During my grand Europe tour in January last year, I had but one night and one day in Madrid. Back then I couldn’t wait to get out of Madrid; I was still reeling with the devastation of losing my iPhone to pickpocket the night before.
It was only after I have bought the earliest available train ticket to Barcelona that I decided, hey, I had a couple of hours to kill. So why not take in some local delicacies?
That was how I ended up at Chocolateria de San Gines.
The location was not that reassuring. The cafe was located behind a church, still within a tourist zone (read: pickpocket heaven), so I wrapped my jacket tightly around myself and walked in.
The cheerful interior both surprised and comforted me. It was hard to feel paranoid amongst laughing patrons bonding over coffee and breakfast. Chocolateria de San Gines is a place of worship for lovers of chocolate con churros.
What was that again? That’s the Spanish name for deep fried doughnut strips dipped in hot chocolate.
Golden, crispy doughnut sticks with the most delicious wafting buttery smell… to this day I could still remember the sensation vividly.
Dipped into the thick chocolate, it was sublime. The chocolate was piping hot, so thick that it was rumoured the churros will float stationary on top of its surface… almost like a cake.
Of course I had to verify this claim.
It was true. I couldn’t imagine how much calories I consumed that morning, but at least it made me a happier boy after the harrowing experience the night before.
This Madrid institution, one of the odd hidden gems buried amongst the many old taverns and historical churches here, is a must visit if you are in Madrid. Just watch out for strangers trying to talk to you, and you’ll be fine.
Chocolateria de San Gines
Pasadizo de San Gines 5
Madrid, Spain