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Tours in Madrid |
Restaurants have been grouped into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. These restaurants are divided into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over €75)
$$$ (€50 to €75)
$$ (€25 to €50)
$ (under €25)
The prices quoted above are for an average three-course meal and for half a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent per person; they do not include tax or tip.
$$$$ (over €75)
$$$ (€50 to €75)
$$ (€25 to €50)
$ (under €25)
The prices quoted above are for an average three-course meal and for half a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent per person; they do not include tax or tip.
Gastronomic
El Amparo
El Amparo's deserved reputation as one of Madrid's top gourmet restaurants owes a good deal to its traditional Basque recipes with nouvelle cuisine treatment. Another plus for the restaurant is its setting - a former coach-house in Madrid's smart Salamanca district. The decor is the work of leading Spanish designer Pascua Ortega, who also worked on the refurbishment of the Teatro Real (see Culture). The sun streams in through a skylight during the day, while the restaurant space is lit by lanterns at night.
Callejón de Puigcerdá 8
Tel: (91) 431 6456.
Price: $$$
El Amparo's deserved reputation as one of Madrid's top gourmet restaurants owes a good deal to its traditional Basque recipes with nouvelle cuisine treatment. Another plus for the restaurant is its setting - a former coach-house in Madrid's smart Salamanca district. The decor is the work of leading Spanish designer Pascua Ortega, who also worked on the refurbishment of the Teatro Real (see Culture). The sun streams in through a skylight during the day, while the restaurant space is lit by lanterns at night.
Callejón de Puigcerdá 8
Tel: (91) 431 6456.
Price: $$$
La Broche Sergi Arola
One of the brightest stars in Madrid's culinary firmament, La Broche's master chef, Sergi Arola, has been awarded two Michelin stars for his original interpretations of traditional Catalan and Spanish recipes. The menu changes monthly but signature dishes include turbot con patas de puerco, where pan-fried turbot is sprinkled with coriander and served with a jelly of pig's feet wrapped in onion, and solomillo de buey (ox steak stuffed with goats' cheese, anchovies, cherries and pine-nut purée). The stark, uniformly white decor helps to create a relaxed and surprisingly informal ambience.
Miguel Angel 29-31 (next to Hotel Occidental Miguel Angel)
Tel: (91) 399 3437.
Website: www.labroche.com
Price: $$$$
One of the brightest stars in Madrid's culinary firmament, La Broche's master chef, Sergi Arola, has been awarded two Michelin stars for his original interpretations of traditional Catalan and Spanish recipes. The menu changes monthly but signature dishes include turbot con patas de puerco, where pan-fried turbot is sprinkled with coriander and served with a jelly of pig's feet wrapped in onion, and solomillo de buey (ox steak stuffed with goats' cheese, anchovies, cherries and pine-nut purée). The stark, uniformly white decor helps to create a relaxed and surprisingly informal ambience.
Miguel Angel 29-31 (next to Hotel Occidental Miguel Angel)
Tel: (91) 399 3437.
Website: www.labroche.com
Price: $$$$
El Cenador del Prado
A showcase of the best of Spanish regional cuisine. Salted cod in breadcrumbs with garlic and grape garnishing, medallions of venison with cheese ravioli and quince, beef carpaccio with pig's trotters in a mushroom sauce - all the dishes here are prepared with virgin olive oil and dressed with fresh herbs. The prices are reasonable, the ambience is cool and refined, the service impeccable. The trellised garden room is another plus.
Calle del Prado 4
Tel: (91) 429 1561.
Website: www.elcenadordelprado.com
Price: $$
A showcase of the best of Spanish regional cuisine. Salted cod in breadcrumbs with garlic and grape garnishing, medallions of venison with cheese ravioli and quince, beef carpaccio with pig's trotters in a mushroom sauce - all the dishes here are prepared with virgin olive oil and dressed with fresh herbs. The prices are reasonable, the ambience is cool and refined, the service impeccable. The trellised garden room is another plus.
Calle del Prado 4
Tel: (91) 429 1561.
Website: www.elcenadordelprado.com
Price: $$
Jockey
Patronised by the rich, famous and discerning, Jockey has earned itself the reputation as one of Madrid's top-flight restaurants since opening in 1945. The restaurant is quite small and intimate, with dark wooden panelling and framed prints of jockeys and their mounts. Sea bass, wild fowl and game (when in season) are all to be found on an ambitious and often exciting menu. The wine cellar is also excellent. Typical dishes include lobster ragout with truffles and fresh pasta, marinated partridge in jelée of thyme and lamb à la Provençale.
Amador de los Ríos 6
Tel: (91) 319 2435.
Website: www.restaurantejockey.net
Price: $$$
Patronised by the rich, famous and discerning, Jockey has earned itself the reputation as one of Madrid's top-flight restaurants since opening in 1945. The restaurant is quite small and intimate, with dark wooden panelling and framed prints of jockeys and their mounts. Sea bass, wild fowl and game (when in season) are all to be found on an ambitious and often exciting menu. The wine cellar is also excellent. Typical dishes include lobster ragout with truffles and fresh pasta, marinated partridge in jelée of thyme and lamb à la Provençale.
Amador de los Ríos 6
Tel: (91) 319 2435.
Website: www.restaurantejockey.net
Price: $$$
La Nicolasa
This is one of the few restaurants that can correctly claim to serve traditional Basque dishes. The establishment is elegantly decorated, with glass chandeliers and robust oak tables. There are several oil paintings hanging on the walls, and the general décor resembles that of a grand countryside house. The Basque cuisine consists mainly of fish, and the most traditional dish served is sea bass with orange. Another favourite is baked hake. All of the cakes and and pastries offered are made on site, and the dessert list, while not the longest, is packed with delicacies such as fig mousse.
Velazquez 150
Tel: (91) 563 1735.
Price: $$-$$$
This is one of the few restaurants that can correctly claim to serve traditional Basque dishes. The establishment is elegantly decorated, with glass chandeliers and robust oak tables. There are several oil paintings hanging on the walls, and the general décor resembles that of a grand countryside house. The Basque cuisine consists mainly of fish, and the most traditional dish served is sea bass with orange. Another favourite is baked hake. All of the cakes and and pastries offered are made on site, and the dessert list, while not the longest, is packed with delicacies such as fig mousse.
Velazquez 150
Tel: (91) 563 1735.
Price: $$-$$$
Trendy
Champagnería Gala
Gala is currently one of Madrid's trendier eating places and diners should book ahead to be sure of a table on the canopied garden patio. The Spanish sparkling wines are the ideal accompaniment to the paellas, risottos and fideuàs (Catalan noodle dishes) that are Gala's stock-in-trade. There are more than a dozen of these wines to choose from. No credit cards.
Calle Moratín 22
Tel: (91) 429 2562 or 420 1950.
Website: www.paellas-gala.com
Price: $
Gala is currently one of Madrid's trendier eating places and diners should book ahead to be sure of a table on the canopied garden patio. The Spanish sparkling wines are the ideal accompaniment to the paellas, risottos and fideuàs (Catalan noodle dishes) that are Gala's stock-in-trade. There are more than a dozen of these wines to choose from. No credit cards.
Calle Moratín 22
Tel: (91) 429 2562 or 420 1950.
Website: www.paellas-gala.com
Price: $
Divina La Cocina
A great location on the fringes of trendy Chueca is one reason why this restaurant is such a hit. Together, they have created their own special brand of Spanish fusion - for example, salted cod in a soya and ginger sauce, seaweed salad with shrimps and eggs of sea urchin or prime beef steak with foie gras in port. Designer Carlos Mayoral's powder blue and terracotta tones add a dash of refinement and sophistication.
Calle Colmenares 13
Tel: (91) 531 3765.
Website: www.divinalacocina.com
Price: $-$$
A great location on the fringes of trendy Chueca is one reason why this restaurant is such a hit. Together, they have created their own special brand of Spanish fusion - for example, salted cod in a soya and ginger sauce, seaweed salad with shrimps and eggs of sea urchin or prime beef steak with foie gras in port. Designer Carlos Mayoral's powder blue and terracotta tones add a dash of refinement and sophistication.
Calle Colmenares 13
Tel: (91) 531 3765.
Website: www.divinalacocina.com
Price: $-$$
Las Cuevas de Luís Candelas
While many of the eating places around Plaza Mayor are tourist orientated and overpriced, Las Cuevas offers better value and a relaxed convivial atmosphere in the brick-vaulted cellar with tiled bar, wall paintings, wrought iron fittings and an open fire for the suckling pig speciality. Named after a 19th-century highwayman said to have hidden in one of the cuevas (cellars), this bar-restaurant offers a typical range of tapas, as well as substantial main courses. Specialities include merluza (hake) and roasts cooked in a wood-fired oven, jamon serrano (cured ham), shrimps in garlic or cheese and grilled peppers. An English-language menu is available.
Arco de Cuchilleros 1
Tel: (91) 366 5428.
Website: www.lascuevasdeluiscandelas.com
Price: $$
While many of the eating places around Plaza Mayor are tourist orientated and overpriced, Las Cuevas offers better value and a relaxed convivial atmosphere in the brick-vaulted cellar with tiled bar, wall paintings, wrought iron fittings and an open fire for the suckling pig speciality. Named after a 19th-century highwayman said to have hidden in one of the cuevas (cellars), this bar-restaurant offers a typical range of tapas, as well as substantial main courses. Specialities include merluza (hake) and roasts cooked in a wood-fired oven, jamon serrano (cured ham), shrimps in garlic or cheese and grilled peppers. An English-language menu is available.
Arco de Cuchilleros 1
Tel: (91) 366 5428.
Website: www.lascuevasdeluiscandelas.com
Price: $$
Lombok
The minimalist decor of this Chueca neighbourhood eatery (with spotlights, bare white walls and steel counter) might seem a trifle passé but Lombok is still very much in vogue. Its clientele is young and stylish - perhaps it helps that one of the co-owners is a Spanish TV presenter. The fusion cuisine draws on ingredients and recipes from the far-flung corners of the globe (Thai salad, samosas filled with apple and Roquefort cheese, carpaccio, monkfish kebab and kangaroo steak in port) and it all looks as good as it tastes.
Augusto Figueroa 32
Tel: (91) 531 3566.
Price: $
The minimalist decor of this Chueca neighbourhood eatery (with spotlights, bare white walls and steel counter) might seem a trifle passé but Lombok is still very much in vogue. Its clientele is young and stylish - perhaps it helps that one of the co-owners is a Spanish TV presenter. The fusion cuisine draws on ingredients and recipes from the far-flung corners of the globe (Thai salad, samosas filled with apple and Roquefort cheese, carpaccio, monkfish kebab and kangaroo steak in port) and it all looks as good as it tastes.
Augusto Figueroa 32
Tel: (91) 531 3566.
Price: $
Robata
Japanese cooking is still not quite as much in vogue in Madrid as in some European capitals but is catching up fast. Robata is Japanese for a grill (Spanish a la parrilla), so grilled meats and fish are to the fore here on an extensive menu offering combinations of tempura, sashimi, sushi and sukiyaki, as well as soups. The bold black and red colour scheme is eye catching, the ambience relaxed. Diners can sit at a table or around the central sushi bar.
Calle de la Reina 31
Tel: (91) 521 8528.
Price: $$
Japanese cooking is still not quite as much in vogue in Madrid as in some European capitals but is catching up fast. Robata is Japanese for a grill (Spanish a la parrilla), so grilled meats and fish are to the fore here on an extensive menu offering combinations of tempura, sashimi, sushi and sukiyaki, as well as soups. The bold black and red colour scheme is eye catching, the ambience relaxed. Diners can sit at a table or around the central sushi bar.
Calle de la Reina 31
Tel: (91) 521 8528.
Price: $$
Budget
Café del Círculo de Bellas Artes
In its heyday during the 1920s, the Café del Círculo de Bellas Artes was the haunt of Madrid's leading intellectuals. Designed by Antonio Palacios, the spacious salon, decorated with classical pillars, chandeliers and an enormous painted ceiling, is known as the goldfish bowl, because of its outlook onto Calle Alcalá. The menu is wide ranging and includes everything from cakes, baguettes and ice cream to roast beef and smoked salmon. The terrace is a great place for one to watch the world go by.
Calle Marqués de Casa Riera 2
Tel: (91) 360 5400.
Price: $
In its heyday during the 1920s, the Café del Círculo de Bellas Artes was the haunt of Madrid's leading intellectuals. Designed by Antonio Palacios, the spacious salon, decorated with classical pillars, chandeliers and an enormous painted ceiling, is known as the goldfish bowl, because of its outlook onto Calle Alcalá. The menu is wide ranging and includes everything from cakes, baguettes and ice cream to roast beef and smoked salmon. The terrace is a great place for one to watch the world go by.
Calle Marqués de Casa Riera 2
Tel: (91) 360 5400.
Price: $
La Galette
One of the best things about this well-established vegetarian restaurant is that carnivores are catered for too. From the extensive list of imaginatively prepared vegetable, rice and pasta dishes, one might single out the delicious tartar de chicle (cauliflower cheese with a dusting of fresh herbs), followed by apple croquettes. Diners sit elbow-to-elbow in the two small rooms, decked out in an appealing country-kitchen style.
Calle Conde de Aranda 11
Tel: (91) 576 0641.
Price: $
One of the best things about this well-established vegetarian restaurant is that carnivores are catered for too. From the extensive list of imaginatively prepared vegetable, rice and pasta dishes, one might single out the delicious tartar de chicle (cauliflower cheese with a dusting of fresh herbs), followed by apple croquettes. Diners sit elbow-to-elbow in the two small rooms, decked out in an appealing country-kitchen style.
Calle Conde de Aranda 11
Tel: (91) 576 0641.
Price: $
Taberna el Almendro
A tiny tavern with custard-yellow walls and big barrels that serve as tables. A bell on the kitchen window sounds when the food is ready. The wild boar blood pudding, the savoury toasted bagels, (roscas) or the famous egg dishes, in particular, los huevos rotos (fried eggs over potatoes) are the mainstays. There is a good selection of white wines and sherries to accompany the tapas.
Calle El Almendro 13
Tel: (91) 365 4252.
Price: $
A tiny tavern with custard-yellow walls and big barrels that serve as tables. A bell on the kitchen window sounds when the food is ready. The wild boar blood pudding, the savoury toasted bagels, (roscas) or the famous egg dishes, in particular, los huevos rotos (fried eggs over potatoes) are the mainstays. There is a good selection of white wines and sherries to accompany the tapas.
Calle El Almendro 13
Tel: (91) 365 4252.
Price: $
Vips
This branch of the well-known newsagent and restaurant chain has a great location, close to the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums. Open seven days a week until the early hours of the morning, it is nearly always full, on account of the reasonable prices and the varied menu - everything from ham and eggs to pizzas and bowls of tacos. The atmosphere is busy and bustling and the decor modern and functional. Breakfasts (American, English and continental) are served until midday.
Plaza de las Cortes 7
Tel: (91) 429 4234.
Price: $
This branch of the well-known newsagent and restaurant chain has a great location, close to the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums. Open seven days a week until the early hours of the morning, it is nearly always full, on account of the reasonable prices and the varied menu - everything from ham and eggs to pizzas and bowls of tacos. The atmosphere is busy and bustling and the decor modern and functional. Breakfasts (American, English and continental) are served until midday.
Plaza de las Cortes 7
Tel: (91) 429 4234.
Price: $
Viuda de Vacas
The name ‘The Widow Vacas' alludes to the Cánovas Vacas family from Segovia, who founded the restaurant more than a century ago. This homely taberna (tavern), mainly patronised by young locals, preserves its faded wall tiles, marble-top tables and a spiral staircase leading to the upper floor. The menu, inspired by the Castillian countryside, is only available in Spanish - recommended are berenjenas (aubergines stuffed with breadcrumbs in a cream sauce), jamon al horno (roast pork), gallina en pepitoria (chicken in egg and almond sauce) and merluza (hake).
Calle Cava Alta 23
Tel: (91) 366 5847.
Price: $
The name ‘The Widow Vacas' alludes to the Cánovas Vacas family from Segovia, who founded the restaurant more than a century ago. This homely taberna (tavern), mainly patronised by young locals, preserves its faded wall tiles, marble-top tables and a spiral staircase leading to the upper floor. The menu, inspired by the Castillian countryside, is only available in Spanish - recommended are berenjenas (aubergines stuffed with breadcrumbs in a cream sauce), jamon al horno (roast pork), gallina en pepitoria (chicken in egg and almond sauce) and merluza (hake).
Calle Cava Alta 23
Tel: (91) 366 5847.
Price: $
Personal Recommendations
Al-Mounia
Ethnic restaurants are not Madrid's strong point but Al-Mounia can be counted among the exceptions. Situated just off Paseo de Recoletas, the North African (Maghreb) specialities in this restaurant include sublime couscous dishes and tajines. The starters are equally tempting, if pricey - money is better spent on the sticky, finger-licking pastries. The decor, evoking a Moorish palace with ceramic wall tiles and lattice screens, is fun but unconvincing.
Calle Recoletos 5
Tel: (91) 435 0828.
Website: www.almounia.es
Price: $$
Ethnic restaurants are not Madrid's strong point but Al-Mounia can be counted among the exceptions. Situated just off Paseo de Recoletas, the North African (Maghreb) specialities in this restaurant include sublime couscous dishes and tajines. The starters are equally tempting, if pricey - money is better spent on the sticky, finger-licking pastries. The decor, evoking a Moorish palace with ceramic wall tiles and lattice screens, is fun but unconvincing.
Calle Recoletos 5
Tel: (91) 435 0828.
Website: www.almounia.es
Price: $$
Botín
Said to be the oldest restaurant in the world, Botín first opened its doors below the Plaza Mayor in 1725. The wonderful old dining rooms retain the original painted tiles, oak beams and wood-burning oven. Traditional Castillian dishes are the speciality here - the roast suckling pig and the tender Aranda lamb are delicious. Reservations are strongly advised, as it is very popular.
Calle Cuchilleros 17
Tel: (91) 366 4217.
Website: www.casabotin.com
Price: $$
Said to be the oldest restaurant in the world, Botín first opened its doors below the Plaza Mayor in 1725. The wonderful old dining rooms retain the original painted tiles, oak beams and wood-burning oven. Traditional Castillian dishes are the speciality here - the roast suckling pig and the tender Aranda lamb are delicious. Reservations are strongly advised, as it is very popular.
Calle Cuchilleros 17
Tel: (91) 366 4217.
Website: www.casabotin.com
Price: $$
Casa Lucio
One of the most famous eateries in the capital, it is not unusual to find a famous person or two eating here despite the lack of glamorous décor. Situated in La Latina, one of the oldest and most typical areas of Madrid, Casa Lucio was established in the mid 1950s and since then has established itself as the place of choice to eat fried eggs and chips. The dishes served here are traditional of Madrid and include cocido madrileño (chick pea stew) and callos (stewed cow stomach in spicy sauce).
Cava Baja 35
Tel: (91) 365 3252.
Website: www.casalucio.es
Price: $$
One of the most famous eateries in the capital, it is not unusual to find a famous person or two eating here despite the lack of glamorous décor. Situated in La Latina, one of the oldest and most typical areas of Madrid, Casa Lucio was established in the mid 1950s and since then has established itself as the place of choice to eat fried eggs and chips. The dishes served here are traditional of Madrid and include cocido madrileño (chick pea stew) and callos (stewed cow stomach in spicy sauce).
Cava Baja 35
Tel: (91) 365 3252.
Website: www.casalucio.es
Price: $$
Café Saigón
Café Saigon has made waves among the city's young sophisticates. The cuisine is best described as East Asian, with Vietnamese dishes featuring. There are shades of the ‘Paris of the East' too in the lattice woodcarving, hessian drapes, sepia photographs and colonial bric-a-brac in the upstairs dining area. As there is no English-language menu, the safe option is the reasonably-priced menú degustación.
Paseo de la Castellana 66, corner of Calle de María de Molina
Tel: (91) 563 1566.
Website: www.elcafesaigon.com
Price: $$
Café Saigon has made waves among the city's young sophisticates. The cuisine is best described as East Asian, with Vietnamese dishes featuring. There are shades of the ‘Paris of the East' too in the lattice woodcarving, hessian drapes, sepia photographs and colonial bric-a-brac in the upstairs dining area. As there is no English-language menu, the safe option is the reasonably-priced menú degustación.
Paseo de la Castellana 66, corner of Calle de María de Molina
Tel: (91) 563 1566.
Website: www.elcafesaigon.com
Price: $$
La Dame Noire
‘The Black Lady' has a great location in the heart of Chueca, one of Madrid's most colourful neighbourhoods and now the gay quarter. A good deal of its appeal lies in the outlandish decor, a Rococo travesty with trompe l'oeil ceiling, red drapes, gilded mirrors, classical statues and leopard-skin chair covers. The cooking is French-inspired, if a touch eccentric - salted cod in cider may not be to everyone's taste. A safer bet might be trout and almonds in an onion sauce, ox tongue in port or the house speciality of mussels in cream.
Calle Pérez Galdós 3
Tel: (91) 531 0476.
Website: www.ladamenoire.com
Price: $
‘The Black Lady' has a great location in the heart of Chueca, one of Madrid's most colourful neighbourhoods and now the gay quarter. A good deal of its appeal lies in the outlandish decor, a Rococo travesty with trompe l'oeil ceiling, red drapes, gilded mirrors, classical statues and leopard-skin chair covers. The cooking is French-inspired, if a touch eccentric - salted cod in cider may not be to everyone's taste. A safer bet might be trout and almonds in an onion sauce, ox tongue in port or the house speciality of mussels in cream.
Calle Pérez Galdós 3
Tel: (91) 531 0476.
Website: www.ladamenoire.com
Price: $
Terra Mundi
Galician home cooking is on offer in this delightful restaurant near Plaza Santa Ana. The restaurant has an informal ambience with rustic country-kitchen décor, with pine wood furniture and check tablecloths. The tapas bar is popular with local office workers, while meals are served in the adjoining dining rooms. The menu is inspired by traditional Gallegan recipes; fish and seafood dishes (including octopus) are to the fore, although meat also makes a strong showing - the roast pork in a plum and raisin sauce goes down a treat. Outstanding among the desserts is filloas (Galician crêpe).
Lope de Vega 32
Tel: (91) 429 5280.
Website: www.terramundi.net
Price: $
Galician home cooking is on offer in this delightful restaurant near Plaza Santa Ana. The restaurant has an informal ambience with rustic country-kitchen décor, with pine wood furniture and check tablecloths. The tapas bar is popular with local office workers, while meals are served in the adjoining dining rooms. The menu is inspired by traditional Gallegan recipes; fish and seafood dishes (including octopus) are to the fore, although meat also makes a strong showing - the roast pork in a plum and raisin sauce goes down a treat. Outstanding among the desserts is filloas (Galician crêpe).
Lope de Vega 32
Tel: (91) 429 5280.
Website: www.terramundi.net
Price: $
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