MUSEO DEL JAMÓN A few of these Museo del Jamón tapas bars are scattered around Madrid, and this one at Carrera San Jeronimo 6 is our particular favourite. They all offer an eclectic mix of traditional Spanish food, centred on ham, bread, beer & wine. This place can be a godsend for those concerned about how much they spend. A beer and a ham & cheese bocadillo (roll) can be bought for around €1; you cannot beat that. If you have more money, try one of the less expensive Jamón’

CASA TONI Casa Toni is a small, basic bar/restaurant that at first glance doesn’t look like much. However, give it a try. The food is excellent for the price, and there are always plenty of locals, which is usually a good sign. You can find extra seating upstairs. Please note that the dishes they typically serve are generous portions, so keep this in mind. This is the place to try offal (i.e., animal innards), such as the mollejas (sweetbreads, often mistakenly believed to be

RESTAURANTE LA PRIMERA We were looking for a restaurant in Madrid for 12 friends to have lunch, and we decided La Primera was the place. The restaurant is located in an ideal spot to enjoy Madrid, on the first floor (hence the name) of an iconic building on the famous Gran Vía. The interior design is elegantly minimalist, with a Scandinavian aesthetic and a dark yet cosy colour palette. It is spacious and comfortable. They offer a fine-dining interpretation of traditional Spa

LA VENENCIA The fabulous La Venencia is like stepping back into an Andalusian sherry bar from the 1920s/’30s. The bar has a great history (it is believed anti-General Franco supporters would meet up here during the Spanish Civil War). It is doubtful the place has changed much over the years, with the unassuming sign above the door, the dusty old sherry bottles behind the bar and the vintage posters on the walls, which give the place great character. This refreshingly non-mode

LA CASA DEL ABUELO We returned to one of our favourite bars on our recent trip to Madrid. A traditional Madrileño shrimp tapas bar founded in 1906 in the heart of the city. Nobody would think that over 100 years have passed since then, significantly, since nothing has changed. It has passed through four generations of the same family, who have kept its traditions and authenticity. They serve all types of gambas and Langostinos. Gambas ajillo Garlic and chilli prawns Gambas

CHOCOLATERIA SAN GINÉS The San Ginés Chocolatería & Churreria has been in business since 1894. It is the most famous and centrally located Chocolatería in Madrid. It is open all night, so when the late-night crowds exit the bars and dance clubs, they all head to San Ginés to fill their hungry stomachs with something tasty and sweet. The chocolatera is in an attractive location, with two floors of plush green velvet seating, marble tables, and many mirrors. There is also an um

MADRID TAPAS BARS IN THE CALLE DE JESUS AREA The Plaza de Jesús and its extension, the Calle de Jesús, is a street with many bars, mainly filled with locals, near the Prada Museum and other historic sites, and a good spot for lunch after visiting the museums, etc. On a Thursday lunchtime in February, we had a stroll to a tapas bar for drinks. CERVANTES Plaza de Jesús 7, 28012 Madrid +34 914 29 60 93 We did not eat here this time, but it is a very good cerveceria offering typi

CASA LABRA It is said history was made at this bar on the 2nd of May 1879 with the formation of the PSOE (Spanish socialist party), and on walking in, it appears you could still be back in 1879 as nothing seems to have changed since then! It is an excellent traditional bar. It is famous for its croquetas de bacalao. Some of the best in Madrid. The tajadas de bacalao are pieces of cod deep-fried in batter until crispy. They are served with wooden cocktail sticks or eaten with

ROOSTIQ During a major snowstorm, we had an excellent dining experience here in Madrid’s Chueca district. It is a modern-style asador where they serve good, honest food in a wonderful setting with an open fire. All the tasty, healthy, and organic produce is from their garden farm in Ávila, in the rolling hills and countryside northwest of Madrid. To start, we had the highly recommended, Torrenznos Roostiq (Roostiq’s fried belly pork) There are many, many torreznos, but every

GOFIO One Michelin Star Gofio is a superb homage to the cuisine of the Canary Islands. In November 2019, it was awarded a Michelin Star. This contemporary restaurant recreates the flavours of the Canary Islands archipelago from a modern viewpoint. Chef Safe Cruz comes from a family of farmers from El Tablero, Tenerife. The menus are formed daily, based on traditional Canarian cuisine and given a modern, creative twist. There are two tasting menus, Half menu, Gofio €65 Full