Cafetería Hispania

Cafetería Hispania occupies a prime position on Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, the large baroque square that fronts Murcia Cathedral — one of the most imposing cathedral facades in Spain, built in stages from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century. The cafetería has outdoor seating directly facing the cathedral's main facade, making it one of the best positioned addresses in the city for a relaxed breakfast or morning coffee with a view of the city's most significant monument. The offer is that of a classic Spanish cafetería: café con leche and a tostada with tomato and olive oil at breakfast, churros con chocolate at mid-morning, a short lunch menu, and drinks and snacks through the afternoon into the early evening. The coffee is prepared conventionally rather than by specialty methods, but the quality is consistent. Tostada con tomate — grilled bread rubbed with ripe tomato and dressed with olive oil and salt — is one of the most satisfying of Spanish morning routines and is executed reliably here. Churros are made to order during the morning peak (approximately 09:00–11:30) and served with a thick, dark chocolate for dipping. The terrace is shaded in the morning and catches afternoon sun; the best seats for cathedral views are along the low wall at the front edge of the terrace. The cafetería is busy throughout the day with a clientele ranging from local workers on a coffee break to visitors exploring the historic quarter. Its position makes it the natural meeting point for guided tours of central Murcia departing from the Cathedral square, and it is open earlier than most businesses on the plaza, from 07:30 daily.