Churros con Chocolate

Churros con chocolate are one of Spain's most beloved treats, ridged sticks of dough fried crisp and golden, served with a cup of hot chocolate so thick and rich it is almost a sauce to dip them in. Eaten for breakfast, as an afternoon merienda, or famously to end a long night out in the small hours, they are a simple, indulgent Spanish ritual.

Highlights

• The churros - the crisp, ridged fried dough sticks, sometimes sugared.
• The thick chocolate - the rich cup of hot chocolate for dipping.
• The churreria - the specialist shop that makes them fresh.
• The late-night ritual - the tradition of churros after a night out.

When to go

Year-round, though most comforting in the cooler months; for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or after a night out, at a churreria that fries them fresh. The famous chocolaterias of Madrid serve them around the clock.

Practical notes

They are best eaten fresh and hot from a proper churreria, not sitting soggy in a bag. The thick chocolate is for dipping, not really for drinking. It is an indulgence rather than a light bite, and best shared.

Nearby

Churrerias are found across Spain; Madrid's historic chocolaterias are the most famous.