Want to discover the best bars and restaurants in Madrid? If we haven’t met, I’m Gina, and I’m an aesthetic traveler who loves eating her way through Spain’s capital city. Any time someone asks me why I love Spain, one of my first answers is always “the food.” This post was originally dedicated to restaurants only, but I after my most recent trip to Madrid, I threw a couple bars in there because we all love variety. If you have any questions after reading, use the Contact Me form at the bottom or message me on Instagram. I love connecting with fellow travelers!
- To ease with trip planning, I’ve included a map of all the restaurants I mention in this post
If you’ve spent any time researching Madrid, you know that the culture embodies that of an authentic Spanish city despite the tourist traffic. Food plays a huge part in that culture. Walk around the city, and you’ll see tons of restaurants with people sitting outside or congregated together at large tables. Friends come together to grab a beer at one restaurant, then go get tapas at another. It’s all about being together, taking your time, and enjoying the moment.
Okay – enough of the intro, because you’re probably starving. Keep scrolling to discover the best restaurant and bars in Madrid…and if you need help planning your trip, check out my other blog post: The Best Things to do in Madrid (For Your First Visit)!
Popular Spanish Food & Drink
Whenever you go to another country, trying the cultural food & drink is a must. Below, some of the most common menu items you’ll see in Spain:
Spanish Drink
- Cava – a white wine/champagne hybrid, often on the sweeter side
- Wine – Spain is typically known more for their reds than whites, especially those made from the Tempranillo grape
- Beer – try Madrid’s famous Mahou beer at the cervecerías (beer taverns)
Spanish Food
- Tapas – Small bites of a variety of different foods – meant to be shared! Made with seafood, chicken, and a variety of different red meats, tapas are my favorite thing to eat in Spain!
- Paella – Spanish rice served with vegetables + meat or seafood
- Chorizo – Seasoned pork sausage
- Croquetas – Small rolls made with butter, flour, and milk, stuffed with ham and deep-fried
- Gazpacho – Cold vegetable soup, perfect for hot summer days
- Jamon iberico – Spain’s version of prosciutto ham
- Pan con Tomate – Toast with a tomato jam; this one reminds me more of an Italian-style dish
Unique Restaurants and Bars in Madrid, Spain
1. Rosi La Loca
Rosi La Loca is a very colorful, eye-catching tavern located near Madrid’s city center. It’s part Hawaiian fantasy, part Alice in Wonderland, and perfect for anyone looking for an Instagrammable restaurant. It doesn’t take much more than pink neon lights and an eclectic aesthetic to draw me in somewhere, and thankfully, the food was as good as the vibe. They serve an extensive list of tapas and cocktails, so just know that the hardest part of your day will be deciding which ones to choose.
Judging by the decor, it should come as no surprise that everything is served in artsy cups and plates. Some of the cocktails come in Alice-in-Wonderland themed mugs, and food is brought out on plates that are shaped like mermaids, octopus, fish, etc. One of my favorite things about this restaurant is they include photos of their food and drinks on their online menu, so you have a much better idea of what you’re getting before you order.
2. Bestial by Rosi la Loca
Did you think I’d stop at only one ultra-feminine-looking restaurant? While Rosi La Loca is Hawaiian/Alice-in-Wonderland themed, Bestial is giving Little-Mermaid-under-the-sea…and yes, they’re both owned by the same company. Bestial’s menu is similar yet different to Rosi’s, so you *could* go to both places if you wanted. Bestial also serves cocktails and tapas, and the food presentation is every bit as colorful as you’d expect. I liked both places pretty equally – so in other words, you can’t go wrong.
3. Café del Art
I’ll confess, I was quite the frequent flier at Café del Art when I stayed for awhile in Madrid. I would come in here with my laptop and sit amongst the cozy decor and write (but only on weekdays; no laptops allowed on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays!). They have amazing coffee, and a small breakfast menu with toasts, croissants, and other sweets. They get creative with their coffee and tea too – you’ll find things like Butterfly Pea Tea Latte, African Rooibos Latte, and Beetroot Cacao Latte on the menu.
4. Mercado de San Miguel
Mercado de San Miguel is a giant food market near La Latina and an absolute must visit. Spain is famous for its large, fresh food mercados, and San Miguel in Madrid is my favorite one I’ve been to so far. Inside, you’ll find a bunch of different vendors selling tapas, cheese, meats, seafood, sweets, wine, and more…all under one roof. I would pop in here at various times throughout the week and get a small bite or a glass of wine, and it became one of the highlights of my day.
Even if you don’t buy anything (although, IMO, that would be nearly impossible), it is super cool to just walk through here and see all the different food and beverage stations. I especially suggest doing this if you have never been to a Spanish mercado before!
- Pro Tip: The bathroom is downstairs, and they charge €0.50 to use it – unless you buy something from the market. Keep your receipt; this will be your “bathroom ticket!”
5. Salmon Guru
Salmon Guru is one of the most unique bars I’ve ever been to. Let’s start with the aesthetic. When you walk in, you’re greeted by neon lights in an otherwise moody interior with Japanese accents peppered throughout. It’s the kind of place that you enter and wonder “what’s going on here,” but in a good way. Lucky for all of us, Salmon Guru tells us its story…in the bar menu, of course (and as a storyteller myself, I appreciate this concept!).
The drinks are very creative and have a lot of unique ingredients. I had no idea what to order, but the bartender talked me into trying the Old School Funny, which is basically their version of a negroni. It was 11/10. I probably got the closest thing to a common drink on the menu, but you can never go wrong with a classic. Because some of the ingredients are uncommon, their drink menu is broken down into categories (Strong, Fruity, WTF, etc), so you at least have some idea of what you’re ordering. If you’re still on the fence, Salmon Guru made it onto the World’s 50 Best Bars list, and they’ve also previously won the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award!
Related Post: How to Enter the Best Cocktail Bar in Barcelona
6. Inclan Brutal Bar
Inclan Brutal Bar is a gorgeous restaurant with crystal chandeliers and a sexy red interior. They serve tapas and cocktails, and even have a tasting menu. Be sure to make a reservation – it’s very popular. Similar to Rosi La Loca and Bestial, some of their food comes in mugs and plates featuring eccentric characters (I later found out this restaurant is owned by the same company as well). Keeping with the brutal theme, many of them are villains: The Joker, Cruella de Ville, etc. This would be a great place to go for a date night, whereas Rosi and Bestial have more of a girls’ night vibe.
- Pro Tip: They also have a Brutal Bar restaurant in Barcelona. Although the interior is still red and moody, it’s different than this one in terms of theme and overall aesthetic. I’m not sure if the 2 restaurants are related at all.
Related Post: Must-Try Restaurants in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
7. Taberna la Pompeyana
Taberna la Pompeyana is directly across from the Inclan Brutal Bar. I only had a drink here, but it was worth checking out because of the half Roman/half just plain creepy interior…
As you can see, I’m pretty sure there is a guillotine hanging from the ceiling. The whole interior looked like something you would find in the Slytherin Common Room in Harry Potter. Fun fact: I am actually a Slytherin myself, so needless to say, I was down.
If you’re an avid reader/follower of this blog, you know that I love all things pink and feminine, and therefore, you’re probably wondering if someone hacked this post. No, it’s still me. I’ve just come to the dark side for a bit. Except, unlike Star Wars, I haven’t joined the Dark Side. I just visit from time to time. Seriously though – this bar is so cool. They serve traditional cider along with Spanish tapas and homestyle foods. I unfortunately can’t comment on the food since I only got a drink here. If you decide to try the food, leave a comment and let me know what you think!
8. Astor
In terms of “unique” restaurants, Astor is probably the least unique on this list, but it’s incredibly delicious…and I can’t keep good restaurants a secret. I ate here during my last night in Madrid and it was the perfect send-off meal: one that was delicious and left me ready to book a flight back ASAP. They have won numerous awards for their food and have a little bit of everything: traditional Spanish tapas; steak, fish, pasta, and more. Their ice cream is homemade, and you need it. Check their website for opening days: they have 2 different locations that are open different days of the week.
8. Rockade Sports Bar
I discovered Rockade when I went to Madrid during (American) football season and needed to find a bar that was showing NFL games. Tracking down somewhere that shows American football can be tricky in another country, but luckily, I only had to try one other sports bar before I stumbled upon this one. Rockade is a lively sports bar with eclectic lights, arcade games, and multiple TVs. They have 2 locations: one in La Latina and one in Malasaña. I do remember the food options were limited, but in the end, there was plenty of beer and my team won (go Commanders!), so how mad can I really be?
Plan Your Foodie Adventures With This Madrid Map
Want More Spain?
Check Out My Other Spain Posts
The Go City Pass
One Of The Best Ways to See Madrid
Go City allows you to book numerous attractions at a discounted rate. Simply pick a pass for your desired number of days and start planning the best trip of your life.
Click the photo to explore the Madrid Pass
Shop My Favorite Europe Travel Essentials
