The best restaurants Madrid

Attention, concept store in sight! In Calle Nieremberg, we happily come across Sopa, which is a vegetarian restaurant, an organic shop and a jewellery store! In a sober and friendly setting, where you are welcomed with a smile, hot soups are served in winter, gazpachoes in summer, sandwiches around the large common tables and delicious pastries are served. Even the selected wine is organic. To see for the mix of genres. A mix of genres that has already met with success in Barcelona and in... Bali!

This is a great place to have a glass of (good) wine and some delicious tapas in the northern part of the Malasaña district. In a small room with modern accents where bricks and wood cohabit marvellously, you can enjoy skewers of salsa scampi, marinated anchovies or mini hamburgers. A very popular address in the evenings on weekends and a very good del dia menu during the week (with a choice of meat or fish every day). On the flip side, the reception can be a little cold.

Located in the heart of Calle Arenal, this address is especially appreciated for its ham. The ham, cut with a knife and vacuum-packed, is ready to be eaten on the spot as a sandwich or to take away. The best product in the shop is the Iberian ham, but you can also buy chorizo, sausages, meat, manchego cheese and other typical Spanish cheeses such as cabrales, Torta del Casar, Idiazába...

As the name suggests, the focus here is on fish and seafood. The inventive cuisine blends the flavors of the sea (but not only) with great success. We particularly liked the langoustines with mango and the steak tartare. And this quality address, much appreciated by the locals, offers a superb contemporary setting and a small terrace to enjoy the fine weather. La Pescaderia's success has since been emulated, notably in the Salamanca district, calle Hermosilla.

This restaurant, which was Hemingway's favourite, has been in the neighbourhood since 1941 and has always had a good reputation. The house specialty? The bull tail. Because this is a bullfighting establishment, as the local customers say. Madrilenians who are, moreover, once is not customary, often much more numerous at lunchtime. In terms of decoration, between the warm furniture, the wood, the bullfighting posters that cover the walls and the checkered tablecloths, it feels like granny's house.

After the undeniable success of its Malasaña address, La Pescaderia opened this new establishment in 2021 to the delight of the neighborhood's residents. On the menu (with excellent value for money), Mediterranean cuisine concocted with good fresh products. The setting? As for its big sister, this address has a very trendy decoration. The originality? The possibility of sipping a cocktail upstairs at the Club Fishermans.

Six young university students, lovers of good wines, decided one day to create a tavern in which wine would play a central role. In 1996, they converted a former butcher shop into a trendy bar. And success is quickly achieved. The menu includes a list of 300 wines and good races such as tuna and salmon carpaccio or marinated anchovies to accompany them. A typical restaurant in the capital of Madrid, with a warm welcome and the promise of a very convivial moment around a good bottle with friends.

Pasteleria Mallorca is a catering chain present in the chic districts of Madrid. It is above all an institution in the Spanish capital. Here, we had the good idea to set up a few tables to serve customers on site at any time of the day. In a rather "good chic, good style" atmosphere, we take a walk to taste typical dishes, a good glass of wine and, above all, we don't forget to look at the dessert section before leaving! A perfect place for a delicious brunch on Sunday mornings.

In one of the small streets leading to the Plaza Major, you can eat there for really cheap! For 3 €, you can choose between a squid sandwich or fried chorizo, blood sausage, bacon... La Ideal is the meeting place for young people with no money (who keep their money to make the night last as long as possible) and the workers of the neighbourhood. The place is not very attractive and it is always crowded at mealtimes, but it is a good option to eat on the go while strolling around Plaza Mayor. Typical Madrid.

The Trotamundos and Sep7ima restaurants treat guests inside the Only You Atocha hotel. Headed by chef Javi Mora, this Madrid address offers a fusion of inventive cuisine. During the day, it's on the first floor where you'll find a simple yet effective menu (including burgers, wraps and poke bowls), and in the evening, on the top floor, it's at Sep7ima, with a menu featuring Spanish and Latin flavors. But before you indulge, there's a great cocktail menu not to be missed!

Reference chef Paco Roncero, a disciple of Ferrán Adriá, concocts original gourmet cuisine, with 2 Michelin stars, on the top floor of Madrid's casino. This historic building dating from 1910 is simply magnificent. And it's on the top floor that you can enjoy Roncero's highly creative cuisine. Decorated in pastel tones to give it a contemporary, elegant touch, the dining room is already a delight. And what about the terrace, open in summer to admire Madrid from its rooftops? Breathtaking!

For more than twenty years, Casa Carola has offered its visitors a unique menu with a glass of wine or a light aperitif, the classic cocido madrileño, a dessert and a coffee. On the menu, we find a modern and creative cuisine and some beautiful and well-crafted proposals. In a very pleasant traditional setting, with checkered tablecloths, large wooden chairs, earthenware and old black and white photos, this is an authentic table that deserves a stop, a little away from the main tourist routes of the Spanish capital.

It was the first Peruvian restaurant that moved to Madrid and it has kept its style, quality, prices and regular customers. The reception is friendly and the premises are decorated with Inca symbols. After one or two pisco sour as an aperitif (Andean alcoholic drink), the room will seem brighter than before. The aji de gallina is recommended for those who don't like spicy, for the others, the picante de camarones. Other Central American and Andean specialties such as ceviche and tamales are on the menu.

With its Swiss chalet frontage, this restaurant is impossible to miss. A single dining room with woodwork and warm lights, where the welcome is warm. The two chefs, in their impeccable white outfits, are busy in the kitchen, which can be seen through the large pass-through. A fondue specialist, they offer numerous variations such as Savoyard, Burgundian and Chinese fondues, raclettes, but also filet mignon with rösti, confit or duck breast. And for dessert, there is chocolate fondue. Quite original in Madrid!

On the surface, this little bar may not look like much under its red awning, but judging by the crowds, the chef has talent. The main attraction is el bacalao, the house specialty and undoubtedly the best cod in the capital! In croquettes, marinated, in sauce or fried, the fish is prepared in all its forms here or in the other small premises just a few meters away (Calle de Cuchilleros, 10). Carnivores can fall back on the typically Madrid tripe. A must on Sundays after a trip to the Rastro flea market!

Welcome to the temple of the mussel! This small, well-known address in the Spanish capital offers the mythical seafood in all its forms: steamed, with lemon, with garlic, with cream, with white wine, with vinegar, etc. Three or four tables on the terrace and a few more inside are enough for locals to enjoy since 1948. A good option for lovers and a great place to start the evening in a typical Madrid atmosphere in the heart of this tourist district.

The Txakolina tavern is a beautiful modern establishment in the Cava Baja, whose tapas, all lined up on the bar, will make you look at the door as soon as you walk in. Croquetas, bombas, sandwiches or mini burgers, the classics are nicely revisited and the tapas are more original than elsewhere. In any case, there is something for everyone and the quality is there. An address which, victim of its success, does not empty... It is sometimes necessary to play elbows and to wait a little the weekend to be able to be served.

This well-known sandwich bar in Madrid has been offering low prices and quality ingredients since 1940. Very welcoming, you'll often find long queues outside the door, especially at lunchtime on Sundays. Bocadillos are made right in front of you, and squid bocadillos are the casa's signature specialty. The room is very small and the student clientele take advantage of the beer minis (plastic glasses generally holding around 15 cl) sold at very attractive prices (€1.80).

The cuisine here is Italian, and the pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven, giving them that distinctive aroma. The menu featuresantipasti, a wide variety of salads, carpaccios, pizzas, pastas, risottos and meats. You'll also be able to enjoy a few specialty treasures, such as the appetizer flores de calabacín (zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies), followed by fettucine al tartufo (porcini mushrooms and truffles), or tagliatta (braised beef tenderloin heart). A welcome change from the usual tapas bars on the street.

San Ildefonso plays the Spanish card to the fullest, just like its illustrious predecessor, the Mercado San Miguel. The twenty or so stands revisit all the Iberian classics. Croquetas with goat cheese or scampi are served alongside the eternal migas, and the cañas flow freely. In short, it's the afterwork trendy for the thirty-something Madrid resident. As for the decoration, the urban and design look, the metal walkways and the warm colors make a harmonious whole and, not to spoil anything, the two small terraces are very pleasant. A real favorite!

A great Madrid classic, founded in 1888, and which still continues to attract crowds. Once known for its tertulias (intellectual discussions), this place has not changed and is still home to the culturally eager Madrileños, who want to have a coffee in a friendly atmosphere. Hemingway, Ava Gardner and the great Spanish author Camillo Jose Cellas sat around the tables of this superb coffee. The walls of the restaurant are decorated with illustrated poems by the greatest Spanish artists.

Madrid is not particularly famous for its paellas, but if you want to eat a good and rather hearty one and there are two of you, don't hesitate to choose this restaurant with its traditional decoration and very good press. And for good reason! Whether seafood, vegetables or meat, paellas respect all the traditions of Valencia and delight the locals who have been coming here for decades. Hidden in a small street behind Gran Vía, this is a good way to start a long Madrid evening.

When you want ham in Spain, it is better to trust the specialists! Here, you can ask to taste a lichette before leaving with chorizo, cheese, lomo, ham... There are several Museo del Jamón in the center of Madrid, the opportunity to eat a bocadillo at any time of the day. So, why not do as the locals do and rush to break the crust at low prices? For over 40 years, this museo has been a timeless success. It is also a good place to buy ham by weight to take with you in your suitcases.

You'll hardly find more royalty in the coffee category! Located just outside the Teatro Real (Opera House) and opposite the Royal Palace, you are truly in the heart of the emblematic monuments of the Spanish monarchy. Moreover, on the Plaza Oriente, statues of Spanish kings make us review the family tree of royalty. At the Cafe de Oriente, you will have lunch on a large terrace or in an interior, early 20th century atmosphere. A little more expensive than elsewhere, though. But the incredible view of the Royal Palace comes at a price

Despite its chic, stuffy look, Gloria de Montera is a favorite with Madrid's trendy youth. As soon as it's time for dinner, people flock here to sample the excellent Mediterranean cuisine. Above all, prices are surprisingly reasonable for a rather elaborate menu (we really enjoyed the 4-cheese risotto with asparagus) and a well-stocked wine cellar. The place is always packed, but reservations are impossible, so bear with us. The lunch menu is an excellent value option.

Estado Puro offers top-notch tapas by Paco Roncero, a favourite disciple of Ferrán Adría, who also has a star in his Madrid restaurant La Terraza del Casino. Here the chef reappropriates the great Spanish classics such as the patatas bravas that he lines up like menhirs or his "21st century" tortilla that he dismembers squarely for a result that is always brilliant and fine. This tapas bar, which looks like a Hispanic dinner, is an excellent stopover after visiting the Prado and the capital's major museums.

One of the references of Moroccan cuisine in Madrid; There are delicious tagines and pastillas.

Counsel: come to many to taste as many dishes as possible!

The list is long: soups, salads, a variety of meat and fish (including house specialty: la truchana, a trout with tomato and ham). By aperitif, the assortment of sofas (lippia of sofas) makes it possible to taste everything.

La Posada is one of the best gastronomic restaurants in the city. It is also advisable to dress accordingly. Traditional Madrid cuisine to be tasted in a historic place: the building dates from 1642. At the sea bass, you can find tapas and raciones that are as delicious as they are hearty, with snails, shrimps, mackerel in vinegar, and torreznillos (small pieces of fried pork skin), among others. On the second floor, a mansard-roofed room with exposed beams, warm atmosphere... On the other hand, the bill is rising fast.

Viva Madrid is a typical Madrid address dating from 1856 where you can eat perfectly mastered pinchos and raciones at any time of day. The room with its handcrafted decoration (with a facade of azulejos, brightly coloured ceramic tiles and pretty chandeliers) is a great success. Also worth mentioning: the very pleasant little terrace in the summer. Viva Madrid and viva la marcha madrileña! Here it moves until very late at night and the cocktails are very successful. A great way to start your evening!

Awarded a Michelin star and two Repsol stars, the A'Barra restaurant invites you to its traditional, spacious setting with its beautiful, perfectly laid tables, where you can enjoy an excellent ham accompanied by a glass of wine. The A'Barra tasting menu experience is a must. This is modern, Michelin-starred cuisine with a focus on exceptional ingredients. The wine cellar, expertly managed by the sommelier, boasts a wide range of wines.

La Traviata is a Italian-Italian restaurant near the Teatro Real and the Royal palace. If you visit the Los Austrias district in the morning, enjoy breakfast! You can also enjoy tapas or excellent steak in the top, tiled and white room, or dine in the basement, more distinguished but still lively. On the menu: salads, fish, meat, and of course a wide choice of pasta and pizzas.

A few hundred meters from the famous Santiago Bernabéu stadium, this traditional restaurant, far from the beaten track of the capital, is in any case the assurance of enjoying an excellent and very classic Madrid gastronomy. At lunchtime, you are sure to be immersed in a 100% local atmosphere, between workers and regulars, to enjoy a quality dish of the day always well chosen by the warm and friendly owner of the place. In short, a real neighborhood restaurant as we like it!

For a change from the great Spanish classics and to eat Mexican food (well), La Mordida de Bernabeu is a highly recommended address to taste nachos, enchiladas, tacos, spicy chicken. Obviously, the tasting will be done with a beer or a good cocktail in hand. The decoration, the music, the colors, the skulls and masks of wrestlers propel directly in Mexico. For our greatest happiness! And for the beautiful days, the large terrace of the establishment is quite simply ideal

Located on the outskirts of the Santiago-Bernabéu stadium and the financial district, the Petit Comité is the perfect option if you're visiting Madrid's stadium or going to see a match. Value for money here is excellent. The tasting menu comprises a starter, four courses and a dessert. We particularly recommend the steak tartare, which you can enjoy outside on the lovely, sheltered terrace. On match nights, the screens are out and the atmosphere changes completely!

La Taberna Pedraza is a restaurant run by Carmen and Santiago. Together, they seek to promote Spain's culinary heritage. But he's in the dining room, and she's in the kitchen. And her cooking is succulent. Authentic gastronomy, fresh local produce, her dishes are an immersion in Spanish culinary culture. The "cocido de Carmen" is a reference here, and has made the reputation of the address. The pleasant atmosphere is a blend of rustic and modern, with exposed brickwork, muted lighting and wooden chairs.

In the mythical Salamanca district, Velazquez 17 offers a warm, Parisian-style setting with industrial elements and bright colors reflected in the natural light of its large bay windows. Upstairs, a mezzanine can accommodate groups or offer more privacy for a dinner for two. The kitchen adapts to the time of day and night. Here, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast, eggs Benedict or waffles at brunch, and end the day in style with a gin and tonic.

Malasaña's "ochentagrados" is a not-to-be-missed restaurant in the neighborhood. In a modern, industrial-style room with exposed stonework, you can enjoy an excellent tapas menu. The tapas are quite original, very well prepared and offer excellent value for money. And the ingredients are cooked at no more than 80°C to avoid spoiling them, hence the restaurant's name. The Menu del Dia (14.50 euros; Monday to Friday at lunchtime) is a real must.

Just a stone's throw from the famous Prado Museum is the Café Murillo, named after one of Spain's best-known painters, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. The café, whose building dates back to 1927, serves typical Mediterranean bistro fare, including traditional tapas and light dishes from the grill. Guests can also choose from a selection of Spanish wines, as well as homemade breads and cakes. A treat and a very pleasant stop-off!

Located in the Reina Sofia district, El Jardín de Arzábal is the ideal place for a gourmet break. With its lush vegetation, it's an oasis whose menu features fresh produce. Don't miss the ham and sheep's milk croquettes (cooked for 5 hours). Otherwise, the establishment is committed to responsible initiatives to provide meals for the underprivileged. Finally, to escape the museum crowds, you can book a guided tour in French. So you can avoid the queues after enjoying a good meal!

After years in New York, the Llama Inn, a stylish design address, opened its doors in Madrid in 2022. It's the perfect place to enjoy high-quality fusion cuisine, which modernizes Peruvian classics with Spanish touches. The menu, perfectly executed by chef Luis Cornejo, features always-fresh produce and beautiful assortments to share. At the bar, excellent cocktails highlight Latin American culture, with a superb selection of pisco and other exceptional liqueurs.

Just a few steps from the popular cable car and the green Parque del Oeste, Rosales 36 offers a beautiful terrace and a very stylish room for a gourmet break after a long walk. On the menu, the proposals are rather classic and not really unforgettable, but they are rather well done and the presentation is very neat. To note, it is also a very good address to drink a cocktail at the time of the aperitif in a very pleasant frame. And moreover, one is rather well accomodated there. An address to remember.

At Santerra, talented chef Miguel Carretero reinvents the great classics to offer a menu of the highest quality, full of inspiration and technique. Largely inspired by his native land and the flavors of La Mancha's terroir, he delights the world in both the restaurant and bistro areas. Notably thanks to the croquetas, reputed to be the best in the world! The wine cellar is also of good quality with no less than 350 references on the wine list. An address of Salamanca to be tested absolutely.

Decadente's cuisine is as good as its decoration... resolutely Instagrammable: frankly contemporary, even avant-garde, but in any case always in good taste. For a rather reasonable price for Madrid, the menu of this dimly lit establishment with its lounge atmosphere offers truly original combinations and knows how to revisit Madrid's gastronomy. Before or after dinner, the cocktails are also excellent, but beware, the service can be a bit fast. To be tried anyway!

A few steps from the famous temple of Debod, here is a very good tavern with a friendly and contemporary atmosphere and which works wonderfully with Spanish products, especially from the province of Jaén in Andalusia (Úbeda is a town in the province). Antonio, the friendly chef-owner, has put on the menu some nice proposals that are a little bit off the beaten track in Madrid, like the red tuna or the excellent grilled artichokes (not to be missed!). A small and efficient menu to be washed down with the good bottles of the house.

Masterfully led by chef Pablo López Ibarra since its opening in 2022, Brutalista offers excellent fusion cuisine, designed with fresh produce in mind. In an industrial setting with a raw, sophisticated décor, you can enjoy Spanish cuisine with Asian or American touches, under the watchful eye of the chef-owner. There's also a fine selection of beers and wines (by the glass or bottle, mainly from the Jerez region). In short, a new restaurant in the capital that we warmly recommend!

This brand-new Gran Vía address is sure to delight carnivores! In a trendy setting, you'll enjoy the talents of chefs Moisés Fernández and Daniel Larios Lerín, both of whom worked at Paco Roncero's prestigious Terraza del Casino. Here, he knows how to bring out the best in fine cuts of meat, including Angus beef tenderloin, Iberian pork and juicy pork chops. Meat grilled in front of you and accompanied by excellent vegetables. A real treat after a few tapas or a cocktail at the bar.