Discover Where To Eat in Madrid: 10 Must-Try Restaurants

Madrid is brimming with restaurants with affordable, tasty food. I’m talking about everything from hole-in-the-wall restaurants to rooftop bars to upscale restaurants. Yes, even the upscale restaurants in this city will cost you like 20-25 EUR for a meal. It was hard for me to write this post because there were so many options to choose from. Still, I’ve managed to break down the top 10 restaurants I think you should try when visiting Madrid.

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This post is part of the Madrid Travel series. Here’s a full list of posts in the series.

 

Walking tour: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Madrid

Day Trips: The 10 Best Day Trips From Madrid

Food: Where To Eat in Madrid: 10 Best Restaurants To Try

1 Day: One Day Madrid Itinerary: What To Do, See, and Eat

3 Days: Three Day Madrid Itinerary: Things To Do for First-Timers

Winter: The Best Things To Do in Madrid in Winter

Tourist Mistakes: 6 Common Tourist Mistakes To Avoid in Madrid

 

Casa Julio

This tiny establishment serves the best croquetas (croquettes) in Madrid, hand down! I challenge you to find better croquetas in the city. If you do, please send me a message. Casa Julio serves gourmet croquetas with a variety of interesting flavors, like blue cheese and potato leek. There is also the classic jamón y queso – ham and cheese.

The interior is quite small, with seating for only about 20 people so you may end up having to stand if you go during peak times. Spanish people eat dinner starting at around 9 pm so definitely going anytime after that. I’d recommend you go between the hours of 1 pm – 5 pm.

 

Calle de la Madera, 37, 28004 Madrid, Spain

 

La Buha

Ladies and gentleman, if you haven’t had the Tortilla de Patata at La Buha, then you haven’t had Tortilla de Patata. That’s just the gospel truth. 

This place serves some next level Tortilla de Patata, stuffed with goat cheese and caramelized onions. It’s runny and messy and oh so delicious! Portions are huge so you may want to share, or you can take it home for later.

La Buha also has a sister restaurant called El Buho, which is located in Chueca. I haven’t tried it out yet so I can’t compare.

 

Plaza de la Cebada, 10, 28005 Madrid, Spain

 

Restaurante Sobrino de Botin

Founded in 1725, this is the oldest continuously running restaurant in the world. It’s an upscale restaurant with a dining experience that is second to none. Honestly, the prices, which range between 21-40 euros, are a bargain given the wonderful service and ambiance. The specialty here is the Cochinillo Asado, or suckling pig. It’s served with a side of perfectly-roasted potatoes.

 

Calle de Cuchilleros, 17, 28005 Madrid, Spain

 

Casa Salvador

Rabo de Toro, oxtail, is a delicacy in Madrid and other parts of Spain. Casa Salvador is one of the best places to try this dish. This restaurant has been around since 1941 and has an old-school, traditional set up in the interior, with photos of matadors hanging on the walls. The ambiance is perfect for a nice dinner for two but also works for solo travelers.

 

Calle de Barbieri, 12, 28004 Madrid, Spain

 

Juana La Loca

This restaurant literally means ‘Juana the crazy woman’ so it piqued my interest from the get-go. I was walking around Madrid one late night and stumbled upon Juana La Loca, which is right next to the main city square, Plaza Mayor.

Then I remembered that a friend had talked about how great the food was. So in I went. I ordered two dishes – the Tortilla de Patata and a fish dish. The Tortilla de Patata was not at the level of La Buha but was good. The fish dish didn’t rock my world, but I’m curious to try other items on the menu. This place gets packed so make a reservation.

 

Plaza de Puerta de Moros, 4, 28005 Madrid, Spain

 

La Pulperia de Victoria

Pulpo a la Gallega is a signature dish from Galicia. It’s basically octopus seasoned with olive oil, salt, and paprika. Simple but yummy. La Pulperia de Victoria is the best pulpo I’ve had in Madrid – better than at popular markets like Mercado de San Miguel and Mercado de San Antón. If you want to try pulpo while in Madrid, this is the place to go!

 

Calle de La Victoria, 2 Junto a, Puerta del Sol, 28012 Madrid, Spain

 

Takos al Pastor

I’m from Los Angeles so my standards for Mexican food are pretty high. I was pleasantly surprised by this place. Their 1 euro tacos are delicious! The Conchita Pibil tacos are a must. This is a great place to go for a late night dinner, which is the norm in Spain. You can get a jarra, a jar of beer, for 5 EUR.

 

Calle de la Abada, 2, 28013 Madrid, Spain

 

Egeo

Greek food is one of my favorites and this little restaurant in Lavapies always reminds me of why I love Greek food so much. Located on a hilly street, Egeo specializes in souvlaki. I think I’ve tried almost everything on the menu and nothing disappointed. I especially like their Tzatziki and feta cheese fries.

 

Calle de San Carlos, 17, 28012 Madrid, Spain

 

El Jardin Secreto

This charming spot in Malasaña has an Alice in Wonderland aura. The interior decor consists of plants, flower pots hanging from the ceilings, and pretty ornaments. There is also a secret garden upstairs. Hence, the name.

In terms of the food, the brownies will send you to brownie heaven! The menu consists of mainly tapas, sandwiches, and desserts. You can get a giant cup of tinto de verano for 6 EUR.

 

Calle del Conde Duque, 2, 28015 Madrid, Spain

 

Gymage

This lively rooftop bar/restaurant located at the top of a gym complex right next to Gran Via. It has a Mediterranean vibe, with cozy white futons and large beach umbrellas. The croquettes are a must try – runner up to Casa Julio’s.

 

Calle de la Luna, 2, 28004 Madrid, Spain

 

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