Lovely retro!

Have you ever wanted to live “once upon a time”? Sometimes I feel the need to just chill and watch a black-and-white movie or listen to a good old classy jazz music. And there are sometimes when I want to actually feel the retro spirit in the atmosphere. That’s the time when I get to visit one of my favorite neighborhoods in Madrid- Malasaña.

Want some old-fashion furniture and a place so small, you could hardly imagine more than 20 people could enter, however there’s never less than 35-40...

It will be the case with the three charming little places I’m sharing with you today. The code: retro!

Have you ever been to Malasaña? I feel like the strangest things happen to me when I go there! I am very good with the orientation, really! But somehow I always get lost there EVREY TIME (literally)! 

Well, the result of me, wondering around those small streets is, first, in chronological order the Lolina Vintage Cafe (calle del Espiritu Santo, 9). It can’t be more that 25m2! Nevertheless, it is, indeed, one of the cutest cafeterias-bars I’ve ever been to!

There’re all kinds of tables and chairs, the smallest bar, and the best cocktails at night! The breakfast is good, not expensive at all and there’s quite a choice, that’s what I most liked about it. You choose your coffee, your piece of pastry and the filling. Oh, and I totally love the small super-vintage TV behind the bar. It’s such a lovely detail! Also, last time I checked (went there) the waitresses were really nice! Loved it!

You should have in mind it’s one of the most popular vintage cafeterias in the capital, so if you go there on a weekend and it’s so full, you can’t even make it to the waiting line, don’t be surprised, at all!

My second suggestion is a lovely little cafeteria, situated on the Valverde Street, which you could enter from Gran Via, but the thing is, I don’t remember it’s name... shame on me! It’s somewhere between Puebla str. and Colon str, on the right-hand side if you come from Gran Via. Haha, I think that’s the best directions I can give you, since I don’t seem to even know the name of the place... What I do remember and can assure you, is that it’s lovely! Not as popular as Lolina, so it might be easier to find a free table. My experience with it – finding it and having a coffee only AFTER unsuccessfully trying to enter another one (I’m telling you about later in this post). Definitely a good choice! An excellent mochachino and hot chocolate! Didn’t try anything else, so I can’t go any further with the recommendations! But the atmosphere – just as promised! Retro style with enchanting details! It’s also suitable for bigger groups, but they pretty much take over the whole place! But doesn’t matter if you go alone or with company – good time guaranteed!

If you like friendly staff, all-sorts of furniture pieces which somehow magically match in order to create the perfect homey spirit, a smooth hot chocolate plus incredible toasts – Cafe de la Luz. This is THE place! Definitely my personal favorite amongst the three! I am very proud of finding this one and making it popular among my friends! I’ve been there SO MANY time and ALWAYS I’ve left with a smile on my face! It’s quite amazing! Pretty small, impossibly full on weekends, it deserves the waiting! Because once you’re seated and served (whatever you order), you’re going to love it1 Only two blocks away from Gran Via (calle de la Puebla, 8)! What can I say about it? I’ve spent there some of the best afternoons, whether with a friend or two, it has always came up to my expectations! The detail – their tea cups! And as I’ve already mentioned – the toasts – exquisite! Smoothies! I have forgotten how much I live fruit smoothies until I saw them on the menu there! Fantastic, really!

Do not miss on the retro experience! Cause it’s gooood!

xx

*I do not own the photos. They're taken from the Facebook pages of the cafeterias.