15 must-visit specialty coffee spots in Madrid for coffee enthusiasts and remote workers

Madrid’s café culture has evolved into a haven for specialty coffee enthusiasts and remote workers alike. Driven by passionate roasters and baristas dedicated to crafting high-quality, ethically sourced brews, the city has become a hotspot for coffee lovers. Pair this with Madrid’s growing digital nomad scene, and you’ll find dynamic spaces to sip, work, and connect. Whether you're a freelancer in search of productivity or a coffee lover chasing the perfect brew, Madrid’s top cafes deliver. Here's your ultimate guide to the best specialty coffee spots and work-friendly cafés in the city.

Hola Coffee

District/Neighborhood: Lavapiés

Renowned for its expertly roasted specialty coffee, Hola Coffee is a haven for coffee aficionados. Its minimalist design and knowledgeable baristas make it ideal for both a quiet work session and a crash course in coffee appreciation. Try their pour-over brews or grab a bag of beans—sourced from top local and international roasters—to go.

Toma Café

District/Neighborhood: Malasaña & Chamberí

Toma Café has long been a pioneer in Madrid’s specialty coffee scene, offering expertly brewed coffee made with beans sourced from some of the best roasters worldwide. Their flat whites are particularly renowned for their balanced, velvety texture, and they also offer a range of pour-over and espresso-based options for a more personalized coffee experience. With a focus on quality and sustainability, Toma Café ensures that each cup is a true reflection of the craft.

Federal Café

District/Neighborhood: Conde Duque & Malasaña

Federal Café takes pride in offering a variety of specialty coffee drinks made with high-quality beans sourced from around the world. Their signature flat white is a crowd favorite, made with silky microfoam and expertly pulled espresso. Federal also serves a range of pour-over coffee options, allowing coffee lovers to experience a more refined brew. Whether you’re looking for a smooth espresso to fuel your workday or a more intricate brew, Federal Café’s dedication to perfecting each cup makes it an ideal spot for both coffee connoisseurs and digital nomads alike.

Misión Café

District/Neighborhood: Malasaña

Stylish and contemporary, Misión Café boasts some of the best specialty coffee in Madrid, sourced and roasted with precision. Their espresso-based drinks are a standout, with a rich crema and a full-bodied taste. Its spacious design and natural light make it perfect for work or casual meetings. The café’s commitment to sourcing beans from sustainable farms and offering expertly brewed drinks ensures you’ll have a top-notch experience every time.

Gran Café Gijón

District/Neighborhood: Recoletos

A Madrid institution since 1888, Gran Café Gijón offers a nostalgic experience steeped in literary history. While it leans more traditional than modern, its spacious seating and quiet atmosphere make it a charming place to relax or work. Their café con leche is a Madrid classic, complemented by a variety of other espresso-based drinks made with carefully selected beans.

Tándem Café

District/Neighborhood: Las Letras

This small but mighty café in Barrio de las Letras is known for its artisan coffee and friendly service. It focuses on small-batch roasting to highlight the unique flavors of each bean. Their specialty coffee menu includes an excellent selection of pour-overs and expertly crafted espresso drinks. Coffee lovers can enjoy a variety of single-origin beans, roasted to bring out distinct notes, from fruity and floral to chocolatey and nutty.

Plenti

District/Neighborhood: Las Letras

Plenti’s coffee is all about quality and precision. They focus on expertly sourced beans, offering a variety of espresso-based drinks with an emphasis on strong, balanced flavors. Whether you’re sipping their signature flat white or a meticulously brewed pour-over, the coffee here is a standout. Their house blend is a favorite, known for its smooth and rich taste with subtle notes that change with the seasons.

Café de la Luz

District/Neighborhood: Malasaña

Café de la Luz is renowned for its rich and well-balanced coffee, featuring a selection of single-origin beans that are carefully brewed to highlight their unique flavors. Their signature espresso and flat whites are crowd favorites, and they offer a variety of specialty coffee drinks that make it a top choice for remote workers in Madrid looking for a high-quality brew in a relaxed setting.

Café Comercial

District/Neighborhood: Chamberí

Café Comercial is one of Madrid’s most iconic cafés, combining a long-standing tradition with modern coffee craftsmanship. Known for serving Torrefacto-style coffee—a technique where beans are roasted with sugar, giving the coffee a distinctive caramelized flavor—this historic spot is perfect for both coffee connoisseurs and casual drinkers. The café offers a range of carefully brewed coffee, including espresso-based drinks, with an emphasis on rich, smooth flavors that appeal to all palates.

HanSo Café

District/Neighborhood: Malasaña

HanSo Café takes coffee seriously, with baristas who master every detail of your brew. Every cup is a testament to the café’s dedication to craft and quality. Known for their precision in brewing, they use specialty coffee beans roasted to highlight the natural flavors and characteristics of each origin. Whether you're enjoying a meticulously prepared pour-over or a rich espresso, the quality is consistently high.

Ruda Café

District/Neighborhood: La Latina

Ruda Café’s small yet welcoming space is celebrated for its carefully crafted coffee and local vibe. Known for serving specialty coffee roasted by small-batch roasters, they offer a variety of brewing methods, including espresso-based drinks and pour-over coffee. Their attention to detail in the selection of beans ensures a fresh, vibrant cup every time.

The Fix

Neighborhood: Salamanca

Known for its commitment to sustainability and excellent specialty coffee, The Fix sources their beans from top-tier roasters, offering expertly brewed espresso-based drinks and single-origin pour-overs that showcase unique, complex flavors. Their emphasis on quality and freshness is reflected in every cup.

Adorado Bar

District/Neighborhood: Lavapiés

Adorado Bar takes pride in serving high-quality coffee with a focus on precision and flavor. They offer a selection of specialty brews, including espresso-based drinks and single-origin pour-overs that highlight the unique notes of each coffee.

La Bicicleta Café

District/Neighborhood: Malasaña

As a self-proclaimed "hipster haven," La Bicicleta doubles as a café and coworking space. It’s well-known for its high-quality, carefully sourced coffee. They serve a range of espresso-based drinks, with beans from well-respected roasters. You can expect a flavorful experience whether you’re sipping on a smooth flat white or enjoying a strong espresso. The café's laid-back atmosphere, combined with their excellent coffee, makes it a popular spot for creative types and remote workers.

Racket Specialty Coffee

District/Neighborhood: Chamberí

A newer addition to Madrid’s coffee scene, Racket offers expertly crafted espresso-based drinks, focusing on high-quality beans sourced from the best specialty roasters. Their coffee is roasted with precision to highlight the beans' natural flavors, and they are particularly known for their flat whites and cappuccinos. The café's minimalist interior and quiet vibe make it an ideal spot for both work and relaxation, and their curated menu of light bites complements the coffee perfectly.

Madrid is full of incredible cafes that serve top-quality coffee, making it an ideal city for remote workers and coffee enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re looking for the best place to sip espresso or find inspiration while working, the city offers plenty of options. If you're planning to work remotely in Madrid, consider staying with Ukio. With beautifully designed homes in the heart of Madrid’s best neighborhoods, Ukio provides the perfect base for enjoying the city’s thriving coffee culture while you work.