If you’re in Madrid and don’t know where to eat, there are some great options for you. If you’re looking for a new place to try Spanish food, try a restaurant that specializes in tapas. Some of the places I recommend include Cava Baja, La Campana, Casa Gonzalez, and Angelita.
La Campana
The La Campana restaurant is known for its fried calamari sandwich which is well worth trying if you haven’t already. It also serves classic tapas and sangria. The classic dishes served here are perfect for a summers day in Madrid and you can also find a wide selection of wines and cocktails at La Campana.
Located near Plaza Mayor, this tapas bar serves tasty Spanish cuisine. You can sample a variety of aracin (a spicy sauce), or Spanish omelettes and croquettes. You can also find Iberico sausage and aged cheese here as you would expect and the staff at La Campana are very freindly.
Casa Gonzalez
Located in a century-old house in the Bairro de las Letras neighborhood of Madrid, Casa Gonzalez is a unique blend of restaurant and gourmet shop. This restaurant serves some of the best Spanish and French cheese, meats and regional produce in Madrid, and its menu features a wide range of tapas dishes and Spanish wine.
The décor and service at Casa Gonzalez make it a chic, yet relaxed space. You can dine inside or grab takeaway food to go. The drinks menu includes Spanish wine, vermouth and cortado. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, and the local clientele are very friendly.
Angelita Madrid
Another great place to visit in Madrid is the Angelita Tapas wine bar which attracts many wine lovers from all over the world. The owners, Mario and David, have assembled an impressive wine list that is based on local, independent producers. The wine list features over 500 different labels, as well as a great selection of spirits. The menu is rooted in seasonality, with dishes like pisto, a Spanish version of ratatouille.
Angelita Tapas is located on Calle Hortaleza, 11, which is the oldest street in the city. It serves excellent pizza and has a great value menu of the day (Menu Del Dia). The restaurant is situated just down the street from the Plaza Mayor. You can also order a whole pizza, which they can deliver right to your home. Make sure to try the lamb cazuela, which is probably the best in Madrid. Pair this dish with an icy cucumber margarita and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Entre Caceres y Badajoz
Located in the old town, this tapas bar features small plates of traditional Spanish cuisine. It also has a standard drinks menu of wines, beers and spirits and is a popular place for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a drink and some tapas.
The tapas here are delicious and very affordable and you can even get a few small dishes to sample for free when you order drinks. It is one of Madrid’s most famous tapas spots and the menu includes seafood and paella dishes.
Docamar
Another great Tapas bar in Madrid worth noting is Docamar Tapas. This cozy bar in the lively Plaza de Quintana neighborhood has been serving patatas bravas since 1963. The restaurant’s terrace is a great place to relax, and watch the world go by, especially on a sunny day.
The menu at Docamar Tapas is varied and offers many tapas specialties and the restaurant is also involved in Restaurantes contra el Hambre, a program to fight world hunger, Covid 19 support, and helping Ukraine refuges who have been forced to flee during the war.
