Madrid is a place that is always reinventing itself -gastronomically speaking. New restaurants, new dishes, new culinary trends… However, the classic always has its followers, and in this city they are not few. To commemorate the importance and trajectory of the places that have been part of Madrid’s culture for half a century, the Community of Madrid has published a selection of 30 mythical restaurants in the region.
“With the solera of Madrid” is an initiative in collaboration with the Association of Hoteliers of Madrid to promote the gastronomic offer of the Community of Madrid. The guide includes some thirty bars, restaurants and eating houses spread throughout Madrid and 18 other municipalities that, from this month, will have a plaque that recognizes their history and culinary offerings: meat, fish, garden products, rice, preserves and sausages, spoon dishes, Spanish or typical Madrilenian cuisine..
In Madrid center..
The city center has a wide variety of restaurants and taverns with a traditional appearance. But be careful, because the line that separates one establishment with history from another to attract tourists is very fine. Casa Lucio is one of these restaurants that is what it seems: a traditional restaurant where you can taste the best of Madrid and national gastronomy. Since 1974, this restaurant has been a must for lovers of good food. Especially if your favorite dish is fried eggs, a must-try must-try of the house.
If you are looking for traditional cuisine, La Copita Asturiana is your place. This treasure of Asturian cuisine opened in the city in 1959, and has since become an ideal destination for those looking to unbutton their pants after every meal. Another must-visit eatery in the center is Restaurante El Bierzo. In the heart of the Chueca neighborhood, El Bierzo has been offering its visitors generous portions of home cooking for 53 years.
Having a drink is an almost sacred ritual for Madrilenians, and Casa Camacho is the best place to practice it. This corner of Malasaña, a reference since the 1920s, is an authentic Madrid tavern: its tapas of bravas, boquerones, anchovies, Almagro eggplants and its “yayos”. The “yayos”, a unique blend of casera, vermouth and gin, are the specialty of the house.
Beyond the center
To the west of the Castellana, in the heart of Ciudad Lineal, is theDocamar Bar. This authentic neighborhood bar is home to the most famous bravas in town. Their special sauce (which they also sell separately), crispy fries and beer served ice cold is what makes it a cult spot. Another of Madrid’s classic tapas, although originating in Avila, is torreznos. And what better place to try them than at Bar Los Torreznos. Located at 149 López de Hoyos St. and 69 Alonso Cano St., this bar has been serving this salty snack in the city since 1956.
Casa Pepe is a mythical restaurant in the northern zone of the city. Its menu and daily menu reflect the best of the classic Spanish bars: wings, torreznos, black pudding scrambled eggs, bravas and ear. Another house specialized in Spanish tradition is Casa Ricardo, in the Argüelles district of Madrid. Since 1935, Casa Ricardo has been offering its loyal customers specialties such as oxtail, Madrid-style tripe, hen in pepitoria, cod in pilpil sauce and cocido madrileño (cooked to order).
In the surroundings..
Outside the city you can also eat well (and very cheaply). In the village of Torrelaguna, in the vicinity of the Sierra, is the restaurant Alfolí de la Sal. Located in a 14th century building, it offers menus from Monday to Friday and a wide range of gastronomic options, including roasts.
The historic town of Chinchón also has a wide gastronomic offer. The Iberia Café, in the main square of the village, is a large multi-room restaurant where you can enjoy delicious meats and traditional dishes. Also in Chinchón is the Mesón Cuevas del Vino. This restaurant-museum is located in an old farmhouse from the end of the 18th century, whose activity was the production of wine and oil. There you can visit: wine cellar, mill, caves, etc., as well as the largest wood oven in Spain. In addition to its food, it is worth enjoying this building, declared of tourist interest and protected by the Historical and Artistic Heritage of the Community of Madrid.
Las cuadras de rocinanteis located in Alcalá de Henares . Founded in the early 70’s, they specialize in homemade raciones and traditional dishes such as stewed lentils, fabes con sus avíos, cocido madrileño a los tres vuelcos… Casa Pablo, “from Aranjuez since 1941”, as its menu proclaims, is a restaurant with more than eighty years of history. It is a classic tavern that offers a wide variety of traditional dishes, from seafood to quality meats and delicious desserts.