In the age of constant stimulation, infinite scroll and immediate gratification, restaurants have to be much more than just good food must be experiences.
In order to create an atmosphere that captures -there are already courses to design culinary experiences in prestigious centers such as the Basque Culinary Center- in the hyper-competitive gastronomic scene in Madrid, maximalism is a trend. Like all fashions, this one is also born in contrast, in this case, to the minimalism imposed by the Scandinavian influence that has permeated the deepest part of the millennialaesthetics.
This is where this selection of restaurants that flaunt their decorative excess makes sense and will surely continue to grow in the coming years.
1. Lady Bongo
Lady Bongo defines itself as a tiki raw bar that is to say, a space with a Hawaiian spirit whose menu features raw food. The menu includes oysters (cooked in different ways), nigiris and rolls, cebiches, tiraditos, pokes and salads.
And, of course, it also has the best and most exotic combinations. The restaurant confirms that the most requested cocktails, the kings of the house of the Lady Bongo cocktail bar are the Tikilero, Sling Sling and Bongo Colada. As a dish, take note, do not miss the red shrimp cebiche.
and the decoration? Pure fantasy, from the large aquarium with exotic fish to the horror vacui of the cocktail bar, the exuberant plants, the mosaic with Polynesian masks and tiki motifs? as they define themselves on their website: “a bamboo refuge in the middle of the Madrid jungle”.
📍 Calle de Serrano, 1, (Retiro)
💶 Average price: 45 € per person.
2. Fifth Element
This restaurant is located on the top two floors of the Teatro Kapital nightclub and combines audiovisuals with gastronomy in a unique way. Thanks to a giant concave screen where 4K images are projected in this restaurant you can enjoy a highly immersive experience. In addition, both video art and videomapping are projected on the walls , continuously transforming the space.
The images projected on the ceiling and walls are inspired by the different elements (earth, fire, air and water), hence the name of the place. And we cannot forget the gastronomy, the most memorable dishes of this sky bar are the scallop accompanied by jalapeño and cucumber, the lentil taco with hake, lemon grass and sprouts or the Iberian miso tuna with cured egg yolk and crispy sweet potato
📍 Calle de Atocha, 125 (Las Letras)
💶 Price of the executive menu: 25 per person.
3. Villa Capri
This restaurant of the Big Mamma group is inspired by the Amalfi Coast, presenting different atmospheres inside the restaurant: sea, shore and land. Villa Capri is a space with an extremely dramatic decoration in the purest Italian style. Although what will surprise you most will be the sculptures of the mermaid and the triton located in the center of the place, it is also important to highlight its striped upholstered armchairs or its retro lamps, elements that take you directly to the Italian coast.
Villa Capri’s menu changes every month because its dishes are mostly made with seasonal products. Neapolitan-style pizzas, fresh pasta or burrata salads are just some of the delicacies you can enjoy here.
📍 Calle Hortaleza, 118 (Chueca)
💶 Average price: 35 € per person.
4. Maison jaguar
Maison Jaguar is maximalism without complexes. With nods to Mexico in its décor and menu, this eccentric restaurant is designed for fun. On Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights there is a DJ, live shows and valet parking. And to enjoy the show and the company, nothing like a cocktail. There is no shortage of margaritas, micheladas or tequila and mezcal shots on the menu.
📍 Calle Goya, 39 (Salamanca district)
💶 Average price: 50 € per person.
5. Wild
Salvaje or SLVJ has been reproduced in Madrid and in other world capitals such as Paris, Bogota and Caracas. Here there are already three: one in the salamanca neighborhood another in La Moraleja and a third in the Canalejas Gallery. It is a restaurant with show -almost a hybrid between a conventional restaurant and a nightclub- with Japanese fusion cuisine. In Salvaje more is more. It is designed for dinner and without any after-dinner conversation, you can go out for cocktails and dancing.
calle de Velázquez, 62 (Salamanca district); Plaza de la Moraleja, 1 (Moraleja) and Plaza de Canalejas, 1 (downtown)
average price: between 50 and 70€
6. La Cerda de Chueca
Pink hams with tiny wings flying overhead, portraits of aristocratic pigs scattered on the walls and fuchsia neon signs illuminating every corner. La Cerda de Chueca is a difficult place to describe, but absolutely fascinating. Once you cross the threshold of her door, you have no idea what’s going on, but, for some strange reason, you like her.
Its decoration forces you to keep your eyes peeled and its menu, served in plates and containers also of the most striking, invites you to try rather typical dishes but with a different touch. Scrambled eggs… with crab, salad… with shrimp bread or mashed potatoes… with truffles are some of its star dishes and side dishes. Undoubtedly, a place where getting piggy is practically a must.
📍 Calle Barbieri, 15 (Chueca)
💶 Average price: 25 € per person.
7. Inclán Brutal Bar
Located in Callejón del Gato, a location steeped in history and literature, Inclán Brutal Bar pays tribute to Ramón María del Valle-Inclán and his Luces de Bohemia with sass and cockiness. The playwright, in this rogue restaurant, becomes the recipient of a cocktail and his image, brought to the 21st century, decorates every room while he sticks out his tongue or winks at you.
His essence, that of the esperpento, is also reflected in his menu. If you order patatas bravas, you will eat them inside a giant potato; if you decide for the rice with duck, they will serve it in a ceramic duck; and if you opt for one of their delicious drinks, get ready to drink them from glasses in the shape of Freddie Mercury or Marilyn Monroe. A nonsense to enjoy with all five senses.
📍 Calle de Álvarez Gato, 4 (Downtown)
💶 Average price: 30 € per person.
8. Crazy Rosi
Plates with colorful shapes (like the Milka-worthy cow in the photo), flowers hanging from the ceiling and chairs upholstered in the most booming colors you can imagine. And when you enter Rosi la Loca, you have to open your mind and let yourself be surprised. The menu? It lives up to expectations, since the show is not only what we see through the eyes, but also stimulates us through the stomach.
Chef Javier Alfaro has left nothing to chance, each food item is presented in the most iconic (and concordant) way to what you are going to eat. Whether it’s a yellowfin tuna tataki, wakame seaweed, teriyaki sauce and citrus aioli that sails on a boat with fog included, or the beef cheeks baocata (beef cheeks, red mole, yogurt, mint and kimchee sauce) on spinach bread, which arrives at your table with the curious presentation of the image.
📍 Calle de Cádiz, 4 (Sol)
💶 Average price: 25 € per person.
9. Fanatic
A restaurant where you can find a gigantic elephant balancing on a ball as well as a live music show. Fanatic is an amazing place in the most literal sense of the word: that of disbelief. Its décor (which they define as “stunning”) is inspired by travel, animals and the 1920s and serves as a stage for the shows and live music it hosts.
As for the menu, it offers dishes that draw from the Mediterráneo (and especially Spanish) gastronomy, such as tuna with egg yolk, soy and oil, Iberian ham croquettes, country rice with free-range chicken or puffed potato, Iberian ham and fried quail egg sandwiches.
📍 Paseo de la Castellana, 43
💶 Average price: 40 per person
10. Coco Mocca
Pink down to the smallest detail. To enter Coco Mocca is to enter a paradise of a pastel pink, velvety textures and of flowers. You’ll even find a typical red telephone box (the iconic London phone booths) that here lose the crimson to become millennial pink. On the menu, cakes, biscuits, toasts, coffees… for breakfasts and the snacks more flowery.
📍 Paseo de las Acacias, 49 (Pirámides)
average price: from 5 € per person (coffee and cake).
This article was written with twelve hands by Carmen Seco, María F. Carballo, Isabel Nieto, Javi Bisbal, Miguel Sanchez y Elena French.