There is no shortage of spots for a superb breakfast or brunch in Ronda, southern Spain. Whether you’re after a churro or a tostada with cured ham and olive oil, you’ll find it here. Read on for our pick of the best places to start the day in this beautiful Andalusian town.
For an unimprovable start to a day in Ronda, head to this fantastic no-frills café in the newer (i.e. dating from the 16th century onwards) part of town known as El Mercadillo – The Little Market. Snap up a table on the sunny terrace and order Agata’s most popular breakfast or brunch dish: a generously-sized Nutella crepe. Customers also rave about the fresh fruit juices and milkshakes.
La Sastreria (The Tailor’s Shop) is situated at the heart of Ronda’s bustling shopping district. The choice for breakfast or brunch is varied, with tostadas – open toasted sandwiches topped with olive oil, tomato and, if requested, jamon – available alongside crepes and waffles. Sastreria also does a mean cup of coffee and a decadent hot chocolate, making it a great place to start a day of shopping and sightseeing.
For breakfast or brunch with a view, the bar/restaurant inside Hotel Don Miguel takes some beating. Its outside terraces (yep, plural: there’s plenty of space) nestle in the top north-east corner of the El Tajo gorge, offering a jaw-dropping perspective on the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge). Order a tostada and café con leche and sit back and contemplate this mighty structure.
As its name suggests, this popular café is one of the best spots in town for churros – the doughy, deep-fried snacks that are eaten in Spain for breakfast, brunch and afternoon tea (merienda). Traditionally dipped in thick melted chocolate, they are a wonderfully indulgent way to start the day; and at Churrería Alba, you can enjoy them out on the terrace, whilst people watching on Ronda’s main shopping street.
Ronda‘s branch of the popular Spanish bakery chain is also located on the principal shopping street and is a great spot for a healthy, hearty breakfast or brunch. Choose from a selection of freshly made breads, bocadillos (sandwiches) pastries and sweet treats before hitting the shops or attractions. The coffee is also singled out for praise, as is the pleasant, light-filled interior – the perfect place from which to watch the world go by outside.
La Bicicleta is a stylish, modern café located in central Ronda. It’s a popular breakfast and brunch spot amongst locals and visitors alike, who come here for the homemade tarts and cakes. These will make for an ideal start to the day for visitors with a sweet tooth, whilst crepes and waffles provide savoury brekkie options. And for the ideal accompaniment, try one of their delicious, made-on-the-spot milkshakes.
La Chocolaterie is another breakfast and brunch joint that sweet-toothed travellers in Ronda will want to visit. Situated on Calle “La Bola”, the town’s busiest shopping street, this cosy little café is famous for its thick hot chocolate and exquisite chocolate brownies. There’s also a “tasting menu” of sweet, bite-sized tapas for €3.50 ($4.30). Several tables outside offer the perfect spot from which to people-watch.
For a hearty and insanely cheap Spanish breakfast in the centre of Ronda, Cafe Colon should be top of your list. Located on the street that takes you past the Alameda del Tajo park and the beautiful bullring, this no-nonsense joint does a superb tostada topped with good-quality jamon and fresh tomato spread, plus good coffee and real orange juice. Total cost? No more than three or four euros.
Just a couple of doors down from Cafe Colon on Calle Jerez, Il Capriccio is another great-value spot for a traditional breakfast or brunch. The friendly proprietors are said by some to do the best tostadas in Ronda (quite a compliment, given the competition), perhaps because the bread here is handmade every morning. Capriccio also serves fantastic coffee and fresh fruit juice.
Situated in central Ronda, next to the offices of the local newspaper, Tu Rincón Dulce (Your Sweet Corner) offers a light-filled and cheerful environment in which to enjoy breakfast or brunch. As its name suggests, the speciality here is homemade tarts, cakes and pastries; in fact, many locals say it does the pastries in town. Also rated are the icecreams, coffee and fruit juices.
