Spain is synonymous with good food and nowhere is a better representation of that than the vibrant city of Madrid. Aside from local variations of national dishes, you’ll also find a great mix of international food in the city, along with eateries that just seem to never sleep (great for those times when your afternoon siesta runs on a little too long).
The following is a collection of not only some of the best small plates, local dishes and tipples to enjoy in Madrid, but also a few recommendations of the best places to enjoy them. Because we should all be spending more time eating good food and less time searching for it, I say.
Tostada con Tomate
Breakfasts don’t get much simpler than tostada con tomate, which is essentially just toasted bread topped with crushed tomatoes and olive oil. Somehow, the Spanish have made it a delicacy and it’s often enjoyed by Madrilenos as a quick morning snack along with a cup of coffee.
You can usually find this dish at most indoor markets or cafes serving breakfast, but for a touch of opulence, head to Cafe de Oriente next to the Royal Palace, where you can enjoy a silver service breakfast in elegant surroundings.
Cafe con Leche
While we’re on the subject of breakfast – and coffee – no trip to any city is complete without a stop in a funky third-wave coffee shop, am I right? Toma, with its minimalistic, almost Scandi vibe and its platters that strain under the weight of freshly-made cakes, is one of the best in town.
And if that tostada con tomate has given you cravings for more toasted bread, this place does a great line in savoury topped toasts, such as avocado with cheese, watermelon, lime and sesame seeds.
Food Market Feasts
If you’re in Madrid as part of a small group tour to Spain, you will undoubtedly be encouraged to take a visit to one of the city’s many bustling food markets (mercados). I had some of the best olives of my life at the Mercado de San Miguel, located close to my apartment, but there are many more that offer authentic local experiences and delicious sit-down food.
The Mercado de Maravillas is the biggest of Madrid’s covered markets and is famous with locals as selling almost everything under the sun, including products from around other parts of Spain. The Mercado de Anton Martin, on the other hand, is located in the international melting pot that is the Lavapies district and as such sells delicious staples from around the world.
Spanish Tortilla (Spanish Omelette)
If the only Spanish tortillas you’ve ever tried have been those vacuum-packed ones from the chiller section of the supermarket, then you’re guaranteed to have your mind blown by the quality and – yes, I’ll say it – ooziness of the ones in Madrid.
When you order a Spanish Tortilla, you’ll most likely be served a slice of what looks like an egg and potato pie that has been cooked in a round pan. Locals will all have their own opinion on who serves the best, but it can’t be denied that Casa Dani, located in the Mercado de la Paz, will slice you up a delicious version with a slice of crusty bread.
Churros
I’m sure we’ve all heard of Chocolateria San Gines, the historic cafe that is world-famous for its churros and chocolate (I made a late-night stop there when I was last in Madrid). And although they undoubtedly serve a great plate of fried dough, there are other hot contenders in town that don’t get quite so crowded.
Milagros is an unpretentious spot to devour both small individual churros and slices of larger porras (a fluffier type of churro that is fried in concentric circles), while the decadent darkness of the dipping chocolate at Chocolat cannot be beaten.
Vermouth
This fortified wine may only just be making its debut on the hipster bar stage in the UK and USA, but in Madrid, locals have been sipping it for years. Taberna la Concha is a quirky, art-filled bar that shakes up a whole roster of vermouth-based cocktails nightly, along with tasty plates of traditional tapas.
Casa Camacho is where you go if you want to truly appreciate vermouth on its own. The bar displays huge wooden barrels of the stuff and specializes in vermut de grifo (vermouth on tap), as well as the ever-more-popular yayo (vermouth mixed with gin and soda water).
Paella
Short of taking the train from Madrid to Valencia to sample some of the country’s best paella (which, let’s face it, is a pretty costly way to enjoy a pan full of rice), you can actually seek out some pretty good versions of the dish in Madrid centre.
Restaurante Marina Ventura, as the name suggests, focuses on fresh seafood and their rice and paella dishes come stuffed with all manner of octopus, spider crab, lobster, squid and king prawns.
For a more meaty version, head to Socarratt, whose huge pans of paella are cooked in a traditional Valencian style and include pork, rabbit and vegetables.
Croquettes
Croquettes (croquetas) are a staple tapas item at many places around the city, but only a handful can claim the crown of serving the most golden and delicious. Croquettes are small rolls of creamy filling (either meat or vegetarian) that are breaded and then deep-fried.
Globet is the self-proclaimed ‘home’ of croquettes, serving a variety of flavours such as chicken curry, ham, leek or spinach, all served in a stylish bowl with individual cocktail sticks.
Casa Julio is a little less boastful when it comes to shouting about their croquettes, but their filings are definitely creative, including spinach with gorgonzola and sweet raisins.
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