The Best Cafes and Coffeeshops in Zaragoza, Spain

Situated very close to the grand Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Café Botánico enjoys a very central location, within easy walking distance to most of the major sights. Featuring bare-bricked walls, an odd mismatch of garden-style furniture and lots of house plants, it’s a quirky, yet charming place. Apart from teas and coffees, cakes are the order of the day here. There’s everything from the regular chocolate, apple and carrot cakes to unusual flavours such as mojito, peach and mascarpone, beetroot, and Baileys.

The queen of Zaragoza cafes is of course the famous Gran Café de Zaragoza. Housed in an elegant old jewellery store, dating back to 1865, it’s filled with ornate coffered ceilings, gracefully carved pillars and archways, and lots of touches of shimmering gold. It’s ideal for coffees, cakes or even a gin and tonic or two, but the star of the show here are their churros dipped in thick custard-like hot chocolate.

With its whitewashed brick walls and funky graffiti-style art, La Clandestina Café would not feel out of place in London’s East End or Brooklyn’s Willamsburg. It’s a hip spot where you can enjoy coffees, as well as creative Instagram-worthy tapas, from hand-rolled sushi to vegetable crisps and chicken wings sprinkled in sesame seeds. They’re also known for their healthy brunches served on Sundays, where you can order dishes such as sourdough toasts and yoghurt topped with granola. Homemade cakes are also on offer for those with a sweet tooth.

For the very best coffee in the city, you can’t beat the Criollo Coffee Store. The origins of this store date all the way back to 1910, when Cafés El Criollo began importing and roasting their own coffee, becoming one of the first companies in the city to do so. Later, the company opened their own coffee factory just outside Zaragoza, where today they roast and pack the very best beans from selected farms all over the world. In the centre, you’ll find their Criollo Coffee Store, selling and serving their unique blends, made by some of the best and most knowledgeable baristas in the city.

La Bendita oozes shabby chic glamour with its delightful décor. Think bold patterned wallpapers, a variety of quirky lampshades and chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, deer heads attached to the walls and a mismatch of colourful chairs. Its offerings include everything from speciality coffees and frappés to hot chocolates, gin and tonics and cocktails. Pair your drink with a slice of one of their delicious cakes, including red velvet, spiced carrot, Oreo and berry cheesecake. They also offer mini filled rolls, pintxos, croissants and toasts.

Mi Habitación Favorita means ‘My Favourite Room’ in English, and you can guarantee it will be one of your favourite rooms in Zaragoza after you’ve come here for one of their freshly baked cakes and mug of coffee. Everywhere you sit here, you’ll be within eyesight of some amazing-looking creation such as chocolate and orange gateau, frosted red velvet cake and cream cheese-iced carrot cake. They also serve filled bagels, homemade jams, and a range of organic and ecological teas and coffees. Coeliacs will be delighted to find that they offer sinfully gooey gluten-free brownies, too.