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Here is a little selection of the most interesting Tapa bars in Madrid.

El Abuelo is one of Madrids classical and most traditional Tapa bars. This culinaric institution exists since more than 100 years, and can be found in the city centre directly next to the Puerta del Sol “Victoria 12″ (Metro 1, 2, 3: Sol).

Another traditional Tapa bar in Madrid is Almendro 13, in the district of Madrid de los Austrias/La Latina. Almendro 13 is known for its country style snacks. The tapa bar is very popular and usually quite overcrowded.

Automatico is the name of a very important Tapa bar in the Lavapies district. Metro 3: Lavapies.

Andalusian tapas can be found in the Tapa bar called “Bocaito” in Libertad 6 (Chueca district). Metro 2: Chueca. Metro 5: Banco de Espana.

Cava Baja is a whole street full of Tapa bars. The culinaric sensation can be found in the district Madrid de los Austrias/La Latina.

Toast with shrimps and loads of garlic is the tapa speciality of “Cerveceria Cervantes” on the Plaza de Jesus 7.

La Inquilina is known as the Tapa bar with the most unusual tapa creations. It can be found in Lavapies: Ave Maria 39.

Tapas are sold in “El Mano” since 1927. A traditional Tapa bar in Palma 64 (Metro 2 and 3: Noviciado).

Tapas for initially poor people were sold in “El Pez Gordo” (Pez 6). Those tapas were made out of bread crumbs. Today it’s a popular tapa speciality there. El Pez Gordo is a very unique tapa experience for the passionate tapas lovers among Madrids tourists.

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Creative cuisine in a familial atmosphere is the secret of the restaurant “La Favorita“. All waiters are trained singers who entertain the guests by singing skilful arias of famous operas. La Favorita can be found in Covarrubias 25, close to the metro station “Alonso Martinez”.

Julian de Tolosa in “Cava Baja 18″ is known for its Basque cuisine. The restaurant is quite famous and popular, but not the cheapest one. Find it close to the metro station “La Latina”.

La Tasquita de Enfrente is the most popular restaurant in Malasana. Especially gourmets know the quality of the dishes there, which are creative and its ingredients fresh from the market.

Zaranda in San Bernardino 13 offers modern and experimental cuisine in a cultivated style. The restaurant can be found close to Plaza de Espana.

Arroceria Gala in Moratin 22, close to metro station “Anton Martin”, is specialised on paella dishes.

Cuisine from Peru can be found in the restaurant called “El Inti de Oro” in Ventura de la Vega 12, close to the Sevilla metro station. Culinaric observers from Madrid claim that this restaurant is the best one for Peruvian food. The speciality of the restaurant is a dish with sea food and raw fish.

If you are searching for meatless cuisine on a high level, then the restaurant called “Isla del Tesoro” might be the right place for you. Find this restaurant in “Manuela Malasana 3″, close to the metro station “Bilbao”.

“Laydown” in Plaza Mostenses 9 is the restaurant with a stage and a lot of entertainment. Metro 3 and 10: Plaza de Espana.

“Matritum” is a narrow restaurant in Cava Alta 16, and known for its varied selection of wines. Metro 5: La Latina.

“La Musa Latina” is one of the most popular restaurants in the La Latina district. The restaurant offers traditional and modern cuisine. The right music for the delightful consumption of the dishes comes from a discjockey. Metro 5: La Latina.

Scandinavian cuisine in the centre of Madrid? Even such kind of desire is not impossible in the Spanish capital. There is the restautant called “Olsen” in Prado 16, close to metro station Anton Martin, which offers such a service.

French cuisine is offered in the “Let Petit Bistrot“, which is located in Plaza Matute 5. Metro 1: Anton Martin.

Ribeiro de Mino is famous for its sea food. The restaurant offers traditional cuisine from the Spanish province Galicia. Galicia can be found directly on the North Western border to Portugal. Metro 1 and 10: Tribunal

International cuisine from all over the world in the district of Chueca can be found in the restaurant “Bazaar“. Metro 5: Chueca.

La Buga del Lobo is a restaurant which is specialised in mushroom dishes. Metro 3: Lavapies.

Casa Mingo is a typical chicken and salad restaurant since 1917 in Paseo de la Florida 34. Metro 6 and 10: Principe Pio.

Low budget restaurant on a very high level? La Finca de Susana in Arlaban 4 fulfills such ambitious requirements. Metro 2: Sevilla.

Gula Gula in Gran Via 1 is well known for its opulent salad dishes. The place is quite crowded on weekends. There is also entertainment included: the fomous Gula Gula shows. Metro 1 and 10: Tribunal.

There is “Cafe Comercial” in Madrids city centre, in the Northern direction from Sol. Its benches are covered with leather. The tables are made of marble. The cafe exists since 1887, and is known as a true institution of the Spanish capital. The metro station “Bilbao” with the lines 1 and 4 is located quite close to Cafe Comercial. Find the coffee house in “Glorieta de Bilbao 7″.

Cafe Espejo is located in a glass house, in the centre of the pedestrian avenue of Paseo de Recoletos. It has number 31. This cafe was opened in 1978, but has a very certain charme of the art nouveau. The closest metro station is “Colon” of line 4.

Cafe Gijon is probably one of the most famous literati coffee houses in Madrid. It was opened in 1888, and can be found in the Paseo de Recoletos 21, very close to Cafe Espejo, and the metro station “Colon”. This coffee houses is almost crowded everyday. Especially older people can’t escape the attraction of Cafe Gijon.

Cafe del Nuncio can be found in “Segovia 9″, in the centre of the district “La Latina”, close to the same-named metro station. Cafe del Nuncio has a very classical character.

Cafe Ruiz in “Ruiz 11″, close to the metro station “Bilbao”, was opened in 1977. The coffee house has a very special kind of charme and is very popular among Madrids citizens.

Delic is the coffee house for the younger people. It can be found in “Costanilla de San Andres 14″, close to the metro station “La Latina”. The biggest attractions of Delic are its cakes. Some say these might be the best cakes of the whole city.

Giangrossi sounds Italian, and indeed its the most impressing coffee house for ice coffee. The interior decoration is very stylish, and the ice cream a sensation. Giangrossi can be found in “Alberto Aguilera 1″, close to the San Bernardo metro station.

Nuevo Cafe Barbieri has the typical character of an old Viennese coffee house. Accordingly are also the prices, but that does not decrease its popularity. Nuevo Cafe Barbieri can be found in “Ave Maria 45″, close to the metro station called “Lavapies”.

Simple recipes with excellent ingredients are the basis of a good Spanish meal. Fish is also very important. Madrid has the second biggest fish market in the whole world (behind Tokyo).

In addition to it also fresh vegetables and seafood rate high in the cuisine of Madrid. Another important element is the virgin olive oil, which is the purest juice from the olives. Other condiments as olive oil are not that popular. Salt, pepper, and garlic are used quite economical. The Madrilenians want to enjoy the true taste of their food. Don’t expect to receive subtly sauces, spices, or even creative vegetable meals in Madrid.

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A piece of meat, roasted with a small amount of oil, and home made French fries. This is the classic dish of Madrid.

The Spanish cooking traditions outside of Madrid are richer as in the heartland. Escpecially Spains coastal regions, and the Basque country are famous for their varied cuisine, which is also available in some special restaurants of the Spanish capital.

A good and solid dish in Madrid is available for 10 Euro at the moment. The meal times are a bit different as in Central Europe. Madrilenians enjoy to eat their lunch between 2:00pm and 4:00pm. In the evening restaurants open at 9:00pm. On weekends sometimes even not before 11:00pm.

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