"San Ginés is the tourist spot for chocolate and churros, but skip it—Chocolatería Valor in Salamanca is better: shorter waits, outdoor seating, and churros that are crunchy, warm, and ready to be dipped in the rich, gooey stuff. Valor is also a chocolate brand, so they’re experts when it comes to getting the taste and texture just right. The people-watching at this bright, always-busy spot might even be as good as the delicately fried churros—many of the Madrileños who come here mid-morning to slowly sip coffee and read the paper have lived in this neighborhood for decades. The menu also has more breakfast-y items, like a tosta con tomate, a long baguette topped with a blended tomato spread, generous extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt, which will fuel you until the city's late lunch hour, which starts around 2pm. " - lori zaino