5 Work-friendly Cafes with Great Wi-Fi in Madrid

While setting up a home office in a café is typically not part of Madrid’s culture, there is a large population of international people and students living here who enjoy finding places where they can spend hours on end with their laptops.

As there is an abundance of quaint, work-friendly cafés in the city, the struggle primarily lies in finding one with strong Wi-Fi. So here’s a list of lovely cafes with great Wi-Fi in Madrid. They all boast a comfortable working space and delicious coffee beverages to help you get your work done!

Lolina Vintage Café

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As its name suggests, this cozy café will instantly make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. Its vintage décor, comfortable sofas, and lamps create a comfortable, cozy atmosphere that invites all to sit and do work. There is an upstairs and downstairs area, both with plenty of space and tables. The Wi-Fi is provided upon placing your order and is quite strong, almost never fading out. Depending on how crowded the café is, the Wi-Fi may be slightly weaker downstairs. Nevertheless, Lolina Vintage Café’s Wi-Fi is definitely dependable for those who need to work online.

This café offers a variety of dishes and coffee beverages, including vegan milk for individuals of all dietary restrictions to enjoy. Once you’ve finished your work, the signature cocktails may be just the post-work treat that you and your friends are looking for.  

  • Photo from Facebook
  • Address: Calle del Espíritu Santo, 9
  • Metro: Tribunal

HanSo Café

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If you prefer to work more so in the “hustle and bustle” of the city, you’ll love the trendy HanSo Café. Located on Calle del Pez, this café is famous for its picture-worthy coffee beverages that taste just as good as they look. While this café has good Wi-Fi, you may find that it is better suitable for light work assignments, where peace and quiet are not a necessity. With the visually appealing coffee beverages that attracts the crowds, HanSo Café is definitely not a substitute for a library. Nevertheless, if you’re looking to switch up your work place, this is a fabulous café to explore both alone and with friends.

  • Photo from Facebook
  • Address: Calle del Pez, 20
  • Metro: Noviciado

La Bicicleta

La Bicicleta Café by Naked Madrid

Perhaps you prefer natural light or people watching while you work. If so, you’ll love the bar window seating at La Bicicleta that looks over the charming Madrid street and square. If the window seats are taken when you arrive, there are plenty of large tables in the café to spread out and do your work.

You’ll find many people working from their laptops in this café, taking advantage of the strong Wi-Fi and top quality 100% Arabic coffee that is offered. If you’re in need of a quick pick-me-up meal while working, you may treat yourself to one of La Bicicleta’s delicious tapas dishes. Also read our previous article about La Bicicleta.

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  • Address: Plaza de San Ildefonso, 9
  • Metro: Tribunal

Café de la Luz

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If you’re in need of a cozy place that feels as though you’re in your own home living room, Café de la Luz may become your new work place of choice. Located on Calle de la Puebla, this charming café offers a couple of tables along the windows, bar seating, comfortable sofas, and a wood-burning stove fireplace. The warm, comfortable atmosphere that this café boasts will surely eliminate any work-related stress you may have. The reliable Wi-Fi connection will also make working a breeze, where you won’t have to worry about losing connection at any moment while feeling productive.

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  • Address: Calle de la Puebla, 8
  • Metro: Chueca / Gran Vía

La Colectiva Café

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University students will love La Colectiva Café, which offers the same working atmosphere as a campus study center does. Upon entering the café, it may not seem like much, with only a few bench seats and tables. However, if you go downstairs, you will find plenty of space with large tables and comfortable sofas.

Many people choose to work at La Colectiva Café because it is very quiet downstairs, making it quite easy to focus. The strong Wi-Fi allows you to do anything from searching online to enjoying a Netflix study break. While the menu may be slightly more on the pricey side compared to other cafes, it may be well worth it if you’re searching for a work-friendly, comfortable space to complete your tasks.

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  • Address: Calle Francisco de Rojas, 9
  • Metro: Bilbao

While there are numerous cafes and quaint locations in Madrid to work at, these five destinations will surely inspire you to get quality work done without the hassle of having to seek out strong Wi-Fi. With this list of cafes, you’ll no longer have to worry about arriving to the café, ordering your drink, and setting up your computer, only to discover that the Wi-Fi isn’t strong.

Thanks to these work-friendly cafés with great WiFi in Madrid, you can enjoy feeling part of the vibrant city while accomplishing your daily online tasks and treating yourself to delicious coffee beverages!

By Haley Grant



Lúa Vermutería, a charming new bar with an old spirit in Lavapiés

Serendipity. It’s a funny thing. My friends and I used to go to a bar several nights a week where the head server, Alberto, treated us like royalty. It was our hangout spot.

Fast-forward a few years, and I was wandering around Lavapiés with a friend on a Saturday night and we stumbled upon Lúa Vermutería on the (very cool) Calle Doctor Fourquet. We were in the mood to try something new and this place immediately lured us in. After squeezing through the crowd and making our way to the bar, to our surprise, there was Alberto!

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At 56 years old, Alberto is now the owner of this new venture which he named after his daughter, Lúa (meaning “moon” in Galicia, where he’s from). And he took the head chef, Rosa, from the former bar along with him.

Although they completely gutted and refurbished an old night club, today Lúa Vermutería looks like a traditional taberna that underwent a high-quality facelift. It has an old-fashioned feel to it, with high tables and stools set out in the front, and just a handful of sit-down tables in the back.

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Lúa Vermutería is located on a street that’s full of new art galleries and trendy shops in the ever-changing neighborhood of Lavapiés. That’s why it stands out for its charming and classic vibe. It’s already becoming a favorite in the barrio, with visits from the likes of celebrities including Almodóvar. The music ranges from soul to blues, and they’ve started showcasing exhibits from local artists.

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As for the drinks, you’ll find Zecchini vermouth on tap and a list of Spanish wines and beers. Of course, each round comes with a complementary tapa. The menu features homemade Spanish dishes, along with a number of modern and vegetarian options. For lunch, you can also order the daily special: a €5 plato de cuchara (usually a hearty stew), such as lentils, cocido, or la olla gitana (pictured below).

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So far we’ve ordered the entraña (steak), tacos de bonito (tuna slices over black pasta with cuttlefish and alioli), and the pisto manchego on toast.

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Everything was absolutely delicious. The steak was cooked perfectly and came with patatas bravas, one of the house specialties. Alberto also treated us to a side of caramelized onions prepared with vermouth – it was so sweet and so good.

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The Italian-inspired pasta mixed with alioli and tuna was a burst of different textures and flavors. It’s one of Lúa’s star dishes that came highly recommended by Alberto.

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And my favorite was the pisto – a slice of toast topped with a heaping portion of freshly cooked vegetables that tasted even better once the yolk from the fried egg spilled all over it.

It was wonderful to see Alberto there after so many years. We’ll definitely be back again and again.

Lúa Vermutería

  • Facebook
  • Instagram: @lua_vermuteria
  • Address: Doctor Fourquet, 28
  • Metro: Embajadores or Lavapiés
  • Phone: 637 65 27 51


Toscanaccio, gourmet Italian takeaway in Lavapiés

Toscanaccio is a cute little Italian bakery and pizzeria situated on a side street in Lavapiés, opened a year and a half ago by Guillermo (Madrid) and Federico (Siena). Out of their small kitchen and sole oven comes authentic homemade bites from Tuscany, all lovingly crafted on site, from scratch and with prime ingredients.

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While you’d think the creators of Toscanaccio hailed from a long line of Italian bakers, their story is rather unexpected. Guillermo and Federico met over a decade ago while studying in London, and have since travelled and lived around the world, always picking up new skills and game for new adventures along the way.

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Neither of them had planned on opening an Italian bakery. That is, until a few years ago when they decided to set out on a new venture in Madrid: a Tuscan-inspired takeaway joint in Lavapiés.

Before opening, they spent months training with a señor who’s been hand-crafting authentic Italian baked goods for over 40 years. After learning from the best, they found a place and refurbished it practically by hand. And here they are!

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Toscanaccio fits perfectly into the already diverse and eclectic neighborhood of Lavapiés, full of charming gems and surprises scattered throughout its sloping, winding streets.

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When you step into Toscanaccio, you’ll immediately see a tempting display of prepared foods. Options range from savory bites like pizza, focaccia, calzoni, and ciaccino ripieno (sandwiches typical of Tuscany) to a wide selection of traditional cookies, cakes and pastries like crostatines, tarta de la nonna, and panello de uva. Depending on the day, you may even find brownies and carrot cake.

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The ciaccino filled with brie, arugula and pesto is my new favorite go-to snack. 

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There’s also an assortment of homemade breads, with an additional daily special. Today’s was pan de calabaza (pumpkin bread). All the dough is made with different types of organic wheat, rye and spelt flour, made right here in the kitchen, in plain sight.

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The space is quite tiny, but it’s all you need. If you want to sit, there are only two stools and a bench outside. Otherwise, it’s best to order to go. Luckily their hours are quite accommodating: they open from 11am-11:30pm every day, and until 3:30am on Fridays and Saturdays. Tuesday is their day off.

So thanks to these two guys, we’ve now got the perfect place to grab a delicious Italian bite on the go, almost any day of the week.

Toscanaccio

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  • Instagram: @toscanaccio_
  • Address: Calle de la Fe 16
  • Metro: Lavapiés
  • Phone: 912974729
  • Hours:
    • Monday through Thursday 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
    • Fridays and Saturdays open till 3:30 AM
    • Closed on Tuesdays

 



Picalagartos, dine sky high on a stunning rooftop overlooking Gran Vía

This year myself and one of my best friends have been on pretty different trajectories. Whilst she’s been globe trotting galore having taken a sabbatical, I’ve never felt more aware of putting down “roots” – having finally become a home owner, cue quite the case of FOMO.
After 11 months of not being able to enjoy so much as a glass of fizz together in person, last weekend we were finally reunited for the puente in my adopted city of Madrid. This called for a special venue for a special lunch.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

Now I love a rooftop. I’m not sure if it’s something to do with being a city dweller who’s constantly on the search for cleaner air, but I feel it’s probably more to do with the “grammable” views that are pretty much guaranteed when you head sky high.

Having done my research, Picalagartos was booked, the restaurant perched atop the NH Hotel on Gran Vía, boasts 360 views of the city. Not too shabby, eh? Now most hotel restaurants have a bad rep, often found to be overpriced and underwhelming, but not the case here. The standard of food matched the view, to be summed up in a word, it was stunning.

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Feeling the kind of giddy high that I can only imagine toddlers feel at soft play, we started with a cocktail to toast our reunion. This was the start of a true Spanish sobremesa, with neither of us keen to leave until the sun had well and truly set over Gran Vía.

My friend’s a veggie (no I don’t know how we dine out together either, being a self-confessed carnivore Queen) but it was pleasing to find that this wasn’t an issue – the menu offering a variety of veggie options, all of which were more tempting than the standard offering of tortilla.
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We split a mille feuille of patatas bravas that is in the running for being the best carb that’s ever passed my lips. Layers of buttery potatoes formed into giant “chips” were served with a piquant bravas sauce and a mouth-wateringly good aioli. They were so downright divine, case in point, we ordered a second portion and not one part of me regrets having to work them off the following Monday at spin.

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I plumped for a steak (cooked perfectly), while my amiga sampled the delights of a vegetable garden – which looked so temptingly tasty that it could almost have lured me away from my meaty marvel, but not quite.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

A couple of chocolate soufflés later, gin and tonics sunk – our vows of friendship reaffirmed, there was nothing left to do but harass the waiter to take (multiple) pics of us with Madrid in all her dusky delight in the background – luckily he obliged, I have a feeling we weren’t the only ones bowled over by the vista.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

Picalagartos is the kind of “oooh and aaah” inducing spot that will have you falling in love with Madrid all over again (in case your affections have ever waned). The food, and in my case, the friendship, were faultless and it was the perfect place to spend a free Friday afternoon that combined both gorgeous grub and plenty of glamour.

Picalagartos



Espacio Cervecero, Mini Mahou Brewery in Madrid

Mentally bookmarked for more than a couple months, we finally stepped into Espacio Cervecero Mahou in Alonso Martínez and were not let down. Having no expectations allowed us to be surprised at every turn in this small but compact venue. It’s a little bit brewery and tasting space, a little bit restaurant, a bit gift shop and a bit urban art showroom.
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It’s perfect if you’ve got family or friends visiting or no plans on any given evening. You’ll certainly be surprised by this unusual center of Madrid find. Did you know Mahou is a family-run business? Or that they made a Stout? And an APA (American Pale Ale)?
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At Espacio Cervecero each is served on an individually descriptive coaster for each beer but your “beersommelier” will tell you all about it anyway. These little details are what makes this place unique. It feels small in square meters but packs a lot.
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There are few beers on tap but this allows for more information to be revealed regarding each one. Before you leave, you’ll be asked to evaluate what you’ve tried on one of a few iPads set opposite the bar.
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If you go through the graffiti and mirror covered hallway, you’ll reach the restaurant. Like myself, you may be distracted by the exposed industrial decor but don’t forget to grab a board game to play at your table on your way in if you like.
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You’ll find that the menu is limited but gourmet and ideal for tasting a few different plates. Our waitress suggested we try the ensaladilla rusa (potato salad) which we did and she was right; it was definitely an elevated take on the typical bar food.
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There are events at the bar which you can join like a guided “micro brewery” tour, a beer tasting for newbies and one for more seasoned beer drinkers – an international workshop in which beers are brought in from Belgium, Central Europe and Great Britain for tasting and learning.
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And though there isn’t much information on it, there also appears to be a cooking class using, you guessed it, Mahou!  However, it isn’t clear whether you watch or actually cook.
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In the end, we saw Mahou’s classier side and we’d definitely go back.
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By Caitlin English

Espacio Cervecero

  • Website
  • Address: Calle de Génova, 5
  • Metro: Alonso Martinez, Colon
  • Hours: Open everyday from 12pm-midnight (closed on Sundays)

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