Is It Easy to Find Vegan Breakfast in Madrid?
Breakfast is one of the easiest meals to figure out when you’re traveling, that is, until you’re vegan in Spain.
Madrid has a world-class food scene, but breakfast, honestly, is a different story.
So what should you expect?
What Breakfast Looks Like in Madrid
A typical Spanish breakfast is simple:
- coffee
- toast
- maybe a pastry
- churros
That’s it.
It’s not a big, sit-down meal, and it’s not especially vegan-friendly by default. There is very little protein in a typical vegan breakfast.
If you’re staying in a hotel with a buffet breakfast, you will be hard-pressed to find a vegan option besides (possibly) cold cereal.
What You’ll Usually Find as a Vegan
In most cafés, your options will be limited to:
- toast with tomato and olive oil
- avocado toast (you might need to modify/remove dairy or egg)
- plain pastries (sometimes vegan, often not clearly labeled)
- coffee with plant milk (increasingly common, but not guaranteed)
It works, but it’s not exactly exciting.
Where It Gets Better
Madrid has a growing number of cafés that cater more directly to plant-based diets.
In those places, you’ll find:
- vegan pastries
- acai bowls
- sandwiches
- brunch-style dishes
- specialty coffee with multiple milk options
These spots tend to be more modern and are usually concentrated in central neighborhoods.
What to Watch Out For
Even when something looks vegan, it’s worth double-checking.
Common issues include:
- pastries made with butter
- “vegetable” options that include egg
- limited plant milk availability (oat and soy milk for coffee IS common, though)
The Practical Reality
You won’t struggle to find something for breakfast.
But if you’re expecting variety or a full brunch experience everywhere, you may be disappointed.
Like a lot of vegan eating in Madrid, it’s about knowing where to go, not just walking into the nearest place.
A Better Way to Think About It
Many travelers end up treating breakfast as something quick and simple, and focusing more on lunch or dinner for a full food experience.
That’s where Madrid really stands out, especially when it comes to tapas-style eating.
And that’s where we come in. On our vegan food tour in Madrid, we meet for lunch and fill your belly with delicious vegan tapas. Most of our guests walk away with to-go boxes because they can’t finish all the food.
Final Thoughts
Vegan breakfast in Madrid is doable, but it’s not the highlight of the city’s food scene. If you plan ahead for this, you won’t be discouraged. And if you sign up for our vegan food tour, you’ll be full before you know it!