Madrid’s Best Cheap Brunches & Weekend Breakfast Spots

You slept until noon after going out Friday night. You’re craving eggs, coffee, and the kind of leisurely weekend breakfast that makes you feel like you have your life together. But most Madrid brunch spots charge €15-20 per person for avocado toast and overpriced mimosas.

Welcome to the weekend brunch dilemma: You want the experience without the tourist trap prices. You want quality coffee and actual food, not just a tostada at a bar. You want somewhere to linger for two hours without feeling rushed or broke.

Good news: Madrid has affordable brunch spots, traditional breakfast cafés, and hidden gems where you can eat well for under €10. You just need to know where to look and what “brunch” actually means in Spain.

This is the guide to weekend breakfast and brunch in Madrid without the Instagram prices. Where students actually eat, what to order, and how to start your weekend right on a budget.

Understanding Spanish Breakfast Culture

Why “Brunch” Isn’t Really Spanish

The Reality:
Traditional Spanish breakfast = coffee + tostada. That’s it. €2-4 total. Quick, standing at a bar, done in 10 minutes.

“Brunch” in Madrid:

Imported concept (mostly for tourists/expats)
Usually expensive (€12-20 per person)
Trendy cafés in central areas
Not how locals typically eat

What Locals Actually Do:

Late breakfast at home (10-11am)
Coffee + tostada at neighborhood bar (€3-4)
Save appetite for big lunch (2-4pm)
“Brunch” = not really a thing traditionally

Student Strategy:
Mix Spanish breakfast culture (cheap, quick) with occasional brunch splurges (when you can afford it).

Budget Breakdown: What Actually Costs What

Traditional Spanish Breakfast (€2-5)

Standard at Any Bar:

Café con leche (coffee with milk): €1.20-1.80
Tostada (toast) with tomato/olive oil OR butter/jam: €1.50-2.50
Orange juice (fresh-squeezed): €2-3

Total: €3-6 per person

Where: Literally any neighborhood bar

Vibe: Standing at bar, quick service, very Spanish, no lingering.

Affordable Brunch/Breakfast Cafés (€6-10)

What You Get:

Sit-down service
More substantial food
Multiple courses
Coffee + food + juice
Can stay 1-2 hours

Total: €6-10 per person

Where: Student-friendly cafés (listed below)

Vibe: Relaxed, can linger, Instagram-able but not overpriced.

Expensive Tourist Brunch (€15-25)

What You Get:

Avocado toast (€8-12 alone)
Fancy coffee drinks
Trendy atmosphere
English menus
Mimosas/cocktails

Total: €15-25 per person

Where: Federal Café, Pum Pum Café, Panther, etc.

Vibe: Beautiful, Instagram-perfect, your wallet crying.

Student Reality: Skip these unless special occasion or someone else paying.

Best Cheap Breakfast & Brunch Spots

Malasaña: Student Breakfast Central

Café de la Luz

Location: Calle de la Puebla, 8
Metro: Callao, Tribunal
Price: €5-8 for full breakfast
Hours: Opens 9am weekends

What to Order:

Breakfast combo: Coffee + toast + juice (€5-6)
Scrambled eggs on toast (€6-7)
Yogurt bowl with granola (€4-5)

Why Go:

Affordable
Cozy atmosphere (books, plants)
Can stay for hours
Good coffee
Not touristy

Best For:

Lazy weekend mornings
Reading or working while eating
Solo or small groups
Making friends (communal vibe)

Pro Tips:

Weekends fill up by 11am (arrive earlier or after 1pm)
WiFi available (can work after eating)
Cash only sometimes (check before ordering)

Toma Café

Location: Calle de la Palma, 49
Metro: Noviciado, Tribunal
Price: €6-9
Hours: Opens 8am weekdays, 9am weekends

What to Order:

Tostada with avocado and egg (€6-7)
Specialty coffee drinks (€2.50-4)
Homemade pastries (€2-3)

Why Go:

Quality coffee (specialty roasters)
Hipster vibe without ridiculous prices
Popular with locals and students
Good food, not just coffee

Atmosphere:

Communal tables
Lots of laptops on weekdays
Busier on weekends
Indie music playing

Warning:
Weekends = crowded. Expect to wait or share table.

HanSo Café

Location: Calle del Pez, 20
Metro: Noviciado
Price: €7-10
Hours: Opens 9:30am weekends

What to Order:

Korean-inspired breakfast (bibimbap breakfast bowl: €8-9)
Western breakfast options (eggs, toast: €6-7)
Excellent coffee (€2-3)

Why Go:

Unique (Korean-fusion breakfast)
Different from typical Spanish options
Good portions
Cozy atmosphere

Best For:

When you want something different
Brunch with international friends
Actually filling breakfast

Pro Tip:
Lunch menu is also great and affordable (€9-12).

Chueca: Slightly Pricier but Worth It

Federal Café

Location: Plaza de las Comendadoras, 9 (and other locations)
Metro: San Bernardo, Noviciado
Price: €8-12
Hours: Opens 8:30am weekdays, 9:30am weekends

What to Order:

Shakshuka (€9-10)
Avocado toast with egg (€8-9)
Full Australian breakfast (€10-12)
Flat white coffee (€3)

Why Go:

Australian-style café (brunch culture done right)
Quality food
Beautiful presentation
Can linger for hours
Good for dates or friend brunches

Reality Check:
More expensive than others on this list, but still reasonable compared to tourist traps.

Best For:

Special occasions
Treating yourself
Weekend brunch when you have budget
Impressing someone

Warning:
Weekends = packed. Expect 20-30 min wait around 11am-1pm.

La Latina: Traditional & Affordable

Mercado de San Miguel (Skip the Market, Go to Bars Around It)

The Reality:
San Miguel Market itself = tourist trap, expensive.

The Strategy:
Bars surrounding Plaza de San Miguel have traditional Spanish breakfast for €3-5.

What to Order:

Café con leche + tostada con tomate (€3-4)
Churros con chocolate nearby (€4-5)

Why Go:

Authentic Spanish breakfast
Cheap
Can walk to Plaza Mayor after
Traditional atmosphere

Chocolatería San Ginés

Location: Paseo de San Ginés, 5 (near Sol)
Metro: Sol, Opera
Price: €4-5
Hours: 24 hours (yes, really)

What It Is:
Famous churros con chocolate spot since 1894.

What to Order:

Churros con chocolate (€4-5)
That’s it. That’s the menu.

Why Go:

Classic Madrid experience
Open 24/7 (post-nightlife breakfast at 6am)
Tourist trap but actually good
Reasonable prices for location

Best Time:

Early morning after clubbing (6-8am)
Weekday mornings (avoid weekend tourist crowds)
Late at night (midnight-2am, surprisingly calm)

Reality:
Touristy but authentic. Everyone should go once. Not sustainable as weekly breakfast spot.

Lavapiés: Cheapest Options

La Infinito

Location: Calle de Caravaca, 10
Metro: Lavapiés
Price: €4-7
Hours: Opens 10am weekends

What It Is:
Cooperative café/bar, very community-focused.

What to Order:

Breakfast specials (€4-6)
Coffee (€1.50-2)
Pastries (€2-3)

Why Go:

Cheapest on this list
Alternative vibe
Support cooperative business
Diverse, multicultural atmosphere

Best For:

Broke students (seriously affordable)
Meeting locals
Alternative scene
Political/activist community

Vibe:
Very casual, DIY aesthetic, community bulletin board, sometimes live music or events.

Chain Options (Consistent, Not Exciting)

Rodilla

What It Is: Spanish sandwich/café chain
Price: €4-6 for breakfast combo
Locations: Everywhere in Madrid

Why Consider:

Consistent
Open early (7am)
Reliable WiFi
Quick service
Affordable

What to Order:

Breakfast combo: Coffee + croissant + juice (€4-5)
Tostadas (€3-4)

Reality:
Not special, but reliable and cheap. Good for functional weekend breakfast.

DIY Brunch at Home (Cheapest Option)

The Meal Prep Brunch Strategy

Cost: €3-5 per person (buying ingredients)

What to Make:

Easy Spanish-Style:

Tortilla española (leftover from meal prep)
Fresh bread from panadería (€0.50-1)
Coffee at home (€0.20)
Fresh tomatoes (€0.50)
Total: €2-3

Fancier Homemade Brunch:

Scrambled eggs (€0.50)
Avocado on toast (€2)
Coffee (€0.20)
Fruit (€1)
Total: €3.70

Ultimate Splurge (Still Cheap):

Smoked salmon from Mercadona (€3)
Cream cheese (€1.50)
Bagels or bread (€1)
Scrambled eggs (€0.50)
Coffee (€0.20)
Total: €6.20 for fancy brunch

Why Do This:

Cheapest option
Invite roommates/friends
Make as much as you want
Pajamas allowed
Can watch Netflix while eating

When It Makes Sense:

Hangover mornings (too tired to go out)
Friend brunch at someone’s apartment
Saving money week
Meal prep Sunday (make brunch while prepping other meals)

Traditional Spanish Weekend Breakfast

How Madrileños Actually Do It

Saturday/Sunday Morning:

Wake up around 10-11am
Go to neighborhood bar
Order: “Un café con leche y una tostada con tomate, por favor”
Stand at bar with newspaper
Chat with bartender and regulars
Pay (€3-4)
Leave after 15-20 minutes
Do errands or go home

Total time: 20 minutes
Total cost: €3-4
Total vibe: Very Madrid

Best Neighborhood Bars for Traditional Breakfast

How to Find Them:
Walk around your neighborhood. Look for bars with older Spanish people standing at the counter drinking coffee.

What to Look For:

Locals (not tourists)
People standing at bar
Menu in Spanish only
Bartender who’s been there 30 years
Cheap prices on chalkboard

What to Order:

“Café con leche” (coffee with milk)
“Tostada con tomate” (toast with fresh tomato, olive oil, salt)
OR “Tostada con mantequilla y mermelada” (butter and jam)

How It Works:

Go to bar (don’t sit at table, standing is cheaper)
Order clearly
They’ll make your tostada fresh
Pay when you order or when leaving (ask: “¿Cuánto es?”)
Tip optional (round up or leave €0.20-0.50)

Cost: €2.50-4.00 total

This is Peak Madrid Culture.

Breakfast by Neighborhood

Where You Live = Where You Eat

Malasaña:

Most brunch cafés
Student-friendly prices
Mix of traditional and trendy

Chueca:

Slightly pricier
Quality cafés
LGBTQ+ friendly
International vibe

La Latina:

Traditional Spanish breakfast
Cheap bars
Authentic atmosphere
Older crowd

Lavapiés:

Cheapest options
Multicultural (Middle Eastern, Indian breakfast spots too)
Alternative scene

Chamberí:

Residential
Neighborhood bars
Traditional Spanish
Less touristy

Near Universities:

Student-priced
Quick service
Functional, not fancy

Special Weekend Breakfast Situations

The Hangover Breakfast

What You Need:

Grease
Carbs
Liquid
Minimal movement

Where to Go:

Nearest bar with bocadillos (€3-5)
McDonald’s (€4-6, open early)
Rodilla (€4-6)
Home (leftover meal prep + water + bed)

What to Order:

Huge bocadillo (€4-5)
Aquarius (Spanish sports drink, €2)
Coffee (€1.50)

Recovery Strategy:
Eat. Hydrate. Return to bed. Repeat at 3pm if necessary.

The Productive Brunch (Work + Food)

Best Spots:

Toma Café (WiFi, outlets)
Café de la Luz (can stay for hours)
Federal Café (comfortable seating)
Public library café (if available)

Strategy:

Order substantial breakfast (€7-9)
Set up laptop
Work for 2-3 hours
Order second coffee halfway through
Productive + fed + caffeinated

When This Makes Sense:

Weekend studying
Working on projects
Learning Spanish with background noise
Escaping distracting apartment

The Social Brunch (Group of Friends)

Best for Groups:

Federal Café (space for 4-6 people)
Café de la Luz (communal tables)
HanSo Café (group-friendly)
Someone’s apartment (cheapest)

Group Brunch Budget:

€6-10 per person at café
€3-5 per person at apartment (split ingredients)

Why Groups:

Share dishes (try more food)
Split costs
Social weekend activity
Making friends or bonding with existing ones

The Date Brunch

Best Spots:

Federal Café (nice atmosphere, not too expensive)
Toma Café (casual but quality)
HanSo Café (unique, conversation starter)
Traditional bar (if date appreciates authentic Madrid)

Budget for Two:

Casual café: €12-16 total
Nicer brunch spot: €18-24 total
Traditional bar: €6-8 total

Pro Tips:

Weekday brunch = less crowded, more romantic
Share dishes (more intimate + try more food)
Choose place with good coffee (shows you care about quality)

More in: Date Spots Under €20 guide

Breakfast & Brunch Combos with Other Activities

The Productive Weekend Day

9am: Brunch at Toma Café (€7)
10am-12pm: Work at same café (WiFi, comfortable)
12pm: Walk to Retiro
1pm: Free museum afternoon hours
3pm: Late lunch at cheap menú del día (€10)

Total food cost: €17 (breakfast + lunch)
Total productivity + culture: High

The Lazy Weekend Morning

10:30am: Wake up
11am: Neighborhood bar breakfast (€3.50)
11:30am: Walk around neighborhood
12pm: El Rastro if Sunday
2pm: Cheap tapas in La Latina (€8-10)
4pm: Nap
Evening: Free entertainment or nightlife

Total cost: €12-14 for food
Total relaxation: Maximum

Budget Strategies

The €20/Month Weekend Breakfast Budget

Strategy:

3 weekends home breakfast (€0)
1 weekend cheap bar breakfast (€4)
Subtotal: €4

OR:

2 weekends home (€0)
2 weekends café brunch (€7 each = €14)
Total: €14

Leaves €6 buffer for spontaneous breakfast.

The €40/Month Weekend Breakfast Budget

Strategy:

Every weekend brunch at café (€7-10 each)
4-5 weekends = €28-40
Comfortable for weekly brunch routine

Reality:
Most sustainable for students who prioritize weekend breakfast.

The Splurge Month

€60/Month:

Weekly nice brunch (€12-15)
Can afford Federal Café weekly
Brings friends occasionally

Only if:

You have budget
Brunch is important to you
Cutting costs elsewhere

Avoiding Tourist Traps

Red Flags

Skip If You See:

Menu in 5 languages
Photos of food outside
Near Sol or Plaza Mayor
“Instagram-worthy” in description
Prices above €15 for breakfast
Avocado toast costs €12+

These Are For Tourists, Not Students.

How to Find Local Spots

Look For:

Spanish people eating there
Menu in Spanish (maybe English translation)
Prices in single digits
Neighborhood location (not tourist center)
Been there for years (ask locals)

The Test:
If you see more iPhones than newspapers, it’s too trendy/expensive.

Weekly Brunch Rotation

Week 1: Traditional bar breakfast (€3-4)
Week 2: Toma Café (€6-7)
Week 3: Home brunch with roommates (€3-4)
Week 4: Federal Café splurge (€10-12)
Average: €6.25/week = €25/month

Variety + Budget Balance

Making Breakfast Social

The Weekend Brunch Tradition

Start a Routine:

Same café, same time, every Saturday
Invite different friends each week
Becomes anticipated weekly event
Social connection + food

Why It Works:

Regular schedule = easy planning
Rotating guests = meet new people
Affordable social activity
Productive start to weekend

Brunch as Cultural Exchange

With Language Exchange Partners:

Alternate Spanish/English conversation over brunch
Learn food vocabulary
Cultural exchange
Practice in relaxed setting

Cost: €6-8
Value: Language practice + meal + social time

Seasonal Variations

Summer Brunches

What Changes:

Outdoor terraces open
Fresh fruit more available
Earlier wake-ups (too hot to sleep)
Lighter breakfast preferences

Best Summer Options:

Cafés with terraces
Parks with picnic breakfast
Fresh juice and fruit
Avoid heavy foods (too hot)

Winter Brunches

What You Want:

Warm, cozy cafés
Hot coffee and comfort food
Indoor seating
Longer lingering (too cold outside)

Best Winter Spots:

Café de la Luz (cozy)
HanSo Café (warm atmosphere)
Any café with heating
Home breakfast (warmest option)

The Bottom Line

What Madrid Offers:

Traditional Spanish breakfast culture (cheap, authentic)
Imported brunch culture (pricier, Instagram-able)
Mix of both (student sweet spot)

What You Can Afford:

€3-4: Traditional bar breakfast
€6-10: Student-friendly brunch cafés
€12-15: Occasional splurge brunches

What You Should Do:

Embrace traditional Spanish breakfast most weekends
Splurge on café brunch occasionally
Make brunch social (friends, dates, language exchange)
Find your regular spot (become a familiar face)

What You’ll Remember:
Not the €20 avocado toast at tourist cafés. The €3.50 tostada con tomate at your neighborhood bar where the bartender knows your order.

That’s the Como Local difference.

Quick Start: This Weekend

Saturday Morning:
Find nearest neighborhood bar. Order: “Un café con leche y una tostada con tomate, por favor.” Experience authentic Madrid breakfast. Cost: €3-4.

Sunday:
Try one café from this list. Order something more substantial. Compare experiences.

Next Weekend:
Decide your preference. Build your routine.

Ready for better weekend mornings in Madrid? Pick one spot from this guide, go this weekend, and discover that the best breakfasts don’t require Instagram budgets. Tag Como Local with your favorite affordable brunch spots!

Share your hidden breakfast gems and weekend routines with other students. Where do you brunch in Madrid?

Como Local – Because weekends should start deliciously, not expensively. ☕🥐