La Duquesita

"Arguably Madrid’s most beautiful pastry shop, La Duquesita boasts a lot of history too. With more than a hundred years of experience, the shop sets the benchmark for Madrid’s traditional baked goods. After the business closed down in 2015, pastry chef Oriol Balaguer took ownership and restored (and expanded) the space. Order the chocolate palmera, one of the city’s best croissants, or the Christmas panettone." - Paula Móvil

@itstherealjeff

Madrid

Magdalena Béjar Cobo

Google

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I had an amazing experience at La Duquesita in Madrid! I ordered a latte and a gianduja croissant, and both were absolutely delicious. The croissant was rich, flaky, and perfectly balanced, while the latte was smooth and comforting. The staff were incredibly kind and attentive, making the visit even more enjoyable. The ambiance of the place is stunning—classic and elegant, with so much charm. It’s the perfect spot for a treat and a bit of relaxation. I can’t wait to return and try more of their offerings. Highly recommended!

Google

One of madrid’s best bakeries. They have a selection of their signature pastries in a miniature version so you can enjoy multiple treats in one sitting.

Stella Esplosiva (Laura PeGr)

Google

September 2022 - I forgot to post this review. Ancient pastry shop in the city. We went there for a snack: nice place, staff very quick to serve perhaps due to the fact that they are used to having many people, acceptable price.

JR Suarez

Google

The “Palmeras con Chocolate” were delicious!! It is generally very busy so it can ve challenging to find a table for a coffee.

carbilliejoe80

Google

very good pastry shop in Madrid. I’ve tried both Mono portion cakes and pralines, and I’ve been satisfied. Prizes above average , but ingredients are top quality. To try if you are visiting Madrid

Diksha Gaur

Google

It's a pretty pastry shop that has nice decor. Pastries were nice: I tried the pistachio and the chocolate. However, I feel it is a bit expensive. To me one pastry was around 6.5 euros. But yea definitely go to try it out. I just wish that the prices were a bit more reasonable

Rawad Dalal

Google

One of the best good looking pastries in chueca. I loved the whole look and feel of the shop that invites you to go in. Super wide options of delicious sweets and good coffee and the taste is as good as it looks. Staff are nice but not over friendly

Evan Kuo (Taiwanese in Madrid)

Google

I have been coming here to buy their desserts many times in the past, now they have this new salon to let you enjoy some coffee or champagne. Also the most important for me to enjoy desserts here. The new salon is really comfortable and well decorated with good design. We will definitely come back for more times in the future.

Magdalena Béjar Cobo

Google

One of madrid’s best bakeries. They have a selection of their signature pastries in a miniature version so you can enjoy multiple treats in one sitting.

Stella Esplosiva (Laura PeGr)

Google

JR Suarez

Google

The “Palmeras con Chocolate” were delicious!! It is generally very busy so it can ve challenging to find a table for a coffee.

carbilliejoe80

Google

Diksha Gaur

Google

Rawad Dalal

Google

Evan Kuo (Taiwanese in Madrid)

Google

D T.

Yelp

Cute shop with traditional pastries and coffee. Upscale clientele and limited seating. Always busy but the hours are short

Michael U.

Yelp

Possibly Madrid's most famous Bakery, its century-old footprint operated by Chef Oriol Balaguer since 2015, La Duquesita takes guests back in time thanks to a gold, wood and mirrored interior attesting to a time when the shop specialized in Jam Tarts and Chocolates. Home to limited seating and abrupt service, a lack of Spanish fluency treated to one-word answers and guessing through a selection of Cakes and Viennoiseries, it was with three items selected that Balaguer's "dedication to gastronomy" was gauged, his Palmier holding up well to a sloppy Chocolate paint job while a Frangipane-laden Almond Croissant felt soggy in comparison to a Caracola with dried Fruit and Butter amidst its coils.

Midori G.

Yelp

The perfect place to come for coffee and a shared dessert! The prices are hefty in comparison to other dessert places, but the beautiful desserts and atmosphere make up for it! What I ordered: I had a cappuccino and a chocolate dessert which I believe was called cuatro textures. The cappuccino was strong and very foamy. The dessert was small, but I would recommend sharing it with someone! The flavors are so rich I couldn't finish it all by myself! I can't stress how beautiful it is on the inside. I felt like I was in an old romance movie! This would be a great date place; however, the one bad thing is there are not too many places to sit. So adorable!

Melody C.

Yelp

A quaint bakery with a cute interior and alluring window displays. Stopped by for a quick breakfast and got three mini turkey sandwiches with cheese. The bread was very interesting, not quite like a sandwich bun and not quite like a croissant. The two workers nicely translated the items for us. Although the shop is small and does not have much options to choose from, I wish I had a chance to taste their sweets. There are two tall round tables and one bar table along the wall.

Kat C.

Yelp

Hi hello why are you reading this review when you should be at La Duquesita eating the best pastries on the entire planet? Put down your fucking phone, and start with a croissant, and finish with one of everything.

Susan P.

Yelp

Never have I so willingly consumed so many calories in one place. You must go. Cookies, sweets, coffee, amazing chocolate concoctions. They have a small sit down area inside as well.

Laura F.

Yelp

Three words: croassan de praliné. Best pastry ever. This Patri shop it's beautiful, good quality and always the best product. You have to try it. Su croassan se praliné es de lo mejorcito que he probado jamás. El mantener la decoración del local y combinarlo con la pastelería de Oriol Balaguer es una maravilla. Sea lo que sea que toméis merece la pena. Lo único malo que no hay mucho sitio para desayunar, pero en producto merece la pena.

Sal H.

Yelp

I love heritage businesses that use classic elements in a sincere way. La Duquesita (affectionately, "the little duchess") is an ADORABLE pastelería and chocolatería ensconsed in a feminine and imperial circa 1914 shop revived by chocolatier Oriol Balaguer. If you agree that artisan traditions are key to reviving Spain and supporting its talents, this is a fine place to shop. I toted away a giant, slender box of truffles (ranging in flavor from violet cassis and pop-rocks crunches to classic dark) and a large bar of dark chocolate that lasted me WEEKS. It's nicely dark chocolate with a big emphasis on smooth cocoa butter, so make sure that's your preference in terms of texture. The essential flavors were sophisticated and unique enough to make this gift-able. And, again, the boxes, bags, thick gilt ribbons were just so friggin' charming that I skipped out of there like a spoiled girl who just scored a particularly cute kitten.

Jen W.

Yelp

What a charming bakery in the awesome neighborhood of Chueca! I came here to pick up a cake for my son's birthday but decided to just get several different small cakes so we can sample them all. I also got a box of macarons and some of the smaller tea biscuits. I don't know the exact names of the cakes that I got but the flavors were: hazelnut, raspberry, dark chocolate and vanilla. All were absolutely amazing but I have to say the raspberry cake and the dark chocolate were my favorite. I don't think you can go wrong with anything in the shop. Pricey but well worth it.

Lauren K.

Yelp

The best patisserie we have ever been to. We ended up coming back three times during our short stay in Madrid to enjoy the incredible pastries and cakes.

@michelinguide

"La Duquesita, a pastry shop from 1914 under the master pastry chef Oriol Balaguer, offers a selection of classic pastries, cakes, pies, macarons, and chocolates." - The MICHELIN Guide

2 Days in Madrid