Here are all my recommendations for Spanish restaurants/tapas bars in Madrid. I have been to all these places and only recommend places that I consider above 3.5 stars.
How to use this guide: You can search based on any filter: cuisine type, budget, area, dish, outdoor or group. If the Spanish restaurant is also regional, I have made a note of it. I hope you enjoy these places as much as I have!
| Restaurant Name | Rating | Type | Vibe | Cuisine Type | Neighborhood | Famous for | Cost | Price (per person) | Outdoor? | Good for Groups? | Reserve | Extra Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filemon | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual and fun | Spanish | Chamberi | Escalope, Cheese Cake | €€ | 30-50 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Great place for classic and reimagined Spanish food designed for sharing |
| Casa Emilio | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Aperitivo | Spanish | Prosperidad | Vermut and tapas | € | 5-15 | Yes | No | No | Go for a vermut or beer. They always bring a free nibble. Also great to order some jamon, anchovies or gildas |
| La Maruca | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | More formal | Spanish (Cantabria) | Multiple (Lopez de Hoyos) | Calamari, tortilla, “ensaladilla” | €€€ | 30-60 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Really nice terrace. Spanish food from Cantabria. Really good Spanish classics – Croquetas, Calamari, Cheesecake |
| La Ancha | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | More formal | Spanish | Multiple (Chamartin) | Meat/Fish | €€€ | 40-60 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Very good produce and Spanish classics. Restaurant has Andalucian inspiration |
| Varro | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual/vibey | Spanish | Salamanca | Tortilla | € | 20-40 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Spanish tapas and good bar for vibes. Go after 8pm. Slightly strange smell though |
| El Buen | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Tapas/Wine Bar | Casual/vibey | Spanish | Salamanca | Steak tartare | €€ | 30-50 | No | No | Yes | Spanish tapas and wine bar. Small and cute vibe. No seats with backs |
| TreZe Restaurante | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Nice/Fancy | Spanish | Salamanca | Meatballs, Croquetas, Pork “torrezno” | €€€ | 40-60 | No | Yes | Yes | Great Spanish classics to share. Really delicious food |
| Las Tortillas de Gabino | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Nice/Fancy | Spanish | Chamberi | Tortilla, Escalope | €€€ | 40-60 | No | Yes | Yes | Really good tortillas and Spanish food in general. Same group as La Ancha and Fismuler |
| Hermanos Vinagre | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish | Multiple | White Anchovies with chips | € | 10-30 | No | Yes | No | Awesome for aperitivo |
| Agarimo | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Galician | Chamberi | Hake, tortilla, brioche | €€€ | 40-60 | No | Yes | Yes | Touch of finesse to Galician classics. They also have Estrella Galicia beer on tank which is the best |
| Neotaberna de Santerra | ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish fusion | Chamberi | Croquetas, Pork “torrezno” | €€ | 20-40 | No | Yes | Yes | Santerra is a michelin restaurant and this is their bar version. Nice food, service is ok |
| Cerveceria El Doble | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish | Multiple (Chamberi) | Tapas, seafood | €-€€ | 20-40 | No | Yes | No | Depends on what you order here but can be very cheap or not cheap. Great place for a beer/vermut |
| Casa Dani | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Market | Casual | Spanish | Chamberi | Tortilla | € | 10-20 | No | Yes | No | Famous for best tortilla in Madrid. Personally not my absolute favourite but it is very good. They have other share plates too |
| Casa Averias | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Wine bar | Casual | Spanish | Chamberi | Extensive wine list, empanadas | €-€€ | 10-30 | No | No | Yes | They have a massive wine list by the glass, it does get really busy and loud. But good vibes |
| Bar Restaurante Ponzano | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Chamberi | Produce – Artichokes, Tomatoes, Callos (insides) | €€-€€€ | 30-60 | No | Yes | Yes | Famous for featuring on Netflix show Somebody Feed Phil. Its good, but prices are higher because of the fame |
| Restaurante Lakasa | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant | Nice/Fancy | Spanish | Chamberi | Solomillo Wellington | €€€ | 40-70 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Quite fancy, a great place to take family/grandparents. Very high quality produce |
| Garelos | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Galician | Chamberi | Tortilla Betanzos, Zamburinas, Octopus, Navajas, Empanada | €€ | 30-50 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Really great tavern style place that is cosy. The tortilla is insane! |
| Sacha Restaurant | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Fancy/classic | Spanish | Chamartin | Tortilla, Lasagne, Steak tartare | €€€ | 50-100 | Yes | Yes | Yes | One of the best places in Madrid and is incredibly iconic. Have to reserve two weeks in advance. |
| La Gilderia | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Aperitivo Bar | Casual | Spanish | Multiple | Gildas | € | 10-20 | Yes | OK | No | Great place for aperitivo with a lot of different Gilda varieties |
| Fismuler | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Vibey | Spanish | Chamberi | Escalope, Cheese Cake, Dorada | €€€ | 40-60 | No | Yes | Yes | Really vibey restaurant, all the produce is incredible. One of the best cheesecakes of Madrid |
| Orellana House | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual/nice | Spanish | Chueca/Almagro | Croquetas, Tuna tartare with eggs | €€-€€€ | 30-60 | Yes | OK | Yes | The “huevos rotos con tartare de atun” is a must! |
| La Raquetista | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Ibiza | Canneloni, Torrija dessert, Pork “torreznos” | €€ | 30-50 | No | OK | Yes | Great to reserve for lunch on a weekend |
| La Monte | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Ibiza | Mushroom croquetas, Mushroom with truffle and potato | €€ | 30-40 | No | OK | Call | My favourite in Ibiza neighbourhood, amazing to book for Saturday/Sunday lunch. More casual then its other restaurant La Monteria |
| La Castela | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Ibiza | “Milojas de ventresca”, oxtail, octopus rice | €€ | 30-40 | No | OK | Yes | Second favourite in Ibiza neighbourhood, amazing to book for Saturday/Sunday lunch |
| La Monteria | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual/nice | Spanish | Ibiza | Oxtail, mushrooms with egg | €€ | 30-50 | No | OK | Yes | All the food is insane. Can be more casual in bar or formal in restaurant behind |
| Taberna Laredo | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual/nice | Spanish | Ibiza | Tortilla with artichokes and produce | €€€ | 40-60 | No | Yes | Call | Incredible food, less ambiance but the produce is 10/10 |
| Barrutia y El 9 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Chueca/Almagro | Pork “torreznos”, “cachopo” like escalope | €€ | 30-40 | No | Yes | Yes | Fantastic tavern with rustic menu items |
| Casa de Fieras | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Ibiza | Tuna tartare, croquetas, oxtail | €€ | 30-40 | No | Yes | Yes | Came for an event and was surprised by how great all the food was |
| CUATRODEOCHO | ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Malasana | “Huevos rotos”, artichokes | €€ | 20-40 | No | Yes | Yes | This place is great because you can purchase half portions and try lots of things |
| Cafe Comercial | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant/Cafe/Bar | Casual/Fancy | Spanish | Malasana | Tortilla, tomato salad | €€ | 10-60 | Yes | Yes | Yes/or not | A classic Spanish establishment. You can come for breakfast, snack at the bar or a fancier dinner. It is in a beautiful building based on being famous as one of the oldest cafes and for authors who back in the day used to come here |
| Mercado de Ibiza | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Ibiza | Tortilla, oxtail | €€ | 30-40 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Really great food and ambiance. Food that comes from the market |
| Florida Park | ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Retiro | €€ | 30-40 | Yes | Yes | Multiple spaces | A bit expensive for what it is, but amazing location, nice atmosphere and good to be in the park | |
| Taberna La Indigna | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Chamberi | Torrezno (pork), croquetas, artichokes | € | 10-30 | No | OK | Call | Really local taberna, they have great food and nice local vibe |
| perretxiCo | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish/Basque | Multiple | Pintxos – donut cocido and “the vaccine” | €€ | 20-30 | Yes | Yes | Multiple spots | The other food is good, but the two recommended tapas are really insane |
| Ultramarines del coso | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish/fusion | Malasana | Brioche, anchovies, croquetas | €€ | 30-40 | Yes | Yes | Yes | The service is terrible but a great spot for terrace or a casual drink. Food is pretty good. |
| Casa Camacho | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Vermut Bar | Casual | Spanish | Malasana | Vermut, olives | € | 10-20 | No | No | No | Most authentic vermouth bar, gets really busy |
| Vinoteca Vides | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Wine Bar | Casual | Wine/Tapas | Chueca | Wine/tapas | € | 10-20 | No | OK | No | Incredible wine bar and yummy charcuterie/cheeses and wine bar food. Gets very busy |
| Casa Baranda | ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish/tapas | Malasana | Patatas bravas, “Bunuelos de Bacalao”, Calamari sandwich | € | 10-20 | No | OK | No | Very classic Spanish taberna, with a fun hole in the wall. Same kitchen as Bodega ardosa |
| Bodega de la Ardosa | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish/tapas | Malasana | Artichokes, gildas, tortilla, salmorejo, tomato salad | € | 10-20 | No | OK | No | My favourite classic Spanish taberna, gets busy but great for a drink and something to eat |
| Casa Macareno | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Vibey/Casual | Spanish/tapas | Malasana | Croquetas, calamari “chipirones” with shallots, beef cheek, cheese cake, tomato salad | €€ | 20-30 | No | OK | Yes | Favourite classic Spanish restaurant. Always is busy with a great vibe. Everything on their menu is fantastic |
| La Colmada | ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish/tapas | Malasana | Preserved food, cheese board & charcuterie, russian salad (ensaladilla) | €€ | 20-30 | No | OK | Call | Cute food/wine store to have vermouth/wines and tapas |
| Casa Julio | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish/tapas | Malasana | Croquetas (all), pisto | € | 10-20 | No | OK | Call | Famous for celebrities like Bono for U2 visiting and saying these were the best croquetas. They are really good |
| La Tabarra | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish/tapas | Chamberi | Burrata, tartare, cheese board, russian salad, burgers | €€ | 20-30 | No | Yes | Call | Delicious tapas |
| Angelita | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Vibey | Spanish fusion | Chueca | Canneloni, Oxtail, Pisto | €€€ | 40-60 | No | Yes | Yes | Extensive wine list, great food and vibey cocktail bar downstairs |
| Bodegas el Mano | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish/tapas | Malasana | Bravas, Huevos rotos, torreznos (pork), gildas | €€ | 20-30 | No | Yes | Yes | Great vibe and good tapas |
| Pez Tortilla | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish/tapas | Various | Tortilla | € | 10-20 | No | No | No | Really good tortilla |
| Casa Luna | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish/Tapas bar | Malasana | Wine, cheese and charcuterie | € | 10-20 | No | No | No | Great place for aperitivo |
| La Taberna Sanlucar | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish/Tapas bar | La Latina | Fried fish, tomato salad, tortillitas con gambas, salmorejo | €€ | 20-30 | No | OK | Call | Authentic place for delicious tapas. Highly recommend |
| Tabanco san Andres | ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish/Tapas bar | La Latina | Fried fish, tomato salad, tortillitas con gambas, salmorejo | €€ | 20-30 | No | OK | Yes | Came for a wine tasting of sherrys and was pleasantly surprised with the yummy Andalucian food |
| Juana La Loca | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar/Restaurant | Casual | Spanish/Tapas bar | Salamanca | Pincho de tortilla | €€ | 20-40 | No | OK | Yes | Amazing place for pintxos, the best tortilla! |
| Taberna La Concha | ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Aperitivo Bar | Casual | Vermouth/Tapas bar | La Latina | Vermouth, small tapas | € | 10-20 | No | No | No | Cute place for vermouth and a snack. Very touristic street and this place is good |
| Cafe Pavon | ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Bar | Casual | Spanish | Lavapies | Vermouth, ambience | € | 10-20 | No | OK | No | Authentic bar that is famous for being a place poets used to visit. Nice for a drink |
| Tasca Barea | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Aperitivo | Lavapies | Small pintxos, vermouth | € | 10-20 | No | OK | No | Cute bar with little snacks |
| Restaurante Uskar | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Arganzuela | Tuna, Canneloni, Sardines, Torreznos | €€ | 30-50 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Really great food and nice ambience too. The people working here are really kind |
| La Lorenza | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish | Lavapies | Tortilla, Gyozas, Octopus, Steak tartare, Croquetas | €€ | 20-30 | No | Yes | Yes | Delicious tapas restaurant. Its not super vibey but great price/quality |
| Vinicola Mentridana | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Aperitivo | Lavapies | Toasts, charcuterie | € | 10-20 | No | OK | No | Authentic vibey wine bar with great toasts that have cured fish/meats |
| Lamiak de la Rosa | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Tapas | Lavapies | Pintxos | € | 10-20 | No | OK | Call | Great place for pintxos and trying different things. Not super authentic but the kind of fusion pintxos you find around Spain |
| La Canibal | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant/Bar | Casual/vibey | Galician/Brewery | Lavapies | Empanada, Octopus, Croquetas, Tortilla | €€ | 30-50 | No | Yes | Yes | Fun restaurant that is also a brewery. You can book tables or have something casual in the bar part. Also do great natural wines |
| Taberna La daniela | ⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish/Madrid | Multiple | Cocido, Callos (tripe), croquetas | €€ | 30-50 | No | Yes | Yes | Classic authentic place for classic Madrid “cocido” which is a chickpea stew with lots of meat |
| La Venencia | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Sherry Bar | Casual | Aperitivo | Barrio las Letras | Sherry and charcuterie | € | 10-20 | No | OK | No | An absolute establishment. Super authentic and a place for sherry and nothing else. Highly recommend |
| Alimentacion Quiroga | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Aperitivo/tapas | Barrio las Letras | Cheese and chacuterie/anchovies, artichokes, toasts | € | 10-20 | No | OK | Call | I love this place. Always vibey, great food to share and Spanish wines |
| Casa Varona | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Aperitivo/tapas | Barrio las Letras | Cheese and chacuterie/anchovies, artichokes, toasts | € | 10-20 | No | OK | Call | Same owner as Alimentacion quiroga, but less vibey. Still good though |
| Casa Gonzalez | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas/Wine Bar | Casual | Wine bar/aperitivo | Barrio las Letras | Cheese & charcuterie, burrata, tomatoes, wines | € | 10-20 | No | OK | No | Cute wine bar/store with delicious cheese selection and other small things to nibble on |
| El Barril de las Letras | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual/fancier | Spanish/grill | Barrio las Letras | Octopus, baby squid, artichokes, hake | €€€ | 40-60 | No | Yes | Yes | Fantastic produce from the grill |
| La huerta de Tudela | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Fancy | Spanish/vegetable dishes | Barrio las Letras | Artichokes, leek, hake | €€€ | 40-60 | No | Yes | Yes | Great produce and whilst caters to meat eaters, strong emphasis on vegetables |
| El Pimieno Verde | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Fancy | Spanish/seafood | Multiple | Octopus, Monk fish, Hake, Artichokes | €€€ | 50-70 | No | Yes | Yes | Multiple locations. Fantastic Spanish produce. Best for seafood and vegetables |
| Taberna La Elisa | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish | Barrio las Letras | Torrezno (pork), tripe, snails | €€ | 20-30 | No | OK | Yes | Classic Spanish taberna with Madrid food |
| Origen Taberna Madrid | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Spanish fusion | Arguelles | Tomatoes with idiazabal, sardines, shrimp croquetas | €€ | 20-40 | No | Yes | Yes | Spanish fusion taberna. Great because you can order half portions and individual items as a tapa |
| Toque Restaurant | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual/Nice | Spanish | Majadahonda | Steak sandwich, foccacia, meatballs, gildas, torrija | €€ | 40-60 | Yes | Yes | Yes | One of my all time favourite restaurants. The food is absolutely incredible! |
| Casa Canito | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual/vibey | Spanish | Salamanca | Katsu sandwich, anchovy bocarte, bikini, steak tartare | €€ | 20-40 | No | No | No | Great vibey bar with delicious tapas. They don’t take reservations, it is walk-in only |
| Jurucha | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish | Salamanca | Pinchos – creamed spinach, preserved fish | € | 10-20 | Yes | No | No | Standing bar. A massive range of small pinchos. Really good. Gets very busy |
| La Dolores | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish | Barrio las Letras | Toasts, charcuterie | € | 10-20 | No | OK | No | Classic Spanish bar with the essence of Madrid that gets very busy. Great tapas |
| Los Gatos | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish | Barrio las Letras | Toasts, charcuterie | € | 10-20 | No | OK | No | Classic Spanish bar that gets very busy. Great tapas |
| Alto Bardero | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish | La Latina | Tortilla, pinxtos | €€ | 20-40 | No | OK | Yes | Amazing pintxos and the creator of Juana La Loca tortilla. The best tortilla in Madrid |
| MIGA CANA | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Market spot | Casual | Spanish | Chamberi | Croquettas, Artichoke, Tomato Salad, fabada | € | 10-30 | No | No | Yes | Mercado Vallerhomoso – Market spot for aperitivo or tapas |
| Bar El Boqueron | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas bar | Casual | Spanish | Lavapies | Seafood – Gambas, boquerones, Oysters | € | 10-30 | No | OK | Yes | Authentic aperitivo and shellfish place. The boquerones and oysters are amazing |
| Colosimo | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant/Tapas Bar | Casual/fancy | Spanish | Salamanca | Tortilla, tomato salad, cheesecake, canneloni | €€ | 20-40 | No | Yes | Yes | Came for tortilla and have been to the bar. Tortilla is delicious and one of the best in Madrid |
| Arzabal | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual/fancy | Spanish | Ibiza | Steak tartare brioche, gildas | €€€ | 50-70 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Great place near the retiro for lunch. Slightly overpriced, but still a great spot! |
| Chez Pepito | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Casual | Sandwiches/Bar food | Chamberi | Chez Pepito, Brioche with rib | €€ | 20-30 | No | No | Yes | Low key tapas/sandwiches, absolutely delicious |
| Marmiton Bistro | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Restaurant/Wine Bar | Casual/nice | Spanish fusion | La Latina | Steak tartare, Risotto, Cochinillo, Lobster | €€ | 40-60 | No | No | Yes | Cute small tapas place, good date spot |
| Restaurante Carbon | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Restaurant | Nice/Fancy | Spanish | <a href="Salamanca“>La Latina | Gildas, turbot | €€€ | 40-60 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Classic Spanish establishment, a good place to go with the fam. Part of the carbon group |
| Ganzo | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish | <a href="Salamanca | Tortilla | € | 10-20 | No | No | No | Low key neighbourhood place with a great tortilla |
| Casa Longinos | ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐ | Tapas Bar | Casual | Spanish | <a href="Chamberi | Tortilla and menu del dia | € | 10-20 | No | Yes | No | They run out of tortilla before lunch so great for tortilla before 12.00 |
| Restaurant Name | Rating | Type | Vibe | Cuisine Type | Neighborhood | Famous for | Cost | Price (per person) | Outdoor? | Good for Groups? | Reserve | Extra Notes |