CAFE MÜR, Plaza Cristino Martos, 2. Metro: PLAZA ESPAÑA

This café is a bit hidden. It is in Princesa street right opposite the square that we, madrileños, have re-baptized "the Cubes' square" because of the statue made of cubes. This is where you can find cinemas showing films in original version (Cines Princesa and Renoir). So if you are looking for a nice place to have coffee before/after your film and you don't want to go to Starbucks (also in the square), then cross the busy street and climb up a short flight of stone stairs. The café is on your left-hand side. They also have a terrace in summer. Mür has two floors. The floor upstairs is my favourite with French windows, two comfortable sofas and several tables for two facing the balconies. Very cosy for couples. They have wondrous home-made cakes (the cheesecake is my favourite). They also have brunch and a "Spanish breakfast" which includes toast with olive oil, crushed tomato and serrano ham. Mür is a really nice place to catch up with friends while you eat something yummy. The drawback is that it can be noisy when it is full. And it's a bit expensive.

DELIC, C/Costanilla de San Andrés, 14. Metro: LA LATINA

Yummy home-made cakes and delicious breakfasts. Very quiet in the morning. In the afternoon/evening it is more like a bar and can be crammed and noisy. Very original and colourful décor.

CAFE ISADORA, c/Divino Pastor, 14. METRO: TRIBUNAL/BILBAO

A little known café where finding a table is rarely a problem in the very popular, nightlife district of Malasaña. It's a stone's throw from Plaza 2 de Mayo. Checkered floors, small marble tables, wooden chairs, a piano, mirrors and a modernist-style fresco. They only have coffee and thick, hot chocolate. I asked a "café vienés" (coffee with whipped cream - 3.50 euros) and was so good I had another one. It comes with coffee biscuits. Very authentic. I loved it.

 

FONTY, C/Castelló, 12. Metro: VELAZQUEZ

Mouth-watering small cakes and tarts - French style. Refined ambience and décor in Madrid's upper-class district (Salamanca). Very similar to "Maman Framboise" in Fernando VI street but much quieter. And there is always a free table. Perfect to rest if you like going shopping around Goya.

CAFÉ CÓSMICO, C/Juan de Austria, 25. Metro: IGLESIA.

Very cosy. Low lights and low background music. High and small wooden tables and chairs. A starry painted ceiling gives the café its name. You can book the lower ground floor for birthday parties. They let you bring your own food but you have to buy the drinks at the bar.

LA CENTRAL, C/Postigo de San Martín, 8. Metro: CALLAO

This is La Central bookshop café. It is in a three-storey, old palace with a bright, covered patio. The café has a very high ceiling and two huge windows, wooden tables, a smooth cement floor and bits and bobs from the palace hanging on the walls (glass panels and a door, for example). The coffee is very good and they have home-made cakes. There is also a daily menú but it's expensive. The bookshop itself is worth a visit. They have preserved the old wooden staircase, which cracks, the wood panelling in the ceiling on the first floor and the paintings in the small chapel (now the Children's Literature section). A highly recommended place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Madrid's main shopping thoroughfare in Gran Vía. If you fancy a hot chocolate with churros, Chocolatería Valor is just opposite and there is a terrace with gas heaters.