I cannot tell you how happy I was when I found out you could get Bagels in Madrid. First I saw some bagels in the supermarket, but then a friend invited me to a café called Mazal Bagels where they make the bagels fresh out of the oven. After this I went on a bit of a carb load to find all the best Bagel Shops in Madrid.
If you have ever been to London, there are two very famous bagel shops on a road called Brick Lane near Liverpool street in central London. These bagel shops have been there for longer than I have been alive, and my dad used to take me there to get a hot salt beef or a salmon and cream cheese bagel.
Whenever I eat bagels I remember those times, but I also love a good bagel filled with fresh ingredients. A salmon and cream cheese, avocado with honey and gorgonzola or even just a straight cheese bagel. Whatever you fancy, there’s something for you too.
Let me give you a list of some of the best places to eat Bagels in Madrid.
History Of Bagels
Before we get into the yummy stuff, let me tell you a little about bagels. Bagels originated in Poland around the 17th century, and were taken to America and other parts of the world by Jewish immigrants in the 19th century. They caught on really quickly in America, even birthing the New York Bagel.
The hole in the center of a Bagel is said to represent the circle of life and the need for sustenance. They are an important part of Jewish Cuisine and regularly eaten on holidays such as Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur and now by Bagel lovers all over the world.
Where To Buy Bagels In Madrid
So it looks like the Bagel is here to stay in Madrid. Many of the best coffee shops have incorporated bagels into their menus. There are even some cafes that only make bagels, so let’s take a look at some of the top picks.
1. Mazal Bagels Madrid
Mazal Bagels is a really cool coffee shop/bar in the Chamberi neighborhood. All of the bagels are made fresh here on site New York style. The owner is a young lady that moved here from America so they are as authentic as can be. You can see the ovens in the back where they make the bagels, and all of the ingredients are top notch, nothing out of a can!
They have hot bagels, sweet bagels, veggie bagels, a menu with close to 30 options of bagels to choose from. Whatever it is you like, you will find the right bagel on the menu, and if you don’t you can even create your own custom one.
They have a small events room downstairs where you can book for celebrations. I got to try pretty much every single bagel they have at a birthday once, and I cannot say that I did not like any one of them. These are some of my favorite bagels in Madrid, and you should definitely give them a try.
Location: Calle de Bretón de los Herreros, 35, 28003 Madrid
2. Religion Coffee
Religion Coffee has a number of awards including being one of the 50 best coffee shops in Europe. Other than the amazing coffee you can buy here, they also have a very popular food menu. Smoothie bowls, chicken and waffles, Turkish eggs, and now some of the best bagels in Madrid.
It’s a really charming shop, and the staff are always nice and smiling. It is on a corner that gets light all day long, and you can sit on the tables outside and enjoy the fresh air with a perfect cup of joe. If you have a hankering for some bagels and coffee in Madrid, ne sure to give this one a go.
Location: Calle de María de Molina, 24 & Principe de Vergara 16
3. Megasand Madrid
Megasand is a really popular coffee shop here in Madrid, and they have four different locations around the city. They have a very large menu, and I wouldn’t say they specialize in bagels, but of the few options they have, they are still some of the nicest bagels in Madrid.
The last time we went there, they had Salmon Bagels, Spicy Tuna and Roast Beef. I went for the roast beef of course, and got myself a large black coffee and a sweet potato and chocolate muffin. You can come here for a number of great items they have on the menu, not just bagels.
We went to the one in Retiro, but you can check out their site for the other locations.
Location: C. de Columela, 4, 28001 Madrid
4. Hanso Cafe
Hanso Cafe is a really popular spot right in the heart of Madrid on Pez street, very close to Opera. The décor reminds you of New York with the white tiled walls, and semi industrial feel. They have all of the popular breakfast and brunch trends of the moment, but also a great place to eat bagels in Madrid.
The cafe is really busy most of the time, but you will always find a seat with a little wait. Something I had never tried was matcha tea, and I think I got lucky because I loved the matcha tea here. I remember the music being a little too loud, but overall it’s a really cool place.
Location: C. del Pez, 20, Madrid, 28004
5. Debagel Madrid
Debagel is a New York styled cafe where bagels are hand rolled and baked fresh daily. They probably have the widest variety of bagels in Madrid, from smoked meats, pickled meats, hot and cold, veggie, gluten free and many more.
They also have bagel platters to share, or you can get a tray of assorted bagels that comes with roast beef bagels, salmon, pastrami and a cream cheese with an onion confit. They claim to have the best bagels in Madrid, but you will have to be the judge of that.
Location: C. de Ríos Rosas, 16, 28003 Madrid.
6. J&J Books and Coffee
J&J Books & Coffee is a second hand book store that also doubles up as a bar and sells possibly the cheapest bagels in Madrid. If you come here on a weekday, you will see many people sitting on their laptops with a bagel and coffee typing away. But, from Fri-Sat laptops are not allowed and this encourages conversation between friends and strangers. It’s a really cool vibe at this store.
What they are known for though is the Bloody Mary Brunch they do on the weekends that consists of you pairing up an alcoholic beverage with your choice of bagel. The bloody Mary seems to be the most popular though. I chose to have a beer with a Jalapeño and cheese bagel and finished it off with a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie.
As it is a book store too, they also have language exchanges and pub quiz nights at J&J´s.
Location: C. del Espíritu Santo, 47, 28004 Madrid
Other Places To Buy Bagels In Madrid
These are all of the places I have tried the bagels in Madrid, but there are a few other places that serve bagels I am yet to try. I will give you the names of these too, and if you get there before me, it would be great to hear about your opinion in the comments.
7. Faborit
Faborit is a well known café in Madrid with a number of locations. Looking at their reviews, everyone does talk highly of their bagels, so as soon as I get around to trying them I will let you know how it goes.
8. Zenith Brunch and Cocktails
I can speak to their brunch menu and their pancakes, they are the best! So if you want to get your pancake fix in Madrid, then definitely come here. I have not tried their bagels though, but if the quality of everything else they serve is the measure, I’m sure they will be amazing.
Location: C. de Valverde, 28, 28004 Madrid.
9. Sanissimo
I know Sanissimo for being one of the best vegan restaurants in Madrid. But, on my search for a good bagel in Madrid, I came across their Instagram page and the bagels look great. The ingredients look really fresh and colorful, and the bagels are thick and fluffy. I will definitely be giving this one a try soon so look out for an update.
Location: C. de Campomanes, 5, 28013 Madrid
10.Mur Cafe
So I know Mur Cafe very well, and this is because I ate one of the best English breakfast’s In Madrid here. I have eaten quite a lot of different things here like muesli bowls, sandwiches, cakes, but never the bagel. Don’t know how that one has escaped me for so long, but I will me remedying that pretty soon.
Location: Pl. de Cristino Martos, 2, 28015 Madrid.
11.Napa Bagels Madrid
Napa bagels is a new addition to the bagel movement in Madrid. Everything is baked fresh on site in this charming little spot in Chamberi. The bagels are made the traditional New York way, all hand rolled and baked daily. They also make a really good cinnamon roll apparently, something else I am fond of and must try.
Location: C. de Meléndez Valdés, 51, 28015 Madrid.
FAQ’s
Are bagels popular in Madrid?
Bagels have become really popular in Madrid in recent years. Before you would have to really search, but now it’s pretty easy to get bagels in Madrid.
What are some typical bagel flavors available in Madrid?
Sometimes you can go to a country, and they add their own spin on things and this can be a hit and miss. So don’t expect to be eating chorizo, or tortilla bagels in Madrid. The tradition of what a bagel is has been adhered to, and you can expect to the classical flavors like smoked salmon, roast beef, cream cheese and the like.
Are the bagels in Madrid different from bagels in other parts of the world?
I would say the cafe’s that hand roll and bake their bagels every day can hold their own with any of the bagel stores around the world. Now if you go to Starbucks or one of the many chains where they are pulling their bagels out of freezers and boxes, then you are not going to get the same quality.
In Conclusion
Bagel’s might not be a traditional food in Madrid, but with tourism back on the rise, and a lot of people moving from other countries to the city, there are more people that need their bagel fix, and Madrid has answered. The baking culture has also seen a huge shift in Madrid, with a new artisanal bakery popping up on every corner offering some type of yummy pastry or bread baked on site.
I can tell you forever about all the amazing bakeries and pastry shops in Madrid, but this ones for the bagels. Whether you want to have a great bagel brunch, or just taste some of the best bagels in Madrid, I hope I have given you enough info to make the best choice for you.
Let me know how your visit went in the comment.
Pingback: The 6 Best Places To Buy Coffee Beans In Madrid – Must See Madrid
Pingback: 10 Best Stores To Buy English Books In Madrid – Must See Madrid