More than eating, if you’re a foodie(as a substitute for foodie), what you’re probably looking for is where to dine in Madrid. It is true that the difference may seem insignificant, but it is not exactly the same. Because when you go out to dinner you usually do it relaxed, unhurried and in the company of people with whom you want to lengthen the after-dinner conversation. Therefore, this list is based on those places where the editorial staff of Madrid Secreto goes regularly, restaurants that are safe places (for the food, for the atmosphere or for the memories).
1. Mami Tacos
Birria is a traditional stew typical of the state of Jalisco. Basically: pot, beef shank, low temperature, chupchup, Mexican chiles, spices, clean, crumble, put on a tortilla and accompany it with the broth from the stew.
And that’s what Mami Tacos specializes in: just birria. Tacos, ramen, quesadillas, quesabirria. A super concrete restaurant that turns its customers into parishioners on their first visit.
📍Calle de San Andrés, 31 (Malasaña)
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2. Kitchen 154
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y9eebXPXVY&ab_channel=MadridSecreto
Kitchen 154 is undoubtedly the spicy mecca in Madrid: it specializes in Indian, Sri Lankan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi cuisine.
From the latter it is understood that the norm at Kitchen is not a specific gastronomy, but an idea: that all dishes are spicy. To wit: what do Korean pork ribs, fried anchovies, pig’s ear or shrimp curry have in common? The answer is that a) they are all spicy (each one more or less than the last) and b) they can only be eaten at Kitchen 154.
📍Mercado de Vallehermoso (C. de Vallehermoso, 36) and Calle del Acuerdo, 3 (Conde Duque).
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3. Cuatrodeocho
It doesn’t matter if you are a bar and snack or a table and elegant dinner: Cuatrodeocho has a place to suit every diner, and a menu with the same purpose. Like all the restaurants of the Alcaravea Group, it offers traditional Spanish cuisine with an avant-garde touch and high quality ingredients.
Here you can choose between small (4/8) or large (8/8) portions, depending on whether you are a couple or a group. Of all their dishes, the huevos rotos (scrambled eggs) stand out, which they prepare in five different ways. The house favorite is the one that includes cecina de León, truffle oil and dried tomatoes to the recipe. Those who fancy a dessert will not regret trying their lemon pie: a light and creamy finishing touch.
Calle de San Mateo, 21
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4. Xiongzai
The famous Chinese restaurant in the Plaza de España garage 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 its decoration (and in a neon that is projected on the floor at its entrance).
Waiting in line to eat at a restaurant? The resounding answer is yes. In fact, it’s the only way to eat at Xiongzai, which specializes in Chinese soups and dumplings (although keep an eye out for their cold noodles).
📍 Calle San Leonardo, 3 (Plaza de España)
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5. El Escaldón
Grilled cheese, papas arrugás with mojo, carnefiesta, almogrote and, of course, escaldón with gofio. El Escaldón is a little piece of the Canary Islands in the heart of Madrid de los Austrias, an insular paradise within four walls that brings a taste of the Canarian good life to the hustle and bustle of the capital.
With almost 18 years behind it, it is the only Canarian restaurant with traditional food in Madrid. Its dishes, prepared according to the recipe book of the grandparents of María del Mar, the owner, are so authentic that it is not unusual to find among its tables Canarians, Conejeros or Chicharreros. Nor vegans or vegetarians, as the menu offers vegetable alternatives to traditional dishes -the Tenerife-style cod with onions and heura is a must.
In winter, you can dine inside the restaurant and feel like you are in a Tenerife guachinche. However, if the weather is nice, we recommend that you dine on the terrace. It is quiet, intimate and perfect for a date with your partner or a plan with friends.
📍 Nuncio Street, 17 (La Latina)
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6. La Cruda
You may be familiar with that tiny (but thuggish) stall in the San Fernando Market called Bendito, vinos y vinilos. A few years ago, this blessed space had a (curiously larger) sibling called La Cruda in the Delicias neighborhood. La Cruda is the dream of Jose, a lover and connaiseur of natural wines who wants to spread his wine love to those looking to dine in Madrid.
As for the glasses (or bottles) we recommend to let yourself be recommended and surprised. As for the menu, the torreznos are a must: so tender, that meat that melts in your mouth with that toasted crunch, salty, delicious, hyper crispy skin. In addition, the grilled leek with romesco or their cheese boards.
📍 Divino Vallés, 28 (Delicias)
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7. El Flaco
El Flaco is an open secret in Madrid: intimate, relaxed, with a very complete menu full of intense Asian flavors. Its dishes are designed for sharing (the portions are generous and it is the perfect way to try more).
We highlight their baos (delicious Black Bao of prawns, red curry and hazelnuts) and their curries (order one for every two people) which are, without a doubt, the hallmark of the place. Either of its two proposals is a hit: the pork cheek with red curry, lychees, snow peas and bimi or the green sea curry with Thai basil.
📍 Calle de Javier Ferrero, 8 (Ciudad Jardín)
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8. El Brote
It is easy to find a new hamburger restaurant for dinner in Madrid, what is more complicated is to find a specialized place and where to take something that is not heavy, El Brote that fulfills all this. Mushrooms of all kinds star in the most varied dishes (yes, even desserts). This small place in La Latina is a paradise for mycologists thanks to the good work of Pablo Roncal, Eduardo Antón and Álvaro de la Torre, who make the most of each dish. The menu is constantly changing depending on the seasonal product, there is always a good excuse to come back.
📍 Calle de la Ruda, 14 (La Latina)
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9. Haranita
Haranita is one of the last restaurants in Madrid that lets you remain spontaneous. They don’t take reservations, you just have to get there and get in line (there usually is, but it doesn’t take long). It follows in the footsteps of Nakeima, its older brother (in age but not in quality).
In the menu, brief but intense, the baos (chicken and carabinero, black with onioned cuttlefish and aioli…), the jowl dumplings with sweet soy and crispy rice balls, the torreznos or the katsu sando of chicken breast are a must. The desserts are and are shaped like bombs.
📍 Calle Victor Hugo, 5 (Chueca)
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10. Casa Brava
Casa Brava has only been in Madrid for a short time, but in Rosario (Argentina) it is a classic for those who like to extend their dinner as long as possible, and that same idea has been transferred here. Live music, velvet sofas and wooden walls of this Malasaña restaurant accompany the dishes prepared by Bando, the chef and co-founder. The fried chicken, few you will taste so juicy, the milanesa or the sweet potato with yogurt, honey and sriracha are among our favorites.
📍 Calle de Valverde, 44 (Malasaña)
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11. Zíngara
Since it opened its doors in September 2022, it has become one of the trendiest restaurants in Madrid’s nightlife -for now it is only open for dinner- and one of the most fashionable places to have a good cocktail in the center of the city.
Entering Zíngara is like entering the store of a fortune teller who will decipher your future just by looking at the dregs of a cup of coffee. However, its dark and mystical décor is not the most surprising thing. What really catches the attention of this restaurant is its menu, which they themselves define as a real “caravan of flavors”.
Its gastronomic offer, all vegetarian and with nods to different countries and cultures, ranges from Korean saam to muhammara, passing through the causa acevichada or finger-licking milanesas. But neither are its cocktails for free souls and rebellious spirits, which seek to please all kinds of palates with dry and powerful but also fruity and sweet options.
📍 Plaza de las Salesas, 8
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12. La Burlona
La Burlona is pure fun. A daring menu with a twist in each proposal but based on the most essential: quality product. A must (any day of the year, even though it’s winter) is the Russian salad with air mayonnaise, the tortilla with cod, peppers and parsley emulsion (whew!), the zucchini flower stuffed with potato revolcona… and that fantastic torrija with hazelnut brioche bread and vanilla ice cream.
Two tips: the most epic dishes are on the off-menu (so yes, leave our recommendations aside and go for the surprise of the day); go downstairs after dinner to enjoy their cocktail bar, El Trilero (the perfect culmination to a delicious dinner).
📍 Calle de Santa Isabel, 40 (Antón Martín)
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13. Salino
The Aparicio brothers, in charge of Salino since 2018, have a clear concept in this and their other two restaurants: the commitment to market produce and a steely commitment to the products of each season.
Salino’s menu is variable, as it could not be otherwise attending to the previous definition, but they have an immovable classic: their torreznos. Another of their hits is the redfish taco (present in our article on where to eat casquería in Madrid), defatted and crunchy redfish, accompanied by avocado, mango and chipotle.
📍 Calle de Menorca, 4 (Ibiza)
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14. Farah
Farah is Heba Kharouf’s Mediterranean restaurant where it is difficult to find a reservation since it opened at the end of 2023. It is in the middle of San Francisco and has a small terrace overlooking the basilica. The now chef, formerly a publicist, wants to unite Arab cultural ties with those here through recipes that share common points, even if they are not the same, as with the red bell pepper and walnut muhamara to which they add molasses from Granada. The light and nutritious dishes, so typical of this shared diet, make this one of the best restaurants for dinner in Madrid.
📍 Carrera de San Francisco, 12 (Downtown)
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This article has been written by Isabel Nieto, Miguel Sánchez, María F. Carballo, Alberto del Castillo and Elena Francés.