The best restaurants in Madrid range from small neighborhood taverns to exclusive michelin-starred restaurants passing by century-old restaurants and streets, such as Ponzano which are the epicenter of the new culinary proposals.
Madrid is full of brilliant places to eat and drink. That’s why we have chosen the 50 best restaurants that all Madrileños (and non-Madrileños) should try at least once in a lifetime.
1. Gofio
The Gofio menu is one of those secrets that one is eager to discover. With Canarian signature cuisine as a starting point (specifically, that of Safe Cruz) and the certainty of being on a gastronomic journey of excellence, we propose two options of tasting menu (Gofio Menu or Canariedad Máxima) that allow you to taste the best of the island’s gastronomy in every bite.
🍲 Tasting menu.
Calle de Lope de Vega, 9 (Downtown)
2. Sea Lion
Lobito de Mar is the most ‘salty’ restaurant in Spain and, undoubtedly, one of the best in the capital. The cuisine of the well-known chef Dani García is a tribute to the sea and all its bounties. At Lobito de Mar, the quality of its products is the priority, which are combined with a lot of creativity and good taste. The ambiance of the place is as pleasant as it is welcoming, in large part, because of the top-notch service.
Calle de Jorge Juan, 10 (Salamanca neighborhood)
3. Yugo the bunker
No matter the number of times you let’s talk about Yugo the bunker because they will always be insufficient. Its letter of introduction is a raw material of extraordinary quality and an environment already advanced by the name itself. It is impossible to find many of its products in a conventional (or specialized) supermarket. That alone makes it worthwhile. For that reason, of course, and for the Michelin star that guarantees its quality.
🍲 The classic menu.
Calle de San Blas, 4 (Las Letras)
4. Cutting Room
In the cutting room, the bet is clear. It is not unusual for more and more restaurants to devote their gastronomic proposal to visual appeal: if it is photogenic, people will want to come to take pictures of it and, secondly, to try it. There are times when photogenic does not transcend the plate and other times when it is a natural consequence of quality. To this second group belongs the Sala de Despiece, which became big in Ponzano and after the confinement of its second premises next to Gran Vía. Raw material, creativity and staging.
🍲The zenithal cutlet.
8 and 11 Ponzano Street (Chamberí) and 8 Virgen de los Peligros Street (Downtown)
5. BiBo Madrid
7.000 light bulbs and a hot air balloon decorate this gastronomic proposal of the famous chef Dani García. Gastronomy and travel go hand in hand in Bibo Madrid, a restaurant that, although it has the seal of quality of one of the best chefs in Spain, is an option in which the pocket will not suffer too much.
🍲 Enjoy the gastronomic proposal of Dani García at BiBo Madrid.
📍 Paseo de la Castellana, 52 (Castellana)
6. Mawey Taco Bar
We’re not afraid to say it: here you will find some of the most important best tacos in Madrid. But they are also not bad with guacamole, aguachile and other wonders of Mexican cuisine that can only be improved with a homemade michelada. And they do that too.
🍲 Their tacos al pastor.
📍 Calle de Olid, 6 (Chamberí) 📍 Calle San Bernardo, 5 (Downtown) | Calle Manuel de Falla 3 (Majadahonda)
7. Lana
Lana is the project of the Narváiz brothers, after many years working in the hotel and catering business. The restaurant is a tribute to its Argentinean origin, and the name refers to a ritual, it is the way of preparing each of the products.
There is an almost millimetric study based on family roots, respect for the Argentine gastronomic tradition and the quality of the product. An opportunity to test one of the best steak restaurants in Madrid.
🍲 Steak eye
Ponzano Street, 59 (Chamberí)
8. Chicote Museum
There is a place in Madrid whose walls are living history and that, at the same time, innovates every day. A place that combines the atmosphere of past and present in the heart of Madrid’s Gran Vía. The mythical Museo Chicote, which has been welcoming the best of Spanish (and international) society since the 1930s.
Gran Vía Street, 12 (Downtown)
9. Saddle
With one Michelin star and two suns from the Repsol guide, one begins to get an idea of the level of cuisine that can be enjoyed at Saddle. A luxurious environment with a culinary offer that is no slouch, mixing classic and contemporary recipes that allow you to taste from a Rossini sirloin to a plate of tripe.
🍲 Pâté en croute
Amador de los Ríos Street, 6 (Chamberí)
10. Brutalist
Brutalista claims to have the spirit of a neighborhood tavern and market. These experts in making marinades have caught the attention of chefs and experts despite their short career. Its cuisine has touches of typical game dishes, such as quail, with some Asian cuisine, such as Oliviere temaki, and a classic that never fails, such as gazpacho. In addition, their prices are quite tight, with three different price ranges.
🍲 The quail.
📍 Calle Juan Álvarez Mendizábal, 34 (Argüelles)
11. Muyummy
In Muyummy most of the dishes and ingredients refer to Asia. Or to the vision that its owner and chef, Sergio García, has of Asian gastronomy since he has never left Europe.
In addition to the good fusion cuisine, another attraction of this restaurant in Coslada is the price. They serve a dish of the day for 9,5€ which has never been repeated, as it is decided according to what the chef finds attractive that day in the market.
🍲 Leek croquettes with mojo.
📍 Calle de la Virgen de la Cabeza, 26 (Coslada)
12. Urumea
Let’s see how we explain this. One meter of cachopo. We could end the text here because it is reason enough to include it in a top 50 best restaurants in Madrid. But let’s develop this festival of vanities.
Because in addition to the cachopazo of one meter (for four people, with 3 bottles of cider for 100€) you can choose a starter to share with your table companions: chorizo in cider, Russian salad, grilled rice sausage, homemade croquettes, tomato with onion and ventresca, calamari or fried anchovies.
🍲 Cachopo”, you say while you stick your blue pupil in my pupil.
📍 Calle de Cochabamba, 7 (Colombia)
13. Lur
The youth and talent of Lucía Gutiérrez and Sergio Vera, both in their twenties and the chef of Lur, is the first thing that surprises us about this restaurant in Legazpi, which in a short time has captured the attention of the media. Although their young age -of the restaurant and of them- is supported by Miguel Gutiérrez, Lucía’s father, who previously ran the restaurant Kándida, in this same place and now supports them in this project. In Lur they emphasize long cooking and seasonal products, so the rotation of dishes is constant.
🍲 The wild boar ravioli.
📍 Calle de Bolívar, 11 (Legazpi)
14. Xiongzai Restaurant (Winnie the Pooh’s Chinese Restaurant)
The famous restaurant chinese garage in Plaza de España broke our hearts when it closed. But we can always console ourselves with the one known as ‘the Winnie’ for using the Disney character in his decoration. Their dishes of authentic Chinese food rarely exceed 4€ or 5€, so with a small ticket you have enough.
🍲 Ramen with sweet potato noodles.
📍 Calle San Leonardo, 3 (downtown) and calle de la salud, 8 (downtown)
15. Asturians
Julia, the cook who, past the age of 80, is still in the kitchen of the Asturianos restaurant, is revered by postin chefs and food critics. This restaurant opened when Vallehermoso Street was a compendium of restaurants from different provinces and is the only survivor. Its spoon dishes, typical of the principality the custard and flans are a great source of nourishment on cold days and at any time of the year.
🍲 Verdinas with seafood.
📍 Calle de Vallehermoso, 94 (Chamberí)
16. Tricycle
Triciclo’s bet has long been one of the most interesting in Madrid. An eclectic menu, with a lot of rotation, undefinable, and plenty of market and seasonal products. A firm bet to win a Michelin Star in the near future. This recommendation may well serve to visit now that you don’t have to book months in advance.
🍲 Potatoes with grilled squid.
📍 Calle de Sta. María, 28 (Las Letras)
17. Since 1911
Desde 1911, from the Pescaderías Coruñesas Group (owned by the García Azpiroz family), is a tribute to the Maragato muleteers who gave rise to the family legacy that continues to reap success. This restaurant is at the top of the list of Opinionated About Dining’s 30 Best New European Restaurants in 2022. With a menu that changes daily to serve only the best seafood and fish possible and an impeccable Nordic decoration, Desde 1911 is a place to be.
🍲 It changes daily.
📍 Calle del Vivero, 3 (Tetuán)
18. Takos al Pastor
🍲 Try them all
📍 Calle de la Salud, 13 (Downtown)
19. Terracotta
There is no need to ask about the concept behind a restaurant like Terracotta because the attentive eye guesses it: craftsmanship runs through every little element. The dishes, for example, are handmade.
It has been open since 2021 and has been able to consolidate its position as one of the best restaurants in the world salamanca neighborhood. And they have done it with a handcrafted menu (as it could not be otherwise) that varies almost daily.
🍲 Säam of glazed Iberian pork jowl with pineapple and mint
Calle de Velázquez, 80 (Salamanca district)
20. Lakasa
Lakasa’s menu changes with the seasons and adapts to what the market has to offer, that’s why, since November, its dishes include the calçots while in summer they go for the bonito.
Cesar Martin is in charge of this restaurant that maintains a balance in which the product is excellent, but the average price is not prohibitive. This has made them recognized both in real life and on Instagram, where they are very active and have developed their more informative side.
🍲 Depending on the season.
Plaza Descubridor Diego de Ordás, 1 (Ríos Rosas)
21. Doppelgänger
Samy Alí, a half-Madrilenian and half-Sudanese chef with a boxer’s name, has opened Doppelgänger, although he previously ran La Candela Restó until he decided to close it (after winning a Michelin star).
A good way to approach this innovative restaurant is the following: when we got the bill we expected the price to be 70€ per person and finally it was 30€. The menu varies and when you sit down at the table, they bring out all the dishes (the only thing they ask you is if there is something you don’t like or if you have any allergies).
🍲 You will taste the whole menu.
Calle de Santa Isabel, 5 (Antón Martín Market)
22. Bel Mondo
Bel Mondo, which opened in the heart of the Salamanca neighborhood (Calle Velázquez, 39), is probably one of the most important best Italian restaurants in Madrid. The food, of course, is as dogmatically Italian as an Italian restaurant in Italy demands. It is the first restaurant that the Big Mamma group opened in Spain Villa Capri y Napoli Gang.
🍲 Its carbonara, undoubtedly.
Calle de Velázquez, 39 (Salamanca district)
23. The Ball
Two reasons why the stew la Bola is so well known: it is prepared for more than 4 hours over very low heat and over holm oak charcoal and in the classic clay pots, in which it is also served. The raw ingredients are placed inside the stew pots: chickpeas, water from Madrid, bacon, potatoes, chorizo sausage, and it is taken to the charcoal, where it is cooked, during which time the pots are periodically refilled with broth.
🍲 The stew.
📍 Calle de la Bola, 5 (Centro)
24. Genko
Genko has taken the concept of free buffet to the level of haute cuisine. Its executive chef, Víctor Camargo, calls “Iberian Umami” to the union that occurs in most of its dishes between Asian gastronomy and the essence of Castilian cuisine. A good example of this in-between are the pork ear sui mai, the grilled mussels with red kimchi and edamame or the pork needle and bacon ramen.
🍲 Sui mai of pig ear.
📍 Calle Velázquez, 47 (Salamanca district)
25. Yeca estrit fud
It is difficult to define the dishes or at least to find a concept that goes through each and every one of the creations that you can find in the restaurant Yeca Estrit Fud. It is easy, however, to recommend the highlights of the menu. Specifically and firstly, the Verde chicken curry with pumpkin – the level of spiciness suitable for all palates and perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the pumpkin.
Another Vietnamese-inspired dish deserves a special mention: Banh Xeo (crispy pancakes with bacon, shrimp, sprouts and herbs).
🍲 Verde curry.
Tribulete Street, 10 (Lavapiés)
26. Casa Kike
Casa Kike is a faithful representation that a possible key to success is to do well what you have been doing all your life. No more pretensions and no more grandiloquence. Recurrent parishioners, international singers who make the pilgrimage to this place or national critics who try to unravel the secrets of their oxtail. The best way to measure the quality of Casa Kike, however, is to visit it (and try its bacalao al pil pil).
🍲 Cod in pil pil sauce.
Paseo de los Melancólicos, 43 (Imperial)
27. Bichopalo
Bichopalo was born in the Barceló Market, the place became too small for him and he came out of his chrysalis to settle in Ponzano. At Bichopalo, the offer is easy to explain: a tasting menu that changes from time to time (but maintains a touch of authorial touches), a mixture of culinary trends and a top quality product.
🍲 Fried sea bream.
Calle de Cristóbal Bordiú, 39 (Chamberí)
28. Diverxo
Diverxo hardly needs any introduction: a restaurant whose owner has been considered one of the best in the world the best chef in the world, which is always on the front page and is the only restaurant in Madrid that has made it onto a list of the best restaurants in the world. It’s not that it’s a restaurant to go to before you die, it’s that it’s a restaurant to stay in and live in.
🍲 Experience and be surprised.
Calle del Padre Damián, 23 (Cuzco)
29. Corn, water and lime
Away from the spotlight despite being right in the center (between Bilbao and Tribunal), Maíz agua y cal is one of the most interesting Mexican restaurants in the city. With a machine typical of Mexican tortillerías to make tortillas and balancing tradition with modernity, this restaurant (sometimes with mariachis and always with a first-class cocktail display) is a sure bet.
🍲 The Camarón taco.
Apodaca Street, 3 (Malasaña) and Bravo Murillo Street, 54 (Tetuán)
30. Batch
Batch is one of the most interesting stalls in the Vallehermoso Market. Here, in addition to natural wines, they make their own ferments, so it is a store and at the same time 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 when they opened their market stall. The truth is that in addition to those packs of ferments and wines (which they also sell online), their cuisine has been gaining relevance, to the point of being their main attraction.
🍲 Tiger mussel with bechamel sauce and kimchi.
📍 Calle de Vallehermoso, 36 (Vallehermoso Market, stall: 47-48)
31. Ornella
Some would say that Italians are a trend in Madrid, but they are, because of gastronomic proposals such as those of Ornella. A well-decorated restaurant, young and tasteful, where you can taste the best dishes of our Azurrineighbors . A space where to hold a business meeting and come out victorious, a perfect place for a romantic date, and come out triumphant.
🍲 The Nutellotto dessert.
Velázquez Street, 18 (Salamanca neighborhood)
32. Casa Lucio
A Madrid classic. Little more can be said about Casa Lucio, where monarchs, presidents from all over the world, artists, athletes and even astronauts have gathered. According to the tavern owner after whom the business is named, he has been offered a Michelin star on many occasions, but he has always turned them down because the real stars were already seated in his place. If you haven’t tried it yet, the starry eggs are an obligation. Almost, almost like visiting the Vatican and not standing in line for the Sistine Chapel.
🍲 Starry eggs.
Calle de la Cava Baja, 35 (La Latina)
33. Julián de Tolosa House
You don’t have to go far to find another of the best restaurants in Madrid. A temple of good meat where you can enjoy tasty grilled steaks. So much so that Forbes even ranked them as the best in the world. But its history dates back to the 50’s of the last century, in the municipality of Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, which makes it one of the first Basque steakhouses known. It currently has two locations in the capital city.
🍲 Matured beef cutlet.
18 Cava Baja Street (La Latina) and 39 Ibiza Street (Ibiza)
34. La Maruca
If we talk about classics, this list could not miss the Maruca. It belongs to the same group as La Primera, La Bien Aparecida and Cañadío, which in 202 was named the best restaurant in Spain to eat tortilla de patata. La Maruca is a proven phenomenon, an authentic place to be for lovers of good food. It has three locations in Madrid, all three are well located, spacious and have a tremendously agile service.
🍲Squid radishes.
Calle de Velázquez, 54 (Salamanca district); Paseo de la Castellana, 212 (Chamartín) and Calle de López de Hoyos, 42 (El Viso)
35. El Brote
Specialty restaurants always give a special confidence, either because they only make one dish or because they have an ingredient that occupies the entire menu. The latter is the case of El Brote. Here the mushrooms are even in the dessert, although the dishes vary according to the season because when betting on a product that depends so much on the temperatures the menu has to be adapted to the whole. The owners are expert and passionate mycologists who always know how to bring out the best product (or mushroom) of each season.
🍲 Varies with season.
Calle de la Ruda, 14 (La Latina)
36. Umiko
Umiko is Japanese fusion cuisine that has the recognition of the Repsol guide (2020) and of all the palates that have had the opportunity to taste it. This would be one way to introduce Umiko, a restaurant that combines quality, flavor and attention to detail in every dish. And it’s no wonder that with chefs Juan Alcaide and Pablo Álvarez heading the project, eating here is quite an experience.
🍲 Nigiri of paella socarrat with shrimp from Huelva
Calle de los Madrazo, 6 (Downtown)
37. Yokaloka
Yokaloka’s ramen is cinematic, or to put it in concrete terms, worthy of a TV series, as it inspired Isabel Coixet in her series Foodie Love, in which the protagonist says that is the best ramen of the world.
This japanese restaurant takes the name of Yoka Kamada the Japanese woman who has been running this stall in the Antón Martín Market for more than 14 years. In addition to the ramen they cook for 12 hours, the yokalokasushi set is a must-try.
🍲 The ramen.
Calle de Santa Isabel, 5 (Lavapiés)
38. Santa Canela
They say that what is good, if brief, is twice as good; and that is something that perfectly applies to Santa Canela’s menu, with which you will be right no matter what you order. Despite not being as well known as some of the names on this list, it has been able to build customer loyalty in a short period of time with an offer that includes traditional classics, portions, hamburgers… We can not fail to recommend their patatas bravísimas: with homemade sauce made of chipotle chili and aji amarillo on a bed of sobrasada and fennel, a real vice.
🍲 Bravissima potatoes
Guzmán el Bueno Street, 20 (Chamberí)
39. Dimibang
Its name “Dimibang” refers to what is considered to be the first cookbook written by a woman in East Asia, a benchmark in terms of korean cuisine. A very appropriate name for a restaurant that has managed to bring the flavors of Korea to the heart of Argüelles. If in addition to eating (very) well you want to have a good time, Korean barbecue, which is cooked at the table itself, is a fun and ideal option for those who understand food as an opportunity to share.
🍲 Korean barbecue
67 Rodríguez San Pedro Street, Chamberí (Chamberí)
40. Nakeima
The fame of Nakeima means that the queue is assured. It doesn’t have a website, and it’s hard to reach them by phone, so at this Asian fusion restaurant it’s a 100% analog experience and that may be part of the fun of it. Among its attractions is that, although it has a tasting menu, you can stop it whenever you want, if you can’t or don’t want to eat any more, you don’t have to eat the whole thing. Another peculiarity is that there is no previous information about what you are going to be served, you don’t know anything about the next dish until it is served to you.
🍲 Dry ramen with aioli
Calle Meléndez Valdés, 54 (Chamberí)
41. Tripea
Tripea opened in 2017 and 6 years continues to reap accolades, such as the one received this year to best market stall of the region at the ceremony held by ACYRE (Association of Chefs and Pastry Chefs) during the 50th edition of the Gastronomic Contest of the Community of Madrid.
Its tasting menu is one of the most attractive and reasonably priced in Madrid (it costs 50€) in relation to the quality offered. It consists of 8 courses where ceviches, dumplings and grilled meats are the most popular dishes.
🍲 Hot ceviche of mussels.
Vallehermoso Market (Chamberí)
42.Ugo Chan
Ugo Chan is the grand opening of 2021, thanks in part to his recognition of it Dabiz Muñoz on his IG, as well as other gastronomic gurus such as Eric Vernacci. This is the solo venture of chef Hugo Muñoz, after having worked in the kitchens of Kabuki, Shikku and KBK and having created the UMO concept. All good promises and a Michelin star to back up its performance.
🍲 Cockscomb Pepitoria
Félix Boix Street, 6 (Chamartín)
43. The Corral de la Morería
Corral de la Morería is one of the best known flamenco tablaos and one of the best restaurants in Madrid. It is not opinion, it is that it was recognized as the best restaurant in Madrid in 2021 by the Association of Chefs and Pastry Chefs of Madrid (ACYRE) and also has a Michelin star and two suns of Repsol. Its menu is the bet of its chef, David García, for the organic garden, controlled cultivation and good raw materials.
🍲 Lamb Crown Pré-Salé
Morería Street, 17 (Downtown)
44. Fismuler
Fismuler can adapt its menu to the seasons with exquisite skill and good product, but nothing will match -in size and flavor- its escalope with egg and truffle, nor its blue cheese and Idiazabal tart that distinguishes it among so many pastry offerings. Such is the success of these hits on their menu that you can order them to be sent to your home, or buy the cake separately at Pastelería Mallorca.
🍲 The escalope
Calle de Sagasta, 29 (Chamberí)
45. Puzzle
Puzzle is a trendy restaurant where food and wine are a binomial. Samuel Heras and Mon Cádiz Ávila are in charge. The menu changes frequently and usually consists of ten dishes that are written on a roll of paper hanging on a wall of the restaurant. The Galician and Canarian origin of the owners makes almost unpredictable the mixtures and influences that you can find in their proposal.
🍲 The kanarian taco.
Calle Blasco de Garay, 10 (Chamberí)
46. Zalacaín
Very few restaurants in Spain and in the world can boast such a relevant trajectory as that of Zalacaín. A gastronomic temple par excellence, synonymous with a unique gastronomic experience and a meeting point for personalities from all fields since its foundation almost fifty years ago. In its menu, where a selection of its most emblematic dishes remain or return, such as the “Don Pío” Búcaro (Consomé Gelée, smoked salmon, quail egg and caviar) or the Bacalao Tellagorri.
🍲 “Don Pío” sugar bowl.
Álvarez de Baena Street, 4 (Castellana)
47. Smoked room
Smoked Room was another of the big openings of 2021. The success is such that at the six months after opening, they received two Michelin stars. At the helm of this restaurant located in the Hyatt Hesperia hotel is the work of Dani García and Massimiliano Delle Vedove. Exclusivity runs through this project, from the menu to the decoration, in which there is seating for only 14 people.
🍲 Tasting menu 180€
Paseo de la Castellana, 57 (Chamberí)
48. Botín House
This list could not miss the oldest restaurant not only in the city, but (literally) in the world: 295 years of history behind it and, even so, a long future ahead of it. Since the Arco de Cuchilleros, this gastronomic institution has been standing combining tradition and innovation in its restaurant, and now also in the 1725 Gourmet Terrace.
🍲 Its roasted lamb and suckling pig.
Calle de Cuchilleros, 17 (La Latina)
49. La tasca suprema
The Perfect example that sometimes the essential is more within reach than we think. With the vegetable garden of Navarre as the protagonist, this small tasca serves traditional homemade dishes, in the purest style of the “casas de comidas”. A tribute to the most classic recipes to make you feel at home tasting its stew, its tripe or its centenary recipe of torrijas.
🍲 Cocido madrileño supreme (made to order)
Calle de Argensola, 7 (Salesas)
50. Lhardy House
Founded in 1839, Lhardy is one of the oldest restaurants in the capital on best place to eat “cocido madrileño” and undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Madrid. In addition, after it almost went bankrupt following the pandemic, it was acquired by Pescaderías Coruñesas, who have brought it up to standard again. Its lounges have managed to remain in the imagination of Madrid thanks to artists such as C. Tangana, who included it in a video from his album El Madrileño.
🍲 El cocido madrileño.
Carrera de San Jerónimo, 8 (Downtown)
Madrid has one bar or restaurant for every 211 inhabitants, and that number increases from year to year. From the finest Madrid to the pure neighborhood, you have to know it all and what better way than through its restaurants that compete in quantity and quality with those of the great European capitals.