The best specialty coffee in Madrid is easy to recognise: the café names its roaster, tells you where every bean comes from and brews it to order. In Malasaña, Pan y Pepinillos Café, at Calle de El Escorial 2, serves only single origin coffees from Right Side Coffee and Nomad Coffee, with espresso from 2,00 €, and was listed in The Best Coffee Shops Spain in 2025 and 2026. It is open every day from 8:00 to 20:00 and no reservation is needed.
This guide explains what specialty coffee really means, how to spot it in Madrid and what to order once you reach the bar.
What does specialty coffee mean?
Specialty coffee is coffee that scores 80 points or more out of 100 when it is graded by trained cuppers following the Specialty Coffee Association protocol. In a café, that translates into beans you can trace to a country, a region and often a single producer, roasted by a named roaster and brewed with a measured recipe instead of by habit.
How do you spot a real specialty coffee shop in Madrid?
Ask three questions at the counter: who roasted this coffee, where does it come from, and can I have it as a filter? A specialty coffee shop answers all three without hesitating. Other signs to look for:
- The roaster has a name. It is written on the menu, the bag or the hopper.
- The origin is specific. Country, region and ideally the producer, not just a country name.
- There is a filter option. Batch brew or pour over, not only espresso drinks.
- The coffee is ground to order. Beans go into the grinder when you order, not hours before.
- The barista can describe the taste. Each coffee comes with tasting notes from its roaster.
Which coffees is Pan y Pepinillos Café serving right now?
Pan y Pepinillos Café serves single origin coffee only, never blends, and rotates beans from two Spanish specialty roasters: Right Side Coffee and Nomad Coffee. This is the rotation as of October 2026:
| Coffee | Roaster | Origin | Process | Brewed as | Roaster tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regalo de Dios | Right Side Coffee | Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. Producer Luis Alberto Balladarez. Catuaí, 1.400 to 1.430 m | Natural | Espresso | Ripe melon, milk chocolate, almonds |
| Farid Keno | Right Side Coffee | Jimma, Ethiopia. Producer Farid Keno. JARC 74110, 2.000 m | Natural | Espresso | Blackberry, peach, chocolate |
| Nesru Aba Nura | Right Side Coffee | Jimma, Ethiopia. Producer Nesru Aba Nura. JARC 74110, 2.100 m | Natural | Filter | Blackberry, violet, spices |
| El Pacaya | Right Side Coffee | Acatenango, Guatemala. Bourbon, Catuaí and Caturra | Decaf | Decaf espresso | Yellow fruit, cacao |
| Las Brisas | Nomad Coffee | El Salvador. 1.250 to 1.400 m | Honey | Espresso and filter | Milk chocolate, walnut, brown sugar |
| Churupallana | Nomad Coffee | Peru. 1.800 to 2.000 m | Washed | Filter | Walnut, dates, yellow plum |
| Jhenrry Chávez | Nomad Coffee | Hatumpampa, Incahuasi Valley, Cusco, Peru. Producer Jhenrry Chávez. Geisha Inca (SL9), 2.130 m | Washed | Pour over | Mango, honey, mandarin |
The batch brew changes origin every day, so ask the barista which coffee is on filter when you arrive.
What should I order at a specialty coffee shop?
If you drink coffee with milk, order a flat white; if you drink it black, order a batch brew or a pour over, because filter shows the character of a single origin more clearly than espresso. These are the options at Pan y Pepinillos Café:
| Order | Price | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 2,00 € | A single shot, pulled fresh |
| Cortado | 2,50 € | Espresso cut with a touch of steamed milk, the Spanish classic |
| Flat White | 3,50 € | Double espresso with a touch of milk, strong but smooth |
| Batch Brew | 3,30 € | Filter coffee brewed by the batch, daily rotating origin |
| Pour Over | Depends on the bean | A single origin filter brewed to order, one cup at a time |
| Cold Brew | 4,30 € | Brewed cold for 16 hours, smooth and low in acidity |
Plant based milk is available for 0,50 € extra, and every espresso drink can be made with the decaf.
How much does a specialty coffee cost in Madrid?
At Pan y Pepinillos Café an espresso costs 2,00 €, a cortado 2,50 €, a flat white 3,50 € and a batch brew 3,30 €. A pour over is priced by the bean, so it varies with the coffee on the menu that day.
Is Malasaña a good area for specialty coffee?
Yes. Malasaña is a central, walkable neighbourhood a few minutes from Gran Vía, full of independent cafés and shops. Pan y Pepinillos Café is at Calle de El Escorial 2, within walking distance of Tribunal, Bilbao and Gran Vía metro stations, and it is rated 4,9 stars from more than 2.600 Google reviews.
When is the best time to visit?
The afternoon is the quietest and best time for a slow pour over and a conversation with the barista. Mornings from 9:00 to 11:00 are the busiest. Breakfast and brunch are served until 15:00, and coffee is served all day until 20:00.
What should I know before I go?
- Dogs are welcome.
- Screen free space. Laptops are not allowed; the café is for coffee and conversation, not for working.
- Walk in only. There are no reservations and no delivery.
- Payment. Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cash.
Plan your visit
📍 Pan y Pepinillos Café, Calle de El Escorial 2, 28004 Madrid (Malasaña)
⏰ Open daily, 8:00 to 20:00. Kitchen until 15:00
☎ +34 611 91 23 96
☕ Single origin specialty coffee from Right Side Coffee and Nomad Coffee. Espresso from 2,00 €
🏆 The Best Coffee Shops Spain 2025 and 2026
✅ No reservation needed, just walk in.
🔗 See the full menu · How to get here
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the best specialty coffee in Malasaña, Madrid?
Pan y Pepinillos Café, at Calle de El Escorial 2 in Malasaña, serves single origin coffee from Right Side Coffee and Nomad Coffee, was listed in The Best Coffee Shops Spain 2025 and 2026, and is open daily from 8:00 to 20:00.
Does Pan y Pepinillos Café serve decaf specialty coffee?
Yes. The decaf is El Pacaya, a single origin from Acatenango, Guatemala, roasted by Right Side Coffee, with notes of yellow fruit and cacao.
Is there plant based milk?
Yes. Plant based milk is available for any coffee for 0,50 € extra.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. Dogs are welcome at Pan y Pepinillos Café.
Can I work on my laptop at the café?
No. Pan y Pepinillos Café is a screen free space and laptops are not allowed.
Do I need a reservation?
No. The café is walk in only and open every day from 8:00 to 20:00.