Back when I was a first time visitor in Madrid, I took my breakfasts in the hotel. Easily, that sets you back 7-10€ daily. I scrimped the second time i visited. Did my groceries and made my own breakfasts. Then the 3rd and 4th time around, I knew better.
Desayuno means breakfast in Spain. Not their most important meal of the day, but just as interesting as it is simple.
Tomá Cafe. Best coffee in town. 5 stars!
While I’m not about to dismiss the Churros y Chocolate in Chocolateria de San Gines, which honestly appeals to me more as midnight or late afternoon snack, I’d like to share some happy breakfast discoveries here. Feel free to click on the link for more photos, details and directions.
Typically, my breakfast here is only 2.50€ for a cup of cafe cortado y bocadillo. This photo shows my breakfast of coffee and roscon de reyes, a typical 3 Kings Day pastry. Costs 3.50€ for this special fare.
A typical desayuno from audrey’s: cafe y empanada.
For best coffee, it’s Tomá Cafe ☕️. Their alfajores is also good on the lips, but feel your hips grow while munching one. Audrey’s Panaderia is just round the corner so it easily became a go-to for bocadillo, croissant and empanada fixes.
Brie con tomate breakfast in Toast Cafe where I was the sole diner. I must be too early?
Cafeteria HD ain’t much to look at from outside, but you’d like the vibe here. I’m told they serve good burgers here.
Spaniards don’t really take breakfasts “seriously”. That works well with me as I do enjoy hearty luncheons. I care about my coffee and would settle for a good molleta con tomaté in Cafeteria HD or brié in Toast Café. Those are typical Spanish fare for desayunos. Other times, I settle for brunch in some mercado where I can stay longer people-watching while downing cups of my favorite black liquid, or while deciding whether to order more tapás. Mercado de San Anton, Mercado de San Miguel, Mercado de la Paz and Mervado de Maravillas come to mind.
Mercado de San Anton. My new favorito.
Mercado de San Miguel, still one of my favorites.
Of course it’s tempting to see those 1€ bocadillos or sandwiches and maybe take a couple “para llevar” to eat in some park or square. But I’d advise you against it only because desayunos can be a happy leisurely affair that hardly costs you. I even found one coffee shop offering 1-1.50€ complete breakfast (Mercado de Provenzal) and another with an extra glass of freshly-squeezed naranja (2.50€) at Cerveceria de Padron. Great deals.
Mercado de la Paz. People-watching or jamon-watching while enjoying your desayuno.
Tempting, yes. Not the best, but really cheap, huh?
Much depends on how you feel first hour in the morning. You either save your appetite for lunch and thus settle for a simple breakfast, or take a full breakfast to energize you for long city walks. Take your pick. Mine varies from very simple, simple, hearty to delightful. The last is when I take the sweet Spanish pastries for breakfast. In Christmas, there were loads of them!
Want to show you a 1€ breakfast of good coffee and a tostada media con tomate.
And here’s a 2.50€ desayuno with a glass of freshly-squeezed naranja. Coffee in a glass.
Dulces de Navidad is how they’re called. Snack food. But don’t take my word for it. I dropped in on a few pastelerias for breakfast to indulge myself 🍰🍪🍮
Ensaimadas here are not like what we have locally. Tasted more like creme puffs to me. But I love their turrones and their polvorenes con almendras (almonds)!
Drool……
Or you may simply choose to have your Spanish chocolate con or sin churros after all. There’s Chocolateria de San Gines as I mentioned, or Valor. But I’m also happy with my chocolate from the lovely Estado Puro or Pabellon de Espejos. Your choice, really.
See that smile? Churros con chocolate does that to any child. Valor.
Just 2.50€ for a cup of chocolate here in Estado Puro. You’d love their very spanish interiors here.
I know. Too many choices for a “simple desayuno”. The idea is you’d never find it a problem looking for a breakfast place around Madrid. Cheap too! Most offered below 3€. If you need more “complications” deciding how to spend your waking hours, here’s more. 😉
It’s an ice cream place but I ‘ve tried their coffee here. Another choice for you when you want to jump from desayuno to sinful dessert.
lifeisacelebration 
You must try LHardy’s before you go. You can have a hot broth with some little pies. It’s great for winter.
Thanks, Jaime. Hope to find the time. Otherwise it will have to wait till next visit. Gracias for everything. Ring me up (or viber me) when you swing by Manila.
These are some scrumptious sandwiches. Thanks for the heads-up 🙂
Very satisfying breakfast fare without burning a hole in your pocket. Best way to start one’s day!