In the early morning chill of Malaga, where the spring has not yet dared to spread its warm embrace, I found myself at the doorstep of Next Level Specialty Coffee. Nestled a stone's throw away from Calle Marqués de Larios, this small sanctuary of caffeine was a hidden respite from the bustle of the tourist-laden streets.
In a time where the world still reeled from the insidious virus birthed from Wuhan, it was a luxury to be able to find a spot, remove the stifling mask, and sip on a brew that warmed the soul. The lady barista, her smile ever-present behind the mask, always at the ready to pour out a comforting cup.
As I found my rhythm here, I took to the single-origin offerings. House blends are often akin to the dull roar of the crowd, pleasing yet non-threatening. The ones here were no different. But the single-origin, they were the matadors of this establishment, bold and distinct.
The compactness of the place reflected in the seating arrangement - seats huddled together, too close for an intimate conversation, perhaps, but close enough for the camaraderie of shared experiences. This place wasn't just a coffee joint, but a full-blown arena for the gastronomic matinee of sandwiches and snacks. As one who usually favors the coffee-only spaces, the loud munching of fellow patrons could sometimes steal the spotlight from the star performer – the coffee.
The redeeming grace was the selection of sweets. Their brownies were a knockout punch of indulgence, guilty of shooting up one's sugar levels, but oh-so-delicious. The occasional cheesecake graced the stage too, a modest performer, but a pleasing one.
Of all the coffee places I've tested in Malaga, this one wore the cape. There's another self-proclaimed "specialty" coffee house around. But the "specialty" there seemed to stand for the specialty in turning good beans into a brew that tasted as tragic as the tears of a bull before it enters the ring. Trust me, at Next Level, you'll find no such disappointments.