One of the big gastronomic trends of the season is wine bars. Among the most interesting openings of the year in Madrid are some of these wine bars that in addition to having a wine list, in many cases natural -also in vogue-, have a brief and very careful culinary proposal, and even backed by prominent chefs as is the case of Bocanada and Cuenllas Salesas.
The only drawback of these new places, with an interesting proposal, small and trendy, is that in most of them it is essential to make a reservation.
1. Bendito, Wines and Vinyls
Bendito is in the Mercado de San Fernando and makes its essence clear in its name: wines and vinyls. In this wine bar they want to take away that snobbish side (and a little carca) that is associated with wine experts, and bring out the more enjoyable and relaxed side, which, of course, is linked to music, although yes, in disc. For their selection they have wine experts and influencers like Ilan Saltzman, which makes the atmosphere of Bendito usually composed of young people with an interest in oenology.
📍 Calle de Embajadores, 42 (Mercado de San Fernando, stall: 4)
2. La Alquimia
La Alquimia was born in 2022 and as Julieta Pasella (co-founder) explains to Madrid Secreto they started “in a totally unexpected and clandestine way (…) with wine, beers and some cheeses left over from my wedding”.
The wine list has taken shape thanks to the collaboration of Bendito, Vinos y Vinilos, Chapi Wines and other collaborations. Although they have changed location (they used to be in Chamberí), their new place still meets all the requirements of a charming wine bar: a small Parisian bistro feeling with a traditional touch, natural wines from wineries with little production, dogs are accepted and they serve good cheese and olives.
📍 Calle de San Lucas, 15 (downtown)
3. Bocanada
Bocanada is a wine bar that only seats 20 people, and this physical proximity creates an almost spontaneous party atmosphere, but this is not its only charm. This small place is also a culinary pop up, its owner, sommelier Amanda Leite, is in charge of the wine selection and invites distinguished chefs to take the reins of this kitchen from time to time. Among the latest to participate is the chef of Gofio, a Michelin-starred Canarian restaurant in Madrid.
📍 Calle del León, 5 (Barrio de las Letras)
4. Vinology
Vinology is the project of sommelier Pilar Oltra, who grew up among vineyards in Mendoza (Argentina). When she started, ten years ago, she wanted to delve into wine culture, but had not turned it into a space of her own until 2022, when she opened a place in the Salamanca neighborhood. In addition to wine bar, here there are workshops, thematic tastings and even wine sessions with live music.
📍 Calle del Conde de Aranda, 11 (Salamanca district)
5. Batch
Batch is located in the Vallehermoso Market and moves away from the strict concept of wine bar. 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. The fermenter Nacho García and the chef Daniel Vare decided to include since they opened their market stall a wide variety of natural wines, which only two years ago, were not so easy to find in Madrid. The truth is that in addition to those packs of ferments and wines (which they also sell online) their cuisine has been gaining relevance.
📍 Calle de Vallehermoso, 36 (Vallehermoso Market, stall: 47-48)
6. Cedrón
Cedrón is a wine bar where you eat in abundance, perfect to balance the alcohol. Its food menu is brief and with two clear influences: Mediterranean and Argentinean. The milanesa is the main protagonist and they make it both Argentinean and Neapolitan style, but if you order the Italian version it is better to share. The wine list is, as expected, longer and focused on natural wines, which are so trendy.
📍 Calle del Almendro, 25 (La Latina)
6. Masa Vins
A newcomer to the city. Its opening in Trafalgar street has been received with enthusiasm by wine lovers without chemicals. Masa Vins arrives from Barcelona with a menu focused on natural wines from small producers and well thought out dishes, seasonal and perfect for alternating between glasses. All with an informal and very photographable air.
📍 Calle de Trafalgar, 22 (Chamberí)
7. Gota
Gota was born in Acid Bakehouse, a coffee shop with a bakery that when it closed at night opened clandestinely to become a wine bar with DJ included. This concept gained popularity and ended up having a separate location. To enter you have to ring a bell. They serve mainly natural wines and small and peculiar dishes such as polenta fritters with hot sauce and grated cheese.
📍 Calle de Prim, 5 (Salesas)
9. Cuenllas Salesas
Cuenllas started as a grocery store in 1939, near Paseo de Pintor Rosales, but now it is a delicatessen with a bar, where you can buy and drink something special. In 2021 they opened a small wine bar in one of the nicest streets to stroll in Salesas, Calle Orellana.
Here you can buy a bottle of wine or drink it on the spot along with something to eat. Elena Viso Muñoz (formerly at Fismuler or Nakeima, among others) is in charge of the kitchen where dishes such as cod tripe with fabes, razor clams with beurre noisette or a tuna sandwich are served.
📍 Calle Orellana, 4 (Salesas)
10. Propaganda
Propaganda distributes, serves and sells Italian wines. In addition to showcasing the wine culture of the transalpine country with 365 wines on the menu and 30 wines by the glass that change every season, you can also enjoy its gastronomy: truffled mortadella from Bologna, smoked meat from Trentino, bresaola -a veal cold meat-, porchetta di Ariccia -roasted meat- or tables of Italian fragrant cheeses are always on the menu. At night they dim the lights, turn up the music and add cocktails to the offer.
📍 Calle Jorge Juan, 21 (Salamanca district) and Calle Libertad, 12 (Chueca).
11. Corchito
Corchito is not only a natural wine bar with a reduced production, in Corchito things happen almost every weekend. From collaborations with chefs to drawing workshops. If you don’t have a clear plan, but you want to surprise someone, you will probably get it with this place.
📍 Calle del Salitre, 2 (Downtown)
12. Berria Wine Bar
Berria is one of the wine bars highlighted by Eric Asimov in an article in The New York Times about the best places to drink wine in Madrid. And although he does not mention the famous croquettes of this establishment -candidates for best ham croquette in Spain-, he says that Berria is an ideal restaurant to enjoy its views of the Puerta de Alcalá and highlights its menu with more than 3,100 wine references and 500 sparkling wines.
📍 Plaza de la Independencia, 6 (Downtown)
13. La Fisna
La Fisna, which is also in Eric Asimov’s selection, stands out for its cozy, bright and traditional space in the neighborhood of Lavapiés. Here you can find more than 300 references of national and international wines, with special attention to natural and biodynamic wines. For pairing, between glasses they serve tapas and portions of cheeses, cold meats, croquettes and salads.
📍 Calle del Amparo, 91 (Lavapiés)
15. Ganz Wine Bar
The American newspaper also includes this wine bar in its selection, defining it as a comfortable and elegant place, with a large selection of bottles at good prices. Its menu includes an informal but carefully selected variety of dishes made with quality ingredients, such as anchovy and tomato toast, salmon tartar or duck breast.
📍 Calle de Almadén, 9 (Barrio de Las Letras)