A Popular, Reliable Choice and other Madrid, Spain Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Museo del Jamon

This place is a chain so just look for the red letters that you see in this picture. This one is near the Prado Museum on Castellana. There's another in Plaza Mayor and another on Calle de San Jeronimo near Puerta del Sol among others. The place is pretty basic. You'll walk in and order from a bar or in some locations there is restaurant style seating.

Favorite Dish: They have everything from shrimp with garlic to simple ham sandwiches. Obviously, they are known for their ham (jamon), so I would recommend a simple bocadillo de jamon serrano (ham sandwich). This is literally a sandwich with only ham and bread, but boy is it good ham and good bread.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter

Restaurant Name: Botin

Talk about historical ambience! According to the Guinness Book of Records, this is the oldest restaurant in the world dating from 1725. Hemingway loved it and unlike many of the other restaurants on this street that advertise with signs proclaiming "Hemingway Never Ate Here" this place isn't ashamed of their former customer. It's a bit touristy, but the four level interior and the good food make it worthwhile.

Favorite Dish: Cochinillo Asado, which is roast suckling pig, is a signature dish at Botin and I can see why. It's delicious.

". . . I would rather dine on suckling pig at Botin's that sit and think of casualties my friends have suffered." - Ernest Hemingway, from Death in the Afternoon (end of Chapter 10).

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91 366-4217
Address: Cuchilleros 17
Directions: Off Plaza Mayor

Restaurant Name: Gula Gula

This place is kind of trendy feeling and most of the patrons were young and fashionable. However, the prices were reasonable and the food was original. It's not a place that caters to tourists, so they seem to take chances with the menu and are not afraid to put their own twist on traditional dishes.

Favorite Dish: I had a spinach tortilla that had some unique spices.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Infante 5

Restaurant Name: Zahara Cafe

This place has a bar in the back and a very open, spacious eating area in the front. It makes a great place to get together with new friends and talk about travel! I had a great time meeting Joaquin (VT member SirRichard), Glenda (La_beba) and David. It was great to hang out and talk about Madrid and travel in general.

Favorite Dish: All of the guys had the "Cocido Madrileno" which is a hearty meal to say the least. It's made up of garbanzo beans (chick peas), potatoes, and various meats (ham, chicken) and even some blood sausage. It was very satisfying.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91 521 84 24
Address: Gran Via 31

Restaurant Name: Yenes

If you stay at the hostal I stayed at, you'll only have to walk downstairs to go to this cafeteria. I went here in the mornings for cafe con leche and sometimes some churros. I also stopped in one evening for a plate of ham. I was surprised at how good everything was at the unassuming place. It doesn't look like much, it's cheap and it's good.

Favorite Dish: My morning coffee, of course. A little shot of caffeine is a must for a busy traveler.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91 521 01 23
Address: Calle Mayor 1
Directions: Puerta del Sol

Restaurant Name: La Taurina

On my visit in February of 2003, my friend Andrew and I stopped in this place near Puerta del Sol mostly because we liked the bull heads and the Spanish tiles that decorated the walls. There were a few locals eating and drinking here, but we just stopped in for a quick beer and tapa. It's worth a stop, if only for the ambience.


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Theme: Local

Phone: 91 531 39 69
Address: Calle de San Jeronimo, 5
Directions: Just off of Puerta del Sol