Where to eat in Madrid: tapas, what to order and where to book
Madrid eats late and loud. Lunch is at 2pm and dinner after 9pm, with tapas in between. Order the tortilla, the cocido and a plate of jamón, and drink a caña. The best places are in La Latina, Huertas and Malasaña, not around the Plaza Mayor. Book for dinner, and walk in for tapas.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- La Latina and Huertas for tapas, Malasaña for newer places, and Salamanca for a calmer dinner.
- Order this
- Tortilla, jamón, patatas bravas, cocido madrileño and churros with chocolate.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 2pm, dinner from 9pm. Tapas bars fill from 8pm.
- Book or walk in
- Book dinner at restaurants. Tapas bars are walk in.
- Tipping
- Optional. Round up or leave a euro or two.
What to eat in Madrid
- Tortilla españolaA thick potato omelette, served in slices as a tapa or a meal.
- Cocido madrileñoA chickpea stew with meat and vegetables, eaten in three courses.
- Jamón ibéricoCured ham sliced thin, served with bread or on its own.
- Patatas bravasFried potatoes with a spicy sauce.
- Bocadillo de calamaresA fried calamari sandwich, a Madrid classic.
- Churros con chocolateFried dough with thick hot chocolate, for breakfast or late at night.
- Huevos rotosFried eggs broken over potatoes and ham.
- Callos a la madrileñaA tripe stew, rich and spicy.
Where to eat in Madrid, by neighborhood
La Latina
The best tapas street, Calle Cava Baja, plus old taverns. Busy at weekends.
Huertas
Bars, restaurants and theaters, near the Prado.
Malasaña and Chueca
Newer cafes, bars and small restaurants with a young crowd.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Sobrino de Botín
€€€Restaurant · Old center
OrderRoast suckling pig
One of the oldest restaurants in the world, open since 1725. Popular with visitors.
- Book
- Book ahead
Confirmed open: en.wikipedia.org
-
Chocolatería San Ginés
€Chocolatería · Old center
OrderChurros con chocolate
A long-running chocolate shop, open late and at breakfast.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: chocolateriasangines.com
-
Casa Lucio
€€€Restaurant · La Latina
OrderHuevos rotos
A classic taverna known for its broken eggs.
- Book
- Book ahead
Confirmed open: esmadrid.com
-
Mercado de San Miguel
€€Food hall · Old center
OrderTapas and vermouth
A covered market with food stalls, busy with visitors.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: mercadodesanmiguel.es
-
La Casa del Abuelo
€€Tapas bar · Old center
OrderGambas al ajillo
A small tapas bar famous for its prawns.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: frommers.com
Food markets in Madrid
- Mercado de San MiguelA covered market with tapas, oysters and wine, busy with visitors.Sunday to Thursday 10am to midnight, Friday and Saturday to 1amSource: mercadodesanmiguel.es
- Mercado de San AntónA market in Chueca with food stalls and a terrace.Monday to Thursday 10am to midnight, Friday to Sunday to 1.30amSource: tripadvisor.com
How Madrid eats
- Meal timesLunch from 2pm, dinner from 9pm. Tapas bars fill from 8pm.
- TippingOptional. Round up or leave a euro or two.
- ReservationsBook dinner at restaurants. Tapas bars are walk in.
- CañaA small draught beer, and the usual drink with tapas.
Signs of a place to walk past
Restaurants on the Plaza Mayor with a server and photographs.
Paella served before 1pm in the city, which is often frozen.
Menus with a long list in many languages.
Eating in Madrid: questions people ask
What food is Madrid known for?
Tortilla, cocido, jamón, bocadillo de calamares and churros with chocolate.
What time do people eat in Madrid?
Lunch from 2pm and dinner from 9pm. Tapas fill the time in between.
Do I need to book in Madrid?
For dinner at restaurants, yes. Tapas bars are walk in.
Is it expensive to eat in Madrid?
It can be, near the sights. Local bars and lunch menus cost much less.
Is paella from Madrid?
No, it is from Valencia. Madrid is better for cocido and tortilla.
Is it rude not to tip in Madrid?
No. Tips are small and optional.