Simplicity at its best

There are many neighbourhoods in Madrid that are always filled with life. La Latina is no different. This barrio is growing in popularity amongst tourists and natives, and that means cafés are sure to get busier. Indeed, Café Ruda is an example of this.

I’ve been living around the corner from Café Ruda for quite some time and I’ve always wanted to try it. Every time I walk past, this cosy café is always filled to the brim with people. Therefore, I thought it was about time to get myself out of bed early and go when it first opened to see what everyone seemed to be raving about.

Located just off El Rastro, Ruda is a small café that is very inviting. It has been open for quite a few years now and attracts many lovers of artisanal coffee. It even sells some of its blends too! There seems to be a trend of indie coffee shops opening all over the place, but they’re definitely welcome here.

The coffee

This Café opens super early in the morning. We are talking 8am here, compared to the normal 10am of some places. So, I knew I needed a good coffee to start my day off right.  I ordered a small latte that came with my breakfast (more on that later). It is safe to say that this is a coffee you need when you are tired. Even though I only ordered a latte, it was still quite strong and packed quite packed a punch! If you’re not looking for that, however, they also have a wide variety of teas that may take your fancy. Madrid can be a tad chilly on a morning, but all of these drinks are definitely warming. A perfect accompaniment to a cool and crisp morning in Madrid.

The food

As they always say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So, if you’re looking for something quick and simple, Ruda has you covered. Their menu has a range of set menu breakfasts at slightly different price points. I decided to order the Desayuno Rudo, which included my coffee, toast and yoghurt with granola. At 4.90€ I thought it was quite a steal! For me, it was just the perfect size and variety. Just what I needed to start the day. Of course, I can definitely understand if you need something bigger, or smaller for that matter. But don’t worry! There is a selection of breakfasts for people to choose from. Oh, and I almost forgot – they even have little homemade shortbread which only cost 50 cents! Definitely worth it.

The aesthetic

As I said above, this place is quite a small and cosy café. When you walk in, you will notice its simple décor and it’s showcase of tea and coffee blends on its shelves. You can definitely tell that this coffee shop wants the coffee to be the centre of attention here and not just an Instagram aesthetic.

The verdict

There’s no doubt about it – simplicity is put at the centre of attention here. Indeed, that is at Ruda’s advantage. If you want to take advantage of the aesthetic and a nice place to chill, it would be the best idea to come on a morning when it first opens. But if you don’t mind people, then any time is the best time to visit.

There are so many coffee shops to conquer here in Madrid, but you can find out many of mine here!