If you like your coffee, you’re spoilt for choice here in Marbella. Even the smallest cafes will have proper coffee machines and brew good quality, strong coffee. Locals tend to pop in for a quick coffee in their local café and enjoy their caffeine fix at the bar, others relax with their coffee and a traditional “tostada” outside in the sunshine.
If you go into a Spanish café, you won’t tend to see a menu of coffees, and the Malaga province is known for having a dizzying array of coffee types. So you can feel confident when you order, here are a list of our favourites:
Café solo – Espresso
Café Americano – Black coffee with plenty of water
Cortado – An espresso with a splash of milk
Café con leche – White coffee
Sombra – A very milky coffee
Don’t be thrown if they ask you if you want “taza o vaso” they are just asking if you prefer it in a mug or glass. Order with tostada – a toasted baguette or roll with fresh chopped tomato and olive oil for a true taste of Andalucia.
International coffee shops and chains
We are very lucky here in Marbella as we have a lot of international residents, bringing in their wonderful cuisines and ways of life. This has led to lots of independent cafes springing up, bringing their own specialist coffees, including fair trade and organic and specialist milks to allow you to go dairy free.
Close to our offices on the Golden Mile are some really great international coffee shops. Our favourites are Pan y Mermelada for breakfast, Organic Food and Market, for excellent organic options and a great atmosphere all day and MC Café for some excellent food. If you are gluten free, you’ll love Celicioso, which does amazing gluten free cakes and breads to enjoy alongside their excellent coffees. Read our guide to Golden Mile living for more recommendations.
Starbucks Marbella
In 2010 Starbucks opened in Malaga Airport, but it wasn’t until 2014 that it opened here in Marbella, amidst lots of excitement. The first store opened in the El Corte Ingles furniture shop known as El Capricho, right opposite the iconic Piruli roundabout (the one with the tall spire/tower on it), and the Marbella convention centre. It is on the ground floor of the shop and you can browse some beautiful homeware while you’re there. This is a great location, with street parking and an underground car park and you can walk along to central Marbella from there in about fifteen minutes. The store is open from 9am to 9pm.
The second Starbucks opened in the Puerto Banus El Corte Ingles later that year. The El Corte Ingles store is right on the central square of Puerto Banus and is difficult to miss, as it dominates the centre of town. You can find pretty much everything in this flagship El Corte Ingles, from perfume and makeup, to fashion and shoes, to toys and homeware. Starbucks is on the Ground Floor of this large department store, open from 10am to 10pm. It’s a great place to take a break from shopping, or simply meet a friend.
When Starbucks brought their popular formula of a great selection of coffee types, milks and syrups, with comfortable seating and yummy cakes to Marbella, it was an instant hit for residents and tourists. The chain immediately became popular as a place to hang out, connect to WiFi, work or just relax. This is very different to standing at the bar with your short coffee in a traditional Spanish café, and offers a great alternative and an excellent meeting point.
We were very excited when Starbucks came to Marbella and we are regular visitors! Of course, the coffee is great, but they are also easy places to meet with clients and discuss their requirements before we start our search, as everyone feels at home. It’s a great example of the international brands and tastes of home you can have in Marbella, while still enjoying the best of the Spanish way of life. We often find ourselves in there during a property search too, as a relaxed place to reflect on what they’ve seen and what their next steps are to make their dream of living in Marbella a reality.
Read our buyer’s guide to start your journey to buying property in Marbella. Then let us buy you a coffee, answer your questions and lend a hand throughout your property purchase! We look forward to hearing from you.
