Food

Cafe del Soul

Sign oustide Cafe del Soul in Calle de Barcelona, 3, Madrid
Inside Cafe del Soul, Calle de Barcelona, 3, Madrid
Funkcy roof in Cafe del Soul Calle de Barcelona, 3, Madrid
Cave like seating at Cafe del Soul Calle de Barcelona, 3, Madrid

Cafe del Soul seems to be a Gaudi inspired bar in Madrid, fitting as it’s on Calle de Barcelona. I say inspired by Gaudi but don’t expect too much, it is certainly no masterpiece of beauty. It has cave type seats and walls where there are very few straight lines.

The staff is friendly and it is relatively unique in a zone dominated by irish bars and tile walled Spanish bars. There are 2 entrances, one on Calle Barcelona that leads to the cave type room and one on Calle de Espoz y Mina that leads to the bar itself.

Calle de Barcelona, 3
28012 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 915 23 16 06 ‎

Lolina Vintage Café

Outside Lolina Vintage Café, Calle del Espíritu Santo, 9, Madrid
Inside Lolina Vintage Café Calle del Espíritu Santo, 9, Madrid
The bar at Lolina Vintage Café Calle del Espíritu Santo, 9, Madrid
Downstairs at Lolina Vintage Café Calle del Espíritu Santo, 9, Madrid

Walking into Lolina feels like being transported to a 70s sitcom. The vintage style is laid on thick. The patterned wallpaper alone is worth the visit. I recommend going to the bar yourself to get a drink otherwise you’ll be waiting forever. The tables and chairs do get a bit crowded so you’ll find yourself squeezing passed people to get to the bar at the back.

During the summer they have large windows that open out onto the street. The winter can get a little cold but downstairs there are a few seats on the same vintage theme. Things are a little less crowded down there so if you want some intimacy it’s the place to head.

Regarding the food I’m a bit more into ribs and wings than quiche and cake but what they do have they do well and it’s not too pricy. They also have free wifi but only during the week.

Calle del Espíritu Santo, 9
28004 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 667 20 11 69

La Tita Rivera

Cheesy sign for La Tita Rivera Calle de Pérez Galdós, 4, Madrid, Spain
The bar at La Tita Rivera Calle de Pérez Galdós, 4, Madrid, Spain
The terrace at La Tita Rivera Calle de Pérez Galdós, 4, Madrid, Spain
The terrace at La Tita Rivera Calle de Pérez Galdós, 4, Madrid, Spain

Don't be fooled by the cheesy sign outside. This is definitely not a German themed beer garden. It's a modern clean bar come restaurant. The best part is the terrace at the back. A wooden decked oasis in the heart of Madrid.

La Tita Rivera has a couple of beers on tap even a darker one which is rare in this town. They serve pretty decent food even if it's a tad over priced for the portions.

Calle de Pérez Galdós, 4
28004 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 915 22 18 90

Mercado de San Miguel

The famous Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid
Inside the Mercado de San Miguel
Drinking at the Mercado de San Miguel
Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid

This is a traditional food market that has been renovated and converted into “culinary space”. The traditional stalls selling raw ingredients have been replaced by bars and selections of unique tapas. This is the first of several markets to undergo this transition and it is still the most popular, especially with tourists, due to its location in the historic heart of the city.

Although very crowded and touristy it is a great place to start and have a cava and a couple of tapas before heading to La Latina or Sol for the rest of the night.

Mercado de San Miguel
28005 Madrid Madrid
Spain

El Bonanno

Outside El Bonanno bar in La Latino, Plaza del Humilladero, 4, Madrid, Spain
Inside El Bonanno bar, Plaza del Humilladero, 4, Madrid, Spain
The bar at El Bonanno, Plaza del Humilladero, 4, Madrid, Spain
Inside El Bonanno, Plaza del Humilladero, 4, Madrid, Spain

Most of this small bar is taken up by the bar itself. This has the advantage of it always being easy to get a spot at the bar. Even if you don't there's a ledge going around the walls of the bar so there's always somewhere to put your beer.

You enter in either of the two entrances which are divided by the U-shaped bar. As you walk in you go down a set of stairs giving a good view of the whole bar. Order a small beer and you'll get a small tapas.

Plaza del Humilladero, 4
28005 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 913 66 68 86

Taquería Mi Ciudad

Outside the Taquería Mi Ciudad, Calle de las Fuentes, 11, Madrid
Inside the Taquería Mi Ciudad, Calle de las Fuentes, 11, Madrid

Inexpensive, crowded and very small. This tiny little taco bar is great for a quick bite and a beer. In general mexican food in spain is much more authentic then the texmex you'll find in other countries but this place is especially so.

They have a good selection of tequilas and the mecheladas are also pretty good.

Calle de las Fuentes, 11
28013 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 915 59 87 11

Lamiak

Inside Lamiak bar in La Latina, Calle Cava Baja, 42, Madrid
Inside Lamiak having a drink, Calle Cava Baja, 42, Madrid

A great place with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff. Unpretentious with simple decoration but a lively atmosphere. Great for a few beers and tapas any day of the week.

This is one of quite a few basque tapas places in La Latina but there are a few tables and chairs in here so if your lucky you could get a seat probably during the week is your best bet.

Lamiak has a sister bar with the same name in Lavapiés.

Calle Cava Baja, 42
28005 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 913 65 52 12

Pontepez

Outside of Pontepez, Calle Pez, 18, Madrid
The bar at Pontepez, Calle Pez, 18, Madrid
Inside Pontepez, Calle Pez, 18, Madrid
Tom Waits picture in Pontepez, Calle Pez, 18, Madrid

This small little bar is always packed. Get there early and claim your spot at the bar. It can often seem like the bartender is a little unfriendly but it’s just because he’s extremely overworked. He can manage to memorise all the orders and almost impossibly keeps track of everything.

Pontepez is famous for its tapas. My favourites are the burrata and the burgers which can’t be beaten on price or quality.

Calle Pez, 18
28004 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 915 23 29 33

Mercado de San Ildefonso

View of Mercado de San Ildefonso from Calle Fuencarral, 57, Madrid
Inside Mercado de San Ildefonso, Calle Fuencarral, 57, Madrid
Inside Mercado de San Ildefonso, Calle Fuencarral, 57, Madrid
One of the terraces in Mercado de San Ildefonso, Calle Fuencarral, 57, Madrid

This is the latest Madrid market just recently opened. Similar to Mercado de San Miguel and San Anton. It differs from the others in that it was never previously a food market but a market for general supplies. It has the usual mix of gourmet tapas and a young hip crowd. Exposed air-conditioning piping and a mix between wood and metal fixtures gives a converted factory feel reminiscent of the meatpacking district in NYC. It has three floors with a bar on each and many stalls to buy unique tapas. The real gem of the market are the two terraces which offer a nice opportunity to have a beer in the open air without the usual “botellons” present in the rest of Malasaña.

Calle Fuencarral, 57
28080 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 915 59 13 00

El 2D

View of El 2D from Plaza Dos de Mayo, Calle Velarde, 24, Madrid
Inside El 2D, Calle Velarde, 24, Madrid
Inside El 2D, Calle Velarde, 24, Madrid
The terrace of 2D, Calle Velarde, 24, Madrid

This is an old bar located on Plaza Dos de Mayo. With its smoke stained walls and old fixtures this place hasn’t really changed since the 70s. The real beauty of this bar is not actually inside. The terrace on Dos de Mayo is a prime spot to pass an afternoon drinking tinto de veranos on a hot summer’s day.

Calle Velarde, 24
28015 Madrid Madrid
Spain
+34 914 48 64 72

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