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Madrid’s food and drinks scene is having a real moment, with no dearth of new openings and classic favourites to choose from. From traditional recipes to trendy flavours or Michelin stars to market bites, there is a lot to explore. Not sure where to begin? We put together the perfect list for you. All you need to do is bring your appetite.
Where To Eat In Madrid
Tempted to turn to paella for every meal? You’re in Spain; we won’t discourage you. But the city has so much more to offer. Get a holistic taste of it, quite literally, at Mercado de Vallehermoso, where you can bite into everything from empanadas to Asian woks and Roman flatbread. Mercado de San Miguel and Mercado San Antón are other markets worth a visit. Consider booking a guided food tour ahead of your trip. Casa Dani whips out the most famous tortilla de patatas in town. And then there is the food hall at luxury department store Galería Canalejas, which brings you Spanish flavours in a more upscale setting.
Every Madrid recommendation list will ask you to visit Ten Con Ten, which is a culinary star on the city’s restaurant-scape for its modern take on tapas and a trendy cocktail bar to match. There’s also Lana, considered to be one of the best steak restaurants in the world, and Sacha Bistro, a favourite with chefs visiting the city.
Numa Pompilio is a picturesque Italian restaurant with a generous selection of vegetarian options too. Pro tip? Ask for a table in their courtyard. In the mood for more Italian? Villa Capri and Circolo Popolare are fail-safe options. Restaurante Ultramarinos Quintin is a hybrid cocktail bar and deli that's a hit with the well-heeled locals of the swanky Salamanca neighbourhood.
History buffs might want to snag a spot at Restaurante Casa Botin, considered to be the oldest restaurant in the world and famous for the mention of its roast suckling pig in a Hemingway novel. For the perfect family-friendly vibe, head over to the Dani Brasserie at Four Seasons Madrid for the delectable spread of cold cuts, cheese and seasonal favourites with a dedicated dessert bar and views worth fawning over.
Not one to plan in advance or make reservations? The neighbourhoods of Chamberí and Chueca are where you’ll find enough options to choose from. And as for the dessert to top it all off, you’ll want to head to Chocolatería San Ginés for churros and Álex Cordobés for the cheesecake.
Where To Drink In Madrid
If you’re one to tick off names from the ‘World’s 50 Best Bars’ list on every travel, then make reservations at Salmon Guru—try the the Old School Funny, a negroni made Iberian with port and sherry or the Pantera Jackson, a pisco-based milk punch with mango water and fish sauce. 1862 Dry Bar and Amazónico are other favourites, Chamberí has great bar-crawl potential and Salamanca is where the city’s elite gather to wander and then get some wine.
No one takes their rooftop bars as seriously as the Europeans, and Madrid won’t disappoint. We recommend El Cielo de Montera at Hotel Montera or Nice to Meet You at Dear Hotel. Get there to enjoy the sunset and guzzle tinto de veranos late into the evening.
Pictura at Mandarin Oriental or Isa at the Four Seasons Madrid are the perfect playground to raise a toast alongside the city’s glitterati. Mística at The Madrid Edition is great for a night of dancing after.
ChinChín’s Instagram bio only says ‘cats and cocktails’, and you’ll know why with one look at their wallpapers and upholstery. Did we mention that even Dua Lipa is a patron? And if you’re looking for a spot which is not all over the ‘gram, then La Venencia, a tavern from the 1930s, is it. We think the strict ‘no photo’ policy is a cherry on the sherry.