FOOD / GUIDE / SPAIN

THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE AND DAIRY-FREE BAKERIES IN MADRID

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For those of you that have lived under a rock for the past decade, I have Crohn’s Disease. Due to the fact that I am currently between meds, my stomach is a little unpredictable right now. I have no clue what will send me next into a flare, so I need to be mega careful with what I’m eating. And thus, I have had to cut out gluten and dairy for the time being (along with tomatoes, onions, celery, pork, the list goes on.) And let me tell you, it’s no easy feat having a picky diet when living in Madrid for three months.

After spending hours trying to research gorgeous little Spanish bakeries where I could actually order consumable food (surprisingly more difficult than I thought) to no avail, I eventually decided to simply venture out on a little mission to discover said bakeries. It was a long and hard journey filled with churros and cupcakes, but I’m more than willing to suffer by eating gorgeous food 24/7 for research. No need to thank me.

Lactose-free churros

Heladería Borgonesse

Best for… choice

Starting off this post with a bang, Borgonesse is hands down the best place to get ice-cream in the whole of Madrid. Offering flavours you you will glimpse only a couple times in your life, this heladería is set on the gorgeous Gran Vía street – making it the perfect location to grab a delicious cone before heading out to explore the heart of Madrid. Along with ice-creams, they also serve a plethora of crêpes, waffles, frappes, smoothies, cakes, sweets, and nougats. If you’ve ever wanted to use the phrase “I’m like a kid in a candy shop,” then you can defo knock that off your bucket list here.

maestro churrero

Best for… churros!

Unexpectedly, this one brags the best churros in the whole of Madrid. Thankfully for gluttons with malfunctioning immune systems like yours truly, they offer gluten-free churros with thick, lactose-free chocolate. There’s nothing that screams Madrid quite like sitting outside in the sun, churros and chocolate in hand, looking out to the busy plaza streets, leaning back accessorised with Jackie O-esque sunglasses and long flowery skirts. 

Matcha and chocolate cake

Purple matcha cake

celicioso

Best for… first dates

Celicioso has multiple locations, with my absolute favourite being the one located on Calle de Hortaleza. Whilst the other shops are equally as beautiful, I found this one location to be the cosiest, prettiest, and filled with the nicest staff. Their rich triple chocolate cake is absolutely divine, and the open-plan design and pretty decor makes it a super lovely place to hang out. With laid-back vibes, cute surroundings, and cake, this place would be absolutely perfect for a first date (let me know how it goes!).

freedom cakes

Best for… aesthetics

Absolutely everything at Freedom Cakes is vegan, which is great when you have a whole plethora of intolerances to cater to. I found myself in shock after trying several of their desserts to find that everything was dairy-free, given how insanely chocolatey and gooey their homemade brownies are. Their ice-cream is thick and creamy (although, I guess technically, more soya-y?), and their ridiculously healthy smoothies are presented in pretty little cactus glasses. I’m not one to drink blended kale – and yet, at Freedom Cakes, I found myself absolutely chugging the whole glass. 

Selection of tarts in Spain

Vegan brownie and ice-cream

azotea del círculo

Best for… smoothies

An unconventional place to call a cafe, sure, but the fact that they offer some absolutely stunning dairy- and gluten-free beverages should definitely mean that it should be included in this post. I absolutely adore their smoothies, and the fact that you choose the fruit flavours that you want and then some kind lass proceeds to blend it right in front of you merely adds to the appeal. They’re so full of flavour that they make your cheek tingle, and due to the fact that they’re basically granizados, they’re über light and refreshing. 

turrones vicens

Best for… turron

Officially the best place (and, dare I say, only place) in Madrid that freely gives out complimentary turron (especially if you continuously return in an abundance of disguises to continue snacking on tasters*), Turrones Vicens is officially one of my favourite places in the city. The bakers are super creative with their flavours, and the styles, flavours, and textures on offer are unlike any other turron I’ve ever tasted. Pop by for a look around, and then tell me that you haven’t ended up purchasing eight different bags of these sweet treats.

Vegan vanilla ice-cream

rodilla

Best for… local vibes

No post about cafes in Madrid would be complete without a mention to Rodilla. Founded in 1938, this cute little place has grown to be one of the best-loved places in Spain for decades. Whilst not advertised as being lactose-free, they offer many an option for absolute pains-in-the-ass like myself, and so I would gorge myself almost on a weekly basis on their matcha green teas and tubs of sorbets. Unsurprisingly, they have multiple locations, but the best – and only one I am going to mention – is the on on Calle Gran Vía. You’re welcome.

las cuevas de luis candelas

Best for… history

Whilst I do adore their sorbets here, the main reason I am including it in this post is for the fact that it is so thick with history that you can practically feel Candelas’ ghost arms around your shoulders. Luis Candelas was born in the early 1800s and grew up to be an infamous bandit known for his turquoise blue jacket, Mahón trousers and Corinth belt. He was infamous for assaulting stagecoaches and stealing goods, and wold hide out in where Las Cuevas is today, using the many available exits to confuse his persecutors and get away scot-free. There are so many more super cool stories about this legendary lad, which you can read all about when you visit this epic little place. 

Matcha tea and chocolate nuts

Vegan chocolate cake

alcampo

Best for… Bizcocho

Whilst technically not a “cafe” per se, they do offer a whole lot of baked goods. “Bizcocho de magdalena” literally translates to cupcake cake – and there’s nothing I love more than giant versions of little guilty snacks. I’d actually never tried one before moving to Madrid, but as it happens, I found myself eating probably a whole bizcocho per week – and don’t tell my host family, but even their homemade bizcocho doesn’t rival the gorgeous cake at Alcampo.

abanda

Best for… hot coco

Abanda is officially the cutest place to grab a hot coco and sit outside, as their shop is located just off of a large plaza. Technically, their lactose-free hot chocolate isn’t on the menu – until you ask for it specifically. The staff are the friendliest ever, and being surrounded by the liveliness and bustle of Madrid condensed to a little square merely adds to the appeal. 

Tutti frutti vegan ice-cream

Chocolate cake in Madrid, Spain

heladeria tutti frutti

Best for… buckets of ice-cream

Okay so, to be completely and entirely honest with you, I looove this heladeriá for one reason and one reason only – the fact that you can literally buy their ice-cream in buckets. I am quite possibly the greediest person alive, but nothing has appealed to me more than taking a whole bucket of ice-cream to a park and subsequently demolishing the whole thing. Not only do they have gorgeous helado flavours, but to spike your blood pressure even more, they also sell the sweetest and most refreshing granizados ever. Let me tell you, it is one heck of a dangerous place to venture into with a full wallet. 

Ay mi madre

Best for… carrot cake

This little place has a whole menu dedicated to the vegan diet, offering a wide range of dairy-free pizzas, empanadas, and sandwiches. The best bit, however, is of course the carrot cake, which is light, sweet, and somewhat healthy (because that’s how vegetable-infused cakes work, right?).

Hand-sized macaron

And so, do you guys have any suggestions? Let me know in the comments below – and be sure to check out my other guide on the best bookstores in Madrid!

*That’s a joke, people! Don’t do that**

** (Or do it for the meme and send me pics)

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THE BEST GLUTEN FREE CAFES IN MADRID

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Those bakeries look amazing! (note to self, don’t look at photos of delicious sweets before bedtime!)

Mai x

Everything looks delicious! Would love to visit Madrid one day. And I really like these photos!!

everything looks delicious – I especially love the ice-cream shops!

Yum! This post made me hungry and you really did a great job describing the flavors of these dishes. Actually food is one of the reasons I like the travel, there are many different experiences around food that deserve to be tried and lived!

Best from Italy 🙂

This is so informative. The food looks absolutely delicious. This is an excellent guide.

Those seem like really good places to eat at. Not to mention your photos make it even more tempting as it is. Thanks for the recommendations. I will definitely take note of those places if ever my husband and I decided to travel to Madrid. And I hope that’s soon. Can’t wait to plan for a European trip. <3

Seems like a place where a traveller must want to visit. The photographs are really very awe-inspiring and they are also very attracting.

Wow dear everything looks so delicious! Love it, best wishes for you.

I haven’t tried any of these places but I’ve made mental notes, because you never know:)…Great idea to highlight the best thing about every one of these places, it seems like everyone has something ‘best’ about it. Ay Mi Madre sounds like the nicest place, but then again….so many great options to pick from!

Uhmmmmmmm…. delicious food! I have a massive sweet tooth, so all of these places look great. I haven’t got any allergies, but this is definitely useful for those people that do.
Kisses, Paola.

I have never been to Madrid, but it’s food looks marvellous! One day.

My favourite part about your blog has got to be my least favourite part… reading about your crohns diagnosis and how you do not let it stop you from being who you want to be and doing what you want to do!! It is truly inspirational and touches me deep down because of a lifetime illness that i have and effects me greatly. The way that you dont let your diagnosis control you… just shows how strong and amazing you are… you are truly inspirational! Your story made me tear up and smile at the same time. Im so sorry you have to tollerare it.. it is something noone should have to put up with 🙁 but yes, thats my favourite part about your blog! How close to reality it is for me 🙂
MERRY XMAS BTW! Hope you have had a wonderful few days and are as happy as can be 😉

This food looks all very delish! Unfortunately I’ve never been to Madrid but I definitely need to check it out.

xx Simone

¡¡Hola Amy!! Ya sabes que me gusta todo esto de la comida, ja, ja. No creo que pueda visitar estos lugares, pero si me gusta conocerlos.
Cuando estuve en vuestro país, pude apreciar que os gusta en general a los ingleses la comida hindú, en cambio, aquí, no es tan común ver este tipo de restaurantes. Nosotros visitamos uno en este ciudad, no estaba mal, pero excesivamente picante para mi, el resto, sin embargo, quedaron encantados.
Me quedo mejor con el restaurante mediterráneo, más afín a mi, pero todo excelente, gracias por el reportaje. Besitos.

I’m a big foodie and I love exploring new dishes while travelling. Great photos xx

Oh dear..you are making my mouth water. And now I’m looking forward to some supper I can coordinate from the fridge hahah. I love Indian food and will fight you for some of that delish Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food when starved as well. I would so love to snack on some Indian food while chilling at the beach at night. And…I think my very Asian palate would appreciate the European food as well because you know how hunger doesn’t discriminate. Have a splendid day ahead <3 🙂

Loved your post so much and all this food is making me so hungry!! I hope you are having a beautiful day! x

Yiota

Seems awesome place to visit, Madrid is the country where I am planning to visit soon. I have a slight intolerance to gluten, so this would be ideal for me. Thanks for sharing this post.

Everything looks amazing and the place is just full of cozy and wonderful vibes 😀
Have a lovely week,
xx

The photos are absolutely gorgeous! Loving those happy vibes 😀
Sending all the love,
xx

Chloe

Hello
All of this looks delicious and is great suggestions. I’m so glad that you were able to find food that you could eat – and thank you for creating this guide for people like us. I continue with the eating problems, now doctors think my problem is the nervous system and the neurotransmitters.

The pics are great!

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