Eat your way through Madrid, Spain

Thousands of restaurants fill the foodie city of Madrid, whether you are looking for a spot with hundreds of years of history, the perfect tapas joint, regional cuisine, or to discover a literal hidden gem – here are some of the best bites you will encounter in the Capital of Spain.

The Tapas: Tinto y Tapas

Dark, intimate, and open late. Start with complimentary olives and choose from a great wine list. Service is very friendly and helpful, the menu is not too large offering tapas style salads, empanadas, toasts, pizzas, and raciones – which are larger plates. Empanadas are different than the usual design, elevated, the cheese and onion variety was one of the most delicious and complex bites with a gorgeous presentation.

Ham is a must in Spain, and the jamon iberico toast looked as striking as it tasted.

Located closed to the Museo Reina Sofia in the golden triangle of art .

The Signature Sandwich: La Campana

Something purely Madrid, this hole in the wall is known for their bocadillo de calamares, or – calamari sandwich. Exceedingly simple, freshly fried squid rings fill a dense crusty roll. Just a squeeze of lemon. For only 3 euros and a stones throw from Plaza Mayor, this institution is worth pressing through the crowds for.

The Market: Mercado Anton Martin

I barely got my foot through the door of Mercado de San Miguel before I wanted out. Sure, aesthetically it was beautiful – but it was so full of tourists and lacked the market authenticity I was craving. Skip San Miguel and its overpriced food, head to this off the beaten path local market where you’ll actually find a place to sit along with wonderful food. Built in 1941 and filled with a variety of stalls from fresh produce, a butcher and fishmonger, bakery, and many restaurants to choose from.

The vendor Gastro Chigre has Asturian food offering a fine deal of 3 tapas for 12 euro.

A butternut squash salad, baked provolone stuffed with onions and mushrooms, and soupy rice with lentils and truffle oil made a fantastic trio, paired with some wine.

The Historic Restaurant: Botin Restaurant

The oldest continuously running restaurant in the world was founded in 1725, but the building dates back even further to 1590. Almost 300 years old, the original cast iron wood burning stove is still in use, along with authentic 18^th century recipes.

Roast suckling pig, cochinillo, is the signature dish. Garlic soup with egg is another must try, with the most beautiful flavor and texture.

Mixed fish in casserole is a warming plate bountiful with fresh seafood and a lovely presentation.

You may have heard of this restaurant mentioned in Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, who loved dining at the establishment. Famed Spanish artist Francisco de Goya worked as a waiter here while waiting for his acceptance to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Do make a reservation to avoid a long wait; the food is as delicious as the history.

The Dessert: San Ginés

For breakfast or late night dessert, it’s always the right time to have chocolate churros, and this classic spot is open 24 hours a day. Since 1894 people have been walking to this restaurant located in one of the most historic alleyways in the city, the interior is timeless with its white tiles and green wooden panels. The churros are light and crispy, freshly fried, and the dipping chocolate this thick and strong.

The Hidden Gem: Corpus Christi Cookies

Actually hidden, there are no signs pointing you into the Monastery of Corpus Christi promising sweets. They say the recipes date back to Roman times, and you’ll never see the nuns who produce them – hidden away in El Convento de Corpus Christi established in the 17^th century. To find this place is a bit of quest, and to be honest, half the fun. From the plaza curve down the elbow alley until you reach a wooden door with a buzzer marked: Venta de Dulces.

The sweets are indeed inside. Contacting the nuns who pray and bake through this system isn’t always,s cut and dry. We rang and waited. Nothing happened. The homeless woman who was sitting outside the church was our fairy godmother, she helped us by ringing another doorbell and ushered us inside.

In the convent it was just as confusing. We wandered until reaching a quiet sign, a list of cookies and a lazy susan.

Eight varieties and no understanding of Spanish, we were stumped. Somehow the order went through, we put our euros in, cookies rotated out, and subsequently our change was returned in the next rotation.

We ended up with mantecados de jerez, heavenly soft buttery biscuits that we devoured in the days that followed.