When it comes to food, Madrid has just about everything you could wish for. In fact, there's no shortage of good restaurants in Madrid.
Whether you're looking for a hearty or home-cooked meal, or want to enjoy avant-garde cuisine, you're sure to find it in the Spanish capital.
So, here are the best restaurants in Madrid, in no particular order, to suit all tastes.
01- Best fish: El Pescador
It may come as a surprise that landlocked Madrid is home to some of the freshest seafood in Spain. However, consider the fact that many restaurants bring in their fish twice a day from all over the country. El Pescador is one such place and it shows. It's one of the best restaurants in Madrid for eating seafood.
From Cantabrian lobster to Mediterranean prawns and hake, El Pescador has it all. Although they offer a choice of serving styles, don't expect fancy fillings or cooking techniques. In fact, here the seafood itself takes centre stage, as it should.
02- The best wine and ham: Stop Madrid
Most wine bars offer a meagre selection of wines by the glass. Stop Madrid, with its 100 or so varieties ready to be uncorked at a moment's notice, is not one of them.
This timeless, no-frills venue is the ideal place to enjoy a glass of Spanish wine. You can accompany it with manchego cheese or cured Iberian ham from the Holy Grail. Rest assured, the quality is beyond reproach.
03- Ideal for dessert: Casa de Las Torrijas
If you like French toast, you'll love torrijas. This Spanish treat starts with bread dipped in eggs. Then it's dipped in honey, milk or wine. Most places in Spain only serve them during the Easter season. But not the aptly named Casa de las Torrijas. Grab a table in the beautifully decorated bar. Order the freshly prepared torrijas of your choice. Then relax.
04- Best for breakfast: Chocolate
Spain's most famous breakfast is the chocolate churro. A fried pastry dipped in melted chocolate. What's not to love? These delicious treats are the quintessential Spanish breakfast. No other place does them better than Le Chocolat, a Madrileño favourite in the charming Huertas district. Join the locals here for a great start to the day.
05- Best experience: Botín
This is not only one of the best restaurants in Madrid. It's the oldest restaurant in the world. Its name was coined by Hemingway in 'The Sun Also Rises'. But it's not just that. For it offers fantastic food, including the star of the show - incredibly tender and tasty roast suckling pig - . Botín is the perfect place for a meal of a lifetime in Madrid, accompanied by good company and plenty of bottles of rich Rioja.
06- Best unpretentious bar: La Ardosa
Trendy food may come and go in fashionable Malasaña, but classic places like La Ardosa will always remain. That's what makes it one of the best restaurants in Madrid. As one of the few centenarios restaurants, this place is less a restaurant than a bar, but its food is far superior to that of your usual pub. Rub elbows with the locals as you order round after round of tapas, like their perfectly cooked tortilla de patatas and refreshing salmorejo (a close cousin of gazpacho).
07- Ideal for tapas: Juana La Loca
Tapas come in many forms. In fact, the word doesn't just refer to the food itself, but rather the way it's eaten. It's a social experience, best enjoyed in a bar like Juana La Loca, in the lively La Latina district. They serve some of the best tortillas in town, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere will almost make you feel like you're in your favourite hometown bar.
08- Best place to pack a picnic: Ferpal
The heart and soul of Madrid can be found in places like Ferpal, where locals pick up the city's best hams, cured meats and cheeses. This establishment is a favourite haunt for local grandmothers who buy jamón for lunch (and if Spanish grannies have approved, you know it's good). Once you've had all the gourmet goodness you can take away, head to a picturesque park to enjoy a sunny picnic.
09- Best Bocadillo de Calamares: La Campana
One of Madrid's most emblematic dishes couldn't be simpler. Bocadillo de calamares is little more than a crispy baguette topped with freshly fried squid rings. Although there's a bar serving them in every corner of the Spanish capital, not all bocadillos de calamares are created equal.
While tourists hurry towards the Plaza Mayor, locals gather in the little hole-in-the-wall known as La Campana, which offers the best squid sandwiches in town. The bar is loud, it's crowded, it's everything you've ever wanted in a Spanish tavern.
10- Best place near Sol: Casa Labra
A real gem among the tourist traps that so often invade the streets surrounding Madrid's central square, Casa Labra has truly earned a reputation as one of the city's cheapest places for a good meal. It's also one of the best restaurants in Madrid. With plenty of old-world charm and a vibrant, modern atmosphere, it's the perfect place to meet friends for a relaxed lunch or to take a break for a tapas night. Order a portion of their famous salt cod croquettes.
11- Best Paella: El Arrozal
Although paella didn't originate in Madrid, the Spanish capital is full of hearty rice dishes - you just need to know where to look. Many paella joints lean towards the touristy side, but not El Arrozal. This La Latina favourite combines succulent short-grain rice, tender meat and colourful vegetables in the paella of your dreams - no bright yellow tourist fare here. They even offer the paella in individual portions, which isn't common in most arrocerías. This is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Madrid to eat paella.
12- Best Cocido Madrileño: La Bola
Conquering Madrid's most legendary dish - the almighty cocido madrileño - is no mean feat. You have a noodle soup, chickpeas, vegetables and various pork products simmered to perfection over several hours and finally served in several dishes. Although it's not hard to find cocido madrileño here in the city that gives the stew its name, many locals tend to head to La Bola, a tiny, timeless restaurant a stone's throw from the Royal Palace, for a treat.
13- Ideal for families: Casa Mingo
Eating out with younger children, especially in a foreign country, can be difficult. Casa Mingo solves all your problems by providing the perfect place for a simple and enjoyable meal with the family. Gourmets of all ages will love their famous roast chicken and the spacious, welcoming dining area. As a bonus, two of Madrid's largest green spaces, Madrid Rio and Casa de Campo, are within walking distance when the kids need to exercise after eating.
14- Best market restaurant: Casa Dani
Madrid's markets are epicentres of the city's social life. Here, locals shop, eat and meet friends under one roof. Joining them is one of the most enjoyable parts of visiting the Spanish capital. One of Madrid's most authentic markets is the Mercado de la Paz, home to Casa Dani, where arguably Madrid's most emblematic tortilla de patatas is served. Go with the classic version or try one of their more adventurous variations.
15- Best brunch: Carmencita
Yes, the brunch craze has arrived in Madrid and locals and visitors alike take part every weekend. Carmencita is undoubtedly one of the most popular brunch spots in the Spanish capital. The name is now synonymous with fabulous French toast, eggs, mimosas and much more, every day. As you can imagine, places fill up fast. Be sure to call and book yours.
Read also to prepare your trip to Madrid
Top 60 things to do in Madrid
What to do in Madrid at night
Top 16 restaurants in Madrid in 2022
What to do in Madrid as a couple
