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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 19 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

With over 6,000 restaurants serving dishes from all around Spain (and the world), Madrid is a funfair for foodies,. Join the locals at traditional restaurants, informal tapas bars, gourmet food markets, and the new Michelin restaurants setting off gastronomic fireworks.

As the capital city, Madrid has sucked up influences and talented chefs from all across Spain. There is a vast range of fresh seafood, fabulous tapas (patatas bravas were invented here), side by side with the hearty dishes of the interior – roast lamb, suckling pig and stews.

Alongside all these old favourites, a new breed of chef, each with their own personality and style of cooking, have made eating out in Madrid an adventure.

What to try

Pop into any tapas bar and you’ll see hams hanging from the ceiling, reflecting one local speciality – jamon. Don’t miss the finest, melt-in-your-mouth jamon Iberico de bellota (Iberian acorn-fed ham).

Beyond pork, Madrid’s favourite tapas dishes include soldadito de bacalao (salt cod fritters), tortilla (thick potato omelette), fried and salted padron peppers, hot garlic shrimp, saucy patatas bravas, and boquerones (pickled anchovies). Tuck in with a local beer, wine, sidra (Spanish cider) or vermouth straight from the barrel. Draft Vermouth, particularly before lunch, is a civilised custom that everyone should try.

Lastly, seek out the city’s rustic classics: suckling pig, callos a la madrilena (stewed tripe) and cocido madrileno (a meat and vegetable stew, served in three stages).

Also see our round-up of traditional Spanish foods you must try in Spain.

The dining scene

Madrid’s restaurant scene is incredibly dynamic right now. While traditional restaurants (mesones) still roast pork and lamb in wood-fired ovens, young chefs from all over Spain are creating some of the most innovative cuisine in the world, turning the capital into a foodie mecca to equal San Sebastian and Barcelona; at time of writing, Madrid has 21 Michelin-starred restaurants.

Madrid has more bars per capita than any city in Europe Locals love alternating old-school tapas joints with gastrobars and rooftop cocktail bars, while sipping wines from different Spanish regions by the glass.

Although well inland, Madrid is also home to the world’s largest seafood market after Tokyo, MercaMadrid.

 

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: Any
An overhead photo of churros on a white plate. One churro has been half dipped into a mug of hot chocolate.
Experience

Chocolateria San Gines

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Founded in 1894, unchanged with its mirrors and marble tables, this is the place to try Madrid’s favourite snack, churros – long doughnuts dipped in thick hot chocolate – available nightly until 11.30pm.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free

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Staircase into the restaurant entrance
Experience

DiverXO

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Young chef David Munoz is at the helm of Madrid’s acclaimed three Michelin-starred restaurant, creating unique food ‘pictures’ in a Cirque du Soleil ‘Dream World’ atmosphere: there’s nothing quite like it.

Best for ages: 18+ | £70

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clsoe up of a plate of delicious-looking green soup
Experience

Madrid Gastrofestival

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

With two weeks in May and June of foodie events from tapas crawls to cooking workshops, this internationally-renowned food festival features 450 participating establishments offering over 550 food-related activities.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 2 weels

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External facade of a street bar
Experience

Museo Chicote

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Spain’s oldest cocktail bar, founded in 1931; along with bucketloads of atmosphere is a wall of photos of the movie stars (Sinatra, Grace Kelley etc.) who once sipped drinks here. Go for Sunday afternoon brunch with a DJ.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Madrid Tapas Night Walking Tour

Madrid Tapas Night Walking Tour

Madrid

Sample Spanish nightlife and Madrid's tasty tapas on an evening walking tour that will tantalize your taste buds! Led by an entertaining foo...

£50 | Rating 4.85 / 5 [1662 ratings]

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Iberian Ham and Wine Small Group Tour in Madrid

Iberian Ham and Wine Small Group Tour in Madrid

Madrid

Learn about Spanish wine and discover traditional Iberian ham houses in Madrid. During this 2.5 hour tour, taste several cuts of Iberian mea...

€60 | Rating 4.97 / 5 [135 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Small-Group Tapas Cooking Class in Madrid

Small-Group Tapas Cooking Class in Madrid

Madrid

Experience a culinary journey throughout Spain with a tapas cooking class that will teach you how to make 10 different tapas. This small-gro...

€65 | Rating 4.87 / 5 [49 ratings]

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Old Town Madrid Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tasting Walking Tour

Old Town Madrid Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tasting Walking Tour

Madrid

Join a member of the Spanish Wine Tasting Association on a walking tour of his favorite bars to learn how to pair the signature tapas of the...

€66 | Rating 4.97 / 5 [176 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Mayerling Hotel

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Four-star fixtures at two-star prices – a budget but stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Madrid.

Official star rating:

Gran Hotel Ingles

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

This swanky, pampering Art Deco hotel in the heart of Old Madrid has a rich history and design to die for.

Official star rating:

Hostal Gala

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

A great budget choice – this modern-day hostel housed in an elegant, 19th-century building has chic rooms and the perfect central location.

Official star rating:

Hotel Unico Madrid

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

An intimate, expensively furnished townhouse in Madrid’s most upmarket neighbourhood, with boutiques and galleries nearby.

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Madrid

Madrid Region, Spain

Spain’s sunny capital offers up world-class art, super shopping, renowned tapas and late, late nights.

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