Must-see restaurants in La Latina & Lavapiés

Casa Lucio is a Madrid classic and has been wowing madrileños since 1974 with its light touch, quality ingredients and home-style local cooking such as…

Juana La Loca does a range of creative tapas with tempting options lined up along the bar, and more on the menu that they prepare to order. But we love it…

This pintxos (Basque tapas) bar is a great little discovery just down from the main La Latina tapas circuit. Wonderful wines, gorgeous pinchos (the…

This wonderfully restored 17th-century posada (inn) is something of a local landmark. The atmosphere is formal, the decoration sombre and traditional …

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…

Almendro 13 is a charming taberna (tavern) for traditional Spanish tapas with an emphasis on quality rather than frilly elaborations. Cured meats, cheeses…

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…

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…

The restaurant of the stunning Posada del Dragón retains some features of the original inn, including exposed wooden beams and heavy stonework. There are…

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…

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…

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…

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 …

Basque-Navarran cuisine is treated with respect at this classy place that's popular with celebrities and well regarded by food critics. There are only…

An icon of 1980s Madrid, La Bobia has been updated for the 21st century, but is still the authentic Asturian cider house that lies at the secret of its…

This famous old taberna (tavern) has been in the Oliveros family since 1921 and nothing seems to have changed much since it opened. It’s a tiny, warm,…

Receiving plaudits from food critics and ordinary punters alike, Casa Lucas takes a sideways glance at traditional Spanish tapas and heads off in new…

Behind one of the best-preserved old taberna facades in Madrid hides this gem of a traditional tapas bar famous for its Madrid specialities – tortilla de…

Around halfway down the Lavapiés hill, La Caleta is Andalucian down to its white-walled, flower-strewn dining area. The food is all about Cádiz, where…

A well-regarded bastion of local cooking, this place does fabulous croquetas de jamón, and has a more varied menu than most old taverns, ranging from…