Want to have a tasty and affordable lunch in Madrid? Then on weekdays between 1 PM and 4 PM, look for restaurants that have Menu del Dia written on a board at the entrance. This is similar to a business lunch. It includes a first and second course (your choice), wine, water or coffee, bread, and dessert. This daily set menu will cost you €8-15. You may also see signs for Plato del Dia (dish of the day for €7-12) and Combinado (hot dish + salad).
Restaurants serving Spanish cuisine
- At Taberna Malacatín they excellently prepare Madrid stew (cocido madrileño) (on Google Maps). Bill from €10.
- The signature dishes of the oldest restaurant Sobrino de Botín are roasted suckling pig (cochinillo asado) and egg cooked in chicken broth with sherry and garlic (sopa de ajo) (on Google Maps). Bill from €20.
- In the cozy small old restaurant Bodega de la Ardosa, try the tortilla, fried eggplants, beef cheeks, fried calamari, artichokes, homemade vermouth, and fresh beer (on Google Maps). Price per person: from €16.
- Meson Restaurante La Mi Venta‘s menu is small but follows the «wine and meat» concept! Try the T-bone steak, entrecôte, lamb chops, and kid goat. All dishes come with potatoes and grilled peppers. Large selection of regional Spanish wines (on Google Maps). Bill from €30.
- At the tapas restaurant Juana La Loca, order mushroom risotto, foie gras, jamón, oxtail, tuna tartare, and the best tortilla in Madrid (on Google Maps). Bill from €20.
- To enjoy Madrid’s cocido soup, visit restaurant La Bola. They also excellently prepare Madrid-style rice, tripe dishes (rumen), Spanish garlic soup (sopa de ajo española) and apple doughnuts (rosquillas de manzana) (on Google Maps). Bill from €30.
- Matilda is a small gem in the literary district. The space is small, but the food is delicious (on Google Maps). Menu of the day costs only €12.
- Taberna La Charca is the best Asturian cuisine restaurant (on Google Maps). You’ll love cachopo (ham and cheese wrapped in veal fillet and breaded), grilled squid with ink-stained onions (chipirones de anzuelo plancha con cebolla en su tinta), and hake skewers (merluza de pincho). Menu del dia available for €14.50.
- At La Catedral, you’ll find delicious Spanish food, especially seafood paella, and beautiful interiors (on Google Maps). A lunch consisting of gazpacho, cod dish, and a glass of light wine will cost €21.
- Restaurant Cañadio Madrid is perfect for dinner. Cantabrian cuisine (on Google Maps). Above average prices. Order the lemon tart (tarta de limón) for dessert.
- If you’re looking for an elegant dinner in the heart of Madrid, head to La Primera (on Google Maps). They serve Cantabrian cuisine. Above average prices.
- Lhardy (on Google Maps) is an iconic restaurant founded in 1839. Famous for its traditional Madrid-style cocido (cocido madrileño) (€65), served during cold weather. Prices are steep, but portions are huge. Try the soufflé for dessert.
- Gochü (on Google Maps) is a modern cider producer and homestyle Asturian restaurant with weekly menus, good ciders, and fresh products. Must try their cider and cabrales cheese.
Quick and Cheap Bites
You can grab a quick and affordable bite or have a full meal at tapas bars, snack bars, and cafes
- At El Tigre Sidra Bar, you get free tapas with any drink order. Snacks include chicken wings, potatoes with sauce, various tapas, and tortilla (on Google Maps). Tapas from €1.
- When you’re on a tight budget but craving a feast, check out the budget-friendly 100 montaditos (on Google Maps). They’re all over Spain. The menu features 100 varieties of tapas for €1. Usually it’s a roll with spread and a piece of something, but looks fancy. On Wednesdays and Sundays, they have «Euromania» — almost all snacks for €1. For €10-15, your table will be packed! Instagram-worthy for sure.
- The highlight at Taberna Almería is their 34 tapas (all for €3.50) (on Google Maps). Most popular ones include goat cheese with onion, jamón, chorizo, and salchichón. They also make delicious empanadas and patatas con allioli (potatoes with aioli).
- Bar Selva (on Google Maps) offers cheap and tasty food. Daily menu costs €11.
- At Casa Toni snack bar, the food is hearty and simple (on Google Maps). Order pig ears, shrimp, spicy potatoes, croquettes, peppers and eggplants, and try their local sangria.
- Cafe Pez Tortilla makes fantastic tortillas with cheese, fish, meat, or vegetables (on Google Maps).
- Bar Casa RUA makes calamari sandwiches (on Google Maps).
- When you need a quick snack, head to one of the Rodilla chain locations, known for their sandwiches (on Google Maps).
- At La Bistroteca — the best burgers and guacamole (on Google Maps). Order the cold Spanish appetizer guacamole (€13) and their signature truffle burger (la sabuesa) (€19). The desserts are also great: family recipe passion fruit mousse (mousse de maracuyá) (€8.5) and cheesecake (tarta de queso) (€8).
- 🥑 If you love healthy food, check out the Honest Greens restaurant chain with dishes made from local organic products (on Google Maps). For €8-10 you can have a delicious and healthy lunch. They have an amazing cheesecake with matcha tea, passion fruit, and dried chili peppers (tarta de té matcha, maracuyá y ají deshidratado).
- Bodega de la Ardosa (on Google Maps) is a traditional Spanish tapas bar with beautiful exterior decor. It’s always crowded, serving good vermouth and appetizers. Those who like crunchy food should try the pig ears.
- Alma Cheli Matadero (on Google Maps) is one of the best places for vermouth made with a special recipe. For food, order the Russian salad (Nuestra Ensaladilla Rusa). Average price per person is €1-10.
- Fide Calle (on Google Maps) is a local seafood bar that’s almost always packed. I recommend the scallops (zamburiñas), marinated anchovies (boquerones) and anchovies (anchoa), sardines, gabi leaves and oyster stew. They have good draft beer, ale, and vermouth.
I found some of these interesting places on the channels Spain Through Simple Eyes and Viva Marusia!.
Where to have breakfast in Madrid?
- Toma café — coffee shop chain. Toma1: La Palma 49; Toma2: Santa Feliciana 5; Toma3: Raimundo Lulio 16. They brew wonderful coffee here. Order the ménage à trois — a set of espresso, filter coffee, and cappuccino. For breakfast, try Turkish eggs (huevos turcos) and various pastries.
- Parque Café (on Google Maps) and the most delicious bread with tomato (pan con tomate).
- Infinito (on Google Maps) — espresso bar. Delightful oat milk latte, «Summer Storm» iced tea, and Madrid’s best Eggs Benedict: homemade guacamole, bacon, poached egg, and hollandaise sauce.
- Pastelería Mallorca (on Google Maps) — pastry shop, a cult place. Sit on the terrace, order a cappuccino and inglés con jamón serrano y mozarella.
- At Bô specialty coffee (on Google Maps) they have everything — poached eggs, shakshuka, bowls, and croque madame. Everything is incredibly delicious!
- La Maruca (on Google Maps) is a restaurant chain. People come here for the tortilla, but theirs is runny inside (tortilla muy jugoso). The place is elegant and pleasant. They also have a delicious cheesecake (tarta de queso), which is also liquid inside.
I found some of these interesting places on the Viva Marusia! channel.
🍦Where to eat ice cream in Madrid?
Here are the addresses of the best ice cream cafes (Heladerías) that serve handmade ice cream (helados) made from natural ingredients.
- La Romana dal 1947 – an Italian gelateria in Madrid. Wide selection of ice cream flavors and decent coffee. There are several locations in the city, with the most stylish and less crowded cafe near Santiago Barnabeu stadium (on Google Maps).
- Rocambolesc (on Google Maps) – try Jordi Roca’s Play-Doh ice cream, an amazing mix of traditional and innovative, or Jordi’s nose-shaped popsicles created using 3D technology.
- Kalúa (on Google Maps) – there’s always a queue, but it’s worth it! Almost 50 handmade ice cream flavors to choose from — the perfect excuse to try a new flavor every day.
- La Dolce Fina (on Google Maps) – near Retiro Park, this Argentine-run spot is famous for the world’s best pistachio ice cream.
- Maison Glacée (on Google Maps) near Retiro Park. Expensive but worth it. Try the mango with sherry ice cream, strawberry, and the legendary bread and chocolate ice cream drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt (Pan con chocolate y AOVE).
- Mistura (on Google Maps) – celebrating a decade of their first store. Their ice cream is 100% handmade, served on a granite plate at -20ºC for unique shape and texture. Enjoy the unmatched creamy texture.
- Los Alpes (on Google Maps) – Madrid’s oldest ice cream cafe, operating since 1950! Large selection of flavors at reasonable prices. Try their Dulce de leche, Orange chocolate (Chocolate con naranja), hazelnut ice cream, and Crema Catalana.
- Gioelia (on Google Maps) – an Italian gelateria. They offer classic Italian flavors like pistachio, raffaello, and cremino.
- Bico de xeado (on Google Maps).
- Töto (Corre. Alta de San Pablo, 12 and Pl. de España, 9).
Markets
You can enjoy delicious freshly prepared dishes and drinks or take them away at Madrid’s food markets. The most popular ones are San Ildefonso Market (Mercado San Ildefonso) and San Antón Market (Mercado San Antón).
