Ministry of Foodies Review
Cuisine: Breakfast/Dessert
Average price per person: 10€
Environment: 8.5/10
Food: 8.5/10
Service: 7/10
Other: Solo dining, Delivery, Take-away
Website:https://chocolateriasangines.com/
Chocolatería San Ginés is Madrid’s sweet-spot destination: a legendary café where churros meet lacquered mugs of thick hot chocolate and time slows down just enough to savour it. Founded in 1894, this historic institution is one of the city’s most important food spots. If you’re hunting for the best churros in Madrid, or just a way to better connect with the city, there is no shortage of reasons to visit.
Location / Environment
Chocolatería San Ginés is down a narrow passage close to Plaza Mayor. If you walk there, you will notice that they practically operate through the whole block with different small spots, some of them only for take-away, others with tables and slightly different offerings, a spot with healthier options, ice cream etc.
A unique structure that requires a bit of know-how to navigate. It operates 24 hours a day, all year round, and considering how popular it is, there is usually a queue.
If you want to sit and enjoy your churros there, you first need to order, get a ticket, and once you find a table, give your ticket to the waiter.
The décor nods to its late-19th-century origins: marble tables, tiled counters, walls peppered with black-and-white photos of famous patrons, and warm lighting that gives the place an old-school charm.
Apart from the main location, San Ginés has another location in Madrid and also abroad.
Chocolatería San Ginés – Menu
San Ginés keeps things simple. The signature order is a plate of six churros paired with a mug of rich hot chocolate. Beyond that, you’ll find porras (thicker dough fritters), ice cream and other chocolate confections. Those include various items, such as chocolate-covered candied orange slices or almond rocks, which are sold in boxes so you can also take them home.
Pricing is modest; a combination of six churros and a traditional chocolate is around €5–6, making it a deliciously accessible treat.
Chocolatería San Ginés – Food
Start with the must, which are the churros with the hot chocolate. The churros here are lighter and crisper than you might expect and the chocolate is thick enough for dipping yet smooth enough to sip.
The porras are much thicker, a bit dense and too filling compared to the lighter churros. They are also more oily than the churros. Still tasty, but between the two, I will always opt for the churros.
Conclusion
Chocolatería San Ginés is about tradition done exceedingly well. Whether you’re lingering after a late night out or grabbing a morning sweet fix before your city stroll, this spot delivers both flavour and history in one compact package. Yes, it’s busy, and it’s tourist-friendly, but it’s also earned its reputation through over a century of making churros right. Expect a queue pretty much during the whole day, but it moves quite quickly. Opt for an early morning visit (around 7am) to avoid long waiting times.
Visit: November 2025
Address – Main location: Pasadizo de San Ginés 5, Centro, 28013 Madrid