MESÓN TXISTU We returned to Mesón Txistu Madrid, a traditional Basque restaurant a little off the beaten track. Pedro Abrego Velasco, a Navarrese restaurateur who grew up in San Sebastián, founded it in 1972. After spending ten years in Venezuela, Abrego returned to Spain and eventually settled in Madrid. Following the success of his first restaurant, El Caserío, he opened Mesón Txistu, bringing traditional Basque cooking to the capital. More than 50 years later, it remains r

CASA TONI Casa Toni is a traditional Madrid tapas bar situated at Calle de la Cruz 14, between Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Santa Ana. Established in the 1960s, this family-style tavern has retained the character of an old-fashioned Madrid bar, serving generous portions of traditional Spanish food without unnecessary frills. At first glance, it 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 u

GRILL SANT ANTONI Grill Sant Antoni Ibiza is a traditional restaurant in the old town of Sant Antoni de Portmany, situated opposite the town church. The premises have a long history and were once a popular venue for local weddings and family celebrations. In 2014, local restaurateur Toni Cardona reopened the restaurant, with chef Ramona Escribano taking charge of the kitchen. The restaurant retained its rustic character, including its large fireplace, while specialising in tr

RESTAURANT SA CALETA UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2026: The beach opposite the restaurant, Es Bol Nou, is now closed for safety reasons. This also applies to the viewing tunnel to the left of the beach. The restaurant remains open. In October 2026, we returned to an old favourite Restaurant Sa Caleta. The restaurant is situated between the airport and Cala Jondal. Just before you turn off for Cala Jondal, you will see a sign for the restaurant on the left. Drive down the dusty camino, wh

CASA LABRA Casa Labra Madrid dates back to 1860. History was made at this bar on 2 May 1879, when the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Party) was formed. When you walk in, it feels as though you’ve stepped back to 1879, as not much seems to have changed since then! The picture below shows old prices. Current prices (2026) Cod croqueta: €1.70 each Tuna pickled banderilla: €2.25 Tortilla: €6.90 Tajadas de bacalao: €2.30 It is a fantastic traditional bar. It is famous for its croquetas d

LA CASA DEL ABUELO We returned to one of our favourite bars on our recent trip to Madrid. The original tavern opened on Calle Victoria in 1906 as La Alicantina. During the 1920s and ’30s it became famous for its sandwiches, at one point selling more than 1,500 a day. Following the Civil War, when bread became scarce and was remarkably more expensive than prawns, the family began serving prawns instead. They proved so popular that they became the speciality of the house, a tra

LA VENENCIA The fabulous La Venencia Madrid is like stepping back into an Andalusian sherry bar from the 1920s or ’30s. The bar has a fascinating history; many believe anti-Franco supporters met here during the Spanish Civil War. It is doubtful the place has changed much over the years, with its unassuming sign above the door, dusty old sherry bottles behind the bar, and vintage posters on the walls, all giving it great character. This refreshingly unmodernised, quirky old ba

EL BIGOTES The Fish Shack at Cala Mastella is also known as El Bigotes Ibiza, which translates to “The Moustache”, a nod to the proprietor’s distinctive whiskers. El Bigotes will be remembered for sitting at his table every lunchtime while enjoying a flagon of his favourite red wine with his fish and rice. Sadly, he passed away in 2025 at nearly 100. His funeral was massive on the island, with everyone paying their respects. Rest in peace, El Bigotes, and thank you for your i

CHOCOLATERÍA SAN GINÉS The San Ginés Chocolatería & Churrería Madrid has been in business since 1894. It is one of Madrid’s most famous chocolaterías and is centrally located, just a short walk from Puerta del Sol. Open 24 hours a day, it has long been a favourite with Madrid’s late-night crowds, who head to San Ginés for something tasty and sweet after a night out. The chocolatería retains the atmosphere of a traditional late-19th-century café, with two floors, white marble

CASA JULIAN In 2026, we revisited Casa Julián Tolosa, this remarkable, easily overlooked little restaurant, now famous on TV, located in the Basque countryside town of Tolosa, which is 28 km inland from San Sebastián. Tolosa is a town and municipality in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, northern Spain. It sits in the Oria River valley, which runs through the town. When you arrive at the restaurant and step inside, you might initially feel like you’re in the wrong place. You’l