The food everyone tells you to have when eating in Spain is tapas. Tapas are everywhere in Spain and for good reason, it’s delicious! While in Madrid you may be looking for the best tapas bars in the city, so we have saved you the trouble and found the 11 Best Tapas Bars in Madrid!
These small plates differ depending on what region you are in as it is more adapted to the lifestyle and culinary scene of the place. Unlike other regions like Barcelona, Madrid has fewer tapas bars as the drinking and eating culture of the city is different. However, there are still a good amount of tapas bars in the city.
Tapas translated means lid or cover in English, it is thought that the name came about due to how restaurants would serve the plates to the customer in order to protect it from flies and bugs. Tapas are small plates that usually contain a small amount of food, typically you order a few to have it as a meal. They are delicious and a great way to try Spanish cuisine.
1.CASA REVUELTA
Casa Revuelta is a small family-owned tapas bar located in the middle of Plaza de Mayor and Plaza de la Villa. It’s a modest sized bar that usually only has a few tables available on the inside. That doesn’t stop people though, the bar is always packed with locals so it is not only a regular stop for tourists. Casa Revuelta is well known for its famous menu item called tajadas de balacao – salted cod fritters and tripe. The best thing to do if you go here is to grab a Spanish beer and a few fritters, trust us its good!
Address: Calle Latoneros 3
Phone: +34 913 66 33 32
2. BOGEDAS RICLA
Bodegas Ricla They opened in 1867 and has come quite a long way! It is located only a minute walk from Plaza Mayor and it is always frequented by locals which reflects how good it is. It is a family owned place where the mother cooks and her sons serve. The tapas here are incredible and they have great cold cuts. The atmosphere is quite authentic to a typical tapas bar, as it is small and there are big wine casks in the room with many bottles also on the shelves. Their wine list, as you might expect is, really good.
Address: Calle Cuchilleros 6
Phone: +34 913 65 20 69
3. LA CASA DEL ABUELO
La Casa del Abuelo is situated only a few minutes away from Puerta del Sol. It is a great spot to try traditional Spanish dishes. They are well known for their house specialties – especialidades de la casa in Spanish, which is shrimp in its many forms. You can have them grilled, with garlic or in a terracotta casserole, all are good! The inside is decorated with beautiful tiles and you will smell the shrimp as you walk in! Come here and enjoy the shrimp with a glass of red wine and enjoy their classic tapas environment.
Address: Calle Victoria, 12
Phone: +34 915 21 23 19
4. ALMENDRO 13
This cute little taverna takes its name from the street it is located on in the La Latina neighborhood. Spanish tavernas are known for their house dishes and specialties and Almendro 13 is no different. Their famous dishes are huevos rotos – broken egg in English, rosca de jamon Iberico – a circular sandwich with Jamon Iberico and croquetas which are fritters. They also have a great option for beer which is not very typical in taperias. Enjoy the authentic local experience here as well as their delicious and reasonably priced tapas.
Address: Calle Almendro 13
Phone: +34 913 65 42 52
5. EL LACON
El Lacon is found in the Huertas neighborhood and is very close to the Prado National Museum. The bar dates back to 1911 when it was first used as an inn and then turned into an eatery. They offer you a small plate of tapas to share for every drink you order – which is pretty generous in Madrid. The staff is attentive and friendly and the wine selection is great. Their house specialties are callos – tripe in English, which is prepared in the Madrid style. They also have other great house tapas like an asparagus plate and their platters for fish, meat or cheese. They are also known for their vegetarian-friendly plates here.
Address: Calle Manuel Fernandez y Gonzalez 8, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Phone: +34 914 29 60 42
6. TINTO Y TAPAS
Need a tapas break after visiting the city’s museums? This is the perfect place for you since its close to all of them! The bar offers a budget-friendly menu for both foods and drinks, along with great portions. It is a very small place but it has a very cozy and casual atmosphere so its perfect for a quick tapas break. Their menu is always written on a light pink door outside and once you walk in you will see their counter which is full of empanadas and savory puffs! It is a very trendy spot but it has a very home-like ambiance. We recommend trying their house toasts and quiches as well as their empanadas they are really good! Their slices of bread are served with tomato sauce and Jamon Iberico is quite famous!
Address: Calle Almaden 14
Phone: +34 919 20 09 29
7. LA CASTELA
La Castela brings a different touch to the tapas scene in Madrid. If you are looking for a unique tapas experience this is where you should go! La Castela in unlike other tapas places, the portions are big, the seafood is fresh and they care about using high-quality ingredients. The place is pretty busy around dinner time and the food is why. Plus, their bar was one of the few selected places for Michelin’s Bib Gourmand choices for 2018.
Address: Calle Doctor Castelo, 22
Phone: +34 915 74 00 15
8. CASA LUCAS
Casa Lucas is a popular stop among travelers and local people in the La Latina neighborhood. What they do here is simple – good food, good drinks, and a cozy casual environment. You can see the wine and beverage selection on the wall written on a blackboard. Their menu is quite eclectic and they offer many raciones of tapas (personal portions). They are well known for their blood sausage, oxtail, and calamari. It is a pretty popular place so you might have to wait for a table!
Address: Calle Cava Baja 30
Phone: +34 913 65 08 04
9. LA VENENCIA
La Venencia is one of those bars where you feel like time has stopped while you are inside. It is an old school bar with only a few bar stools and tables inside. The popularity of this place dates back to the Spanish civil war and Hemingway was one of their frequent customers. They only serve sherry from barrels and the whole place is full of wooden furniture and decorations. Come here especially for the drinks and enjoy them with their selection of tapas and appetizers like chorizo, olives, and platters! Also, they are pretty strict about photos, so you will have to leave your phone in your bag and enjoy the moment!
Address: Calle Echegaray 7
Phone: +34 914 29 73 13
10. ALBORA
Albora is both a restaurant and a bar. For a tapas experience, we advise you to visit the bar section first as it has a different menu. The service and food are both great here! However, Albora is more of a fine dining experience in comparison to the other places we have listed so it is a bit more expensive than other tapas places. It is a great place for a romantic evening, birthday, or anniversary if you are dining in Madrid. They offer tapas with a modern touch, so its traditional tapas with a twist. They also have amazing and fresh cuts of meat! Albora is a Michelin star restaurant so you know that it’s good!
Address: Calle Jorge Juan 33
Phone: +34 917 81 61 97
11. EL MINIBAR
If you are looking for a place with great tapas, good cocktails and huge portions for cheap then El minibar is the perfect place for you. There is usually a young crowd here, eating and drinking with friends. The setting is quite lively and eclectic due to the many pop art paintings hanging on the wall. It a really casual and fun place with really friendly staff and customers. Their famous tapas are called Tapa Breton – grilled cheese with tomato jam and coriander oil, they also have great fish tapas like cod, prawns, and calamari!
Address: Calle del Meson de Panos 1
Phone: +34 616 00 97 04