In New York they have the bagel, in Paris the crepe and in Madrid we are devotees of the squid sandwich. It has as many detractors as tourists queuing up to eat one around the Plaza Mayor.
It seems that the cocido madrileño (Madrid stew) and the tripe makes more sense in the local gastronomy, it is a must in the capital’s winter. But the Inception and popularity of the calamari sandwich -in Madrid we say bocata more than bocadillo- seems to be between said and done. To begin with, because of the fish in a city so far from the coast, and then because of its simplicity, even because of how coarse it can be, depending on who prepares it.
But street food, the popular street food, never requires a lot of elaboration, it has to be something quick to cook and eat, and if possible hearty, requirements that the squid sandwich certainly meets.
1. Plaza Mayor Brewery
You can’t lose them, you don’t have to think too much. Nothing simpler than a calamari sandwich in the Plaza Mayor. There are many here that serve the baguette with calamari a la romana and a touch of mayonnaise, but some are a must, and Cervecería Plaza Mayor is one of them.
📍 Plaza Mayor, 2 (center)
💶 Bocata de calamares: 4,5€
2. Postas Bar
At Bar Postas the specialty is the calamari sandwich. In the beginning it was a fish fryer, but the success of their sandwiches -depending on the season, they can sell between 3000 and 4000 a day- which are sold at any time of the day, led them to gain the fame they still maintain after more than 70 years open. In addition, the place is the history of Spanish cinema. Bigas Luna shot some scenes from Las edades de Lulúhere.
📍 Calle Postas, 13 (downtown)
💶 Bocata de calamares: 4,50€
3. Apura
Apura is a sandwich shop, but with a traditional touch. Mario Céspedes’ dream was to open one in Madrid like the ones that proliferate in his native Lima, and he succeeded. The bocata always has that quick, unpretentious, but very appealing part that, in addition, works at any time, that’s why Apura is always open. Among its chicharrón or entraña sandwiches you can find the squid in tempura with rocoto, to unite both cultures.
📍 Calle del Gral. Ora, 45 (Lista)
💶 Bocadillo de calamares: 8,8€
4. La Ideal
Not far from the Plaza Mayor, La Ideal is another classic. They claim to have crusty bread and freshly fried calamari, the formula for success so that the sandwich meets expectations. The amount of calamari they usually serve makes it difficult to close the bread and it is a narrow place where you almost always eat standing at the bar, but this is all part of the experience of this typical dish.
📍 Calle de Botoneras, 4 (center)
💶 Bocata de calamares: 4€
5. El Respiro
El Respiro is a classic bar that survives the gentrification of Chueca, and as such has all kinds of free tapas with the drink and raciones. Their calamari sandwich is a bit more manageable than the typical ones, which is sometimes appreciated, and the calamari is elongated instead of round: easier to bite. A complete traditional experience, but with a touch of its own.
📍 Calle de las Infantas, 34 (Chueca)
💶 Bocata de calamares: 6€
6. El Brillante
El Brillante is an institution in the city. If you arrive or leave Madrid from Atocha, you have to stop here, because it is a perfect hello and goodbye to Madrid. The king of the menu is the calamari bocata, but almost any fried dish is available.
It’s a commonplace of the typical bar, terrazzo floors covered with the dirty paper napkins thrown out by patrons, well-pulled beers and old-school bartenders.
📍 Plaza Emperador Carlos V (Atocha)
💶 Bocata de calamares: 7,5 €
7. Los Bocadillos
Los Bocadillos does not deceive: it is as simple as its name. They make sandwiches and both the bread and the filling are good. Considering that it is in Madrid, next to Plaza de España, the calamari was not going to be missing from the menu. You can eat at almost any time, it is the perfect place for when you are in a hurry and want to eat something cheap and good. Madrid’s competition to American fast food.
📍 Calle del Marqués de Urquijo, 1 (Argüelles) and Calle de Gaztambide, 27 (Chamberí).
💶 Bocadillo de calamares: 4,80 €
8. Lhardy
Lhardy is much more than just cocido madrileño (Madrid stew). His little store downstairs sells sweets, consommé in winter and the finest calamari sandwiches-so much so that they call it bocatín. The high price can be justified, as well as for the history of the place the mayonnaise made with the squid’s own ink and the spongy bread they call “bombón” (bonbon).
📍 Carrera de S. Jerónimo, 8 (Downtown)
💶 Bocadillo de calamares: 12, 5 €