The Madrid-based architecture firm Lucas y Hernández-Gil has reshaped a compact corner in the city’s residential Retiro and Salamanca neighbourhoods to form a light-filled café and bakery. The highlight is the hand-painted yellow and white square tiles that clad the counter bar, which paired with the custom-designed iron furnishings and rustic wood flooring underfoot, creates a crisp aesthetic with a warm mood.

The shop is already drawing in an appreciative crowd with a menu of house-baked goodies by patissier Laura Negri that includes enticing titbits such as the black beer tart or the spicy carrot cake, best enjoyed with a Serra Gelada blend espresso – made with a mix of Panama, Colombian and Brazilian coffees. For lunch, a must-try is the New York-style pastrami sandwich, served between two slice of chewy sourdough bread that is also stuffed with cherry tomatoes, arugula cheese and a mustard and honey dressing.