When it comes to culinary excellence, Spain maintains a constant presence as one of the world’s best countries to eat. From the endless lists of best restaurants and bars to the revered list of Michelin-starred restaurants, Spain always rates up there with the best of the best.
But, while fine dining establishments seem to get the lion’s share of media attention, there’s another, humbler, but equally delicious type of restaurant in the Spanish capital that has been existing in the shadows of Michelin and the World’s 50 Best Restaurants all along: the beloved tavern.
Warm and welcoming, eating at Madrid’s traditional taverns is like getting a warm hug from your abuela. Here, you can find the true heart of Madrid’s long-standing love of quality food. No, it won’t be 50 small plates of foam or spheres or vaporized something or other; what you’ll find in these places is traditional great food made with love. Without further ado, here is our list of the best taverns in Madrid.
The “Castizo” Restaurant
Meet the “castizo” restaurant, a term that is only applicable in Madrid (“Castizo” is slang for a born-and-bred Madrid denizen). These simple-salt-of-the-earth eateries, many of which have been open for a century or more, serve no-fuss staples from all around Spain, since Madrid acts as a vortex for people from all over Iberia to settle here.
At these casual, comfortable spots—everything from old-school restaurants to classic tabernas—you can sample classic dishes like the hearty multi-platter local stew cocido madrileño, variations on the theme of offal, and dishes featuring various parts of the pig that you might not normally eat at home.
This is the true heart and soul of Madrid’s dining culture—something the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants will likely never have. So, if you want to eat like a local, like a madrileño, grab a table at one of these below restaurants.
Casa Amadeo
This centrally located spot opened up during World War II. And while the war has fortunately ended, Casa Amadeo’s patrons are still flowing into here regularly. The restaurant is known for its snails—regulars will tell you they’re the best snails in the city—and these are not always just straight-up fork-to-mouth gastropods. The snails come bobbing in delicious ham-spiked broth. If you don’t want snails, the menu is loaded with plenty of other local delights.
El Doble
This diminutive spot—it’s little more than a long tile-bedecked bar counter—in Chamberi has been serving up a seafood-forward menu of fresh delights since 1987. Beer is the drink of choice at El Doble, so come thirsty for some sudsy stuff and have an empty stomach that is ready to be filled with fresh seafood practically cooked right in front of you.
Casa Ricardo
Also in the Chamberi district is a classic old-school Madrid restaurant. Casa Ricardo has been open since 1935. The bullfighter images crammed onto the high ceilings may make you hungry for meat. If so, Casa Ricardo comes through. Start with some creamy oxtail croquettes and eggs with chistorra.
The adventurous eater will be in pork byproduct paradise here, as the menu features tripe, blood sausage, and pig ears. There is also breaded lamb brains, bull testicles, and lamb kidneys. The 76-seat eatery includes an upstairs dining room. If possible try to sit on the ground floor; the room is much more atmospheric.
Taberna Bodegas Ricla
Near Plaza Mayor on a street that is a constant procession of tourists, you can try to avoid the masses by ducking into Taberna Bodegas Ricla (Calle de Cuchilleros, 6), a tavern that’s been serving up beer, vermouth, wine, and toothsome tapas since 1867.
For a tavern, the wine list is particularly noteworthy, as it spins all over the Iberian peninsula. There are plenty of pig parts on the menu here, but people come for the cockles, boquerones, and other delights from the sea.
El Fogón de Trifón
Many people stop by here for a late lunch before heading off to Las Ventas for the toros, or bullfights. El Fogón de Trifón has been serving up Madrid staples since 1965, first by Trifón and now his son, Jorge, who works the cramped back dining room, stopping by to chat with diners. The rabo de toro, a stew of tender bull tail, is a favorite among regulars.
Traveler’s Tip: While you’re exploring Madrid’s best taverns, make sure to take this list of Top 20 Must-Try Typical Foods In Madrid with you to see if you can check all 20 off the list!
Taberna Antonio Sanchez
Since 1787, this central spot has been a meeting point for madrileños of all sorts. The tiled walls are crammed with paintings of bull fighters, jostling for space with the plus-sized taxidermied bull’s head. The place to be here is in the crammed front room, not the renovated back room, the ideal venue for grazing on Andalusian-accented dishes. The lunchtime menu del dia is always a good deal at Taberna Antonio Sanchez.
Taberna Pedraza
Started by the charming Carmen and Santiago in 2014, Taberna Pedraza is a contemporary gastropub-like tavern that has become known for its superlative cocido Madrileño. But if you’re not up for a big feast, the menu is loaded with all kinds of light fare, including an excellent version of salmorejo, the tomato-based soup from Cordoba in southern Spain, and very tender ribeye steaks.
Visiting all of the best taverns in Madrid might take some time. If you’d like a little guidance, make sure to check out our Madrid Tapas, Taverns & History Tour. Not only will you get to try some great food, but you’ll also see how some of Madrid’s top dishes are tied to the city’s long and vibrant history. And if you’re looking to impress your friends back home, make sure to sign up for our Paella and Tapas Cooking Class with Market Visit.
