ALCHEMY Specialty Coffee

ALCHEMY Specialty Coffee holds a small spot in La Latina on Calle de San Millán. The room is tiny, with a bar, a handful of seats and street facing windows that make it easy to watch the neighborhood go by. The beans come from Dabov, the Bulgarian rooted roaster based in Lavapiés, alongside other trusted roasters, and the baristas treat filter and espresso with equal care. Regulars come for a V60 or a batch brew and end up talking coffee with whoever is behind the bar.

ALCHEMY runs four shops across Madrid, and San Millán is the one to know. It opens at eight on weekdays and at nine on weekends, then stays open until eight in the evening every day, so it suits a morning flat white as easily as an afternoon filter after a walk through the old centre. Step up to the counter, say what flavors you like, and ask what is on the brew list.