What Hit the Spot: Food & Drink I Loved in Madrid

Jenna Broughton
May 27
5 min read

This isn’t a “best of” or a comprehensive guide to Madrid—it is far too vast and layered a city for that. Rather, it’s a collection of personal favorites from my time there as a traveler passing through, which will always offer a different perspective than that of a local. In no particular order, here are the bites and beverages that stood out during my stay. And, given my fondness for literary history, a few Hemingway haunts naturally made their way onto the list.

Restaurante Botin

Founded in 1725, Restaurante Botin is the oldest operating restaurant in the world, as conferred by the Guinness Book of World Records. With a 300 year old history that has stretched through wars, dictatorship, economic hardships and COVID-19, it has become an enduring institution. Famous for its succulent pig that is roasted under a flame that has never been extinguished since the restaurant opened, it celebrates the Castilian tradition and was made famous by its appearance in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. For me the star of the meal was its ooey gooey cheesecake. Read my article on Botin for more details.

Visit Restaurante Botin at Calle Cuchilleros 17, 28005, Madrid

CASA DANI

If you are going to try something, why not make it the best version? Enter CASA DANI's Spanish omelette. A beloved dish in Spanish cuisine, it is a staple on many menus in Madrid and throughout the country. While CASA DANI wasn’t the only Spanish omelette I had during my trip, it was the finest. Its award-winning dish celebrates quality ingredients and is based on a recipe that was passed down from chef Lola Cuerda ‘s mother. The tender potatoes, caramelized onions and custardy egg all come together in harmony by the forkful. Given its popularity, be prepared to wait in line, but I promise it is worth it.

Visit Casa Dani at Mercado de la Paz, Calle Ayala, 28 Madrid 28001

Cervecería Alemana

In the heart of Madrid’s storied literary quarter, where writers once wandered and stories still linger in the air, Cervecería Alemana claims its place on the lively Plaza de Santa Ana. Throughout its 120 years, it welcomed many in the literary world including Ernest Hemingway, and his favorite table by the window is denoted by the framed picture of him that hangs above it. I found it to be a perfect place to stop for an afternoon snack of Iberian ham and manchego cheese and a glass of sangria. The busyness of the outside world seemed to melt away, and it was a nice place to journal and just be for a little while.

Visit Cervecería Alemana at Plaza de Santa Ana 6, Madrid 28012

Entre Santos Cocktail Bar & Food

Tapas bars line nearly every street in Madrid, but none captivated me like Entre Santos—the experience I'd been chasing during my time in the city. Located in the lively Chueca neighborhood, it is serving up the big bold flavors characteristic of Spanish cuisine with refined elegance. The grilled octopus hit all the right notes – with its ever so slightly charred taste complimented by the brightness of the mojo picon. For those who tipple, the cocktails are just as memorable as the food. Entre Santos doesn’t accept reservations, so this is another spot where you should be prepared to wait.

Visit Entre Santos Cocktail Bar & Food at Calle San Bartolomé 4 28004 Madrid

La Venencia

An unassuming sherry bar near the center of town, La Venencia was the local watering hole for anti-fascist troops and Ernest Hemingway during the Spanish Civil War. With a list of five sherries and select tapas for snacking, it is a place to immerse yourself in history while imbibing a spirit native to the country. The dusty bottles above the bar, the aloof service and the bill scribbled in chalk on the bar adds to the ambiance and the unique charm of the place. Read my article on La Venencia for more details.

Visit La Venencia at Calle Echegaray, 7, 28014 Madrid, Spain

Mercado de San Miguel

With over 20 gourmet tapas vendors, there is a lot to love about Mercado de San Miguel. What had originally been a wholesale food market was reimagined in 2009 into a foodies wonderland that sells a variety of freshly prepared foods from stuffed olives to oysters to bite-sized open-faced sandwiches to delectable desserts. With over seven million visitors annually, it is equal parts chaotic and electrifying. Whether you are traveling alone or with others, it is the ideal place to sample an assortment of Spanish specialties since you can order as little or as much as you want.

Visit Mercado de San Miguel at Plaza de San Miguel, s/n 28005 Madrid

Museo Chicote

Opened in 1931, Museo Chicote is said to have been the first cocktail bar in Spain and still maintains the sensibilities of a bygone era. Its original Art Deco decor captures the imagination and makes you wonder what it had been like when the likes of Salvador Dali, Ernest Hemingway, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly used to frequent it. While Museo Chicote offers a dinner menu, many come just for the cocktails. Among the most popular is Hemingway’s favorite, the Papa Doble, which is a less sweet daiquiri made with rum and grapefruit. Museo Chicote is the perfect place to linger over a well-crafted drink while soaking in an atmosphere steeped in history and charm.

Visit Museo Chicote at Gran Vía, 12, Centro, 28013 Madrid

Salmon Guru

There are an estimated 18,500 bars in Madrid, but only one is currently considered to be one of the best bars in the entire world. At number 23, Salmon Guru creates a rousing atmosphere that's a playground for the senses with animal prints, comic book art and neon lights that decorate the space. The cocktails marry whimsy with an obsessive attention to detail. Take the Sogni D’Oro with Hibiki Harmony whiskey that is infused with coconut oil and banana peels for 12 hours and then combined with banana water and maple syrup. The fattiness of the oil gives it a luscious mouth feel and makes every sip smooth and flavorful as it goes down. Given its distinction, there is usually a crowd of people outside waiting to experience its concoctions.

Visit Salmon Guru at Calle de Echegaray, 21, Centro, 28014 Madrid

Comment below with your favorite spots in Madrid.