The Best Places for Afternoon Tea in Madrid and Barcelona
Genia · Jun 1, 2024
The Spanish tradition of merendar, the afternoon snack, appeals to people of all ages. Both Madrid and Barcelona are full of venues for something sweet or savoury in the late afternoon. Here are our favourites in each city.
Where to have afternoon tea in Madrid: our top 6
EatMyTrip Gran Vía
Located at Calle del Barco 8, this thoughtfully decorated space offers international cuisine including Canadian and American pancakes, green toast with avocado and pesto hummus, and homemade vegan chocolate cookies. Pair your snack with specialty coffee or a fresh juice.
Pastelería Ascaso
This traditional Aragonese pastry shop has been running for 130 years. Its signature is El Pastel Ruso, made with hazelnut, almond, egg white, praline foam and Ascaso's secret touch. At Calle Zurbano 25, it also offers regional chocolates, panettones and artisan pastries.
La Bicicleta Café
In Malasaña at Plaza de San Ildefonso 9, this venue pairs good coffee with bicycles. Try the Sweet Cabrón sandwich with goat's cheese and caramelised onion, or the truffled turkey toasts. The drinks range from coffee to cocktails.
El Jardín Secreto
At Calle del Conde Duque 2, this beautifully decorated spot offers up to 17 different kinds of chocolate for your afternoon tea, along with cheeses, Iberian ham and Spanish potato omelette. Lactose-free and gluten-free options are available.
Cereals Hunter Café
This original venue at Calle Mejía Lequerica 14 specialises in coffee paired with cereal bowls and customisable toppings. It also serves pancakes, Belgian waffles, milkshakes and savoury options like a four-cheese melt.
Brown Bear Bakery
Found at Calle del León 10, this decades-old landmark combines sweet and savoury. Recommended dishes include the Caprese toast with fresh mozzarella and the Ibérica with Serrano ham, made with artisan breads and homemade cakes.
The top 6 places for a snack in Barcelona
EatMyTrip Eixample
At Calle Consell de Cent 378, in Barcelona's lively Eixample, we serve healthy bowls including the Buddha Bowl with quinoa and tahini sauce, and the Ganas de Salmón with marinated salmon. The Açai Energy Bomb smoothie bowl makes a memorable sweet snack.
Caelum
A historic Barcelona landmark of nearly 30 years, Caelum at Carrer de la Palla 8 specialises in artisan pastries using ancient recipes and techniques from ecclesiastical artisans across dozens of Spanish monasteries. It serves vegan or Swiss melted chocolate alongside monastery sweets and cakes.
Hotel El Palace – The Great Hall
Housed in the former Ritz Hotel at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 668, this majestic venue offers a traditional British afternoon tea. Options include scones, chicken-and-mustard bites on white tramezzino bread, and desserts like tonka bean brownie and raspberry tartlet, with several teas to choose from.
La Do (La Donutería)
This Sant Antoni gem at Carrer del Parlament 20 makes hand-cut doughnuts in small batches through three fermentations before frying. With 12 varieties of doughnut every day, flavours range from red berries with cocoa-beet crumbs to dulce de leche with almonds.
Granja Petitbo
At Passeig de St. Joan 82, this restored dairy has a bistro-like atmosphere built on fresh, local, organic products. The menu includes pancakes, chia bowls and avocado toast with optional toppings, plus international teas such as Caléxico and Sakura.
Hofmann
With locations at Carrer dels Flassaders 44 and Avinguda de Pau Casals 5, this bakery blends tradition and innovation in handmade products. Highlights include the chocolate and orange cake with candied orange, the zebra cake with Madagascar vanilla and award-winning butter croissants. It also offers ice cream and chocolates.
Conclusion
Both Madrid and Barcelona offer a wide range of afternoon tea options, sweet and savoury alike. At EatMyTrip we focus on diverse, healthy, international cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere, while the cities themselves are full of venues with gluten-free and locally sourced alternatives for every visitor.