Madrid
Where most other fine-dining experiences centre on innovation, Zalacaín is a bastion of tradition, with a refined air and loyal following. The pig’s…
Must-see restaurants in Madrid
La Latina & Lavapiés
There’s no tradition of kebab shops for midnight attacks of the munchies, but there’s always Bar Melo’s. One of those Spanish bars that you’d normally…
Salamanca
Tepic offers ‘Urban Mexican Food’ in chic bar or dining rooms and with friendly service. Its signature dish is the Acapulco Tropical, a cheese taco with…
Madrid
Las Bravas has long been the place for a caña (small glass of beer) and some of the best patatas bravas (fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce) in town…
La Latina & Lavapiés
Almendro 13 is a charming taberna (tavern) for traditional Spanish tapas with an emphasis on quality rather than frilly elaborations. Cured meats, cheeses…
Madrid
Most of the restaurants surrounding Plaza Mayor are tourist traps, but Los Galayos, a few steps off the plaza’s southeastern corner and open for a mere…
Madrid
The ‘House of the Grandfather’ is an ageless, popular place that's been around for more than a hundred years. The traditional order here is a chato (small…
Madrid
Opened in 1888, Casa Mingo is a much-loved Asturian cider house. Things are kept simple, with the signature dish of pollo asado (roast chicken, cut in…
La Latina & Lavapiés
If you want to see madrileños (residents of Madrid) enjoying their favourite local food, this is one of the best places to do so. The clamour of…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
Formica tables, not a single attention to decor detail, and yet… This ageless Malasaña bar is a reminder of an important lesson in eating Spanish style:…
Chueca
Madrid is not renowned for its paella (Valencia reigns in that regard), but valencianos who can’t make it home are known to frequent La Paella de la Reina…
Madrid
Just by the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, this breezy, no-frills bar-eatery is a Madrid institution for its bocadillos (filled rolls) – the bocadillo de…
Madrid
Some bars have all the luck. In 1985, this backstreet neighbourhood bar opened in time to ride the wave of la movida madrileña, then stuck around long…
Salamanca
The home kitchen of former parliamentarian María Luisa Banzo has one of Salamanca’s most loyal followings. The cooking is a carefully charted culinary…
Madrid
One of the best pintxos (Basque tapas) bars in Madrid, Sagaretxe takes the stress out of eating tapas, with around 20 varieties lined up along the bar …
Salamanca
El Lateral does terrific pinchos (tapas), which serve as the ideal accompaniment to the fine wines on offer. Tapas are creative without being over the top…
Madrid
Galician tapas (octopus, green peppers etc) never tasted so good as in this agreeably rustic bar down the bottom of the Huertas hill, especially when…
Madrid
One of the grande dames of the Madrid restaurant scene, Casa Ciriaco has witnessed attempted assassinations (of King Alfonso XIII in 1906) and was…
Madrid
There are many reasons to recommend this place, but the greatest novelty lies in its location – inside the home stadium of Real Madrid; its Salón Madrid…
Madrid
Even if you don’t have plans to be in Chamberí, it’s worth a trip across town to this bar-restaurant that offers outstanding rice dishes, including paella…
Madrid
It’s a brave Spanish chef that fiddles with the iconic tortilla de patatas (potato omelette), but the results here are delicious. All manner of surprising…
Salamanca
This breezy Basque tapas bar is one of the best places in Madrid to sample the creativity of bite-sized pintxos (Basque tapas) as only the Basques can…
Salamanca
With numerous branches around Madrid, José Luis is famous for its fidelity to traditional Spanish recipes. It wins many people's vote for Madrid's best…
La Latina & Lavapiés
Behind the lavishly tiled facade, La Chata looks for all the world like a neglected outpost of the past. The decor may be run-down and the bullfighting…
Madrid
La Gloria de Montera combines classy decor with eminently reasonable prices. The food isn't especially creative, but the tastes are fresh and the…
Chueca
Some of the tastiest tapas in Madrid is what you'll find here. Tapas might include quail’s eggs with salmorejo cordobés (cold, tomato-based soup from…
Madrid
One of the few authentic Portuguese restaurants in Madrid, A Tasca do Bacalhau doesn’t have a particularly extensive menu, but it’s dominated by excellent…
Madrid
Finding a good paella in Madrid can be surprisingly difficult, but it's almost guaranteed at this august place opposite the Teatro Real. Paella de marisco…
La Latina & Lavapiés
The restaurant of the stunning Posada del Dragón retains some features of the original inn, including exposed wooden beams and heavy stonework. There are…
La Latina & Lavapiés
The stunning restoration work that brought to life the Posada del León de Oro also bequeathed to La Latina a fine bar-restaurant. The emphasis is on…
Madrid
A relative newcomer on Madrid's culinary scene, 'The Tricycle' has earned plaudits for its assured fusion cooking that places seasonal ingredients at the…
Madrid
If you don't have time to visit one of the asadores (restaurants specialising in roasted meats) of Segovia, head to this fine restaurant where the…
La Latina & Lavapiés
Laid-back La Musa Latina has an ever-popular dining area and food that’s designed to bring a smile to your face. The outdoor tables are lovely when the…
Madrid
Paella and other rice dishes in all their wonderful variety – there are 18 different versions on the menu – dominate this appealing place tucked away in…
Madrid
Around since 1981, this Andalucian gem has tiled walls, an excellent collection of nearly 80 sherries from Jerez, and cuisine that springs from Seville…
Madrid
Claiming to be the oldest taberna (tavern) in Madrid (there's been a tavern here since 1827), and with a cup on display that was used by Alfonso XII when…
La Latina & Lavapiés
It doesn't come much more traditional in La Latina than this tiled space with a marble bar and tostas (toasts; with bacalao, for example), raciones (such…
Madrid
The gaily painted exterior of this old Madrid tavern, which opened in 1933, is hard to miss and the food is even harder to resist, especially in winter…
La Latina & Lavapiés
Around since 1942, this fine old Madrid bar is famous for its snails, served in a broth rich in garlic, chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage) and pimentón …
Madrid
You know the wines of La Rioja, but the food of this northern Spanish region is also filled with flavour. The La Rioja cuisine here is all about home…