Best Madrid Restaurants

Meat lovers should really try a good Spanish asador (roasting spit) during their stay. El Molino ("The Windmill") is popular with Spanish families and wedding groups for its location next to Parque del Oeste and the park’s centerpiece attraction, the Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple saved from the rising waters of the Aswan High Dam project. But let’s get to the food—hearty meals of duck, chicken, beef and game birds. A high point is a dish from Segovia called cochinillo, suckling pig with a sweet crackly skin and super-tender flesh. The décor makes you feel like you’re in an old-style hacienda. Reservations required.

The oldest restaurant in Madrid, Botín has been serving up traditional Spanish cuisine since 1725. It attracts a large proportion of out-of-towners and a good showing of locals, as well. The product of its wood-fired oven (which also dates to 1725) is traditional Castilian fare such as roast lamb. There are four dining rooms, from the upper story with its bright tiles and high windows, to the cozy old cellar with its brick arches. The food, décor and service are as good as any in the “traditional Spanish” category, but the crowds of loud foreigners mar the atmosphere a bit.

This rising star in Madrid’s culinary scene is tucked behind a traditionally ornate 19th-century façade. The interior designed by Patxi Mangado is modern and spare, with plain walls and subtle lighting. The quiet, almost hushed atmosphere is at odds with normally riotous Spain. Perhaps this is due to the crowd, which represents the upper crust of Madrid society, both old and new money. The meat and fish dishes are standard Spanish fare, although well prepared. What everyone really raves about are the appetizers, little delicacies that don’t rely on modern twists to make an impression, but rather top ingredients and skilled preparation. Simple offerings such as green beans, peppers and anchovies take on a whole new level of quality at this place. Closed Sundays. Reservations required.

“The Mirror” is one of the most popular and established restaurants in Madrid, and not just for its art nouveau interior (with lots of mirrors, of course) but also for its moderately priced menu. Their wine list is excellent, the waiters are child-friendly even by Spanish standards, and the menu focuses on local specialties such as callos a la madrileña (tripe) and gambas a la plancha (grilled shrimp). Reservations suggested, especially on weekends. On sunny days, try the glass pavilion nearby, called Pabellón del Espejo, for drink, snacks and lunch. It offers a grand view of the tree-lined street and the imposing National Library.

Vegan and vegetarian travelers will have a tough time in meat-hungry Spain, but “Treasure Island” is an oasis of meat-free fine dining. In fact, the food is so good many meat eaters come here regularly. The menu is an eclectic and constantly changing mixture of North African, Indian and Asian dishes meticulously listed as to whether they are vegetarian, vegan or gluten free. The décor is similarly varied, with lots of art from around the world bathed in a soft light that makes for an intimate setting. Reservations suggested, especially on weekends.

Want to eat well and cheaply in Madrid? This is your place. Actually, it’s everybody’s place, so don’t come here if you’re claustrophobic. Once you make your way through the throng of shouting Spaniards to the bar, buy a caña (small beer) for €1.50 and you get a plate of tapas. No, not the usual bite-sized offering, but a plate of them. The tapas are filling—lots of sausage, cheese, seafood and ham on thick slices of bread—and you won’t need many before you’re full. There’s not much décor besides a bunch of stuffed animals on the walls, but that doesn’t matter because people come here to chat, and it’s usually so crowded after about 8PM that other people are really all you’re going to see anyway. The few chairs are so entirely inadequate for the crowds that many people who have been coming here for years have never had the chance to sit down. Cheap and friendly it is; relaxing it is not.

Spain has several distinct regional cuisines, and this crowded bar/restaurant serves up dishes from the country’s northern Asturias region. Seafood and cider are the main standouts. The alcoholic cider is smooth and strong and can catch up with you if you aren’t careful. It makes it into a fair number of recipes, as well, such as chorizo con sidra, wonderfully rich sausages soaked in cider. The “appetizers” here are almost full meals in themselves, and only the heartiest eater can finish off more than two on their own. The crowd is mostly local and older than 30. Many stand at the bar, since the few tables fill up quickly at night. Lunch time is more relaxed, with a thinner crowd that actually lets you see the walls decorated with photos and knickknacks from Spain’s Celtic north.