Madrid is better known for never-ending, three-course lunches and late-night tapas than breakfast. The Spanish are famous for staying up late. So, maybe it’s not surprising that the first meal of the day doesn’t seem to get as much attention.
But the humble Spanish breakfast has a lot going for it. Firstly, it’s common to have two breakfasts, one first thing in the morning and one between 10-11am to tide you over until lunch. What breakfast lover would say no to a second opportunity to enjoy your favourite meal of the day? During the working week, the second breakfast is also a great chance to have a quick break from work and chat with your colleagues. Secondly, eating cake for breakfast is perfectly normal. Yes, cake for breakfast. I’m already won over. Finally, pretty much every bar and cafe in Madrid serves my all-time-favourite breakfast: toasted bread, drizzled with oil and topped with crushed, fresh tomato (and some jamón ibérico for an extra treat).
Brunch has become more and more popular in recent years and with all of the international food in Madrid, your options aren’t limited to a traditional Spanish breakfast. Here’s a list of my favourite places for breakfast in the capital.
1. Little Big Cafe
Tucked away in a side street off Calle Guzman El Bueno, Little Big Cafe is one of the best spots in Madrid for breakfast, brunch and sweet treats. If you’re looking for a light breakfast, they have toast topped with everything from the traditional tomato and oil to more adventurous ricotta, cinnamon, nuts and honey. If you order toast, it comes with free tea or coffee, making a good value breakfast.
From the brunch menu, you can choose one sweet and one savoury dish, which come with fruit or scones and your choice of drinks. The brunch is big for one person! So, unless you want to be stuffed for the rest of the day, I always prefer to share one between two. You can always order a slice of one of their delicious homemade cakes if you’re still hungry.
- Website, Facebook & IG: @thelittlebigcafe
- Address: c/ Fernández de los Ríos 61
- Metro: Moncloa, Quevedo or Islas Filipinas
2. The Toast Café
The Toast Café is a place for fellow bread lovers. As you would expect from the name, the toast here (whole grain rye or white sourdough) is pretty good. It’s not far from Little Big Cafe and serves a similar breakfast and brunch menu. Like at Little Big Cafe, you can choose two dishes to make a substantial brunch. And you can add one of their brunch cocktails for an extra €4! This place gets much busier on weekends, so it’s best to book a table for brunch.
- Website, Facebook & IG: @thetoastcafe
- Address: Calle Fernando el Católico 50
- Metro: Moncloa, Quevedo, Arguelles
3. Cafetería HD 
Cafetería HD has kept its 60s decor and retro style, even after being taken over by La Musa group a few years ago. A neighbourhood favourite, it gets packed on weekends so get down early! The menu is inspired by American diners, but you’ll still find some Spanish favourites.
The best thing about the breakfast here is you customise everything just how you like it. Choose from eggs, toast or “something sweet” then select how you want the eggs cooked, the type of bread, and add toppings. For brunch, they have an American, Swedish or veggie version. Unlike in some places, it’s a good (filling) portion for one. So, there’s no need to share if you don’t want to!
- Website, Facebook & IG: @cafeteriahd
- Address: Calle Calle Guzman el Bueno, 67
- Metro: Moncloa, Islas Filipinas
4. La Infinito
With quirky but comfortable decor and mismatched furniture, La Infinito is a lovely spot to relax with friends or read a book. There’s even a lending shelf, where you can swap books you’ve read for new ones. They serve light breakfasts and brunches, including vegan options, accompanied by excellent coffee and a good selection of teas. Everyone has their own personal preference as to how they like the classic pan con tomate. Still, La Infinito does my personal favourite: smooth but flavourful tomato pulp with lots of oil on artisan bread. On weekends, they also host live music and comedy brunches.
- Website, Facebook & IG: @lainfinito
- Address: C/ Tres Peces, 22
- Metro: Antón Martín or Lavapiés
5. La Colectiva Café 
Whether you’re vegan or not, you’ll love the selection of cakes, pastries and light bites, all free from animal products, at La Colectiva Café. They also serve some of the best coffee in Madrid and don’t charge extra for plant-based milk. But don’t worry, you still have the option to order cow’s milk if you prefer.
My favourite breakfast here is toast with cashew nut butter and sugar-free fig jam. They also have lots of gluten-free options for coeliacs. If you want to bring your laptop, they have a workspace on the lower floor, although it can get a bit cramped on weekends.
- Website, Facebook & IG: @lacolectivacafe
- Address: Calle Francisco de Rojas 9
- Metro: Bilbao
6. Toma Café
If you’re more of a coffee and go person than a leisurely bruncher, Toma Café has you covered. Probably one of the best-known coffee places in Madrid, the beans are good quality, roasted in house, and the coffee is never burnt. Their cold brew is perfect for the unbearably hot Madrid summers. As well as coffee, there are lots of different teas, juices and even spicy hot chocolate.
- Website, Facebook & IG: @tomacafe
- Address 1: Calle La Palma 49 (Metro: Noviciado, San Bernardo)
- Address 2: Santa Feliciana 5 (Metro: Iglesia, Quevedo)
7. Cafelito
Cafelito (little coffee in English) is a tiny cafe with a simple menu. Choose from their list of signature coffees, including unusual flavours like cardamom or lemon rind, and try one of their delicious homemade cakes. The staff are always friendly, and there’s a trendy vibe without being pretentious. Make sure you check out the weird collection of second-hand knick-knacks (including a typewriter) in the toilets!
- Facebook & IG: @cafelitomadrid
- Address: Calle Sombrerete 20
- Metro: Lavapiés
8. Restaurante Botillo
Like most Spanish bars, Botillo is open from the early morning all the way through to night time. When I worked in the area, it was always my favourite spot for a mid-morning pincho de tortilla. It’s a very generous slice of runny tortilla, served with a hunk of bread to soak everything up.
- Website
- Address: Calle López de Hoyos, 10
- Metro: Gregorio Marañón
9. Federal
First things first, Federal definitely does not serve a traditional Spanish breakfast. The Australian-inspired cafe started in Barcelona and then opened up in Madrid a few years ago. With filled croissants, “morning” burgers, French toast, bruschetta and more… Federal has a hearty but (relatively) healthy breakfast menu. They serve fresh juices, smoothies and cocktails as well as the usual tea and coffee, including the iconic Australian flat white. Vegetarians and vegans will also find they have plenty of options.
- Website, Facebook & IG: @thefederalcafe
- Address 1: Plaza de las Comendadoras, 9 (Metro: Noviciado)
- Address 2: Plaza del Conde de Barajas, 3 (Metro: Tirso de Molina, Sol)
*All images are from each restaurant’s respective social media accounts. Feature image belongs to The Toast Café.
By Ellen Fouweather (IG: @efouwee)
Also read Ellen’s article: 10 great vintage and second-hand shops in Madrid
