It is difficult to delimit what is a sandwich, a snack, a sandwich. If we go by the RAE, bocata is a more colloquial and shortened form of sandwich, and sandwich is just sliced bread, would we define as such the ones from Revuelto, with Korean recipe and immense? It seems that size matters here, but there are no clear lines either.
We agree that anything that is eaten with the hand and is between two loaves of bread, of any kind, falls within the criteria of this list. With some exotic license that complies with the form, though not exactly with the format, because this is a constantly evolving concept.
Moñetes
They cannot be defined as snacks, but neither can they fail to be defined as such. Valentina Ciardulli’s bows in the Antón Martín Market cannot be included in any category other than its own: an original invention that essentially complies with the sandwich structure -bread, various fillings and bread-.
Inspired by the Italian Brioche col tuppo , which is filled with ice cream, Valentina makes these panini italiani (which she has named “bunettes”) and fills them with different combinations of sweet or savory products, but always fresh and of high quality.
💸 B etween 6,10€ and 7,25€
📍 Stall 35 of the Antón Martín Market (calle de Santa Isabel, 5. Lavapiés)
La Oreja de Vica Bar
They boast of making the largest ear sandwich in Madrid: a large loaf of bread (freshly baked and crispy) that is filled with their tender ear stew in homemade sauce. Because of its size, each sandwich is designed to be shared by several people or “to be enjoyed alone if you are a true sandwich lover,” they say.
In addition, could hardly be better priced: 4,50€. And even though the ear sandwich is the house special, they have more sandwiches of that size (like the calamari) and half loaf sandwiches.
💸 Full bar sandwiches between 4,50€ and 6€
📍 Calle de Villacarlos, 10 (Vicálvaro).
The squid game of Arrabal Restaurant
If we talk about sandwiches in Madrid, we can not fail to include their legendary calamari sandwiches. There are countless bars in the capital that serve them, but none like the Arrabal Restaurant in addition to its traditional version, its menu also includes three curious reinventions of this curious dish.
Located in the heart of the Plaza Mayor, this restaurant offers its guests a game. Specifically The Squid Game. A gastronomic experience where you can try three variations of the classic calamari sandwich: spicy bocatín, with squid ink and Mc Calamar. A different way to try the usual without risking too much.
15€ set of three sandwiches with one beer
📍PlazaMayor, 23 (Centro)
Kazu
It has been a short time since Kazu landed in the capital and his creations have already become the most curious sandwiches in Madrid. On their website they make it clear and don’t beat around the bush to explain what a kazu is: an easy-to-eat sushi sandwich that’s perfect for any occasion. And we can’t put a single but to that definition.
With fillings such as salmon, surimi, shrimp, butterfish, tuna or even avocado and mango, this Japanese-style snack is the perfect invention for sushi lovers. It is cheaper than a set of nigiris and can be eaten in bites on the street. Fast food made in Japan.
💸 Average price from 8€
📍Callede Pelayo, 49 (Chueca)
Bucolic
The breakfast paradise has a name and it’s called Bucolic. We’ve talked about their amazing Eggs Benedict with Sichuan pepper and a bunch of other nice things, but we’ ve never mentioned their sandwiches. And in an article about snacks, we couldn’t overlook them.
The menu offers three different versions: crispy bacon, grilled Emmental cheese and caramelized onions; New York style pastrami, yellow bell pepper mayonnaise and basil; and grilled cheese with grilledred onion, rosemary and apple miso mayo. Three simple combinations that start anyone’s day off on the right foot.
💸 Each sandwich costs from 9€ to 13€
📍CalleBarbieri, 4 (Chueca)
Döggo
is a hot dog considered a snack? At Döggo they clearly do. And that is why they have adapted the recipe of the always effective hot dog and have given it a twist to make it the star dish of their restaurant.
Hot dogs with duck, salmon, shrimp, meatballs, pulled pork, steak tartar or even in a vegan version with Heura, in addition -of course- to the classic sausage hot dog. There are as many tastes as there are colors and as many puppies as you can imagine.
💸 Each dog costs from 13€ to 14,90€ with side dish
📍 Calle de Juan de Austria, 25 (Chamberí)
Scrambled eggs sandwich
In Revuelto the space to eat there is fair, but there is, although the truth is that their Korean sandwiches are more designed for take away.
The brioche in these sandwiches is as fluffy and sweet as it is consistent, and the fillings add volume, so much so that the bite is complicated, and lots of flavor. They have several vegetarian options among the six types of sandwiches they serve, always topped with sweet mayosauce. The price is very reasonable, the 9,90€ combo includes fries and drink.
💸 Average price: 10€
📍 Calle de Víctor Hugo, 5 (Chueca)
Apura
Apura is a Peruvian sandwich shop with nods to Madrid. The dream of the owner, Mario Cespedes, was to open a -that’s the Peruvian name for sandwich places- in Madrid, like the ones that proliferate in his native Lima, and he succeeded.
The sandwich always has that quick part, unpretentious, but very attractive, which also works at any time, which is why Apura is open until 2 a.m. on weekends. Among its chicharrón or entraña sandwiches you can find the one of squid as an influence of their new home.
💸 Average price: around 10 €
📍 Calle General Oraá 45 (Castellana)
Santerra’s sandwich
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYhCag4qTe8&ab_channel=MadridSecreto
ventresca madurada’, the version of Máximo Benages, head chef of Neotaberna Santerra in Cuenca, won the award for best signature sandwich in Spain in 2020.
And what’s in the best sandwich in Spain? ventresca madurada’, served on beer bread, is made with bluefin tuna belly, fat from matured entrecots, piquillo peppers confit, pickled peppers, old mustard, smoked cheddar cheese and lamb’s lettuce.
💸 Sandwich price: 11€
📍 Calle de Ponzano, 62 (Chamberí)
La Casa de los Minutejos
It is not the only ear snack on the list and cannot be missed.
Here the ear is served in sandwiches of sliced bread. The ear forms a Bloc which is then used to make these sandwiches, which are sold at 1.20€ per unit. They are also served with hot sauce. It is a must in Madrid if you are looking for a place for eat ear and it is a bastion that resists pokes, NY rolls and all kinds of gastronomic fashions.
the price of its classic, the minutejo, is 1,20€
📍CalleAntonio de Leyva, 17 (Marqués de Vadillo)
This article has been written by Isabel Nieto, Miguel Sanchez, María F. Carballo, Alberto del Castillo y Elena French.