The Ultimate Guide to Food in Madrid, Spain from Someone Who Lived There

When it comes to experiencing the best food in Madrid, I could honestly dedicate multiple articles to it. When I lived in Madrid, one of my favorite things to do was eat and drink my way around the city. Whenever friends or family came to visit, we would dedicate only a small amount of time to visiting the top sites in the city, and the majority of it actually going from bars to restaurants to markets.

Madrid is also one of those cities where you don’t need to spend a fortune to eat well, which made it such a fun place to live. I pretty much ate and drank out every single day, which is something you really can’t do in the US.

Some of my favorite experiences were sitting outside with friends drinking cañas, getting buckets of beer and people watching, grabbing something quick from a local spot, or ordering several tapas and sharing everything.

In this Madrid food guide, we’re going to cover the local dishes and drinks you should try, where to eat and drink, the markets worth visiting, and some of the food experiences that I think are actually worth adding to your Madrid itinerary.

The Scoop

Local Cuisine

What To Eat

Where To Eat

Culinary Activities

FAQ

Tips & What’s Next

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Madrid Food Guide: a Brief Overview of Food in Madrid

Before diving into all of the best foods to try and fun culinary activities, the first part of our Madrid food guide is here to share a bit about what eating and drinking in Madrid is like.

⭐️ What Food is Madrid Famous For?

Madrid isn’t necessarily known for one single dish in the way Valencia is known for paella. Instead, the food scene is a combination of traditional Madrileño dishes, classic Spanish foods, tapas, jamón, and the everyday bar culture that makes eating in Madrid so much fun.

Some of the foods we think you should try include cocido madrileño, tortilla de patatas, jamón, croquetas, pimientos de Padrón, pulpo a la gallega, and tapas. You can also find food from every region of Spain throughout the capital, so Madrid is a great place to sample dishes from beyond the city itself.

And then there is the drinking culture. Getting a caña, sitting on a terraza, ordering some tapas, and staying much longer than you originally planned is basically part of the Madrid experience.

🕙 Meal Times in Madrid

One thing that may be a big adjustment for tourists visiting Spain is the meal times. Spaniards are much more strict with meal times, and restaurants will often close between meals.

Lunch is from 2-5, and is the biggest meal of the day. I was working in a school and we actually had a 2-hour lunch break every single day. We’d eat so much that I finally understood why people have siestas – from the food coma it essentially puts you in.

Dinner is very late, and typically starts around 9 pm. It’s super common to have dinner at 10 or 11 pm, and I even had dates I went on that started at midnight! Nightlife starts even later, so these times are important to keep in mind.

💡 Restaurants who serve all day long are typically tourist traps. For the best food in Madrid look for the ones that close between lunch and dinner.

🍳 What Do Madrileños Eat for Breakfast?

Locals do breakfast pretty small in Madrid – usually a coffee with something small. One of the most popular breakfasts is tosta con tomate, a toasted baguette with pureed tomato and garlic with olive oil sprinkled on top.

Combos are common, with toast or a pastry and coffee. One of my go-to combos was a racion de tortilla with coffee. They call it a potato omelet – but truthfully it’s much heavier on the potato, and a nice option for those that like a heavier breakfast.

Spanish tortilla — **Tortilla with a cup of cafe con leche is the perfect way to start the day.**

💡 Spaniards have a VERY big lunch, so breakfast is often very small.

💵 How Much Does it Cost to Eat in Madrid?

When I lived in Madrid, prices were wildly affordable. You could go out an have a meal under 10 euros, and drinks would cost just a euro or two. On our last visit to Madrid, we were shocked to see prices have increased drastically since.

Madrid is definitely one of the pricier cities to eat in Spain now, and there are fewer and fewer options for authentic, affordable meals, especially in the center. You should expect to pay closer to 20 euros for a dish, and 5-15 euros for drinks.

That being said, there are still some great deals you can find, and some fun cheap eats, that we’ll go over later in our guide.

💸 What Do You Tip Waiters in Madrid?

Tipping in Madrid is not mandatory and never expected. Locals usually round up the bill or leave small change if the service was good. A tip of 5 to 10 percent is considered generous rather than the standard.

In bars and cafés, tipping is not common at all, and no one will be offended if you leave nothing. Service is a lot more relaxed in Spain, so don’t expect quick meals, unless you specify that with the server beforehand.

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Madrid Food Guide: Food in Madrid You Need to Try

Now that you know a bit about Madrid’s cuisine, let’s get into the next fun part of our Madrid food guide – sharing all of the best dishes you should try while visiting Spain’s capital.

🍹 Drinks in Madrid to Try

Cañas: A small beer – locals tend to “go out for a caña” during their work breaks or after they finish work.
Cubos: Buckets of beer, usually smaller bottles. Grabbing one and sitting on a terraza while people-watching is one of the favorite past-time activities from living in Madrid.
Tinto de Verano: Red wine mixed with lemon soda. While tourists drink sangria, locals drink tinto de verano, especially on hot days!
Cafe con leche: Espresso with hot milk. It sounds simple, but I’ve never been able to return to American coffee ever since.

tinto de verano — **Tinto de verano is perfect on a hot day.**

🥘 Foods in Madrid to Try

Cocido Madrileño: The iconic dish of Madrid, a chickpea based stew that is popular in colder months. We recommend trying it at Casa Carola!
Rabas: A famous sandwich with thick calamari rings
Tortilla de Patatas: One of my favorite foods in Spain, made with potatoes and eggs. It can be ordered as a whole or by the slice.
Jamon: It translates to ham but it is actually a cured meat, and one of the best ones in the world, with a variety of grades like Iberico and Serrano.
Queso Manchego: A salty sheep’s milk cheese that is perfectly paired with jamon.
Gazpacho: A cold tomato-based soup perfect for the hotter months.
Salmorejo: A thicker cold tomato based soup with bacon adn egg on top.
Patatas Bravas: potatoes with a “spicy” sauce (yea it’s actually not spicy but locals say it is).
Croquetas: Great tapas as they’re small and tasty – a creamy béchamel mixture that is breaded and fried, often with ingredients such as ham and cheese mixed in.
Pulpo alla Gallego: Sliced octopus with paprika and potatoes. It’s from Galicia, but one of my favorite dishes in Spain.
Boquerones en Vinagre: fresh anchovies marinated in vinegar and olive oil
Pimientos de Padron: Flash-fried or blistered green peppers with olive oil and salt. Not spicy, but seriously delicious.
Olives: I think they’re the best in the world, and I will die on that hill! Sometimes they’re offered for free with a drink, or you can get a plate as a tap for very cheap.
Paella: Obviously one of the best foods in Valencia to try, but if you aren’t making it there then make sure to try some while in Madrid! This rice dish is a traditional Spanish lunch dish, and is shared by 2+ people.
Churros con Chocolate: a popular treat – fried dough which is dipped into a mug of melted chocolate.

eating Paella - top things to do in Valencia, Spain

Finding the Best Food in Madrid: Where to Eat & Drink

Now that you know what dishes to add to your culinary bucket list, let’s dive into the next part of our Madrid food guide – where to eat! Here are some of our top recommendations for restaurants, bars, cafes, and markets around the city.

☕️ Favorite Cafes in Madrid

La Mallorquina: The most famous bakery in the city, located in the heart of Sol.
Chocolateria San Gines: The most iconic place in the city to get churros con chocolate
Carmencita: cute cafe that offers a boozy brunch option and excellent egg dishes
Zenith Brunch & Cocktails: another cute cafe that offers US-style brunch options.
Mimi’s Creperia: My favorite place for crepes with both sweet and savory options

🛒 Markets and Food Halls

Madrid’s markets are some of our favorite places to eat because you can try several different things without committing to one restaurant.

Mercado de San Miguel: Right next to Plaza Mayor, this is one of Madrid’s most famous markets. It’s a little pricier than other options, but having so many different foods in one place makes it an easy stop when you’re exploring central Madrid. And yes, my personal favorite is still the mozzarella guy.
Mercado de San Antón: Another favorite, especially because of the rooftop where you can eat while enjoying the views.
Mercado de Tirso de Molina: A more local-feeling market where you can combine food with a little history. The building still has visible damage from the Spanish Civil War.
Mercado Ildefonso: Located in Malasaña, this market combines food, gastro bars, and a rooftop terrace and becomes particularly lively at night.

Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid, Spain — **trying different tapas at Mercado de San Miguel is one of the best things to do in Madrid.**

🍴 Fun, Cheap Eats in Madrid

Madrid has so many fun places to eat and drink on a budget! If you’re looking to save some money or just have a fun vibe, here are some of the places I used to frequent and recommend:

100 Montaditos: 100+ small sandwiches with cheap beer and excellent deals on certain days of the week.
El Tigre: A fun spot where your drink comes with a plate of food, making it a good option for a casual night out with friends.
Museo del Jamón: A quick stop for inexpensive drinks and tapas, with the very Spanish sight of jamón legs hanging throughout the restaurant.
La Sureña: One of my old favorites for buckets of beer, bar food, and outdoor seating. Many have closed, but you can still find a few throughout the city.
Taco Bell: Okay, it sounds crazy, but they have deals for 1 euro for a beer and taco on Tuesdays!

⭐️ Our Favorite Restaurants in Madrid

Sobrino de Botín: A historic Madrid institution founded in 1725 and known as the oldest restaurant in the world in continuous operation. It’s worth visiting as much for the atmosphere and history as the meal itself.
Mirador del Arco de Cuchilleros: a stunning restaurant with high qualty traditional Spanish dishes.
Peron Peron: A fun Argentinian restaurant with Argentine food and decor.
Rosi La Loca: A colorful restaurant on a small street near Gran Vía that’s particularly fun if you want somewhere with a little personality. Reservations are recommended because it fills up quickly.
Bestial by Rosi La Loca: An elevated version of Rosi la Loca with mosaics, underwater decor, and creative cocktails
Lateral: A Spanish chain combining traditional Spanish dishes with a more modern setting. One of the locations is in Plaza Santa Ana.

Rosi La Loca in Madrid — **Rosi La Loca is a super colorful restaurant to have a drink or dinner at in Gran Via.**

Experiencing the Best Food in Madrid: Culinary Tours & Experiences

No Madrid food guide would be complete without looking beyond restaurants and into hands-on food experiences. The best way to enjoy Madrid’s flavors and traditions it is by tasting, cooking, and exploring alongside the locals themselves.

From city markets to interactive workshops, these experiences help you truly immerse yourself into the food and drink scene of Madrid.

🛒 Explore the Different Markets

Markets are so much fun because they allow you to try a variety of food in Madrid. It’s especially a great option if you’re with a group or are looking to try different flavors.

💡 Missed the markets? We have a list of them in the previous section!

🍴 Take a Food Tour

If you want to try a lot of Spanish food without spending your entire trip researching where to eat, a food tour is a great option. We especially like these for first-time visitors because you get to try several places while also learning what the different foods are and how locals actually eat them.

Tapas & wine tour – Go from bar to bar trying different tapas alongside Spanish wine.
Tapas & history tour – Combine eating with Madrid’s history as you walk through some of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.
Market & food tours – Explore local markets while sampling different Spanish specialties.
Small-group food tours – A good option if you want a more personal experience rather than being part of a huge group.
Private food tours – Great if you want to customize the experience around your own interests, whether that’s tapas, wine, desserts, or specific neighborhoods.

Explore all of Madrid’s food tours

👩🏻‍🍳 Take a Cooking Class

If you want to do more than just eat Spanish food, there are plenty of hands-on cooking classes in Madrid. These are particularly fun for couples, families, or anyone who likes being able to recreate something from their trip once they get home.

You can find everything from paella courses to learning how to make a variety of tapas.

🍷 Go Wine Tasting

Madrid is also a great base for wine lovers, and you don’t necessarily have to leave the city to enjoy Spanish wine.

Spanish wine tastings – Taste several varieties while learning about the different wine regions of Spain.
Wine & tapas experiences – Pair Spanish wines with small bites instead of doing a tasting on its own.
Wine-focused food tours – Combine sightseeing with stops at local wine bars and taverns.
Winery day trips – If you have an extra day, head outside Madrid to visit a winery and see more of Spain’s wine country.

Explore all wine-related experiences in Madrid

🍻 Experience Madrid’s Drinking Culture

One of my favorite parts of living in Madrid was how casually people incorporated drinks into everyday life. You don’t need a big night out to enjoy Madrid’s drinking culture. Sitting on a terraza with a caña and some food while people watching is honestly one of the simplest ways to experience the city.

Cañas & tapas – Go bar hopping and try different small plates along the way.
Vermouth experiences – Try vermouth the Spanish way, often alongside tapas.
Beer tours – Explore Madrid’s beer scene and try different local options.
Cocktail and mixology classes – A more hands-on option if you want to learn how to make your own drinks.
Pub crawls – Better suited for travelers looking for a social night out rather than a traditional Spanish food experience.

💃🏻 Combine Food With a Show

Madrid is also a great city for pairing dinner or drinks with entertainment. From traditional flamenco shows to experiencing the opera, this is the perfect way to enjoy a more elevated night out.

Madrid Food Guide FAQ

Now you know pretty much everything you need to know about eating and drinking your way around Madrid! But in case you missed anything in our Madrid food guide, we’ve gathered some frequently answered questions with answers for you.

What food is Madrid famous for?

Madrid is best known for traditional dishes like cocido madrileño, as well as Spanish staples such as tortilla de patatas, jamón, croquetas, and tapas. What makes eating in Madrid especially fun, though, is the food culture around those dishes, from grabbing a caña at a local bar to sitting outside on a terraza and sharing several plates with friends.

What should I eat in Madrid for the first time?

We’d start with tortilla de patatas, cocido madrileño, jamón, Manchego cheese, croquetas, pimientos de Padrón, and a few different tapas. If you’re visiting during warm weather, we’d also add Italian ices or another cold treat, while a café con leche is an easy way to experience the everyday café culture.

What is cocido madrileño?

Cocido madrileño is Madrid’s signature hearty stew, made with chickpeas, meat, and vegetables. It’s traditionally served in separate courses, making it a much more substantial meal than your average plate of tapas. If you want to try something that is particularly associated with Madrid itself, this is one we’d put near the top of your list.

Is Madrid good for food?

Absolutely. One of our favorite things about Madrid is that you can eat incredibly well without every meal being expensive or elaborate. You can spend an afternoon hopping between tapas bars, grab a cheap montadito, eat at a historic restaurant, explore a food market, or simply sit outside with a caña and some snacks.

What is a caña in Madrid?

A caña is a small beer, and ordering one is a very normal part of going out in Madrid. When I lived there, going out for cañas was one of my favorite things to do. You can grab a beer, have a tapa or some snacks, people watch, and then decide where you’re going next.

What is a cubo in Madrid?

A cubo is a bucket of beer, usually ordered when you’re with a group. When I lived in Madrid, this was one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon or evening with friends. We’d sit outside at a cervecería, order a cubo, grab some snacks, and people watch. La Sureña was always my favorite place for this.

What is a menú del día in Madrid?

A menú del día is a fixed-price lunch menu offered by many restaurants. It generally includes several courses and a drink for one set price, making it a great option when you want a substantial meal without spending a fortune. Look for it posted outside restaurants around lunchtime.

What time do people eat in Madrid?

People in Madrid generally eat later than many Americans are used to. Lunch is the big meal of the day, while dinner is usually much later in the evening. You don’t need to completely rearrange your itinerary around Spanish meal times, but if you eat extremely early, you’ll probably find yourself dining before most locals.

Is paella popular in Madrid?

You can definitely find paella in Madrid, but if paella is one of your priorities, we’d save it for Valencia. Madrid has plenty of foods that are much more closely associated with the city itself, so we wouldn’t choose Madrid specifically for paella.

Where should I eat in Madrid?

There isn’t one single neighborhood or restaurant we would call the best place to eat in Madrid. We recommend mixing it up between traditional restaurants, neighborhood bars, markets, and casual spots. Mercado de San Miguel is an easy choice if you want lots of options in one place, while smaller local restaurants and bars can be better for a more everyday Madrid experience.

What are the best food markets in Madrid?

Some of our favorites are Mercado de San Miguel, Mercado de San Antón, Mercado de Tirso de Molina, and Mercado Ildefonso. If you’re only visiting one, we’d choose Mercado de San Miguel because it’s centrally located right by Plaza Mayor and gives you plenty of options to try in one stop.

Do you need to tip in Madrid?

Tipping isn’t expected in Madrid in the same way it is in the US. You can leave something for particularly good service, but you shouldn’t feel obligated to add a large percentage to every bill.

What is the best way to experience food in Madrid?

Honestly, we’d recommend doing a combination of things rather than planning every meal around a restaurant reservation. Try a few traditional dishes, visit a market, go out for cañas, share some tapas, and leave time to simply sit outside and enjoy the terraza culture. Some of my favorite food memories from living in Madrid were the most casual ones.

Mirador del Arco de Cuchilleros in Madrid

Madrid Food Guide: Final Thoughts & What’s Next

The best thing about eating in Madrid is that you don’t need to make every meal into an event.

Of course, there are historic restaurants and famous markets worth visiting, but some of my favorite memories from living there were much simpler. We’d grab some food, order a few beers, sit outside, and spend hours talking and people watching.

If you really want to experience the best food in Madrid, leave some room in your itinerary for that kind of spontaneity.

⭐️ Some Final Tips for Enjoying the Food in Madrid

Order several tapas to share rather than everyone ordering their own dish. It lets you try much more.
Order a caña instead of automatically getting a large beer.
Try a cubo with a group if you want a fun, inexpensive way to spend an afternoon or evening.
Look for a menú del día when you want a filling lunch without spending a lot.
Adjust your meal schedule. Eating at American times can mean dining before the locals.
Visit a market if you want to sample several foods in one stop.
Try different types of jamón instead of assuming all Spanish ham is the same.
Don’t save paella for dinner. It’s traditionally a lunch dish, and if you’re serious about trying it, keep that in mind.
Don’t limit yourself to sangria. Try tinto de verano, cañas, and the other drinks locals actually order.
Take your time. One of the best parts of eating in Madrid is sitting outside, talking, drinking, and not rushing off to your next reservation.

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👀 What’s Next?

Now that you’ve finished our Madrid food guide, you probably want to know more about visiting the city! Well, right now we have a few other Madrid guides for you including:

✈️ How to Get to Madrid, Spain
🤩 16 best things to do in Madrid
🚌 How to get around Madrid
📖 Madrid Travel Guide

Here are also some other Spain guides we have:
💃🏻 Celebrating Feria de Abril in Sevilla
☀️ Things to Do in Sevilla
📖 Granada Travel Guide
📸 Most Instagrammable Spots in Barcelona
📖 Barcelona Travel Guide
🌊 Places to Visit in Costa Blanca
✈️ How to get to Valencia
🚗 How to get around Valencia
🤩 24 Top things to do in Valencia
🍴 Valencia food guide
🪂 48 Unique Things to Do in Valencia
☔️ 22 Things to Do in Valencia When it Rains
🍅 Experiencing Tomatina festival
🔥 Las Fallas Festival
📖 Ultimate Valencia Travel Guide

Here are guides we have about the Canary Islands:
🌊 El Hierro Travel Guide
🌋 La Palma Travel Guide
🌳 La Gomera Travel Guide
🌄 Gran Canaria Travel Guide
🏖 Fuerteventura Travel Guide
🏝 Isla de Lobos Travel Guide
🍷 Lanzarote Travel Guide
🤩 50 Epic Spots in Lanzarote
⛴ La Graciosa Travel Guide
🌅 Tenerife Travel Guide
📖 The Ultimate Canary Islands Travel Guide

Palacio Cristal in Parque Retiro, Madrid

So are you ready dive into the rich culinary scene of one of our favorite European cities? We hope this Madrid food guide has helped you for planning some amazing dining experiences, as well as unique tours to savor the best that this destination has to offer.

Want to learn more about Madrid or other nearby cities? Don’t miss out on our other Madrid guides or other Spain travel guides, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to be up to date with our newest articles.

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