The seafood restaurants in Madrid are supplied by the second largest fish market in the world (after Tokyo): Mercamadrid. Although this information may not be well received in the coastal cities of the rest of Spain, the fish that arrives in Madrid by the simple law of supply and demand is the best and most abundant. So it’s no wonder the fresh produce served in the capital’s restaurants is some of the best in the country.
1. Sea Lion
The hard-working chef from Marbella, Dani García, has added Lobito de mar to his list of restaurants, which has become one of the essential seafood restaurants in Madrid. It has two types of menu: an informal tapas menu for all tastes and pockets and a more formal one based on seafood, the famous espetos and Andalusian rice dishes with an Alicante soul.
Calle de Jorge Juan, 10(Salamanca neighborhood)
2. Mr. Martin
Mr. Martin first started out as a fishmonger’s shop, and 10 years later ended up on the other side of the chain, as a restaurant in the neighborhood of Las Salesas. This restaurant, which appears in the Michelin Guide and has a Repsol Sun, makes sure that the fish and seafood they serve comes from responsible fishing. They also boast of having visited different Spanish fish markets to select the best of each place.
Between 80 and 90 €.
Calle General Castaños, 13 (Salesas)
3. Ribeira do Miño
Ribeira do Miño is one of the seafood restaurants in Madrid that adjust prices while maintaining quality. Located in the neighborhood of Malasaña this traditional Galician restaurant is a safe bet for celebrations and events birthdays in the capital. From oysters to garlic clams, without forgetting the Galician bread and a piece of Santiago cake for dessert, but without the sea breeze (or the constant rain) accompanying.
Mariscada from 46 € for two people.
Santa Brígida Street, 1 (Justice)
4. The Fisherman
El Pescador is the first restaurant of the Pescaderías Coruñesas group. They maintain that what made them stand out when they opened, back in 1975, was the unmasked fish and seafood, aware of the quality of their products. Here you will find lobster from the Bay of Biscay and prawns from Cadiz. The best of each end of the peninsula.
Between 25 and 35 €.
75 José Ortega y Gasset St.(Salamanca district)
5. La Trainera
La Trainera, founded in 1966, is one of the most well-known seafood restaurants in the salamanca neighborhood. This restaurant is so focused on its product, seafood, that it even has a wholesale fish stand in Mercamadrid. For this reason, it could be said that it plays with a bit of an advantage in the selection of its raw material.
Between 50 and 70 €.
Calle de Lagasca, 60 (Salamanca district)
6. O’pazo
The restaurant O’pazo was inaugurated in 1969 and since 1981 it belongs to the Pescaderías Coruñesas group. It quickly carved a niche for itself in Madrid’s booming gastronomy, to the point of being one of the few restaurants to obtain the recognition of a star in the first edition of the Michelin Red Guide for Spain.
About 70 €.
Reina Mercedes Street, 20 (Cuatro Caminos)
7. El Cucurucho del Mar
Behind the Cucurucho del Mar there are two generations of locals who have brought their know-how to the capital. Among its specialties are fresh scallops or scrambled Finisterre seaweed with sea urchin caviar. The ideal is to accompany them with an Albariño or Ribeira Sacra wine and as a closing, indulge yourself with some delicious filloas.
They also offer menu of the day with an excellent quality-price ratio (13,80 €) and they prepare take-away orders for any special occasion.
Mariscada from 42 €.
Postigo de San Martín Street, 6 (downtown)
8. La Chalana
La Chalana is a asturian restaurant in Madrid that has as its flag the “democratization of fish and seafood”. A clear example is that this restaurant offers now, as it did 20 years ago, a spider crab and a bottle of cider for 6 €. The simplicity of their dishes and focus on the product have allowed them to be so competitive. Grilled and baked fish, grilled meats and freshly cooked or grilled seafood. Raw materials, oil, salt and little else are the key to its success.
Around 30 €
Santo Domingo de Silos Street, 6 (El Viso)
9. Rafa Restaurant
Rafa is already part of the neighborhood’s identity. This restaurant specializing in seafood and fish has been located near the Retiro since 1958. It serves a Cantabrian lobster salpicon, garlic clams and a prawn omelette that will make you think you’re on the beach. You can eat it either at the bar or sitting at the table with a tablecloth, it all depends on the mood and the company.
Around 100 €
Calle Narváez, 68 (Ibiza)