Cheap Eats Guide to Madrid

As capital cities go, Madrid can be quite overwhelming to the first time tourist so my key piece of advice would be to come in the shoulder or off season so you can really enjoy the city without the crowds. Madrid is a huge a city so my other key advice is to take it slow and not pack too much into your itinerary. Be bold, get off the beaten path and you will truly absorb this beautiful city and feel at home here. There are many reasons to visit Madrid, not least to take in the historical architecture, museums and pulse quickening nightlife.

However, the best reason to visit and enjoy Madrid is to eat and the best place to start is at some of city’s wonderful food markets. Get off the beaten path. Mercado de San Miguel is the place to go for most tourists but why not try the slightly lesser known Mercado Sant Anton where you will savour delicious empandas from Argentina to sushi and find cured meats and olives stalls plus wine-everything you need for a picnic..or visit the old neighborhood of Huertas, filled with locals-only markets, chocolatiers and tapas bars is a great place to eat some fabulous food, some of which are featured in this food guide to Madrid.

Where to eat in Madrid

4. Omaira

Address: Mercado de Antón Martin, Callé santa Isabel 5, 28012 Madrid

Born in Venezuela, Omaira the owner used to cook in a restaurant nearby. Everyday she would come here to buy her meat from the butcher around the corner of this market. So it was probably destiny to open her own restaurant inside the market.

The speciality here is Venezuelan food “arepas“,“empanadas” and “cariada”. The last dish is made of beef cheeks cooked in a wine reduced sauce with vegetables….totaly melts in your mouth… The secret is well hidden but one thing I‘m sure, it takes several hours and a lot of talent to reach that level of perfection. Deliciously liberating!

From €5-10 euros per portion

5. Donde Sanchéz

Address: C. de Sta. Isabel, 5, 28012 Madrid

Donde Sanchéz is a restaurant specially focusing on craft beers from the village of La Mancha, little known wines, sweets from the owner’s own village of Campo de Criptana, oils, cheeses, chorizo, patés and all kinds of gourmet goodies. Sampling small bites from the tasting bar is like taking a culinary food tour through the nooks and crannies of rural Spain. Tapas start at just €1.

6. Tapas crawl in La Latina

If you are going to the Rastro market, you can later amble through the picturesque streets of La Latina, joining the locals in the sunday ritual of bar hopping: I call it a ‘tapas crawl.’ The quality of food and restaurants in this barrio is of a really high quality so you can’t go wrong but I would recommend the historic Posada de la Villa (Cana of beer and glass of wine with free tapas: €8 ) and the warm and colourful La Perejila where they serve excellent vermouth & serve pulpo a la Gallega on a bed of creamy mashed potato and bread-food heaven my friends. (Cost €7.50)

7. Inés Rosales 

Address: Plaza de Matute, 13, 28012 Madrid

The story of Inés Rosales begins in a small town of Sevilla. About 100 years ago, a woman, Inés Rosales Cabello, made (using an old family recipe) a sweet olive oil torta in her home. With the help of other women from the area, she began to sell her tortas in the old train station in Seville, carrying them in wicker baskets. This way the travellers took them to their destinations and it wasn’t long until the legend of her delicious tortas had spread all over Spain. Inés Rosales sweet olive oil tortas continue to be handmade following the original recipe. This is a beautiful place, one that has stopped in time and prevented all of the delicacies of Spain from fading. Friendly and unique.

Tortas cost €2,50. 

8. Chocolat

Address: Calle Santa Maria 30, 28014

The most famous chocolate shop of Madrid, opened in Barrio de las Letras in 2003 and it’s called Chocolat. It’s characterized by its’ high quality handmade chocolate and famous “Churros” or “Porras” This is one of the few places where the churros pastery is homemade and you can feel it in the taste. Madrilenos love having it for breakfast but you can easily have it at any time of the day.

You can sample a variety of cakes and handmade cookies accompanied by their fantastic hot chocolate , coffee and 50 types of natural tea.

Cost

Chocolat with churros or porras for €3,50.

Pinchos or bocadillos €2,70 to €4 .

9. Bar Palentino

Address: C. de Argüeso, 50, Carabanchel, 28025 Madrid, Spain

There is nothing remarkable looks wise about Bar Palentino from the outside and inside. It is your typical, no frills Iberian bar. On a jam-packed Saturday evening I walked in to find a La Liga match
showing on the TV in the corner with a few weary haggard looking guys huddled in one corner sipping on the local draft beer. Besides the excellent cheap beer on tap they do really good bocadillos stuffed with steak or jamon.

If you like your bars, laidback and quirky then you will love El Imperfecto in the “El Barrio de las Letras” neighborhood. Their mojitos ( 2 for €10) are one of the best in Madrid and super cheap.

10. Bodega da La Ardosa

1892, this historic bar serves also cold beer on draft and does an excellent juicy, moist tortilla and artichokes ‘ a la plancha.’

Best places to party in Madrid

Nightlife in Spain is not for the faint of heart. In Madrid, it is considered normal to go out late in the evening and not return until seven am the next morning. But what else is there to do in a city brimming with bars?

A good area for those on a budget and looking for something less touristy Malasaña is an area of small, unique bars frequented by students and locals. I liked Cafe de Palma, an evergreen favourite amongst locals where there’s friendly staff, great programme of live music and everything from cocktails to tea and cake. Then there is Ojala, lit with so much neon that you might have stepped into a Warhol image. It’s possible to get a glass of wine there for under few euros. For an otherworldly experience, try La Catrina, a Mexican bar with a fascinating display of Virgins.

For something a bit special, head to Las Cuevas de Sésamo, Calle de Príncipe, a piano bar hidden away in an underground cellar. Patrons sit around little red tables, chatting, while waiters in old-fashioned uniforms weave back and forth from the bar. Under Franco this place was a gathering place for left-wing intellectuals. Prices are suitably socialist too – a small jug of sangria for two is 6 euros.

On a busy night in Las Cuevas, you are likely to hear only snatches of music so, for a more respectful relaxed environment, try Café Populart, on Calle de la Alegría de la Huerta. I had the pleasure of seeing the unusual spectacle of a solo harmonica player, giving a virtuoso jazz performance. Anyone who dared to ignore the performance and continue their conversation was heavily shh-ed by the bar staff. Entrance is free, but be wary of the drinks: an orange juice will set you back €5.

I also love popping into Bogui. Bogui is the place to be if you love jazz, funk and soul music. Brilliant atmosphere. Place can be jam-packed so be prepared for a tight squeeze.

Where to stay in Madrid on a budget

1. TOC Hostel Madrid

TOC Hostel Madrid certainly lays a strong claim to being the best design hostel in Madrid. With an unbeatable location near the popular Puerta del Sol, this hostel combines modernity with classical elements in its design. Housed in a historically preserved building, there are a number of room options to suit every budget. Choose from a 4 sleeper room, double rooms or a 6 bed dorm. Bunk beds have their own reading light and plug point and most importantly the hostel has air conditioning. Double rooms enjoy the perks of a big balcony and ensuite bathroom with free toiletries. Guests can store belongings in secure lockers. TOC Hostel Madrid have a welcoming bar and lounge with amazing frescoes – a place to have a coffee by day and cocktail by night. The communal kitchen, a pool table and a lounge with TV add to TOC’s appeal, along with the plentiful and cheap breakfast buffet.

2. The HAT Madrid

The Hat Madrid is a mere stone’s throw away from Plaza Mayor Square. La Latina district with its vibrant nightlife and history is only a ten minute walk away. With plenty of cafes and bars and a supermarket to supply all sorts of needs, there’s no doubt that the Hat Madrid is ideally situated. The hostel offers both private rooms and dormitories. Some of the best features of the hostel bright rooms, balconies attached to the private rooms, air conditioning and sunset views from the rooftop bar. The nearest metro stations are Puerta del Sol and La Latina.