For breakfast, as a snack, mid-morning... good churros are always tempting, especially when accompanied by a delicious hot chocolate, particularly now that the cold weather is here, making it a tempting proposal.
It is said that this traditional product arrived from China to the Iberian Peninsula thanks to Portuguese merchants in the Middle Ages. In Spain, the fried salty dough known in the Asian country as you-tiao was adapted to the Spanish palate by adding sugar, becoming one of the most recognized and replicated sweets in the world.
On November 11, this iconic dessert celebrates its International Day, so we take advantage of the occasion to explore some classic and more modern churrerías and chocolate shops in the capital that are worth visiting to try them.
If there are churros in Madrid that you must try, they are the ones from San Ginés. In the legendary establishment located a few steps from Puerta del Sol, they are made elongated and crispy in an artisanal way since 1894. Their fame has crossed borders, and there are already San Ginés churrerías in Tokyo, Shanghai, Bogotá, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Lisbon, and even Miami. Although they can be ordered for delivery (Glovo and Uber Eats) and for pick-up, it is recommended to enjoy them in the café itself, a historic two-story venue full of white marble tables and a counter covered with tiles where customers can also enjoy them. San Ginés is open every day of the year. Price: 2.50 euros for six churros; chocolate, 3.75 euros.
Where: Pasadizo de San Ginés, 5.
Another classic in Madrid, with a history dating back to 1883. Since then, this family business has been dedicated to artisanal production of churros and porras. In 2016, the owners since the 80s, the Mendoza Manzano family, decided to renovate the premises to bring back the times of coffee, gatherings, and churros with chocolate. The renovated space, cozy, with Wi-Fi and outlets for those who want to work or study there, has a glass window towards the kitchen where the daily production of the product can be seen. Price: 0.50 euros/piece. Menu: 10.60 euros, 8 churros and two hot chocolates.
Where: Paseo de las Delicias, 44 and Espíritu Santo, 8.
With over a hundred years of history, this family business has managed to adapt to the times and has embraced innovation. Apart from the classic options accompanied by a good hot chocolate, their two locations offer many creative proposals with new combinations and formats. The main stars are always the same: churros, porras, and chocolate, but in a multitude of varieties, such as ChurrosMch (with sugar and cinnamon), gluten-free options, Maki-churros (shaped like maki rolls filled with creams and chocolate), with ice cream, the sweet tooth options (the traditional filling), the 7 Colors (mini colorful churritos with flavors like banana, strawberry, orange, bubble gum...), or the daring Churro Bites (churro bites dipped in chocolate, dulce de leche, or Nutella), among others. Price: starting from 3 euros for four units (the classics).
Where: Plaza de Jacinto Benavente, 2 and Carrera de San Jerónimo, 9.
A family business that has been artisanally producing churros since 1902, porras, and chocolate with the same recipe that has successfully passed from parents to children. Today, the fifth generation is in charge, having updated to the tastes and needs of today's customers, offering gluten-free, sugar-free, and even vegan churros in their shop. The classics and the filled ones with Nutella, pistachio, nougat, dulce de leche... are the most popular, as well as the seasonal hit: Dubai chocolate. Price: starting from 2.50 euros for four units; 3.50 euros for hot chocolate.
This modern churrería, which opened its doors in 2021, has reinvented this traditional snack with new approaches to attract a young audience through innovation. And it seems to have succeeded, given its expansion in the capital (it already has four locations) thanks to its minimalist presentation and wide variety of flavors. Churros share the menu with porras and "pecaditos" (mini churro cubes), and all of them can be ordered with sugar, cinnamon, both combined, or plain or accompanied by dips, such as dulce de leche, condensed milk, or cocoa cream. There are three types of servings: Coffee with churros or porras (choose between five churros or three porras); Chocolate with churros or porras, and Chocolate with "pecaditos." Price: starting from 2.25 euros (five churros) and 2.95 euros for a bucket of "pecaditos" (between 10 and 11 pieces).
Where: Hermosilla, 97, Divino Pastor, 3, Fermín Caballero, 75, and General Ricardos, 30.
In the heart of the Barrio de las Letras is this simple neighborhood café specializing in artisanal churros and chocolate, recognized from afar by the lines that form at the entrance, especially in the morning when the freshly made churros and porras made by the owner Juan Alfonso come out of the kitchen. Price: 4.90 for chocolate with five churros.
They say their recipe is magical and secret, and they also boast that all their churros are always crispy, golden, and light. They are certainly original and creative, and all their offerings are ready for dipping with sauces or enjoying filled with chocolate. In addition to the classics with hot chocolate, they have churritos with ice cream, with different sauces (pistachio, white chocolate...), to which toppings can be added, churros "with things" (to customize them with whatever you like the most), and churro pancake with cream. Price: starting from 2.60 euros for the classics.
Where: Plaza de España, 12 and Marie Curie, 4, H2O Shopping Center, Rivas-Vaciamadrid.
The historic chocolate brand, founded in 1881 in Villajoyosa (Alicante), has a location in the center of Madrid where, alongside their iconic chocolate cups, the classic churros are always available, made following their own recipe for over 30 years. The brand has just introduced its new seasonal menu, which includes the churros supreme among its novelties, a renewed version of the traditional ones. Price: 2.50 euros for a serving of four churros/6.20 euros with a cup of chocolate.
Where: C. del Postigo de San Martín, 7