This is the café that put Malasaña's specialty coffee scene on the map. Since 2012, La Bicicleta has been the neighborhood's living room — a laid-back space with bike racks, laptops, and a brunch cult that hasn't slowed down. Come for the coffee, stay because the Wi-Fi's good and the people-watching is better.
The café that launched Malasaña's specialty coffee scene — bike racks, cult brunch, and a laptop-friendly vibe that works from morning to midnight.
Go before 10:30am on weekends to skip the brunch rush — after that, expect a wait for a table.
Malasaña's original specialty coffee and brunch institution
La Bicicleta is the kind of place that feels like it was designed for the way you actually want to spend a morning. Tucked into Plaza de San Ildefonso in the heart of Malasaña, it's been the neighborhood's go-to specialty coffee spot since 2012 — long before third-wave coffee was a thing in Madrid. The vibe is unapologetically hipster-casual: exposed brick, bicycle decor, communal tables, and a steady hum of freelancers tapping away on laptops. You can literally park your bike inside, which tells you everything about the ethos.
The brunch is what most people come for, and it lives up to the hype — eggs, avocado toast, pancakes, and a rotating cast of healthy-ish plates that have earned a loyal following. The coffee program is solid, with proper espresso drinks and a menu that caters well to vegetarians and vegans without making it feel like an afterthought. Service can be slow when it's packed (which is most weekends), and some reviewers find it a bit pricey for what it is, but you're paying for the atmosphere as much as the food.
Go on a weekday morning if you want a quiet corner to work. On weekends, expect a wait and a crowd — but that energy is part of the appeal. Open until midnight, it transitions smoothly from coffee shop to evening drinks spot, making it one of the few places in the neighborhood where you can legitimately spend an entire day.
La Bicicleta, c'est le café qui a mis le café de spécialité de Malasaña sur la carte. Depuis 2012, c'est le salon du quartier — un espace détendu avec des porte-vélos, des ordinateurs portables, et un brunch culte qui ne faiblit pas. Le décor assume son côté hipster : briques apparentes, vélos suspendus, tables partagées, et un brouhaha constant de freelances qui travaillent en sirotant un flat white. Le fait de pouvoir garer son vélo à l'intérieur résume bien la philosophie.
Le brunch est la principale attraction, et il est à la hauteur : œufs, avocat toast, pancakes et une carte de plats sains qui a conquis une clientèle fidèle. Le café est sérieux, avec des expressos bien tirés et des options végétariennes et vegan qui ne font pas remplissage. Le service peut être lent quand c'est plein — c'est-à-dire presque tout le week-end — et certains trouvent les prix un peu élevés, mais on paie l'ambiance autant que l'assiette.
Allez-y en semaine le matin pour un coin tranquille pour travailler. Le week-end, attendez-vous à faire la queue et à partager l'espace avec une foule animée — mais cette énergie fait partie du charme. Ouvert jusqu'à minuit, le café se transforme en bar le soir, ce qui en fait l'un des rares endroits du quartier où l'on peut passer toute la journée.