In Vitoria-Gasteiz's Old Town, coffee enthusiasts have a place to enjoy the comforting aroma and flavor of this beverage: Bar Aldapa. Since its opening in 1982, this establishment has achieved great success, and today Martín Eguiluz and Aloixe Cieza are the owners, continuing their parents' legacy.
Eguiluz and Cieza took over the business in 2020, embarking on a project where coffee reigns supreme over all other drinks. They offer nine types of special coffees, in addition to the classics. Among the most popular are the cappuccino with cream and the Jamaican coffee. The latter includes Tía María liqueur, and according to Eguiluz, their distributor claims that Aldapa is the largest buyer of this liqueur in Spain.
“"We prepare it with care, and it's delicious. We have a sweet tooth."
Beyond coffee, Bar Aldapa's star product is its cream. Martín emphasizes that this cream is accessible to everyone and that the secret lies in whipping it with care, which makes it so delicious.
The bar's history began on August 3, 1982, when Martín's and Aloixe's fathers opened the establishment. Initially, it was like any other bar in the Old Town, offering mixed drinks and evening dances. But everything changed when the owner of Bar Soinu, the neighboring establishment, taught Eguiluz's father how to make coffees. In the 1990s, they specialized in this beverage and expanded their menu, adapting to customers' tastes, with coffees with whiskey or rum, or the Jamaican for those who prefer something milder. One of the most peculiar is the carajillo with peppermint, requested by the traditional blusas.
The success of Bar Aldapa is explained by several factors. According to Martín, the product itself, La Brasileña coffee, is of high quality. Furthermore, customer loyalty and location are key. Situated on the Cuesta de San Vicente, the bar attracts many people and is even recommended by tourist guides. Since the pandemic, they have noticed a significant increase in national tourism.
“"When people go out to eat, they know Aldapa will be open."
The bar has adapted to new times, responding to customer demands. They have incorporated lactose-free soy milk and plan to offer vegan lactose-free cream in the future. Martín, who learned to prepare coffees at 18 years old, jokes that even though he doesn't drink coffee, he knows if it's well-made by eye. Bar Aldapa prepares an astonishing number of coffees daily, serving over 1,000 on a Saturday afternoon. All of this makes Bar Aldapa the king of coffee in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
