lavapies when all the other trendier spots are too crowded, I'd recommend trying here instead. Or maybe just avoid the crowds altogether and come here to begin with!
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El Perro De Pavlov Café
@sarahpollock
Very cute little spot in the older streets of La Latina- not far from the Royal Palace. I've only been once because I'm never really in this particular area, but I'd happily go back!
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Motteau Pasteleria
@sarahpollock
Technically a cake shop, not a coffee shop, but the food/desserts and coffee are great and the ambiance is incredibly charming and old-world. Except to sit next to some cute old people. Don't bring technology either- it'll kill the vibe
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Café de la Luz
@sarahpollock
It's made to look like the living room of some fun eclectic aunt, but that's the whole point! It's a great cozy hang in the evenings
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Matilda Café
@sarahpollock
The bar version of Café de La Luz. And in Lavapies instead of Malasaña. But pretty much the exact same vibe, in a great way.
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Best Food (as well as drinks)
Gosto Café
@sarahpollock
If you like specialty coffee, variations of eggs, avocado etc. on slabs of sourdough toast that does indeed taste great, trendy light minimal decor, and don't mind paying a little extra for all of it... this place is for you
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Nomade Cafe
@sarahpollock
Very popular spot in Lavapies, but for good reason.
Like some others, they're pretty stingy on technology rules. They don't allow laptops or tablets in the main cafe with all the natural light which is unfortunate.
I usually bring a book/journal or save for social gatherings. Ambiance and menu offerings are both great.
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Plántate: Better Coffee & Brunch
@sarahpollock
A nice little local daytime cafe in Lavapies. The food options are great and the natural lighting is optimal. The people are also nice when I park myself there for hours, and although I don't know the official cafe rules they have yet to say anything about my iPad usage.
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Toma Café 1
@sarahpollock
VERY popular spot with a few locations, but the only one I've been to is in Malasaña. The coffee beans are roasted by an exclusive specialty vendor and I trust that they are good quality, but to be honest the taste is a little acidic for me. However, it's a hip, safe, crowd-pleasing spot and I enjoy the food offerings a lot while most people around me do indeed enjoy the coffee.
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UMAMI SPECIALTY COFFEE
@sarahpollock
The quality of the food and drinks here is top-notch, especially the baked goods (Everything except for the matcha, actually). It's super cozy too. I meet friends here a lot. And it's conveniently also across the street from the Prado.
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Pum Pum Bakery
@sarahpollock
GREAT quality bakery and VERY very good menu offerings.
Plus, it's one of the only cafes of true quality that allows you to work on a computer! The only downside is that they don't have outlets, so plan accordingly with battery power.
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