Madrid

Alhambra

This is a good place to drop by on a hot afternoon to enjoy a cold beer and some Andalusian tapas. Sample the sausages and cheeses.

Sun-Thu 12:00-01:00, Fri Sat 12:00-02:00

Antigua Huevería

The very best huevos rotos ('broken eggs') and croquetas. Cheap, beautiful and delicious! The chicken-adorned tiled front dates from the 19th century.

Tue-Thu 20:00-23:00, Fri 20:00-24:00, Sat 13:00-24:00, Sun 13:00-16:00·Mains €8-14

Bacchus

Right in the middle of Lonja, an area filled with places to dine and drink. It is still close enough to city centre but offers a more relaxed ambience, making it one especially suitable for families, though all types of customers can be encountered. Bacchus offers a mixture of innovative and traditional-style tapas. Very good though expensive wine list. It can get very busy on weekends. Nice outside seating area makes up for the fact that inside it is rather small and, in traditional tapas-bar style, somewhat littered.

Daily 09:00-02:00

Bar Jaén III

An excellent tapas bar and restaurant. A nice place to enjoy Spanish food and lifestyle without spending too much. Located in a business park in the far-east of the city, it's far from being a tourist trap and you can enjoy good food and true raciónes (portions). The pleasant owners are very willing to share stories about Madrid and Spain more generally. In summer time it has a superb terrace, within a stone's throw of the Olympic Stadium.

Mon-Thu 12:30-02:00, Fri Sat 11:30-03:00, Sun 11:30-02:00

Bar Jaén III

An excellent tapas bar and restaurant. A nice place to enjoy Spanish food and lifestyle without spending too much. Being located just outside central Madrid, it's far from being a tourist trap and you can enjoy good food and true raciónes (portions). The pleasant owners are very willing to share stories about Madrid and Spain more generally. In summer time it has a superb terrace, within a stone's throw of the Olympic Stadium.

Mon-Thu 12:30-02:00, Fri Sat 11:30-03:00, Sun 11:30-02:00

Bar Tambayan

Located in the northern reaches of Tetuán, this is arguably the best Filipino restaurant in Madrid, located in the heart of the city's Filipino neighborhood.

T-Sun 12:00-0:00

Cafetería Nebraska

Known throughout Madrid for their hot dogs, this Tetuán diner is the last of an old chain of restaurants dating back to 1955.

Mon-Fri 08:00-23:30, Sat Sun 08:30-23:30

Casa Lucio

Pricey but worth it. The Spanish Royal family sometimes entertain guests here and you may run into a few sports figures and movie stars. You should definitely book ahead on the weekends, and reservations are recommended even for the weekdays. Known for their cocido, their roasts and their huevos rotos.

Daily 13:00-16:00 20:30-24:00

Casa Toni

Very solid local option for small dishes/tapas. Recommended are chorizo, pig ears, tortilla with chorizo (omelette with chorizo), morcilla, sepia a la plancha. Casual non pretentious place.

Cervecería 100 Montaditos

Branch of the popular nationwide chain that offers 100 different montaditos (small sandwiches). Great place to go for a cheap drink and bite to eat. Further branches are at Calle de la Montera, 34 (near metro Gran Vía) and Plaza de las Cortes, 3.

Daily 10:00-02:00

Chocolatería San Ginés

Specializing in chocolate con churros, this Madrid fixture is the perfect place to top off a night on the town. Also offers the usual assortment of coffees and teas.

Daily 24 hrs

Churrería La Andaluza

Opened in the 1930s just beside the Mercado de Maravillas, this Tetuán institution is regarded as one of the best churrerías in Madrid, with freshly-made churros, porras and buñuelos (round, donut-shaped fritters) available year-round.

Mon-Sat 06:30-13:00

El Inti de Oro

For something different, try this great Peruvian restaurant a short walk from Sol. Be sure to order some of their ceviche and try the Pisco Sour cocktail.

Daily 13:30-16:00 20:30-00:00

Estay Restaurante

A great place for tapas, they offer a large menu, reasonable prices and excellent quality food. The solomillo al foie is excellent and the desserts come highly-recommended as well. Very crowded on Friday and Saturday nights.

Mon-Fri 08:00-24:00, Sat 09:00-01:00

Freiduría de Gallinejas Embajadores

Another classic tapas bar in Madrid, not for conservative stomachs. Their most popular tapas are two of the most typical and traditional dishes in Madrid: gallinejas and entresijos. A treat for adventurous palates and lamb-lovers.

Mon-Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-22:00·Raciónes €3-9

Home Burger Bar

The place for serious hamburgers. Americans will feel at home!

Mon 13:00-17:00, Tue-Sun 13:00-17:00 20:00-24:00

Home Burger Bar

Other burger bars of this brand can be found in Malasaña-Chueca.

Mon 13:00-17:00; Tue-Sun 13:00-17:00, 20:00-24:00

Home Burger Bar

THE place for serious hamburgers. Americans will feel at home!

Mon-Thu 13:30-16:00 20:30-24:00, Fri Sat and holidays 13:30-17:00 20:30-24:00, Sun 13:30-17:00 20:30-23:00

La Bola Taberna

A family-run restaurant operating since 1870 and serving traditional Madrileño cuisine. Reservations can be made online.

Mon-Sat 13:30-15:30 20:30-23:00, Sun 13:30-15:30

La Casa del Abuelo

A Madrid landmark in operation for over 100 years, this bar attracts a standing room only crowd on the weekends. They mainly serve shrimp-based tapas dishes so if you're not into shellfish it may be advisable to steer clear. Order a plate of their garlic shrimp and accompany with their house wine.

Sun-Thu 12:00-00:00, Fri Sat 12:00-01:00

La Cocina del Desierto

Al-Jaima

This dark, cave-like Moroccan restaurant has some of the best North African food in the city. The seating is at low Moroccan-style tables and the calm, mellow atmosphere makes you feel like you're far from the bustling center of Chueca.

Daily 13:30-16:00 21:00-24:00

La Panza es Primero

Cocina Mex-Mex

This is a small, usually crowded, friendly Mexican restaurant with good food and drinks at reasonable prices. Sample some of their tacos and super-cheesy chilaquiles.

Daily 13:00-01:00

La Trainera

A Madrid institution for decades, Trainera is an excellent but somewhat pricey restaurant serving strictly seafood dishes. They have a great wine selection and the waiters can recommend different vintages that will complement the food. Try the carabineros (giant scarlet shrimp) or the rodaballo (turbot).

Mon-Sat 13:00-16:00 20:00-24:00; closed the month of Aug

Lamucca de Pez

Nice designer restaurant popular within the 20s-30s crowd. Good music, cool people, even better food and cocktails. The kitchen opens in the afternoon.

Sun-Wed 13:00-01:30, Thu 13:00-02:00, Fri Sat 13:00-02:30

Las Adelitas Restaurante Mexicano

Mid-range Mexican restaurant with an extensive range of authentic options, though do be aware the food portions are a lot larger than you would typically expect. The primary chef is from Oaxaca.

Sun–Thu 13:00–00:00; Fri Sat 13:00–02:00

MAD MAD Vegan

All plant based, mainly burger menu but with a few other items. If you like beer, their own craft bottled beers are good. English menu available.

1pm-midnight·€15

Matador

Fantastic little stop for tapas. A very cozy place with good tapas and they always treat you very well. With a funny decoration.

Mercado de San Fernando

Lively market that has not been completely swamped by tourism. Wide range of food & drink available. (including Vegan)

Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow

Mercado de San Ildefonso

Streetfood market on Fuencarral street, right in the middle of the Malasaña-Chueca area. 15 different stalls offer arepas (cornmeal griddlecake), brochetas (skewer), tacos, tapas, ham, meats, wine, beer etc. Between late-May and early-June an international street food festival is celebrated.

Sun-Wed noon–midnight, Fri Sat noon–1AM

Museo del Jamón

One of several branches of this chain. Offers deli takeout service as well as tapas and raciónes at reasonable prices. They offer €1 ham sandwiches and a 'picnic' lunch consisting of a said ham sandwich, fresh fruit and a drink for €2 (Feb 2017). Another branch is at Calle de Atocha, 54 (metro Antón Martín).

Mon-Thu 09:00-00:30, Fri Sat 09:00-01:00, Sun 10:00-00:30