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Tapas dining and creative cuisine
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Barcelona has been the culinary star of Spain for some time now, but it's in Madrid that you'll find the biggest variety of restaurants, tapas bars, and creative cuisine in the country. Most of Spain's greatest chefs open a restaurant in the capital, and to experience them like the Madrileños do, don't show up until at least 9PM.
Also as the locals do, don't leave the city without sampling a tapas bar at any time of the day. One of the best is Bocaito, specializing in traditional Spanish cuisine, but unusually strong on vegetable-based dishes.
Another option is VINOS 11 (Calle Calatrava II), a tavern in the Rastro district that has a cult following among the biggest tapas fans.
For modern interpretations of those same tapas, head to LA MODERNA (Plaza de Santa Ana, 12), with its creative versions of the famous bocadillos.
Another local delight to try are the churros, the long doughnuts dunked in chocolate sauce that many Madrileños like to start their mornings with.
For all the other gastronomic highlights in Madrid, choose from the following:
Café Oliver
This is the most popular place for Sunday brunch in Madrid. The dishes combine Spanish, Italian, French, and Morroccan flavors, that you savor as you listen to a R&B and dance sountrack.
La Paninoteca D'E
Created by the famous Michelin-starred chef Sergi Arola, this should be your destination whenever you want to go for a lighter meal. The salads are superb, and the sandwiches are exactly what a sandwich should be. Also make this your stop for a break during your window-shopping spree down the upmarket Salamanca district, as this is located right on Calle de Velazquez.
Bajo Cero
You'll rethink your idea of frozen desserts after you experience this cool (literally) dessert restaurant. It serves state-of-the-art ice creams and cakes in a very attractive design interior, and you don't even have to worry about your calorie intake, as everything here is low fat. For those with a sweet tooth (which would be pretty much anyone), this is a stop you can't miss when in Madrid.
Botin
It says it's the world's oldest restaurant and the Guinness Book of World Records backs it up. Opened in 1725, this Madrid institution is of course touristy but you can in fact get a good meal here and have that "been there, done that" experience. It's a charming place with a dining room covered with tiles and wood, where the traditional Spanish food is served (the suckling pig is a specialty).
Europa Decó
It's only natural that as one of the city's coolest hotels, Hotel Urban would also offer a cool restaurant. Its menu lists inventive Mediterranean dishes, well presented on your plate in the stylish dining area. Before or after your meal, have a drink at its equally cool Glass Bar.
Fast Good
Gourmet fast food is not an oxymoron and this place proves it. It's one of Madrid's best known restaurants (it's actually a restaurant chain), serving light meals of high quality for those with not a lot of time. The concept was created by the famous chef Ferran Adrià, and although he's not the one doing the cooking, his attitude is all over the menu. All the ingredients are fresh and healthy, and whether you go for a salad or a hamburger, it's definitely not something you'd find at that place with golden arches.
IROCO - Calle Velázquez 18
The location in the chic Salamanca district means that you may just bump into the city's most fashionable as you dine here. And those include models during Madrid's fashion week, proving that they do eat. Join them for a salad in this minimalist space, decorated with velvet drapes and exotic woods. At the back there is a garden with a few tables, the perfect spot to serve the Mediterranean nouvelle cuisine.
Kabuki Wellington
Fine Japanese dishes with Spanish ingredients is what you can expect at this restaurant in Hotel Wellington. It's the second Kabuki restaurant, with the first one elsewhere in town considered to be the best Japanese restaurant in Madrid.
La Broche
Although no longer under the control of celebrity chef Sergi Arola, this restaurant in the Occidental Miguel Angel Hotel still has a reputation as one of the best in Spain for fine dining. Expect creative dishes with deluxe ingredients.
La Viuda Blanca
"The White Widow" is all white, while on the other side of the bar is "The Black Widow," La Viuda Negra, its club sister. Start your evening dining in the white area before moving on to the black space for a night of dancing and drinking. Both "widows" are as trendy as they can be, and the buffet brunch here is the place to be on Sunday mornings.
Negro de Anglona
White furnishings in a black space is the stylish setting for this trendy restaurant in a palace in the center of Madrid. The menu is made up of Mediterranean cuisine, and the wine list is huge, presenting the finest wines. After that sit at the adjoining bar-lounge Moët.
Santceloni
Located inside Hesperia Madrid Hotel, this Michelin-starred restaurant serves a menu of refined Spanish cuisine. Everything is made with the freshest ingredients bought every morning at the locals markets and ports, and then served in the elegant dining room. The wine list is one of the best in the city, with an emphasis on Catalan labels.
Senzone
Using only natural products, the Hospes Hotel's restaurant creates rich flavors in its dishes that are as elegantly presented as its dining space.
Wagaboo
This hip chain restaurant promises "fun eating." By that they mean creative mixtures of Mediterranean and Oriental dishes with traditional ingredients. It has a handful of locations in the city, all with cool, modern interiors. And all very informal too, ideal for a laid-back meal.
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