Eating Your Way Through Madrid, Spain

Advisor - Brehanna Skaletski
Curated By

Brehanna Skaletski

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  • Spain

  • Madrid

  • Couples Travel

  • Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel

  • Solo Travel

  • Food & Wine

  • City Travel

  • Foodie

  • Sightseeing

  • Architecture

a large archway leads into a narrow city street with vendors and artists
Curator’s statement

Madrid is a beautiful location, often skipped by tourists in Spain. It is filled with local people and those from all over Europe with open arms to welcome you! You can wander pedestrian streets, get lost in the beautiful parks and sit in the plaza for hours drinking house wine. Just two hours by train from the beach, the city functions on late dinners starting at 9 pm and late mornings that don’t start until after 9 a.m. A perfect hustle and bustle that gives you energy but doesn’t overwhelm. The city can be easily navigated by metros, Ubers and wandering throughout the streets lined with beautiful historic buildings. Tabernas and bodegas are waiting for you with two euro glasses of free Spanish olives and potato chips to snack on as you people watch.

The Fora Difference

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Insider knowledge

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Where to stay in Madrid

Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid

Contemporary hotel boasting stellar city views in the heart of Madrid.

Fora Perks
  • ★

    Hotel / resort credit.

  • ★

    Welcome amenity.

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    Breakfast daily.

  • ★

    Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

InterContinental Madrid, an IHG Hotel

Located in the city center near Salamanca's high-end fashion boutiques, this upscale hotel inspired by an 18th-century palace has fine dining restaurants and sumptuous accommodations.

Fora Perks
  • ★

    $100 hotel / resort credit.

  • ★

    Breakfast daily.

  • ★

    Upgrade & guaranteed late check-out.

Advisor - Brehanna Skaletski

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Things to do in Madrid

park with a large glass window building on a small pond with trees

A city of parks and then some more parks! Hop on a tour or put on a pair of good walking shoes and make your way around the beautiful city filled with green and parks in every direction.

Check out the free museums on Sundays, and save time for the Flea Market running for kilometers across the city every Sunday.

Day Trip to Toledo

  • El Trébol - Tapas with both indoor and outdoor seating. If a line is there, it moves quickly.

  • Wander the streets of Toledo and get lost!

  • Enjoy a vermouth and watch the sunset, just a 5 minute ride from the train station.

Places to eat & drink in Madrid

outside of a food market

Must-stops

  • Chocolateria San Gines - Indoor & outdoor seating with heaters, churros with chocolate sauce.

  • Casa Revuelta Latoneros 3 - Cacillo, fried cod and don’t forget to grab a pint to go with it. It's worth the wait and note the hours for siesta. Note: you found the right place if the floor is filled with napkins!

  • Taberna La Concha - Try the vermouth, a Spanish speciality, pronounced "bermu."

  • San Miguel Market - A bustling market modern market with all prepared food.

Wine

  • Madrid Darracott - Reserve a spot for a wine tasting for $18. There are fun hosts who have the perfect mix of education without being too “winesmart”!

  • Antón Martín Market - A market with many levels of prepared food, fresh cheeses and meats. Find the stall serving three cheeses, with bread and a glass of wine.

More food & drink

  • Café Central - Jazz bar. Reserve ahead of time.

  • La Esperanza - Corner tapas joint with delicious wine, oysters with ponzu sauce, chicken meatballs and artichokes, in a lively atmosphere. Hang at the bar or sit by the window.

  • Taberna El Sur - Scallops served in the shells, pulled pork, homemade pasta and fun staff. The original location.

  • Oliveto - Italian. Place a reservation because it is often busy!

  • Vi Cool - Menu of the day for lunch & dinner for 4 courses. I enjoyed the onion soup with apple & brie. Great presentation. Seafood, risotto and more!

  • Vadebaco Bar - Taberna para gatos - Wine, cheese and a classy atmosphere.

  • La Casa del Abuelo - Local place with staff of energetic (old) spanish men, with singalongs and energy. House special is peeled garlic shrimp; you can order a half order. There are multiple locations on the corner, but it was originally a standup only bar.

  • Bar Trafalgar - Sexy bar with a pool table and good cocktails.

  • Ostras Pedrin - Serves a wide variety of oysters. Try the Gallega oyster from Garicia and cava.

  • Santa Isabel Bar - Fried calamari was dynamite, along with the fresh calamari with homemade-hand dipped batter.

Advisor - Brehanna Skaletski

Travel Advisor

Brehanna Skaletski

Get in touch with Brehanna

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For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Elizabeth Hanchett's guide, Exploring the Heritage of Spain: Madrid & the Surrounding Cities. This is part of our ongoing series on travel to Madrid, and our longer series on travel to Spain.