How to order Coffee in Spain

Ordering a cup of coffee in Spain is a bit different from many other countries. Elsewhere, you can often just say “coffee” and you’ll get a cup with milk and sugar on the side.

In Spain, it doesn’t work like that. You need to be specific about which type of coffee you want.

Think of café solo, café con leche, cortado, carajillo, descafeinado de sobre, corto de café, largo de leche – and many more. Each type has its own flavor and character – and Spaniards know exactly what they want.

Coffee Variations in Spain

In Spain, coffee is more than just a drink — it’s a part of daily life. People enjoy it at home, in bars, or on sunny terraces, whether it’s with breakfast, after a meal, or simply in between. But one thing’s for sure: you don’t just ask for “coffee.” You need to know what kind.

There are countless variations, with or without alcohol, strong or mild, hot or iced — and the options even differ from region to region. Sit at a café and listen for a moment: everyone has their favorite.

Here are some of the most common types you’ll come across:

☕ Cortado

A strong espresso with just a splash of warm milk. Usually served in a glass, sometimes in a cup. This is often the best choice for visitors, as it closely resembles what they’re used to at home. Want it even stronger? Ask for a macchiato, if available.

☕ Americano

A milder version of the café solo — basically a larger, less intense black coffee, usually served in a bigger cup.

☕ Café con leche

One of the most popular choices among foreigners. A large cup of coffee with hot milk, similar to a latte. Traditionally enjoyed with breakfast. After 11 a.m., Spaniards usually switch to something stronger.

☕ Carajillo

A small, strong coffee (usually café solo or cortado) with a shot of liquor such as whisky, cognac, or Baileys. A favorite among Spanish men, especially after meals.

☕ Café con hielo

Very popular in summer. You get a hot coffee (typically a café solo or cortado) and a glass with ice. Add sugar, then pour the coffee over the ice — a refreshing homemade iced coffee.

☕ Cappuccino

Originally Italian and well known around the world. In Spain, it’s usually an Americano topped with frothed milk (sometimes whipped cream for tourists, but locals usually skip that). Not a traditional Spanish choice, but widely available.

Regional Coffee Varieties in Spain

Spain offers countless coffee types, and each region adds its own twist. Here's a tour of the country’s most unique regional coffee styles:

ValenciaPopular among Dutch and Belgian expats. Try a blanco y negro (iced coffee with meringue milk) or a café del tiempo — cold coffee with ice cubes, sugar, and optionally lemon and cinnamon.

MurciaIn Cartagena, order an asiático: espresso with condensed milk, brandy, Licor 43, and cinnamon. A belmonte is similar but with just condensed milk and brandy.

MálagaHere, ordering coffee is an art. Some local names:

• Mitad: half coffee, half milk

• Largo: more coffee, less milk

• Manchado: lots of milk, just a splash of coffee

• Corto: mostly coffee, a bit of milk

• Sombra: finger-thick coffee, the rest milk

• Nube: mostly milk with only a few drops of coffee

AragónOrder a quemadillo, a coffee with alcohol like the quemadillo aragonés – coffee with rum and milk.

Balearic IslandsOn Ibiza, try a café caleta (carajillo with rum or brandy and citrus). In Mallorca, a rebentó is a local rum carajillo.

Canary IslandsAsk for a leche y leche: long coffee with condensed milk. On Lanzarote, a nunca mais is a double coffee. On Tenerife, try the barraquito, a layered coffee with condensed milk.

CantabriaOrder a mediano (a café con leche), and cortados are always served in glass – presentation matters here.

Castile and LeónA completo comes with coffee, a shot of brandy, and a cigar – the full post-meal package.

Castilla-La ManchaThe local favorite is resolí, made with mountain brandy, sugar, coffee, dried orange peel, and cinnamon.

CataloniaUse Catalan terms:

• Tallat for cortado

• Café amb llet for café con leche

• Trifàsico: coffee with milk and brandy

• Catalán: coffee with crema catalana

GaliciaOrder a celta: coffee with brown sugar, orujo, beans, and lemon. A café con gotas is a shot of espresso with a few drops of orujo.

MadridAll standard coffees are available, but look out for:

• Mediana: a small café con leche, mid-morning

• Mitad y mitad: coffee with half warm, half cold milk