There are hundreds of thousands of bars and restaurants in Madrid. It was once said, there is a bar or restaurant per 2 Spaniards…However, Madrid has fast become a Cosmopolitan city where the typical restaurant and bar has been bulldozed to make way for International fare. The fun, typical Spanish bars do still exist hidden on the small streets all over the city. The cafés of yesteryears have been taken over by the likes of Starbucks. Who needs to visit Madrid and go to Starbucks, anyway? Some still survive...so keep your eyes open...coffee and milk (“café con leche” or a “cortado”) or “solo” (black) goes for 1,30€.... with a croissant or churros for another 1,50 €... or you can also get a glass of wine and a tapa... Can’t beat that anywhere! Many of the original cheap restaurants have also disappeared, but again, if you look carefully as you walk along the smaller streets they can still be found. Walk in and get ready for a lovely Spanish three course meal with a bottle of wine + coffee for less than 10 €…the menu of the day, ask for the “menu del día”.
MUF has tried every single one of them and will NOT post a restaurant we haven´t visited at least once!
First stop, are the MUSTS, followed by the more well known restaurants. These are NOT cheap any more.
Last stop are the less well known ones, but we consider worth a visit.
You should be able to meet Madrid through the restaurants Madridisuserfriendly has chosen.
MUF'S PICK OF THE MOMENT: CASA MINGO
Tasty roasted chicken with delicious and cool bottle of house cider! Very Asturian!
Classic restaurant dates to 1917, rustic Spanish atmosphere, good outside terrace, crowded, so go early before the locals roll in after 2 PM or 9PM.
Fabada Asturiana, Asturian chorizo, cabrales cheese, and of course, Cider cake for dessert.
Quality, service and price are Top!
Paseo de la Florida, 34
From 11,00 to 24,00
Price 25 euro
THE MUSTS
A Flamenco supper at the Corral de la Moreria
c/ Moreria, 17 +34 913658446 - 913651137
Have a look at their web, in English:
www.corraldelamoreria.com/ingles/flamenco.html
if you call and reserve they will ask for your credit card...
VIDEO:
Here is a sneak peek at what is on at the Corral de la Moreria,
A GREAT FLAMENCO AND DINING SPOT IN MADRID!
DANCER: Belén López.
GUITARRISTS: Pino y Curro de Jerez
SINGERS: Pedro Montoya y Pola
Casa Lucio
is the restaurant of the stars and the rich madrileños and Spaniards from all over. It is almost impossible to get in without a reservation 2 or 3 days before. Not cheap, but delicious typical Spanish food at it’s best. The atmosphere is that of a simple tavern, full of people enjoying themselves.
We´ve included their web-in Spanish-www.casalucio.es just in case you walk in out of the blue and there is no room, Lucio owns a couple of other restaurants nearby that are also good. You will find these on his web. Lucio, himself is all of a personality. His children are slowly taking over, but it’s his daughter Maria, who has her father’s magic. Closed in August and on Saturdays for lunch. Cava Baja, 35 +34 91 3658217/ 913653253
Casa Grana
Very “madrileño”, old families and top professionals. Medium price, nice house wine + excellent food. Orellana, 6 + 34. 91.308.3277
La Tasquita de Enfrente this is one of the best restaurants in Madrid and we assure you’ll enjoy your meal. 10 years ago, the owner, Juanjo López, left an office job to set up this fun, truly Spanish restaurant in a rather dicey area in the center of Madrid. Delicious, but not cheap (70€) but it worth a visit. Let lead. It is not a big place so normally it is full. Closed Sat/Sun for lunch and Mon. Calle Ballesta, 6, +34 91 532 54 49.
Don Guiovanni this Italian restaurant is excellent. The atmosphere is very nice and fun. The Sicilian owner, Giovanni, recommends the best dishes of the day, and prides himself with personalized attention. The restaurant could be difficult to find. Closed Mond. Average price 30€, calle Paseo Reina Cristina, 23, +34 91 434 83 38.
La Terraza del Casino is a wonderful place for having dinner in summer time. It is very expensive (110€), if your pocket can withstand it, don´t leave lMadrid without trying their “menu de degustation”. Closed Sat lunch, Sun and August. Calle Alcalá 15, +34 91 521 87 00.
Las Tortillas de Gabino Third generation, the grandsons of Gabino are still making his famous tortillas. Every single possible type of tortilla is their pride. Closed Sat lunch, Sund and bank holidays. Average price 40€. Calle Rafael Calvo, 20, +34 91 319 75 05.
Irocco This restaurant was the fashion food pioneer in Madrid. Nicely located in the shopping district, the food isn´t the best. Comfortable and trendy atmosphere in. Brunch on Sat, Sun and bank holidays. Never closes. Average price 35€. Calle Velázquez, 18, +34 431 73 81.
Casa Benigna This is a wonderful old restaurant in one of the last of the original houses that peppered Madrid and have slowly been torn down over the years by the different over the years by careless Municipal governments. A twarm atmosphere, once expensive, recently the prices have come down. A meal is approximately 30€. Quality and service are great. It rice is well known in Madrid for their “menu de degustation”. Closed Sun night. Calle Benigno Soto, 9, +34 91 413 33 56.
Samm Fantastic Paella!!. Probably the best in Madrid. The restaurant inside isn´t great, so ask for a table on the terrace (covered in winter). At the same time you make the reservation they order a Paella for you. It’s the main dish. Closed Sat, Sun night. Average price 35€. Calle Carlos Caamaño, 3, +34 91 345 30 74.
El Paraguas It is a pleasure to be in this Asturian restaurant. The style is a mix between rustic and elegant. It is not easy to make a reservation but you could be lucky. Politicians and journalists go often. It is expensive but recommended. Closed Sun night. Average price 70€. Calle Jorge Juan, 16, +34 91 431 58 40.
Ramses Maybe this is the most fashionable restaurant & bar in Madrid at the moment. Baroque, a watering hole for the “rich and famous”. The quality and service in the restaurant is not the best but it is worth visiying for the restaurant, especially the bar with its big windows. It is at present, considered one of the chica places in Madrid, La Puerta de Alcalá. No close. Average price 65€. Plaza de la Independencia, 4, +34 91 435 16 66.
La Castela Dating to 1989 originally a tavern. Today, it keeps the original environment. And you can be sure that everything you eat will delicious. Madrileños go for the aperitf. Closed Sun, August and Easter. Average price 35€. Calle Doctor Castelo, 22, +34 91 573 55 90
Flash Flash Tortilleria This place is the same version than the Barcelona´s one. It is a place where you can eat comfortably but without great expectations. Nice and trendy, the decoration evokes the celebrity world and has a capacity for 170 people. Open from 11,00 to 01,30 so you can go at any time. Average price 25€. Calle Nuñez de Balboa, 75, +34 91 575 10 10.
Toto e Peppino Italian, as it´s name suggests. The restaurant the Real Madrid football player visit often. Good little Trattoria Napolitana with great pizzas. Nice price (25€), fun, Fernando VI, 29. +34 91 308 73 70.
Or-Dago Excellent Spanish restaurant walking distance from the Las Ventas Bull ring. Ten tables, is full during the San Isidro fair (May). Tourists are non existent and is a favorite among the Spaniards for its meals made from the best of Spain’s products and wines. Espensive, you will need to reserve for lunch with a few days notice. Dinner not so, unless its Feria time. Sancho Dávila, 15, 913567185
El Espejo Nice restaurant on the Paseo de la Castellana. As soon as the good weather appears, their terrace gets into action where they offer excellent service and music in the evenings. During the winter months, nice piano in the evenings Friday and Sat. Easy if you are walking from the Prado, Thyssen or going shopping. Nice. No need to reserve. Paseo de la Castellana, 31, +34 91 308 2347. They even have web: www.restauranteelespejo.com
Recently, MUF ENJOYED AN EXCELLENT “RICE WITH SEAFOOD”... (arroz con bogavante), *****
VERY LOCAL SPANISH RESTAURANTS
Rabano A special restaurant for typical Spanish food. Around the corner from the Palace hotel on 2 Jesus street, in front of the Jesus de Medinaceli church. Very simple original Spanish décor of the old days, not cheap anymore, but the quality is excellent and is a well kept secret from the visitors of the expensive hotels in the area.
Navacerrada Jardin this small building house has a very nice terrace in summer so you will can a quiet lunch/dinner. Average price 30€. Calle General López Pozas, 6-8, +34 91345 53 76.
Sonia A typical Bar restaurant for workers with a three course meal takeaway (!!!), pure Spanish food, simple on one side of the restaurant and crowded and noisy on the other side. Good bar and tapas. Nice house wine to the best the wine merchants can offer, excellent Spanish products cooked traditionally. Price ranges from 9€ for the menu of the day to 100€, if you start asking for their special wines ...as it was always in Spain. Service is excellent and very friendly. English spoken. Bocángel 35, +34 91 7251457
THE CLASSICAL TOP MADRID RESTAURANTS
These are the restaurants that the madrileños have been frequenting for over 4 decades and are great for dinner or a long expensive lunch. Not cheap by any standards!
Jockey Calle Amador de los Ríos, 6 +34 91 319 2435
Zalacain Calle Álvarez de Baena, 4 +34 91 561 4840
Fortuny Calle Fortuny, 34 +34 91 319 0588
Horchers Calle Alfonso XII, 6 +34 91 522 0731
Casa Ciriaco Calle Mayor, 84 +34 91 548 0620
El Amparo Callejón Puigcerdá, 8 + 34 91 431 6456
La Trainera Calle Lagasca, 60 +34 91 576 8035 / +34 91 576 0575
Hotel Ritz Hotel Ritz, Plaza de la Lealtad 5, 28014 Madrid +34 91 701 6767 +34 91 701 6776
Hotel Palace Plaza de las Cortes, 7 +34 91 360 80 00
Casa Botin (presumes to be the oldest reaturant in the world!) Cuchilleros 17, off Plaza Mayor, Madrid +34 91 366 42 17 (Too many tourist groups and they try and move the guests out to let new ones in.)
THE INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANTS
These are the new ones considered members of “Spanish fusion”. Only time will tell if they will withstand the test of time. Most of these restaurants offer a “menu degustación”… this is a menu with four or five different tiny courses. These go from 30-100€ without wine or coffee. They´ve come a long way from the typical “menu del día”. Having tried out all these restaurants, Madridisuserfriendly has implemented a very personal star system for these new attempts at internationalization…
**** GOOD, WORTH AN EXPENSIVE VISIT
*** GOOD ENOUGH, visit if you have time and cash
** OK, mostly for curiosity reasons
* WELL, Madridisuserfriendly FINDS THEM TO BE A EXPENSIVE RACKET… none for the moment… these points can change and they are subjective to the last visit…
Balzac**** Very good news! €58 per person for the menú degustación…Open 1.30pm-4pm, 9pm-12.30pm. Closed Sat lunch, Sun, and second fortnight in August. Calle de Moreto 7 + 34 91 420 0613.
La Broche **** Chef Angel Palacios, Spain’s representative to the Bocuse d’ Or- not cheap, but worth a visit. (Menú degustación €105 per person). Décor is minimalist but with a touch of class. Closed Sat lunch, Sun, and Monday midday, August. Adjoint to the Miguel Angel Hotel, Calle de Miguel Angel 29, +34 91 399 3437
www.labroche.com
Santceloni**** Inside the Hesperia Hotel on the Paseo de la Castellana. The chef, Santi Santamaría is a genius. Worth every minute and every cent of the 85€ for the “menu de degustación”. Reserve, its always full. You may get lucky on football nights. If you can´t get in, the Manzana restaurant in the hotel is excellent and almost half the price. Closed Sat lunch, Sun, and August. Best wine list, but a young Rioja or Ribera del Duero made with Tempranillo grapes is always a good shot. Hotel Hesperia, Paseo de la Castellana 57, + 34 91 210 88 40
Bauza *** This is a Med-oriental. It’s on Goya street in the Bauza hotel and you could again find yourself shopping and hungry. The price is right, €30 per person and could be a nice experience. Bauzá Restaurante, Calle de Goya 79, +34 91 435 7545.
El Cenador de Salvador *** Classic cuisine, chef Salvador Gallego keeps it seasonal. Open 2pm-4pm, 9pm-11pm. Closed Mon, Sun evening. Has a Menu del día for €60 per person; their menu degustación runs at a stiff €72. Avenida de España 30, +34 91 857 7722.
Reche** Trendy, near the shopping district of Serrano and Velazquez. €70 for two with wine. Open 1.30pm-3.45pm, 9.30pm-11.45pm. Closed Sun, and August. Calle de Don Ramón de la Cruz 49, + 34 91 577 93 79.
Le Dragon** Chinese food and the likes of Pedro Almodovar…Nice price around €30 per person Open 1pm-4pm, 8.30pm-1am. Calle de Gil de Santibañez 6, + 34 91 435 66 69.
Indochina** Very new and very trendy, for the moment. Asia-Pacific. Great price: Menu €11 per person without wine. Menú degustación €20 per person with wine. Calle del Barquillo 10, +34 91 524 03 18.
Il Gusto** Italian and Spanish… Trendy, high society and journalists… Not cheap, around €90 for two with wine. Open 1.30pm-4pm, 8.30pm-midnight. Closed second fortnight in August. Very nice service! Calle de Espronceda 27, +34 91 535 39 02.
Nhube by Ferrán Adriá** Not sure about this one… its in the Hotel NH Núñez de Balboa, with a chill-out zone, very cafeteria, good food, very simple and NO smoking. Open 1.30pm-4pm, 8.30pm-11.30pm. Ferrán Adriá sold a concept of living at home in a hotel to NH, which they haven´t been able to repeat. The hotel is nice and simple. The price is good and the shopping area nearby. At the Hotel NH Núñez de Balboa, Calle Núñez de Balboa 112, +34 91 563 03 24.
Paradis**** Near the Thyssen Museum, is part of a chain but good food and nice atmosphere. They also serve the summer restaurant at the Thyssen Museum, which we haven´t yet visited. Closed on Saturday lunch, Sundays and holidays. Calle Marqués de Cubas 14, Madrid, +34 914 29 73 03.
Pedro Larrumbe Terraza*** Again near the shopping area of Serrano. If you are in the ABC building, had enough shopping or need a stop for a drink, go up to the top floor and Pedro Larrumbe can give you a good meal, a refreshing drink or just a simple coffee. Good wines and all kinds of prices and places to sit. The décor of the original building is a visit to Seville. Good price 35€ Calle Serrano, 61. +34 91 575 11 12.
OTHER RESTAURANTS YOU MAY BE RECOMMENDED
These are all nice and although they vary price wise, you are safe. No stars, but you get an address just in case you are nearby, looking at your map and decide to give them a try. Remember, restaurants in Madrid open not before 1:30 in the afternoon and not before 9 at night…
Belalua San Nicolás 8. (Metro Opera)
Casa Labra
Calle Tetuán 12. (Metro Callao)
Casa Mingo
Paseo de la Florida 2. (Metro Príncipe Pío)
Casa Paco
Pl. Puerta Cerrada, 11. (Metro La Latina)
Casa Vallejo
San Lorenzo 9. (Metro Alonso Martínez)
Castellana 8
Paseo de la Castellana 8. (Metro Colón)
Cañas y Barro
Amaniel 23. (Metro Noviciado)
De la Riva
Cochabamba 13. (Metro Colombia)
El Chaflán
Avenida Pío XII, 34. (Metro Duque de Pastrana)
Gula Gula
Gran Vía, 1. (Metro Banco de España)
Gure-Etxea
Plaza de la Paja 12. (Metro Latina)
Jose Luis
Rafael Salgado 11. (Metro Santiago Bernabéu)
La Terraza
Alcala 15. (Metro Sevilla)
Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas
Cuchilleros 1. (Metro Sol)
Mesón Cinco Jotas
Calle Padre Damian, 42. (Metro Santiago Bernabéu)
Pandelujo
C/ Jorge Juan 20. (Metro Velázquez)
Solchaga
Plaza Alonso Martinez, 2. (Metro Alonso Martínez)
SUGGESTIONS FOR CAFÉS
Low on tourists, as opposed to Starbucks...
Café Gijon Café Gijón is a classic. You can reach it by walking along the Castellana. It’s on the bit called Paseo de Recoletos, number 21. This is where the intellectuals and writers meet and often sit to write ever since it opened in 1888. Definitely for people watching and wondering who may have written a best seller at one of their tables! Open everyday from 9a.m to 1:30 in the morning. Paseo de Recoletos, 21 +34 91 521 5425
Café Comercial Very old Café with two floors. Built on 1887. Perfect for people who wants to read, drink a hot chocolate or have a chat with friends.
No close. Glorieta de Bilbao, 7, +34 91 521 56 55.
Embassy Originally a tea room, Embassy is now a restaurant, delicatessen, tea room and bar for the Madrid socialite. Fun for people watching! Nice takeaways, as well. Not cheap...due to the choice of delicatessen products. Near the shopping area of Serrano and on the Castellana. Ayala 3, +34 915757944 Always open!
Hernani Tea shop, near the Retiro and a good watering hole if you are shopping around Serrano. Traditional, it keeps the original atmosphere of Madrid and caters to a quick visit or a long lunch, vino or a beer…. Claudio Coello, 1 no need to reserve, just walk in. Very useful, the barman speaks English.
VIPS These are psuedo-international cafeterias about the city...They usually sell newspapers, books and nicnacs, as well...Not great, but if you feel homesick, they will do...Nice sandwiches. They usually have a pseudo Italian restaurant (Tataglia, Rugantino, Lucca) and a Starbucks alongside... Admittedly, enjoyed by the madrileños, they are fine...The pasta will be there, but don´t look for the real Italian! These are great for going with kids...not cheap...
They also run THE WOK, very nice Asian Pacific food...nice price menu at lunch with a glass of wine (!!!), quick, delicious, nice service and you can take the children. Smoking areas separated. (WOK, Maria de Molina, 50- 91.4112918)Rodilla Famous for its original sandwiches. You can take them away or eat them in. All over Madrid.
