Churros are a quintessential Spanish treat, beloved by Madrid’s locals and tourists alike. What stands out most about the churros in Madrid is the luxuriously rich hot chocolate and other cocoa-based dipping sauces they’re typically served with.
While you find them most as a breakfast dish, in Spain, churros can be eaten any time of day. Including as a late-night snack. With so many bustling cafés, historic chocolaterías, and churrería, it only makes sense to include a few churro spots in your Madrid food walk.
The History and Culture of Churros in Madrid
Churros have a fascinating history in Spain’s culinary roots. While there’s some debate about them being introduced by Portuguese explorers returning from China. In Madrid, churros are often believed to have been popularized by shepherds who would fry dough over campfires.
Eventually, the dish took root in urban Madrid and began to be served with a thick cup of hot chocolate. Today Madrileños see churros as both a sweet breakfast item or a late-night snack.
Our Guides’ Favorite Chocolaterías
We find that the simple combination of fried dough and thick hot chocolate remains one of Madrid’s most enduring culinary traditions. Our team has visited the city’s oldest establishments to find where the “churros” and “porras” are still made fresh throughout the morning. We value the marble counters and the rhythmic clatter of white ceramic cups that define these historic spaces. Book a food tour with us to learn more.
Chocolatería San Ginés
Photo credit: Chocolatería San Ginés
This is one of the most famous churrería and chocolate shops in Madrid. Today they have multiple locations throughout the city. However, the original near Puerta del Sol is just a short walk from Plaza Mayor and has been open since 1894.
It’s an iconic Madrid spot with a charming, old-world ambiance. While their churros are always perfectly soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside, it’s their velvety chocolate dipping sauce that stands out most.
Chocolatería San Ginés (€1–10) – Pasadizo de San Ginés, 5, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain.
Churrería Madrid 1883
Photo credit: Churrería Madrid 1883
Churrería Madrid 1883 offers an authentic and timeless churros experience with old-world charm. It’s just steps away from popular attractions like Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol.
What sets Churrería Madrid 1883 churros apart is their dedication to tradition and quality. Their churros are hand-crafted and fried to golden perfection.
Churrería Madrid 1883 (€1–10) – C. del Espíritu Santo, 8, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain.
Selected Artisanal Fried Doughs
The difference between a standard snack and an authentic churro lies in the quality of the oil and the precision of the fry. We appreciate the family-run businesses that have passed down their secret batter recipes through several generations of masters. These artisans represent a dedicated craft that keeps our city’s sweet heritage alive and flourishing every single day. Book a food tour with us to learn more.
Chocolatería Valor
While there are several locations in Madrid, my favorite Chocolatería Valor is just a stone’s throw from Puerta del Sol. They offer a refined take on the classic churros con chocolate experience that combines modern elegance with a cozy, welcoming ambiance.
Chocolatería Valor’s exceptional chocolate gives a deep, indulgent flavor. Their churros are light and crispy and served piping hot as the perfect vehicle to taste that decadent chocolate.
They also offer several creative variations such as filled churros. Not to mention the opportunity to explore different dips from their diverse chocolate menu.
Chocolatería Valor (€1–10) – C. del Postigo de San Martín, 7, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain.
La Antigua Churrería
Photo credit: La Antigua Churrería
La Antigua Churrería has a rich history in Madrid dating back to 1913. Conveniently located near attractions such as El Rastro Market and Lavapiés, it offers an authentic taste of Madrid’s love of churros. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with old-world charm.
La Antigua Churrería’s churros are expertly crafted in the old-world style and then served with rich, velvety hot chocolate. They also offer porras, the thicker, more filling version of churros that I like when I’m hungry and looking for more of a doughnut fix.
La Antigua Churrería (€1–10) – C. del Conde de Peñalver, 32, Salamanca, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
Churros vs. Porras
Churros and porras are very similar Spanish treats in that they’re made from dough that’s fried golden brown. Yet they differ in texture, size, and preparation.
Churros are thin, ridged to increase the surface area for dipping, and crisp. They’re often shaped in loops or sticks. Churros are lighter giving the exterior more of a delicate crunch that pairs perfectly with a cup of rich hot chocolate.
Porras are thicker, more robust, and softer. They tend to have more of a fluffy interior and a slightly greasier texture due to their different ratio of dough to oil. Their size makes them a heartier choice for times when you’re hungry, or want a doughnut.
How to Enjoy Churros Like a Local
If you want to savor churros in Madrid like a local, it’s better to dip them into a cup of silky, rich hot chocolate. This isn’t the thin hot cocoa you see a lot in the US. Spanish hot chocolate is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and perfectly enrobes the churro with each dip.
Of course, the exceptionally crisp churros in Madrid can hold up to this chocolate dip without getting soggy. So, when you put it in your mouth, there’s also a textural contrast between the velvety rich chocolate and the crispy exterior of the churro. As you bite down the churro gives way to the light doughy interior for a complete textural and flavorful experience. This isn’t the quick dunk of a doughnut, but the sort of thing you savor and appreciate like a work of culinary art.
Madrid’s Culinary Etiquette
When we visit a traditional chocolatería, we typically order a “ración” of churros or porras to share among the table. It is customary to dip the dough into the thick, dark chocolate, which is served at a temperature specifically for dipping rather than drinking like a regular cocoa. We often see locals enjoying this treat standing at the bar for a quick social break before continuing their errands. You should feel free to ask for extra napkins, as a truly authentic churro experience can be a delightfully messy affair.
History of Churros in Madrid
The history of the churro in Madrid is linked to the nomadic shepherds of the Spanish highlands who could easily fry dough over open fires. We find it fascinating that these simple snacks eventually moved from rural pastures into the elegant urban cafes of the 19th century. This transition helped establish the “chocolatería” as a social hub where people from all walks of life could gather together. Understanding these humble origins helps us appreciate the cultural significance of this beloved street food in our modern capital.
Insider Tips for Churros Lovers
Finding the tastiest churros in Madrid starts with being able to spot the difference between authentic churrerías and chocolaterías and tourist traps that are just trying to turn a fast profit. Keep your eyes peeled for spots that are frequented by locals, which often hide in plain sight with their no-frills décor and modest signage.
Authentic churros are freshly fried to golden perfection and paired with a rich, thick hot chocolate that’s velvety smooth and perfect for dipping. Tourist traps often serve pre-made, overly greasy churros that have a soft exterior and thin runny chocolate sauce.
In Madrid, churros con chocolate are an affordable indulgence, with prices typically ranging from €3 to €5 for a small portion and drink. You quickly order at the counter, and then take your churros and hot chocolate away.
Sources
https://chocolateriasangines.com/
https://www.instagram.com/laantiguachurreria/?hl=en
https://www.valor.es/chocolaterias-valor/
https://www.churreriamadrid1883.es/index.html
https://www.eatingeurope.com/madrid/
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