Travels with a Gourmet

Once a month when I go to see my doctor in Malaga, my husband and I always stop for a quick coffee with a pan con tomate at this little cafe – Cafe Ocho- right below my doctor’s office on Malaga’s main street – the Avenida de Andalucia. Ten cafes name is taken from the eight different types of coffee traditionally served in this part of Spain from the solo (espresso) to the nube (meaning cloud, it’s a small glass of hot milk with a drop of espresso).

Matteo (actually Matthew), the proprietor, is from Northern England but has lived in Malaga for many years and speaks Spanish fluently, albeit with a distinct accent. One can see that he loves what he does and enjoys interacting with his many regular clients, remembering their names and what they usually order. The coffee he serves from Cafes Castel is very good and the Catalana (toasted bread with Jamon Serrano, crushed tomatoes and olive oil) is very good plus a steal at the set breakfast price of 2.70 Euros. If you ever find yourself in Malaga, drop by and see what I mean, I’m sure that you’ll enjoy the service, the ambiance and the coffee.