Guidebook for Madrid
Food Scene
Elegant but not over-the-top; great menu, good service, quiet locale just off of Plaza de San Martin.
Restaurante Cornucopia
9 Calle de las Navas de TolosaElegant but not over-the-top; great menu, good service, quiet locale just off of Plaza de San Martin.
Good place if you're hankering for an American-style burger.
21 locals recommend
Naif Madrid Burger&bar
16 C. de San JoaquínGood place if you're hankering for an American-style burger.
Light menu of sandwiches, salads, soup, etc. Largely gay clientele, a place to "see and be seen" over a lingering cup of coffee or beer in the Chueca neighborhood.
J & J Books and Coffee
47 C. del Espíritu SantoLight menu of sandwiches, salads, soup, etc. Largely gay clientele, a place to "see and be seen" over a lingering cup of coffee or beer in the Chueca neighborhood.
Look closely as it's in the lobby of a hostal. Cheap and good, the daily lunch menu can't be beat: three courses for around 11 Euros. Service is a little devil-may-care, price-to-food ratio is great.
70 locals recommend
Restaurante Gigi
13 Calle de LuchanaLook closely as it's in the lobby of a hostal. Cheap and good, the daily lunch menu can't be beat: three courses for around 11 Euros. Service is a little devil-may-care, price-to-food ratio is great.
High-quality food and cocktails, good menu range, in one of Madrid's more out-of-the-way plazas.
50 locals recommend
Lamucca de Prado
16 C. del PradoHigh-quality food and cocktails, good menu range, in one of Madrid's more out-of-the-way plazas.
Cheap and good with a broad range of cusine, from tapas to wok specialties to sushi. Outdoor seating in an out-of-the-way plaza in the vibrant La Latina district.
64 locals recommend
La Musa Latina
12 Cost.ª de San AndrésCheap and good with a broad range of cusine, from tapas to wok specialties to sushi. Outdoor seating in an out-of-the-way plaza in the vibrant La Latina district.
Similar to Mercado de San Miguel, this market offers high-end provisions on the 1st fl, prepared food on the 2nd fl, and a Cinco Jotas restaurant on the top floor with a fabulous outdoor terrace!
498 locals recommend
San Antón Market
24 C. de Augusto FigueroaSimilar to Mercado de San Miguel, this market offers high-end provisions on the 1st fl, prepared food on the 2nd fl, and a Cinco Jotas restaurant on the top floor with a fabulous outdoor terrace!
The sister restaurant to Ginger, Bazaar is reasonable w/ a broad menu and pleasant decor. Special lunch menu is a good value. Service is a not warm, but not enough to keep us from returning.
57 locals recommend
Bazaar
21 C. de la LibertadThe sister restaurant to Ginger, Bazaar is reasonable w/ a broad menu and pleasant decor. Special lunch menu is a good value. Service is a not warm, but not enough to keep us from returning.
Incredibly delicious tapas with Italian twist. Strongly recommend the fried artichokes ("alcachofa").
52 locals recommend
Arzábal Retiro
13 Av. de Menéndez PelayoIncredibly delicious tapas with Italian twist. Strongly recommend the fried artichokes ("alcachofa").
Viva Burger
16 Cost.ª de San AndrésA good place for those on a vegan diet.
Delicious, old-school tapas. Great service. The roasted bull's tail is a specialty here.
9 locals recommend
La Botillería de Maxi
4 C. de la Cava AltaDelicious, old-school tapas. Great service. The roasted bull's tail is a specialty here.
Fun and funky in the colorful Malasana neighborhood, Ojala is a good place to linger over a coffee, libation, or a light bite.
92 locals recommend
Ojalá
1 Calle de San AndrésFun and funky in the colorful Malasana neighborhood, Ojala is a good place to linger over a coffee, libation, or a light bite.
Bombay Palace
26 C. del Ave MaríaVery capable Indian cuisine, attentive service, reasonable prices.
For those wishing to avoid franchises like Starbucks and Dunkin', this local chain has great coffee, healthy blended fruit drinks, desserts, and WiFi.
8 locals recommend
Faborit
61 C. de AlcaláFor those wishing to avoid franchises like Starbucks and Dunkin', this local chain has great coffee, healthy blended fruit drinks, desserts, and WiFi.
Good American burgers. A bit on the pricey side, but sometimes you get what you pay for.
33 locals recommend
Home Burger Bar
25 Calle de SilvaGood American burgers. A bit on the pricey side, but sometimes you get what you pay for.
Clarita
19 Corre. Baja de San PabloLow-key bar and tapas lounge. Free WiFi.
Circo de las Tapas
21 Corredera Baja de San PabloTapas bar with nice, chill atmosphere.
Similar in style to the Chipotle chain (Tex-Mex) in the US. Mostly take-out with a few seats.
Aguacate Grill, S.L.
9 C. de Espoz y MinaSimilar in style to the Chipotle chain (Tex-Mex) in the US. Mostly take-out with a few seats.
Our #1 go-to place for high-quality tapas, just a stone's throw from the apartment. It's tiny, so a reservation is recommended.
23 locals recommend
El Mollete
4 C. de la BolaOur #1 go-to place for high-quality tapas, just a stone's throw from the apartment. It's tiny, so a reservation is recommended.
I was invited to a tapas tasting here and was blown away at the quality of the food. The menu is smaller than other tapas places so they can focus on outstanding quality. Highly recommended!
The Lope
I was invited to a tapas tasting here and was blown away at the quality of the food. The menu is smaller than other tapas places so they can focus on outstanding quality. Highly recommended!
Inexpensive Russian restaurant, a nice change from the more traditional cuisines. Attentive service.
7 locals recommend
Las Noches De Moscú
37 Cl. del Marqués de Sta. AnaInexpensive Russian restaurant, a nice change from the more traditional cuisines. Attentive service.
Yummy tapas in a charming area of the old quarter. I had friendly service here, a good house Ribera del Duero, and a delicious tortilla (Spanish omelette).
Tapassentao
1 C. del Príncipe de AnglonaYummy tapas in a charming area of the old quarter. I had friendly service here, a good house Ribera del Duero, and a delicious tortilla (Spanish omelette).
Had great service and very nicely-prepared, traditional tapas here. In the fun Malasaña neighborhood.
48 locals recommend
El Pez Gordo
6 C. del PezHad great service and very nicely-prepared, traditional tapas here. In the fun Malasaña neighborhood.
A very classic cafe/restaurant with somewhat of a blue-haired crowd but a great place to gaze upon the gardens and the royal palace. Ample outdoor seating with heat lamps during cooler weather.
34 locals recommend
Café de Oriente Palacio Real
2 Pl. de Ote.A very classic cafe/restaurant with somewhat of a blue-haired crowd but a great place to gaze upon the gardens and the royal palace. Ample outdoor seating with heat lamps during cooler weather.
Comfortable bar/restaurant with Spanish countryside feel and a delicious menu in the La Latina neighborhood.
La Nieta Carmela
3 C. del HumilladeroComfortable bar/restaurant with Spanish countryside feel and a delicious menu in the La Latina neighborhood.
On the backside of Plaza Mayor, this place is famous for its fried calamari sandwiches. Grab a cider and a sandwich for a quick and traditional meal.
63 locals recommend
Bar La Campana
6 C. de BotonerasOn the backside of Plaza Mayor, this place is famous for its fried calamari sandwiches. Grab a cider and a sandwich for a quick and traditional meal.
If you are an American longing for a taste of home, this bakery specializes in cupcakes of all sorts, and sells foods like Marshmallow Fluff, Pepperidge Farm cookies, and Duncan Hines cake mix.
9 locals recommend
Happy Day Bakery
11 C. del Espíritu SantoIf you are an American longing for a taste of home, this bakery specializes in cupcakes of all sorts, and sells foods like Marshmallow Fluff, Pepperidge Farm cookies, and Duncan Hines cake mix.
A comfy if hipsterish hangout with retro furniture in the Malasaña neighborhood, featuring an interesting cocktail menu, teas, and coffee, plus light bites.
31 locals recommend
Lolina Vintage Cafe
9 C. del Espíritu SantoA comfy if hipsterish hangout with retro furniture in the Malasaña neighborhood, featuring an interesting cocktail menu, teas, and coffee, plus light bites.
Very traditional Spanish restaurant in the tony and straight-laced Salamanca neighborhood.
Calle de Velázquez
Very traditional Spanish restaurant in the tony and straight-laced Salamanca neighborhood.
Essentials
Enter off of Plaza Callo. Go to the back-left corner to catch the escalator to the basement grocery store. The escalator is kind of hidden.
451 locals recommend
El Corte Inglés Seguros Correduría
2 Pl. del CallaoEnter off of Plaza Callo. Go to the back-left corner to catch the escalator to the basement grocery store. The escalator is kind of hidden.
This has much bigger grocery store in its basement than its sister store up the block. Also has a large international foods selection and bigger selection of wines.
451 locals recommend
El Corte Inglés Seguros Correduría
2 Pl. del CallaoThis has much bigger grocery store in its basement than its sister store up the block. Also has a large international foods selection and bigger selection of wines.
If you're staying longer and need to stock up on groceries and toiletries, this robust supermarket will have better value than the El Corte Ingles. Just outside the Acacias metro stop.
La Parrala
5 C. del HumilladeroIf you're staying longer and need to stock up on groceries and toiletries, this robust supermarket will have better value than the El Corte Ingles. Just outside the Acacias metro stop.
Typical, overpriced Starbucks, but a comforting presence if you're American and homesick.
152 locals recommend
Callao station
Typical, overpriced Starbucks, but a comforting presence if you're American and homesick.
Just outside the Plz. de Espana metro stop. Free WiFi, sizeable lounge on the 2nd floor.
32 locals recommend
Starbucks
43 Calle de FuencarralJust outside the Plz. de Espana metro stop. Free WiFi, sizeable lounge on the 2nd floor.
Arts & Culture
Spanish National Theater. I've seen great productions of American classics here in Spanish (Follies, Streetcar Named Desire, Of Mice and Men).
1026 locals recommend
San Miguel Market
s/n Pl. de San MiguelSpanish National Theater. I've seen great productions of American classics here in Spanish (Follies, Streetcar Named Desire, Of Mice and Men).
Open daily at 10am, closes at 8pm except Sundays, which has a closing time of 7pm. The last two hours of the days have free admission.
2515 locals recommend
Museo Nacional del Prado
23 C. de Ruiz de AlarcónOpen daily at 10am, closes at 8pm except Sundays, which has a closing time of 7pm. The last two hours of the days have free admission.
Royal Theater
s/n Pl. de Isabel IIMadrid's grand opera house.
Sightseeing
It's "Kilometer Zero" for Madrid. Full of lively street performers and beautiful fountains, the streets fanning out from this plaza are pedestrian shopping avenues.
15 locals recommend
Plaza de la Puerta del Sol
It's "Kilometer Zero" for Madrid. Full of lively street performers and beautiful fountains, the streets fanning out from this plaza are pedestrian shopping avenues.
Nearby to the apartment and also a major Metro hub, this park has an amazing fountain, an open-air artisan marketplace, and a famous statue of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
535 locals recommend
El Rastro
Plaza del General Vara de ReyNearby to the apartment and also a major Metro hub, this park has an amazing fountain, an open-air artisan marketplace, and a famous statue of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
This park features an ancient Egyptian temple, gifted to Spain by Egypt, called Templo de Abod. It includes a reflecting pool and stunning views of the river valley below.
1359 locals recommend
Temple of Debod
1 C. de FerrazThis park features an ancient Egyptian temple, gifted to Spain by Egypt, called Templo de Abod. It includes a reflecting pool and stunning views of the river valley below.
An amazing respite from the hubbub. The lake, where you can rent a rowboat, is bordered by an amazing esplanade. Other features are the Fountain of the Fallen Angel and the Palacio Crytsal.
2341 locals recommend
El Retiro Park
7 Plaza de la IndependenciaAn amazing respite from the hubbub. The lake, where you can rent a rowboat, is bordered by an amazing esplanade. Other features are the Fountain of the Fallen Angel and the Palacio Crytsal.
This is a fun way to take in vistas of Madrid. Individual cable cars seating four take you high over the Manzanares river valley to the center of Madrid's giant Caso de Campo park.
72 locals recommend
La Llave de Oro
6 C. de VelázquezThis is a fun way to take in vistas of Madrid. Individual cable cars seating four take you high over the Manzanares river valley to the center of Madrid's giant Caso de Campo park.
The former platforms of the main train station, damaged in the 2004 terrorist bombing, were turned into a lush, tropical garden, complete with a turtle pond.
Jardines Tropicales de Atocha
1 C. de Méndez ÁlvaroThe former platforms of the main train station, damaged in the 2004 terrorist bombing, were turned into a lush, tropical garden, complete with a turtle pond.
An ancient temple that was a gift of the Egyptian government. Includes beautiful reflecting pools and vistas over the valley and Caso de Campo.
1359 locals recommend
Temple of Debod
1 C. de FerrazAn ancient temple that was a gift of the Egyptian government. Includes beautiful reflecting pools and vistas over the valley and Caso de Campo.
Amazing contemporary art museum. The permanent collection includes Picasso's Guernica, and is not to be missed. Admission is free the last two hours of the day. Closed Tuesdays.
1837 locals recommend
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
52 C. de Sta. IsabelAmazing contemporary art museum. The permanent collection includes Picasso's Guernica, and is not to be missed. Admission is free the last two hours of the day. Closed Tuesdays.
Extensive private art and sculpture collection belonging to a former porn-star/mistress now a wealthy socialite/heiress. Interesting temporary exhibitions, too.
1498 locals recommend
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
8 P.º del PradoExtensive private art and sculpture collection belonging to a former porn-star/mistress now a wealthy socialite/heiress. Interesting temporary exhibitions, too.
Drinks & Nightlife
If you miss hearing English, this American-managed bar/bookstore is the hangout of English teachers. Full bar and light snacks; the basement has a huge used English language book market.
267 locals recommend
Plaza de Cibeles
If you miss hearing English, this American-managed bar/bookstore is the hangout of English teachers. Full bar and light snacks; the basement has a huge used English language book market.
After-hours gay bar with an eclectic clientele. Locals say to stick with bottled drinks as the liquors are cheap or diluted and placed into brand-name bottles. But fun in the wee hours nonetheless.
Rick's
8 Calle del ClavelAfter-hours gay bar with an eclectic clientele. Locals say to stick with bottled drinks as the liquors are cheap or diluted and placed into brand-name bottles. But fun in the wee hours nonetheless.
Hot
Gay bar with generally an older and more bearish crowd, and their admirers.
Typical Irish-style pub with a great selection of draft beers; Thursday nights the bar hosts a lively intercambio (language exchange).
Beer Station
22 Cuesta de Sto. DomingoTypical Irish-style pub with a great selection of draft beers; Thursday nights the bar hosts a lively intercambio (language exchange).
Down-to-earth bar without a lot of tourists. Wide range of cocktails and other libations. Nice vibe.
8 locals recommend
Casa Pueblo
3 C. del LeónDown-to-earth bar without a lot of tourists. Wide range of cocktails and other libations. Nice vibe.
The drinks are cheap and they give you heaps of traditional tapas included the price of your drink.
73 locals recommend
Sidrería el Tigre
23 C. de las InfantasThe drinks are cheap and they give you heaps of traditional tapas included the price of your drink.
A very traditional down-and-dirty bar with a tapas menu, just off the Gran Via/Plaza Callao. You can get a bucket of mini-beers for just a few Euros.
Bar La Prensa
4 C de Miguel MoyaA very traditional down-and-dirty bar with a tapas menu, just off the Gran Via/Plaza Callao. You can get a bucket of mini-beers for just a few Euros.
Everything Else
Madrid's main train station. High-speed rail to other major Spanish cities and day trips to Toledo.
412 locals recommend
Madrid Puerta de Atocha station
Plaza del Emperador Carlos VMadrid's main train station. High-speed rail to other major Spanish cities and day trips to Toledo.
Shopping
Intersection w/beautiful architecture. This small, elegant shop sells traditional "violetas," violet-flavored hard candy. Not sure why or if anyone eats it, but it makes a good present nonetheless.
La Violeta
6 Pl. de CanalejasIntersection w/beautiful architecture. This small, elegant shop sells traditional "violetas," violet-flavored hard candy. Not sure why or if anyone eats it, but it makes a good present nonetheless.
Interesting antique store in the Rastro area with an eclectic collection from classical, Spanish countryside, mid-century, and pop art.
La Brocanterie
16 C. Rodrigo de GuevaraInteresting antique store in the Rastro area with an eclectic collection from classical, Spanish countryside, mid-century, and pop art.