There are two clear aspects among the best pastry shops in Madrid: the centenarian ones (which are also bonboneries or confectioneries with traditional recipes) and, on the other hand, the newest and most experimental ones that usually focus on one product.
The pastry identity here has not been diluted despite the strong influence of our peninsular neighbors -Portuguese pastries are abundant to say the least- and the always refined French, on the contrary, in recent years it has been strengthened, thanks in part to competitions, associations and the flourishing of new pastry shops in Madrid.
1. Balbisiana
Paula Babiano, founder of Balbisiana pastry shop, combined her career as a lawyer with her pastry blog for a while until she was commissioned to make a cake by the Larrumba Group, and so the hobby became a profession. Her cakes triumph both in person and on Instagram: she has been a pioneer in online and commissioned cake sales. Although her physical store is worth a visit, it’s a coffee shop worthy of a Wes Anderson movie.
Location:several locations.
2. Nunos Pastry Shop
In Nunos everything is handmade, but if there is something for which it is known is because they sell “roscones de Reyes” all year round, with the most varied flavors, fillings and sizes. José Fernández Ramos, owner of this Madrid bakery, is also a master and expert chocolatier, capable of creating fantasies such as a chess set or a cocoa Christmas tree. Without a doubt, this is a bakery where the Christmas spirit is present 365 days a year.
Location: Calle de Narváez, 63 (Retiro)
3. La Duquesita
La Duquesita is a pastry institution in Madrid that has also been able to reinvent itself over the years. At the head of its recipes is Oriol Balaguer, who among other awards has the Best Pastry Chef of the International Academy of Gastronomy 2018. And here you can find, in addition to all chocolate delicacies, the barquillos madrileños, a traditional classic that is falling into oblivion. Since 1914 their desserts and handmade sweets are a specialty not to be missed.
Location: Calle de Fernando VI, 2 (Salesas)
4. Motteau Bakery
In Motteau they embroider the meringue, but their lemon tarts are the real stars among their creations. Juan Manuel D’Alessandro is the Argentine pastry chef responsible for adding dulce de leche to almost all the desserts he sells, as a seal of the house and a nod to his home.
Location: San Pedro Street, 9 (Downtown)
5. Moulin Chocolat
Chef Ricardo Vélez, one of the most awarded confectioners, is in charge of the recipes of Moulin Chocolat and also of other sweet institutions such as Chocolatería San Ginés or the pastry shop of the famous restaurant Lhardy. Here the French pastry and chocolate tradition is followed, but its torrijas, roscones and other typical pastries make it a versatile bakery. Giving a gift of chocolates from here is a sure hit.
Location: calle de Alcalá, 77 (Salamanca neighborhood)
6. Estela Puff Pastry
Estela Hojaldre is a bakery specialized in puff pastry from Cantabria -the key to this is in the local butter- and this pastry richness can be tasted in the neighborhood of Las Letras in Madrid. The most sought-after pastry of this bakery are the milhojas de merengue, a classic of Spanish pastries. But everything with a puff pastry base triumphs here, in case the name left any doubt (see their chocolate palmeras).
Location:Plaza Jesús, 5 (Las Letras)
7. Celicioso
Celicioso has been one of the reference gluten-free bakeries in Madrid since 2012. American pastries are their forte: brownies, muffins, cheesecakes are always prepared with natural ingredients. In addition to being a clear option for celiacs with a sweet tooth, they have a strong commitment to sustainability and claim to have negativized their carbon footprint. They have savory cuisine, focused on healthy and vegetarian dishes.
Location: several locations.
8. Maison Kayser
Sometimes finding an original croissant is not easy in Madrid, but at Maison Kayser they crunch just like the ones in Paris. Erik Kayser, French baker and food critic, has brought the best of French pastries to Spain after his success in his country. Macarons, pain au chocolat, and even the French version of the King’s cake, the galette des rois, are as popular here as in New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong or Mexico, where they have also expanded.
Location: several locations
9. La Pajarita
La Pajarita is a living history of Madrid, although it does not fit the definition of a pastry shop: it is a chocolate and confectionery shop, which could not be missing in this list. When it opened, in 1852, it did not even have a name, it was not in vogue at the time, and it was the writer Miguel de Unamuno who suggested the name to Vicente Hijós Palacio -co-owner with Lorenza Aznárez-, which also inspired the zarzuela La Pajarita. And it was precisely after buying some mythical violet candies here that the president of the Council of Ministers, José Canalejas, was assassinated in 1912.
His establishment in Puerta del Sol closed in 1991 because the building was in ruins, but they continue to sell chocolates and other things in Villanueva street, and it is still run by the same family.
Location:Calle de Villanueva, 14 (Salamanca neighborhood)
10. Umiko
Umiko is the Japanese bakery that won the award for the best roscón de reyes of 2024. And although the Japanese know-how does not interfere at all with the local pastry tradition, its real specialty is mochis. The flavor combinations are very sophisticated, a good example being green tea with yuzu.
Location: Calle de los Madrazo, 18 (Downtown)
11. Monroebakes
In Monroebakes, Noelia Tomoshige has united Spanish and Japanese roots -she is from Seville with Japanese parents- with French pastries and the result has been a success in just a few years. This Madrid pastry shop, which has even dazzled the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, is eye-catching both for its product and its presentation. For now it only has a store in Getafe, but there are those who travel to the south of the Community of Madrid just to try its desserts.
Location: avenidade la paz, 21 (Getafe)
12. Salt in Cake
Salt in Cake started in Alicante, but now has an establishment in La Latina (with almost daily queues). The key to all their cakes is that they are made from natural ingredients, without additives or artificial coloring, and with little sugar. Their greatest hits meet all the pastry trends of the moment: cheesecakes, cinnamon rolls and giant cookies. Everything is take-out, they don’t have tables and you can order online on their website. They also have vegan options.
Location: Calle de Toledo, 47 (La Latina)
13. El Riojano
Founded by the personal pastry chef of Queen María Cristina de Habsburgo in 1855, the interior of this restaurant on Calle Mayor remains practically unchanged more than 160 years later. Its pastries are almost as traditional as its decoration. Here you can buy San Isidro doughnuts, Almudena crowns, puff pastries, chocolates and all kinds of classic pastries. Its tea room expanded in the 90’s, but it still has the same tradition.
Location: Calle Mayor, 10 (Downtown)
14. La Mallorquina
La Mallorquina has been recognized by Civitatis (international planning portal) as one of the most famous pastry shops in the world and its more than 125 years make it also one of the oldest cafes in Madrid. Famous personalities such as Miguel de Unamuno or Benito Pérez Galdós have sweetened their palates in La Mallorquina. In fact, from 1960 onwards, its Tea Room became a cultural and political epicenter that hosted numerous gatherings and meetings. It is the only 19th century establishment that maintains its original activity.
Location: Puerta del Sol, 8 (Downtown), Calle Velázquez, 39 (Salamanca neighborhood), Calle de Arapiles, 1 (Arapiles) and Avenida de Europa, 13 (Moraleja Green Shopping Center).
15. Santa Eulalia
Santa Eulalia is a French-style pâtissière. Its tarte tatin, fruit meringues and canelés (typical Bordeaux sponge cake) only confirm that its know-how is indeed worthy of the north of the Pyrenees. It also has coffee, breakfasts and brunches.
Location: Calle del Espejo, 12 (Downtown)
16. Alma Nomad Bakery
Alma Nomad is the fetish bakery for pastry lovers. No bun or sweet is the same as the other, here you can tell that everything is handmade just by taking a look at the counter. But if for whatever reason you have lost your way or don’t feel like more sugar, try their bread and savory tartlets, the dough, in general, is their thing.
Location: Urquiza street, 17 (Chamberí)
17. Aux Merveilleux de Fred
Aux Merveilleux, the famous pastry shop of the Frenchman Frédéric Vaucamps, is in Madrid, near Alonso Martínez and Tribunal. With locations in cities like Toronto, London or Tokyo, this pastry shop offers the iconic merveilleux: meringue pastries with whipped cream and toppings that are true works of art. In addition, its elegant aesthetics inspired by the eighteenth century and its menu of French classics such as macarons make this place an essential stop for pastry lovers.
Location: Mejía Lequerica Street, 3 (Madrid)