Sipping my way through Spain, coffee edition!

It’s been a couple of weeks since I got back from Spain, but mentally I’m still somewhere in Barcelona indulging in tapas, vermouth, and drinking coffee all day (and night)! I spent two weeks in Spain adventuring around Barcelona, Ibiza, Madrid, and Sevilla. This trip was my first time in Europe, and the coffee culture was a pleasant change from what I’m used to in the states.

While in San Diego I try not to have caffeine after 2pm, in Spain it was easy to have 3 or 4 coffees in a day, thanks to the small cup sizes. I quickly lost count of all the places I ordered coffee, but in this article you can read about my stand out favorites by city!

Barcelona

1. Cafe Pablo

We landed in Barcelona at about 10:30am after a 12-hour flight, and immediately jumped into exploring the city. Our first item on the agenda was the Picasso Museum where inside we made a stop into Cafe Pablo. I wanted to include this place because it was officially the first place I got coffee in Spain and also so beautiful! We walked in to find vibrant vintage art hung up on stone walls and charming bistro seating. I ordered a cappuccino, while my boyfriend went for a double espresso and I remember being surprised at the bill. Why can’t we have $3 coffee here??

 

2. Noor Coffee 

I stumbled across Noor Coffee one early morning while I was exploring the beautiful alleyways of the Gothic Quarter. This hidden gem was just big enough for a walk up counter to order. As I ordered a pistachio latte, a long line started to form out the door behind me, so I guess I picked the right spot. The latte was creamy and perfectly balanced with a pistachio flavor, plus it was a short walk from my hotel so it’s two thumbs up from me. 

 

3. La Impressio Coffee & Bakery Bar

We found this bright little coffee shop after a long day of exploring the Montjuïc Castle and beautiful parks of Barcelona. I desperately needed a caffeine boost (and their wifi). They had a large menu with both drinks and food items, including iced coffee, which was a rare find in Spain. The cappuccino and caramel macchiato brought us back to life and just like that we were ready to keep exploring this amazing city.

                            

Madrid

4. Dale Cafe 

So I technically didn’t order coffee at Dale Cafe , but this place still had to go on the list! Eight days into the trip, I unfortunately came down with a bug and needed a hot tea asap. This spot was near our hostel, so I walked over for a hot chai with steamed milk while my boyfriend ordered the matcha latte. Both were delicious, and although the space was small, we were able to find a cozy table to relax and recharge for a bit. I didn’t get to come back for coffee, but the care that went into our drinks gives me a sneaking suspicion that the coffee would be just as good!

                             

 

5. Federale Cafe 

Our last day in Madrid, we were met with heavy downpour that seemed to have come out of nowhere. Running with our jackets over our heads, we popped into La Federale to seek refuge from the rain and were met with a spacious, modern interior with packed tables (guess we weren’t the only ones seeking shelter). This place was obviously laptop and pet friendly, and if I could totally see myself becoming a regular if I lived here! We ordered two cortados - they was adorably tiny and brewed to perfection.

Sevilla

6. Santa Gloria 

On the very last day of the trip, I took a long walk to enjoy my final few hours in Spain. I didn’t have a destination in mind, but I did have my kindle with me and wanted a place to unwind. I stumbled across Santa Gloria, a cute coffee and bakery shop. They had a good selection of pastries, nice decor, and fantastic chilled atmosphere. I ordered myself a cappuccino and chocolate donut (en Español, may I add), and picked a cozy spot by the window to enjoy my book. I really appreciated the time here. Of all my Spanish cappuccinos, this one was my favorite!