Agnes’s guidebook
Food scene
It gets crowded, but it's worth having at least one meal there. Try many different things!
1026 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mercado San Miguel
s/n Pl. de San MiguelIt gets crowded, but it's worth having at least one meal there. Try many different things!
This is a place locals also go to, famous for its stuffed mushrooms! Decently priced. Not a fancy place, can get crowded with small tables, like a typical Spanish "tasca".
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mesón del Champiñon
17 Cava de San MiguelThis is a place locals also go to, famous for its stuffed mushrooms! Decently priced. Not a fancy place, can get crowded with small tables, like a typical Spanish "tasca".
Get the "menú degustación de tapas" (sample of 7 of their tapas). It is very varied, very filling, and delicious!
64 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Musa Latina
12 Cost.ª de San AndrésGet the "menú degustación de tapas" (sample of 7 of their tapas). It is very varied, very filling, and delicious!
Specialty: Cocido Madrileño!
Cocido is a traditional chickpea-based stew, typical of Madrid. It's very substantial and mostly consumed during colder months.
Another restaurant that specialize in cocido is Malacatín, on calle Ruda 5.
108 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
LA BOLA
5 C. de la BolaSpecialty: Cocido Madrileño!
Cocido is a traditional chickpea-based stew, typical of Madrid. It's very substantial and mostly consumed during colder months.
Another restaurant that specialize in cocido is Malacatín, on calle Ruda 5.
This is a combination tapas bar / restaurant, and not over-the-top expensive. It serves authentic Spanish cuisine with a modern twist. I haven't tried the tapas section, but the dinner menu has some great stuff, i recommend the artichokes, the cazón en adobo, & the tuna.
91 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mercado de la Reina
12 C/ Gran VíaThis is a combination tapas bar / restaurant, and not over-the-top expensive. It serves authentic Spanish cuisine with a modern twist. I haven't tried the tapas section, but the dinner menu has some great stuff, i recommend the artichokes, the cazón en adobo, & the tuna.
This one is most definitely NOT a fancy upscale restaurant, but the food is great! It serves all the typical dishes from ASTURIAS, in the north of Spain. So very filling, but oh-so-good. Very low-key, and a bit noisy, but great food and good prices.
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante El Ñeru
5 C. de BordadoresThis one is most definitely NOT a fancy upscale restaurant, but the food is great! It serves all the typical dishes from ASTURIAS, in the north of Spain. So very filling, but oh-so-good. Very low-key, and a bit noisy, but great food and good prices.
This is the fanciest of all my recommendations, but the decor, service and food are well worth the high price tag. Cuisine from CANTABRIA, in the north of Spain, so lots of delicious seafood and meats.
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Primera
1 Calle Gran VíaThis is the fanciest of all my recommendations, but the decor, service and food are well worth the high price tag. Cuisine from CANTABRIA, in the north of Spain, so lots of delicious seafood and meats.
This is THE place to get some "chocolate con churros"!!!
321 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chocolate caliente y churros en Chocolatería San Ginés
5 Pasadizo de San GinésThis is THE place to get some "chocolate con churros"!!!
Amazing place for tapas and pinchos! Famous for their mouth-watering tortilla.
197 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Juana La Loca
4 Pl. de Prta de MorosAmazing place for tapas and pinchos! Famous for their mouth-watering tortilla.
Supermarkets
The bread here is amazing! and they have all kinds of spreads to accompany the bread with, as well as good olive oil.
QVADRA PANIS
4 C. de LepantoThe bread here is amazing! and they have all kinds of spreads to accompany the bread with, as well as good olive oil.
Carrefour Express
Open from 08:30 to midnight!
Consejos para la ciudad
Costumbres y cultura
Beware of pickpockets
Never carry your phone or wallet in your back pocket, and carry your backpack on the front in the more touristic areas around Sol, Opera, Palacio Real, etc.
No te pierdas
The views from the "Zona Gourmet" on Callao.
A little hidden gem: on Callao square (Plaza de Callao) there's a big department store called "El Corte Inglés". Go up to the ninth floor, to the "Zona Gourmet". You can have a drink or food there, with killer views of the Gran Via!