Spanish food has a special place in my heart, and my first visit to the capital city was when my affinity with the cuisine began. Croquettes, patatas bravas, and Ibérico ham are just some of the dishes Madrid is famed for, but the culinary culture here goes far beyond traditional food.
After visiting some of the best restaurants in Madrid, I was more excited than ever to launch my Madrid food tours. The blend of local and international flavors has made the city a must-visit spot for any fervent foodie.
If you’re eager to discover the legendary tapas culture while also dabbling in Madrid’s street food scene and Michelin-starred restaurants, this guide is for you!
Top Restaurants in Madrid to Try
Los Montes de Galicia
Photo credit: Los Montes de Galicia
Los Montes de Galicia is a Galacian-style spot in Salamanca that’s often hailed as one of the best restaurants in Madrid, no matter your dietary restrictions.
Inside, it’s sleek and contemporary, and the shining blue tiles, colorful tiling, and chic wooden floors give it a sophisticated vibe.
Their buñuelos de bacalao are their specialty, so I ordered them without a second thought. Crispy on the outside but soft and salty on the inside, I quickly understood why this dish is their best-seller.
Los Montes de Galicia (€€) – C. de Azcona, 46, Salamanca, 28028 Madrid, Spain – Open every day from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm and from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
Ramón Freixa Madrid
Photo credit: Ramón Freixa Madrid
For modern and upscale Spanish dining, Ramón Freixa in Salamanca is as good as it gets.
This Michelin-star restaurant has the most stunning of settings. The only thing better than the neutral, minimalistic decor and stellar service was the tasting menu.
For me, the star of the show was the lobster. Every bite was a balance of sweet and briny flavors, which teamed beautifully with the chewy, nutty fregola.
Ramón Freixa Madrid (€€€€) – C. de Claudio Coello, 67, Salamanca, 28001 Madrid, Spain – Closed every Monday and Sunday, open every Tuesday to Saturday from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm and from 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Gloria Bendita
Photo credit: Gloria Bendita
Gloria Bendita is a trendy eatery located between Plaza Mayor and Madrid Palace, two of the city’s most popular attractions.
I love that it combines a lively bar vibe with impeccably curated food, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice quality to enjoy casual dining. After admiring the red brick walls and retro furnishings, I turned my attention to their small but enticing menu.
Although I ordered a few items, I was most taken with the ham-wrapped artichokes. The contrast between the artichoke’s mild, earthy flavors and the savory ham was simply delicious.
Gloria Bendita (€€) – Calle de Santiago, 3, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain – Open every day from 10:00 pm to 12:00 am.
Traditional Restaurants in Madrid
Bodega de los Secretos
Photo credit: Bodega de los Secretos
Bodega de los Secretos in Retiro is the ultimate date-night spot in Madrid, with its traditional food and effortlessly romantic atmosphere.
The setting alone was enough to lure me here, as the restaurant is set in a brick-covered cellar packed with quaint nooks and warm lighting.
Their Mediterranean-focused menu was exceptional, and I quickly decided on the rabo de toro. An oxtail stew, this dish exceeded all my expectations thanks to its deep, beefy flavors, fork-tender consistency, and fiery pepper-based garnacha sauce.
Bodega de los Secretos (€€€) – Calle de San Blas, 4, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain – Open every Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm and from 8:30 pm to 12:00 am, and every Friday and Saturday from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm and from 8:30 pm to 1:00 am.
Sobrino de Botín
Photo credit: Sobrino de Botín
Sobrino de Botín is arguably the most famous restaurant in Madrid, and it’s situated just minutes from Plaza Mayor.
Open for several hundred years, Sobrino de Botín claims to be the world’s oldest restaurant, and stepping inside this cave-like medieval-inspired spot is like going back in time.
I’d heard all about the suckling pig here, and it was worth all of the hype. It might just be the juiciest, most succulent pork I’ve ever tried, and it went perfectly with a side of fluffy roast potatoes.
Sobrino de Botín (€€€) – C. de Cuchilleros, 17, Centro, 28005 Madrid, Spain – Open every day from 1:00 pm to 11:30 pm.
Mesón del Champiñón
Close to the bustling Mercado de San Miguel is Mesón del Champiñón, a charming tavern that showcases the best of Madrid’s traditional food.
The interior feels like a patchwork of different design styles, from old-fashioned archways and wrought-iron railings to patterned tiles and wooden finishes.
I ordered a slew of their signature dishes, and they didn’t disappoint. Their grilled umami mushrooms were as tasty as I’d hoped, as were the charred, slightly spicy, pardon peppers.
Mesón del Champiñón (€€) – Cava de San Miguel, 17, Centro, 28005 Madrid, Spain – Open every Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 1:00 am and every Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 2:00 am.
Popular Casual Dining Spots
Taberna El Sur
Photo credit: Taberna El Sur
If you’re looking for a no-frills dining experience outside of food markets and street food stalls, Taberna El Sur in Lavapiés will tick all your boxes.
It feels a little more modern than your average tapas bar but still has the laid back vibe and simplistic decor I look for in an old-school Madrid restaurant.
I fancied something light, so I opted for the prawns. They arrived soaked in fruity, garlic-infused olive oil, which added warmth to their delicate, slightly sweet flavors.
Taberna El Sur (€€) – C. de la Torrecilla del Leal, 12, Centro, 28012 Madrid, Spain – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Matador
Matador is a quick walk from Plaza Mayor and is among the best restaurants in Madrid for first-time visitors.
Between the vibrant flamenco music and dimly lit, rustic interiors, I fell in love with this place in seconds. There were only a handful of seats, and I was fortunate to snag the last one alongside the bar top.
They had a hefty selection of tapas plates available, and I chose some meat and cheese-topped tostas. My favorite of these was the crusty bread paired with rich ibérico ham, though the tangy goat’s cheese variety was a close second.
Matador (€) – C. de la Cruz, 39, Centro, 28012 Madrid, Spain – Open every Monday from 7:00 pm to 2:30 am and every Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 am.
Tips for Dining in Madrid
- Dining times in Madrid are later than you might expect, with many locals choosing to enjoy their evening meal between 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm.
- Bookings are recommended for the more famous restaurants in Madrid, particularly at weekends.
- Locals dine at a leisurely pace, and dinners can last for hours at a time.
- Many restaurants in Madrid close for a few hours late in the afternoon, so it can be tricky to have a sit-down meal at this time.
- Spanish wines can elevate any meal; some must-try varieties include Albariño, Rioja, and Cava. Another popular drink in Madrid is vermouth, which pairs well with savory tapas.
Conclusion
In a city with such rich gastronomic traditions, whittling down the best restaurants in Madrid was no easy feat. That said, I think these spots showcase the city’s eclectic mix of cuisines and flavors that have made it such a sought-after destination for delectable and diverse fare.
Sources
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Madrid Food Tours. Eating Europe. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/madrid/
Restaurante Sobrino de Botín. (n.d.). Home. Botín. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://botin.es/en/home/
Mesón del Champiñón. (n.d.). Home. Mesón del Champiñón. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://mesondelchampinon.com/en/
Bodega de los Secretos. (n.d.). Home. Bodega de los Secretos. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://bodegadelossecretos.com/en/
Gloria Bendita. (n.d.). Restaurante Gloria Bendita Madrid. Gloria Bendita. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://gloriabenditaoficial.com/
Hotel Único Madrid. (n.d.). Ramón Freixa. Hotel Único Madrid. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://www.unicohotelmadrid.com/en/restaurant-ramon-freixa-madrid/ramon-freixa-chef/
Los Montes de Galicia. (n.d.). Traditional High Gastronomy in Madrid. Los Montes de Galicia. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://losmontesdegalicia.es/en/
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Matador. Tripadvisor. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187514-d990964-Reviews-Matador-Madrid.html
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Taberna El Sur. Tripadvisor. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187514-d2527526-Reviews-Taberna_El_Sur-Madrid.html