Spanish restaurants in Spain
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Restaurante Momo
Momo is a Chueca beacon of reasonably priced home-cooking for a casual but stylish crowd. It’s got an artsy vibe and is ideal for those who want a hearty meal without too much elaboration. The menú del día (fixed-price three-course meal) is one of Madrid’s bargains and the famous chocolate moco (snot) is the tastiest of dessert dishes despite its worrying name.
reviewed
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Casa Marcelo
Eating is an occasion at this mod-rustic gourmet dining den just down the hill from Praza do Obradoiro. A different five-course creative feast is prepared daily, with specialties like cockles with mango and pepper, and with the kitchen in full view.
reviewed
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El Patio San Eloy
Patches of old tiling remain at the always-busy Patio San Eloy, where you can sit on the tiled steps at the back and feast on a fine array of burguillos (small filled rolls).
reviewed
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La Casa del Ángel
An extraordinary restaurant filled with the owners' considerable art collection. The cuisine is equally sumptuous: a combination of Andalucian, Arab and international tastes.
reviewed
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Jockey
Fine Spanish cooking, with the occasional nod to international sophistication, and celebrities and royalty dotted around the dining room (Prince Felipe, heir to the Spanish throne, and Letizia Ortiz chose the Jockey chefs for their wedding banquet in May 2004) make for a top-quality dining experience. The menu is more traditionally European than most in this price range, although there are some innovative flourishes. Otherwise, it’s along the lines of Persian caviar, snails and soufflés. If we could choose one dish, it would probably be lobster ragout with truffles and fresh pasta. Men must wear a tie and a jacket.
reviewed
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José Luis
Welcome to Madrid! Long established in the Spanish capital, the Barcelona branch occupies a privileged spot. It is said this place introduced the montadito (delicious little canapés) to Barcelona. Pick and choose from these and a long list of pinchos and raciones, including the all-time Madrid favourite, callos (tripe). Otherwise you could sit down in the elliptical basement for a classy meal served by brisk waiters in black jackets and bow ties. Mains of fish and meat come in at about €20. You can also opt for morning bocadillos at the bar.
reviewed
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Sua
Sua is the height of softly lit sophistication and cooking that provides a new slant on nouvelle cuisine. Dishes are organised around four temperatures – 25°C, 50°C, 75°C and -2°C (desserts) – and it draws its inspiration from the Basque Country, Spain’s hothouse for culinary innovation. The service is faultless and adept at helping you negotiate your way through the menu, but we suggest the €36 menú de degustación (tasting menu) , which gradually increases the temperature.
reviewed
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Salvador
This old Hemingway favourite is typical of many Madrid classics – walking past, you wouldn’t give it a second look. Since 1941, locals have been coming to the ‘Saviour’ for lashings of hearty Madrid cooking, and among them are plenty of bullfighting aficionados and toreros (bullfighters, or matadors), especially during the Fiestas de San Isidro Labrador. Ordering a plate of rabo de toro is a way to win friends, while the remainder is simple, no-nonsense fare.
reviewed
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Sense Pressa
Tiny tables for two await in this split-level basement eatery. It serves up exquisitely prepared Spanish dishes, with a wide range of meat and fish options, depending on the season and chef’s whim. You might start with mini-carxofes saltejades amb pernil (sautéed mini-artichokes with ham) and follow with the fetge d’oca al vi d’Oporto (goose liver in port). Splurge on a suquet de llamantiol amb mongetes grosses (lobster and bean stew).
reviewed
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Alba Granados
In summer ask for one of the romantic tables for two on the 1st-floor balcony. Overlooking the trees, it is a unique spot, with little traffic. Inside, the ground- and 1st-floor dining areas are huge, featuring exposed brick and dark parquet. The menu offers a little of everything but the best dishes revolve around meat, such as solomillo a la mantequilla de trufa con tarrina de patata y beicon (sirloin in truffle butter, potato and bacon terrine).
reviewed
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Casa Alfonso
In business since 1934, Casa Alfonso is perfect for a morning coffee or a tapas stop at the long marble bar. Timber panelled and festooned with old photos, posters and swinging hams, it attracts a faithful local clientele at all hours for its flautas (thin custom-made baguettes with your choice of filling), hams, cheeses, hot dishes and homemade desserts. Consider rounding off with an alfonsito (a miniature Irish coffee).
reviewed
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Mesón Serranito
Specialising in the serranito, a Spanish gastronomic institution consisting of a slice of toasted bread heaped with a pork fillet, roasted pepper, a nice bit of jamón and garlic, this place is tops for trying this simple but scrumptious bite. It’s also has tasty bull’s tail on the menu to go with the less tasty bulls’ heads hanging on the wall – next to pictures of the final few seconds of their lives.
reviewed
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Puerta 57
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 (one of a number of dining rooms) looks out over the playing field. Needless to say, you’ll need to book a long time in advance for a meal during a game. The cuisine is traditional Spanish with an emphasis on seafood and it gets rave reviews.
reviewed
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Museo del Jamón
Famous for having appeared in Pedro Almodóvar’s 1997 film Carne Trémula (Live Flesh), and equally beloved by first-time visitors to Spain for the sight of hundreds of hams hanging from the ceiling, Museo del Jamón is definitely a local landmark. Prices range from €2.50 up to €15.50, depending on the quality, for a plate of jamón.
reviewed
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Casa Ciriaco
One of the grande dames of the Madrid restaurant scene, Casa Ciriaco has witnessed attempted assassinations (of King Alfonso XIII in 1906) and was immortalised by the Spanish writer Valle-Inclán who set part of his novel Luces de Bohemia here. Its legend made, it now puts all its energies into fine Madrileño cooking from seafood to hearty meat dishes.
reviewed
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Restaurante Luisón
This place could only exist in Spain - basic surrounds, offhand waiters and terrific, hearty food that keeps the locals fortified during cold winters. You'll need to book ahead, especially at lunchtime, when leonéses can't get enough of the local botillo berciano, a succulent pork dish, or cocido leónes (León-style chickpea stew).
reviewed
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Restaurant San Fernando
The posh Sevillan crowd comes to eat at Hotel Alfonso XIII's restaurant, so slick your hair back and don your best gown if you want to fit in. Haute cuisine is at its hautest here, and dishes like guinea fowl with grated potatoes and sautéed chanterelle mushrooms are served with a tidy, self-conscious presentation. Most importantly, they taste good.
reviewed
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Le Café
It’s almost impossible to get a table here on a weekday lunchtime when locals stream in from surrounding offices for the buzzy atmosphere, stylish but casual surrounds and good food: it’s traditional Spanish fare (rice dishes are a recurring theme) with a few twists. Unlike other similar places, it’s as popular as when it opened.
reviewed
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Club 31
An old Madrid classic, Club 31 has a vaguely contemporary design with long black seats, leaning wall mirrors and bright white designer lamps hanging from the ceiling, but the cuisine is classic. The accent is on fish and venison, with the occasional modern touch (such as the lobster soufflé). Last time we ate here, royalty was at the next table.
reviewed
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El Arandia de Julen
An exemplar of modern Basque cuisine, Arandia has retained the best traditions in its creative dishes. There's a special Wednesday menú of traditional red beans with a lip-smacking mix of pork chorizo (red sausage), morcilla (black pudding) and more, plus a delicious hake course. Excellent Riojas add lustre.
reviewed
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Mesón David
With its smoky timber ceiling, excitable waiting staff and generally chaotic feel, this tavern is a slice of the old Spain. Plonk yourself down on a bench for gregarious dining, such as house specialities caldo gallego (a sausage broth) and lechazo al horno (a great clump of oven-roasted suckling lamb for €8.90).
reviewed
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Restaurante Pollo Rico
The ‘Tasty Chicken’ is true to its name, with fast, cheap, abundant grub. Head upstairs and carve out a space amid the garrulous punters, then rattle off your order to a high-speed waiter. Chicken (quarter chicken and chips costs €4), meat and various other options can be put together to help you fill to bursting. Skip the paella.
reviewed
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Àbac
This minimalist designer den continues to stun the critics. Neutral, clean lines and lighting seem deliberately conjured so as not to rob even a sliver of concentration from the imaginative dishes issuing from the kitchen. They change constantly, and might range from a tarte Tatin of eel and apple to various baby-goat offerings.
reviewed
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Casa Fernández
Immensely popular with bar hoppers suddenly aware they have skipped dinner when it’s gone midnight, this bustling, cheerful eatery is a classic. Food is hearty and service hectic but pretty fast even when the place is brimful with carousers. There’s plenty of choice of local and foreign beers and a reasonable wine selection.
reviewed
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Bodegón Sarria
It could be the cured hams hanging from the ceiling and the used napkins thrown haphazardly on the floor, or it could be the pictures of Hemingway and bull bravado. Whatever it is, it certainly makes for a macho air about this place - as well as a bar bursting with pintxos and some simple lunch menús.
reviewed
