The 50 Best Restaurants in Madrid This Spring

This tiny restaurant is a bastion of haute cuisine in Madrid, boasting 2 Repsol Suns. La Tasquita de Enfrente has been on Calle de la Ballesta for 25 years and transformed from a traditional eatery into a unique dining experience when Juan López Bedmar, son of the original owner and a passionate chef, took the reins—he has since passed the torch to Nacho Trujillo.

Many of his dishes feature no more than three ingredients, and traditional fare is the order of the day—though that doesn’t stop his tasting menu from offering such incomparable combinations as salchichón tartare, raor with snow peas, or Russian salad with shrimp.

In Malasaña, there’s a Mexican birria spot that doesn’t take reservations and where you’ll have to wait in line if you go on the weekend. With beef birria tacos for under €3, served with their own broth and homemade sauces, Mami Tacos takes a highly specialized approach that raises the bar for street food in Madrid. Behind the scenes are Patricia Villanueva and Gabriela Vázquez, a mother-daughter duo who recreate the familiar flavors of Mexico in a spot with high tables and a casual vibe. In addition to the star taco, it’s worth trying the Gringa quesadilla, the crispy Mulita, or La Gordi’s al pastor pork belly.

At Sala de Despiece, the focus is clear. It’s no surprise that more and more restaurants are basing their culinary offerings on visual appeal: if it’s photogenic, people will want to come take pictures of it—and then, secondarily, try it. Sometimes the photogenic appeal goes beyond the dish itself, and other times it’s a natural consequence of quality. Sala de Despiece belongs to the latter group; it made a name for itself on Ponzano and, after the lockdown, opened its second location next to Gran Vía. Raw ingredients, creativity, and presentation. 

We’re not afraid to say it: here you’ll find some of the best tacos in all of Madrid. But they’re also pretty darn good at guacamole, aguachile, and other Mexican culinary delights that are only made better when paired with a homemade michelada. And they make those, too.

With one Michelin star and two Repsol Guide suns, you begin to get an idea of the level of cuisine you can enjoy at Saddle. A luxurious setting with a culinary offering that’s just as impressive, blending classic and contemporary recipes that let you savor everything from a Rossini sirloin to a plate of tripe.

At Brutalista, they say they embody the spirit of a neighborhood tavern and a market. These experts in making marinades have caught the attention of chefs and food critics despite their short history. Their cuisine features touches of traditional game dishes, such as quail, with elements of Asian cuisine, like the Oliviere temaki, and some classics that never disappoint, such as gazpacho. Plus, their prices are quite reasonable, with three different price ranges.

Four Seasons Hotel Madrid raises the bar for Asian fine dining in the capital with a concept that breaks away from convention. Recognized by the Michelin Guide, the restaurant moves away from the traditional format to focus on a bold reinterpretation of luxury street food, where top-quality ingredients are prepared using contemporary techniques and precision grilling.

The dining experience revolves around its raw section, featuring sashimi cuts and sushi platters executed with impeccable technique, alongside a hot menu highlighted by steamed dim sum and grilled meats. For a comprehensive view of the concept, the “Journey Through Asia” tasting menu serves as a sophisticated exploration of the continent’s most iconic flavors.

The space is divided into areas designed by AvroKo, with the Himiko bar taking center stage. At this hub, interaction with the chefs becomes direct through their four-hand sessions, establishing Isa not only as an award-winning cocktail bar but also as a must-visit destination for foodies seeking cutting-edge cuisine in the heart of Madrid.

Although its name and essence are inspired by the indigenous tribes of Uruguay’s knowledge of fire and meat, at Charrúa the selection of meats is the result of a search for the best from different countries. Angus from Uruguay,Ayrshire beef raised in Finland, Black Angus from the United States, Holstein beef ribeye, and of course the finest domestic produce.

Desde 1911, part of the Pescaderías Coruñesas Group (owned by the García Azpiroz family), pays homage to the Maragato muleteers who founded the family legacy that continues to thrive. This restaurant previously held the top spot on Opinionated About Dining’s list of the 30 best new European restaurants in 2022. With a menu that changes daily to serve only the best possible seafood and fish, and impeccable Nordic decor, Desde 1911 is one of the city’s best restaurants if you’re looking to treat yourself.

Mexicans living in or passing through Madrid who make the pilgrimage to their locations to feel like they’re eating at home can attest to this. At Takos al Pastor, you can enjoy their ‘takos’ starting at just over €2 and affordable quesadillas. The line out the door is constant from opening to closing at both locations, but we assure you the wait is worth it.

Lakasa’s menu changes with the seasons and adapts to what the market offers, which is why its dishes since November have included calçots, while in summer they focus on bonito.

Cesar Martín runs this restaurant, which strikes a balance where the ingredients are top-notch but the average price isn’t out of reach. This has made them well-known both in real life and on Instagram, where they’re very active and have developed their more educational side.

Samy Alí, a chef who is half from Madrid and half from Sudan with the name of a boxer, has opened Doppelgänger, although he previously ran La Candela Restó until the moment when (after earning a Michelin star) he decided to close it.

A good way to approach this innovative restaurant is as follows: when the bill arrived, we expected the price to be €70 per person, but it ended up being €30. The menu varies, and once you sit down at the table, they bring out all the dishes right away (the only thing they ask is if there’s anything you don’t like or if you have any allergies).

Haramboure has established itself as one of the city’s best restaurants thanks to its focus on bistronomy, a concept that combines haute cuisine with an accessible and welcoming atmosphere.

Led by chef Patxi Zumárraga, whose career includes stints at prestigious restaurants such as El Bulli and The Fat Duck, and Patricia Haramboure, an expert in customer service, this restaurant showcases its Basque-French cuisine, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients such as vegetables from Basque farmhouses and coastal fish from the Bay of Biscay. Its menu, which changes regularly with the seasons, features innovative dishes such as chard stems stuffed with tuna belly tartare or foie gras with truffles. Additionally, its wood-fired grill adds a smoky touch to its dishes.

Two reasons why La Bola’s cocido is so famous: it’s prepared for over 4 hours over very low heat on oak charcoal in classic clay pots, in which it’s also served. The ingredients are placed raw into the pots: chickpeas, Madrid water, bacon, potatoes, and chorizo, and the pot is placed over the coals to cook, during which time the pots are periodically topped up with broth.

Although it closed temporarily, Gofio reopened its doors in a new, larger space, where it has regained its Michelin star, thanks to its “maximum Canarian character,” in its own words. Its cuisine, led by chef Safe Cruz, combines the tradition and modernity of Canarian gastronomy as few others can, at least in Madrid.

Catalan chef Enrique Valentí has made his mark on Madrid’s culinary scene with Caja de Cerillas, a restaurant with the atmosphere of a classic neighborhood eatery. Its menu features traditional, honest cuisine, with tapas like homemade anchovies, shrimp cocktail, and a battered cod fillet that pays homage to Casa Labra. Its intimate atmosphere, designed by interior designers Las2Mercedes with wood paneling, along with hearty stews, casseroles, and homemade desserts, elevates authentic tradition. The portions are generous, so it’s recommended to go in a group and order dishes to share.

Bichopalo was born in the Barceló Market; the space became too small, so it emerged from its chrysalis to settle in Ponzano. At Bichopalo, the menu is easy to explain: a tasting menu that changes from time to time (but retains the chef’s signature touches), a blend of culinary trends, and ingredients of the very highest quality.

Diverxo hardly needs an introduction: a restaurant whose owner has been named the world’s best chef, which is always in the headlines, and which is the only Madrid restaurant to have made it onto a list of the world’s best restaurants. It’s not just a restaurant to visit before you die—it’s a restaurant you’d want to live in.

Jardín de los Duques is a restaurant with a highly unconventional location: the former stables of an Elizabethan palace, next to the Royal Palace, in the heart of Madrid de los Austrias. Under the direction of chef Manuel Arenilla, it offers a menu that reimagines Madrid’s culinary traditions with seasonal ingredients and dishes such as suckling pig, the creamiest Iberian ham croquettes, torreznos, and fresh fish from the market, all set in the elegant surroundings of a garden right in the city center.

Batch is one of the most interesting stalls at the Vallehermoso Market. Here, in addition to natural wines, they make their own ferments, so it’s both a shop and a small restaurant with a tasting menu. Fermenter Nacho García and chef Daniel Vare decided to include a wide variety of natural wines on their menu from the moment they opened their market stall. The truth is that, in addition to those packs of fermented beverages and wines (which they also sell online), their cuisine has been gaining prominence, becoming their main draw.

El Pedrusco de Aldealcorvo is a Castilian grill in Chamberí where the specialties are suckling lamb and suckling pig roasts in a century-old wood-fired oven, prepared according to traditional recipes. But they don’t just excel at roasts; for starters, they offer delicacies such as Iberian pork cracklings, Segovian blood sausage, Russian salad with quince vinegar, and a modern take on garlic soup.

The tasting menu includes dishes such as fried egg croquettes, octopus a la brava, and their renowned cheesecake with Galmesano and Valdeón blue cheese. All of this explains why it’s one of the favorite restaurants of critic and influencer Alberto de Luna.

A Madrid classic. Little more can be said that hasn’t already been said about Casa Lucio, where monarchs, presidents from around the world, artists, athletes, and even astronauts have gathered. According to the tavern owner who lends his name to the business, he has been offered a Michelin star on many occasions, but has always turned them down because the real stars were already seated in his establishment. If you haven’t tried it yet, the fried eggs are a must. It’s almost like visiting the Vatican and not waiting in line for the Sistine Chapel.

You don’t have to go far from Casa Lucio to find another of Madrid’s best restaurants. A temple of fine meat where you can enjoy delicious grilled ribeye steaks. So much so that Forbes even ranked them as the best in the world. But its history dates back to the 1950s, in the town of Tolosa in Gipuzkoa, making it one of the first known Basque steakhouses. Today, it has two locations in the capital.

When it comes to classics, La Maruca simply had to be on this list. It belongs to the same group as La Primera, La Bien Aparecida, and Cañadío, which a few years ago was named the best restaurant in Spain for potato omelets. La Maruca is a proven phenomenon, a true must-visit for lovers of fine cuisine. It has three locations in Madrid; all three are well-located, spacious, and offer incredibly efficient service.

Specialty restaurants always inspire a special sense of trust, whether because they focus on a single dish or because one ingredient dominates the entire menu. The latter is the case at El Brote. Here, mushrooms are even in the dessert, though the dishes vary by season because, since they focus on a product so dependent on the weather, the entire menu has to adapt accordingly. The owners are expert and passionate mycologists who always know how to source the best produce (or mushrooms) of each season.

Pury is chef Jinwon Yoon’s personal venture to bring the extreme specialization of Seoul’s taverns to Madrid. Far from endless menus, his restaurant at Calle de las Veneras, 3 focuses on perfectly executing the three pillars of popular Korean cuisine: fermented foods, methodically cooked meats, and vibrant textures.

The culinary offering revolves around Jokbal (marinated pork knuckle) and Bossam (steamed pork belly), served with artisanal kimchi that serves as the backbone of every dish. The experience is rounded out with cold buckwheat noodles with sesame and a carefully curated selection of traditional spirits such as soju and rice wine, cementing Pury’s status as a benchmark for authenticity and excellent value in the heart of the capital’s Korean culinary scene.

Yokaloka’s ramen is top-notch—or to put it more precisely, worthy of a TV series, as it inspired Isabel Coixet in her series *Foodie Love*, where the protagonist claims it’s the best ramen in the world.

This Japanese restaurant takes its name from Yoka Kamada, the Japanese chef who has been at the helm of the kitchen for over 14 years. In addition to the ramen, which is simmered for 12 hours, the Yokalokasushi set isa must-try.

They say that good things, if brief, are twice as good; and that applies perfectly to Santa Canela’s menu, where you can’t go wrong no matter what you order. Although not as well-known as some of the other names on this list, it has quickly built a loyal customer base with a menu that includes traditional classics, tapas, burgers… We can’t help but recommend their “patatas bravísimas”: with a homemade sauce made from chipotle chili and yellow chili peppers over a bed of sobrasada and fennel—a true indulgence.

Its name, “Dimibang,” refers to what is considered the first cookbook written by a woman in East Asia, a true benchmark in Korean cuisine. A very fitting name for a restaurant that has managed to bring the flavors of Korea right to the heart of Argüelles. If, in addition to eating (very) well, you want to have a good time, the Korean barbecue—cooked right at your table—is a fun and ideal option for those who see dining as an opportunity to share.

Nakeima’s reputation guarantees a line. It has no website, and it’s hard to reach them by phone, so dining at this Asian fusion restaurant is a 100% analog experience—and that might be part of its charm. One of its highlights is that, although it offers a tasting menu, you can stop whenever you want; if you’re full or don’t want to eat anymore, you don’t have to finish the whole thing. Another unique feature is that there’s no advance information about what you’ll be served; you don’t know anything about the next dish until it’s brought to you.

Tripea opened in 2017 and continues to garner accolades, such as the award it received this year for best market stallin the region at the ceremony held by ACYRE (Association of Chefs and Pastry Chefs) during the 50th edition of the Community of Madrid Gastronomic Competition.

Its tasting menu is one of the most appealing and reasonably priced in Madrid (it costs €60) given the quality it offers. It consists of 8 courses where ceviches, dumplings, and grilled meats shine.

Ugo Chan is one of the biggest restaurant openings of the decade in Madrid, thanks in part to recognition from Dabiz Muñoz onhis Instagram, as well as other culinary gurus like Eric Vernacci. It is chef Hugo Muñoz’s solo venture, following his time in the kitchens of Kabuki, Shikku, and KBK and the creation of the UMO concept. All promising signs, backed by a Michelin star that attests to its quality.

Very few restaurants in Spain or the world can boast a history as distinguished as Zalacaín’s. A gastronomic temple par excellence, synonymous with a unique dining experience and a meeting place for personalities from all walks of life since its founding nearly fifty years ago. Its menu features a selection of its most iconic dishes, some of which remain and others that have returned, such as the Búcaro “Don Pío” (Consomé Gelée, smoked salmon, quail egg, and caviar) or the and Bacalao Tellagorri.

Smoked Room was another major opening of 2021. It has been so successful that just six months after opening, it received two Michelin stars. At the helm of this restaurant, located in the Hyatt Hesperia hotel, are Dani García and Massimiliano Delle Vedove. Exclusivity permeates this project, from the menu to the décor, with seating for only 14 people.

At Farah, they describe themselves as a dining spot with a Levantine flair. Their menu features classic dishes from the Eastern Mediterranean, though reimagined and updated by chef Heba Kharouf. From baba ganoush to grilled octopus to pistachio ice cream, their menu is packed with crowd-pleasers.

Founded in 1839, Lhardy is one of the oldest restaurants in the capital— —the best place to eat Madrid-style cocido, and undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Madrid. Furthermore, after nearly filing for bankruptcy following the pandemic, it was acquired by Pescaderías Coruñesas, who have brought it back to life. Its dining rooms have managed to remain in the collective imagination of Madrid thanks to artists like C. Tangana, who featured it in a music video for his album *El Madrileño*.