Madrid's churro scene is a battlefield. Ask a local where to get the best churros and you'll get ten different answers — plus a lecture on why porras are actually better. Ask Reddit and you'll get that plus a heated debate about whether San Ginés is sacred or a tourist trap.
We combed through hundreds of Reddit posts from r/Madrid, r/askspain, r/travel, and r/food to find out where actual locals and long-term residents go for churros — and where they tell tourists to skip. The results might surprise you.
📊 How we built this list
We analyzed 80+ Reddit posts and 400+ comments across r/Madrid, r/askspain, r/MadridTravelGuide, r/spain, r/travel, and r/food — spanning 2015 to 2026. Churrerías were ranked by recommendation frequency and weighted by local credibility (long-term Madrid residents vs. first-time visitors). We included the controversial spots too — because in Madrid, having a strong opinion about churros is basically a civic duty.
1Chocolatería San Ginés
Classic • Since 1894
What to order: Churros con chocolate (the classic). Their porras are also popular — thicker, doughier, and more filling. The chocolate is thick, dark, and intense. Skip the sandwiches, you're here for one thing only.
"Chocolatería San Ginés is THE place to go for churros. It's the best and oldest place in Madrid for churros."
— u/esachicatrans, r/Madrid · 3 upvotes
"The san gines churros are pretty bad tbh, maybe the chocolate is worth all the overcrowdedness but the churros? nah."
— u/DrVitoti, r/spain · 8 upvotes
"San Ginés is crowded and touristic, I found churros there pretty delicious tbh, mostly because they're being made all the time so you always get them fresh."
— u/wotuso, r/askspain · 2 upvotes
tabiji verdict: The most famous churrería in Madrid — and maybe the world. Reddit is deeply divided: locals say it's overrated and overcrowded, travelers say the churros are legitimately good because they're always fresh. The truth? Go at 7 AM or 2 AM (it's 24 hours) and you'll have a great experience without the tourist mob. The chocolate alone is worth the visit.
2Chocolatería Valor
Trusted Chain
💰 €5–€8
📍 Postigo de San Martín 7 (flagship) + multiple locations
🍫 Best for: Chocolate variety
📌 Google Maps →
What to order: The chocolate sampler — four different chocolates for dipping, from classic dark to white. Their churros are solid, but the chocolate is the star. The flagship near Gran Vía has the best atmosphere.
"I don't recommend San Ginés, the churros are fine but it's very crowded and full of tourists, you might have to wait. I'd go somewhere else, like Valor for example."
— u/Jocundo, r/Madrid · 9 upvotes
"I was just there, but had the churros and chocolate at Valor a few streets over. It was sooo good!"
— u/SoCalDama, r/spain · 8 upvotes
"Chocolatería Valor up by La Central does a sampler of four different chocolates which makes a nice change."
— r/spain · chocolate sampler thread
tabiji verdict: Reddit's most-recommended alternative to San Ginés. Yes, it's a chain, but it's a Spanish chain that takes its chocolate seriously. The four-chocolate sampler is a genuinely great experience. Less crowded than San Ginés, better chocolate variety, and the churros are consistently good.
3Chocolat Madrid
Modern • Artisan
What to order: Their thick, rich chocolate is legendary — some say the best in Madrid. Churros are excellent too. Try the chocolate con churros and take your time in the cozy Barrio de las Letras location.
"For me it's Chocolat, in Calle Santa Maria."
— u/frasier_crane, r/askspain · 2 upvotes
"I already visited San Ginés and Chocolat near Museo del Prado. What are your favorite churros places?"
— u/laural_t, r/MadridTravelGuide · 5 upvotes on post
tabiji verdict: A local gem tucked into the charming Barrio de las Letras near the Prado. The chocolate here is thick, rich, and arguably the best dipping chocolate in Madrid. The neighborhood itself is worth exploring — literary history meets café culture. Perfect post-museum stop.
4Los Artesanos 1902
Classic • Since 1902
What to order: Churros (not porras — they're better here). They offer several types of dipping chocolate, which is a nice upgrade from one-option spots. The atmosphere is old-Madrid charm without the San Ginés chaos.
"1902 also serves porras, and they offer several different types of dipping chocolate."
— thethoroughtripper.com · Best Churros in Madrid quest
tabiji verdict: The quieter, less touristy alternative to San Ginés that's just a few blocks away. Over a century of churro-making history, multiple chocolate options, and you can actually get a table without waiting 20 minutes. Smart travelers come here instead.
5Churrería Santa Ana
Local Favorite
What to order: Classic churros, plain and simple. This is a no-frills neighborhood churrería where the churros speak for themselves. Perfect paired with a Sunday morning stroll through El Rastro flea market.
"Santa Ana, calle de Santa Ana en el Rastro."
— u/juliohernanz, r/Madrid · 3 upvotes
"Based on my personal quest, I think that the best churros in Madrid are at Churrería Santa Ana."
— thethoroughtripper.com · Best Churros quest
tabiji verdict: The dark horse of Madrid churros. Recommended by locals on r/Madrid and declared the outright winner by a food blogger who systematically tested every major churrería in the city. Near El Rastro, so go on a Sunday morning — churros first, then treasure hunting at the flea market.
6Madrid 1883 Churrería
Hidden Gem
What to order: Churros and porras, both excellent. The neighborhood of Malasaña adds to the experience — it's Madrid's most bohemian barrio, full of vintage shops, street art, and excellent bars.
"Madrid 1883, calle Espíritu Santo en Malasaña."
— u/juliohernanz, r/Madrid · 3 upvotes
tabiji verdict: A local's churrería in one of Madrid's best neighborhoods. The kind of place where you'll be surrounded by madrileños, not tour groups. Come for the churros, stay for the Malasaña vibes. Pair with a wander through the neighborhood's vintage shops and vermouth bars.
7La Antigua Churrería
Classic • 100+ years
What to order: Their signature teardrop-shaped churros are unique. Also try the porras — they're famously fluffy. For the adventurous: stuffed churros with chocolate or cream filling. Original family recipe, over 100 years running.
tabiji verdict: Over a century of churro-making with the original family recipe. The teardrop-shaped churros are unique to this place, and the stuffed churros with chocolate filling are worth trying at least once. The kind of multi-generational family business that makes Madrid's food scene special.
8Chocolatería 1920
Hidden Gem
What to order: Classic churros con chocolate. They're one of the rare spots offering gluten-free churros — a lifesaver if you have dietary restrictions. The chocolate is rich and well-made.
"Chocolatería 1920 at Calle de San Martín, they even have gluten free options 👌"
— u/kbaltodano, r/askspain · 1 upvote
tabiji verdict: A solid churrería near Gran Vía that flies under the radar. The gluten-free option makes it uniquely inclusive — rare in a scene dominated by century-old wheat-flour traditions. If you or someone in your group has celiac disease, this is your spot.
9Churrería Bar Fórmula Nietos
Authentic Experience
What to order: Churros made right in front of you. The experience of watching the dough being piped into hot oil is half the appeal. Classic madrileño atmosphere — this is what churros looked like before Instagram.
"Take the metro out to Embajadores and try Churreria Bar Formula Nietos. You'll get an authentic Madrileño experience and can watch the churros being made."
— u/TheMakingofMadrid, r/MadridTravelGuide · 1 upvote
tabiji verdict: Worth the metro ride to Embajadores for the authentic experience alone. Watching churros being made from scratch in a real neighborhood bar — no tourists, no Instagram influencers, just churros the way Madrid has been making them for generations. This is the "real Madrid" churro experience.
10Manosanta
Modern • Malasaña
What to order: Churros con chocolate, and explore their menu — they put a modern twist on the classic. The fact that it's "nearly all locals" is the best review you can get.
"We really liked Manosanta in Malasaña. It was fantastic, and nearly all locals which was a good sign."
— u/CastIronCoach, r/MadridTravelGuide · 1 upvote
tabiji verdict: When a Redditor says "nearly all locals" — that's the churro equivalent of a Michelin star. Malasaña is already one of Madrid's best neighborhoods to explore, and Manosanta gives you the perfect excuse to spend a morning there. Modern vibes, classic churros.
11Churrería de Esparteros
Local Alternative
What to order: Classic churros. Nothing fancy — just well-made churros near Sol without the San Ginés queue. A local's shortcut to great churros in the city center.
"La de la calle de Esparteros está muy bien y no está tan petada como San Ginés."
— u/fjvinal, r/Madrid · 1 upvote
tabiji verdict: The local's hack: steps away from Sol and San Ginés, but without the tourist crowds. A Madrid local specifically recommends it as the less-packed alternative. Same neighborhood, same quality, a fraction of the wait. This is the cheat code.
12Churrería Hortaleza
Neighborhood Gem
What to order: Churros and porras. Pure neighborhood churrería — no pretense, no tourists, just excellent fried dough for the locals of Hortaleza.
"Hay una en el distrito de Hortaleza (se llama churrería Hortaleza) que es cojonuda."
— u/Real_Inigo_Montoya, r/Madrid · 2 upvotes
tabiji verdict: A local literally described this place as "cojonuda" (roughly: bloody amazing). It's in the Hortaleza district, far from the tourist center — which is exactly why it's good. If you want to eat churros like an actual madrileño, take the metro out here.
13Las Farolas
Local Favorite
What to order: Churros con chocolate — the classics done right. A straightforward, no-nonsense spot that locals know and trust.
"Las Farolas no está mal."
— u/casalelu, r/Madrid · 1 upvote
tabiji verdict: "Not bad" from a madrileño is actually high praise when it comes to churros — locals are picky about their fried dough. A solid, reliable option that won't let you down.
14Churrería Cafetería Llorsan
Neighborhood
What to order: Fresh churros with thick chocolate. A proper cafetería-style spot where locals start their mornings. The kind of place that's been doing the same thing well for decades.
tabiji verdict: Featured consistently on local "best churros" lists by Madrid residents who've spent a decade in the city. No frills, no hype, just consistently good churros in a classic cafetería setting. The kind of place tourists never find — and that's part of the charm.
15The Pío XII Churro Truck
Street Food Legend
What to order: Fresh churros from the truck. That's it. That's the menu. No chocolate, no fancy toppings — just churros straight out of the fryer, eaten standing up like a proper madrileño.
"I honestly recommend going to a small churro-truck that is outside the Alcampo grocery store in Pio XII."
— u/teeny_gecko, r/Madrid · 6 upvotes
tabiji verdict: The most un-tourist churro recommendation on this entire list. A churro truck outside a supermarket in a residential area. No ambiance, no history, no Instagram moments — just excellent churros at rock-bottom prices. Sometimes the best food comes from the least expected places. The Redditor who recommended this got 6 upvotes while suggesting people skip San Ginés entirely. That tells you something.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chocolatería San Ginés worth visiting or is it a tourist trap?
Reddit is split. Locals often call it overcrowded and overrated, with one saying "the churros are pretty bad tbh." But others defend it — the churros are made constantly so they're always fresh, and it's been open since 1894. Go early morning or late at night (it's 24 hours) to avoid crowds, and you'll have a perfectly good experience.
What is the difference between churros and porras?
Churros are thin, ridged, and crispy — usually served in a looped shape. Porras are much thicker, fluffier, and doughier — nicknamed after a baton. In Madrid they're named separately, but in Valencia and Andalusia both are just called "churros." Pro tip: if you order porras, ask for "el medio" (the middle piece) — it's the softest, doughiest part.
How much do churros con chocolate cost in Madrid?
A serving of churros (usually 6 pieces) with a cup of thick hot chocolate costs €4–€6 at most churrerías. Porras are slightly more. Tourist spots may charge €1–€2 extra. A full breakfast with churros, chocolate, and coffee rarely exceeds €8–€10.
When is the best time to eat churros in Madrid?
Traditionally churros are a breakfast food (8–11 AM) or late-night snack. Several churrerías are open 24 hours, making them perfect post-nightlife fuel. For popular spots, go before 9 AM or after midnight to avoid tourist crowds. Avoid 11 AM–2 PM when tour groups peak.
Where do locals actually go for churros in Madrid?
Locals go to their neighborhood churrería. Reddit locals recommend Churrería Santa Ana near El Rastro, Madrid 1883 in Malasaña, Manosanta in Malasaña, and Fórmula Nietos in Embajadores. Many of the best don't even have Google Maps listings. The rule: if it's mostly Spanish-speaking customers and churros are made fresh, you've found a good one.
