In Málaga, coffee is an essential part of both early mornings and late afternoon breaks.
We drink it — and we drink a lot of it. But for us Malagueños, it’s not just about the caffeine; coffee is the perfect excuse to pause, connect, and enjoy the moment.
We love sitting out on a sunny terrace, feeling the warmth on our skin while lingering over a good chat and a well-poured cafelito.
Like true Spaniards, our open and sociable nature makes sharing a coffee feel almost like a sacred ritual.
Málaga is a city with a coffee tradition that’s truly unique in Spain. If you’re visiting and ask for a “cappuccino” or a simple “espresso,” you might be in for a surprise.you might get a confused look from the waiter.
That’s because here in Málaga, coffee is ordered in a very particular way — using a system you won’t find anywhere else in Spain.
In this article, we’ll explain the origin of this local tradition and break down the different types of coffee you can order like a true local.
The History of Coffee in Málaga and its unique proportion system
The way coffee is ordered in Málaga dates back to the post-war period, a time when coffee was scarce, hard to get, and very expensive.
It was Don José Prado Crespo, owner of the historic Café Central — located in the heart of Málaga at Plaza de la Constitución — who came up with a simple and practical way to serve coffee based on how much each customer actually wanted.
Back then, customers would ask for “just a finger of coffee,” but many would send it back — either because it was too much or too little. In Málaga, they say no two people take their coffee the same way, so to avoid confusion and waste, Prado Crespo created a system with nine different ways to order coffee, depending on the ratio of coffee to milk.
Not only did this solve the problem, but it also became a beloved local tradition. In fact, Café Central proudly displayed a sign listing all the options — including a cheeky tenth one: “Don’t serve me any,” for those who didn’t want coffee at all.
Types of coffee in Malaga and how to order them correctly
This coffee-ordering tradition is deeply rooted in Málaga, and even though Café Central has since closed its doors, the system remains very much alive.
Here are the 10 ways to order coffee in Málaga, along with their rough equivalents in the rest of Andalusia:
Solo – A straight espresso, no milk. The same term is used throughout Andalusia.
Largo – Almost like an espresso, but with a small dash of milk (around 10%). Elsewhere, this might be ordered as a “cortado largo.”
Semi-largo – Similar to the largo, but with a bit more milk: 80% coffee and 20% milk. This is close to what’s usually called a cortado.
Solo corto – In Málaga, this means about half coffee, half milk, though with slightly more coffee. Outside the city, you might just ask for a stronger café con leche.
Mitad – The classic half-and-half: 50% coffee, 50% milk.
Entrecorto – A middle ground between mitad and corto, with just a touch more milk than mitad.
Corto – Roughly 70% milk and 30% coffee. Elsewhere, you can ask for a “café con leche corto de café.”
Sombra – Just a “finger” of coffee and the rest milk. In other Andalusian regions, it’s often called a very light café con leche.
Nube – Literally “cloud”: just a drop of coffee in mostly milk.
No me lo pongas – The humorous option: “Don’t serve me anything at all.”
Traditional coffee from Malaga and roasted torrefacto coffee
Most traditional cafés in Málaga used torrefacto coffee — a type of roast made by adding sugar during the toasting process. This creates darker beans with a more intense and bitter flavor.
Although its use has declined in some areas, torrefacto is still the standard coffee in many local bars and remains part of Málaga’s traditional coffee identity.
Originally, torrefacto was a practical solution during times of scarcity, since the burnt sugar coating helped preserve the beans for longer.
However, its bold flavor can be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with it. That’s why it’s still common in Málaga to add a generous amount of sugar to coffee to soften its bitterness.
Evolution: Specialty Coffee in Malaga
In recent years, Málaga has seen a growing specialty coffee movement. When it comes to quality, Arabica coffee is the gold standard — and it stands apart from traditional coffee in several ways:
It’s grown with strict quality control from the source.
It skips the torrefacto process, resulting in a smoother, cleaner taste.
It’s roasted lightly to highlight its natural flavor notes.
It doesn’t need sugar to balance its taste.
At places like Bun & Coffee, we serve specialty coffee with the same care and passion a skilled Malagueño barista puts into crafting the perfect nube in your cup.
Our goal is to offer a more balanced flavor experience, while staying true to Málaga’s rich coffee traditions.
Enjoying Coffee in Málaga Like a Local
If you’re visiting Málaga, we encourage you to try the different coffee styles and immerse yourself in the culture.
Whether it’s a mitad at a traditional bar or a clean pour-over at a specialty coffee shop, coffee is — and always will be — a core part of the city’s identity.
Now you know how to order coffee like a true Malagueño!
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