Cocidito Madrileño and other Madrid, Spain Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Taberna La Daniela

Cocido is Madrid most traditional dish. This chickpea based stew does not have the international reputation that other Spanish dishes have (like paella, for instance), thought if I were in your place, I would not leave the city without giving it a try. :-)

La Daniela makes an excellent place for cocido degustation, because of its reasonable prices, friendly staff and, off course, delicious main and only dish (you can guess what this plate exactly is, can’t you?) ;-)

Favorite Dish: Cocido Madrileño; no question about that :-p

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91.575.23.29
Address: General Pardiñas, 21
Directions: Metro Goya

Restaurant Name: Tao Sushi Bar

TAO is a local Japanese chain food that has recently open three different restaurants in Madrid, thought the only one that works as Sushi Bar is the one placed in Paseo de La Castellana. So if you are in the mood of tasting sushi in a cozy and (obviously) oriental atmosphere, this restaurant is a great option. The food is simply delicious, thought a little overpriced.

Favorite Dish: As I said in the title, Unagi (eel) is a must. :-)

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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91.308.27.80
Address: Paseo Castellana, 45
Directions: In Paseo de la Castellana, near Gregorio Marañón Metro Station

Restaurant Name: La Taquería del Alamillo

I’ll put it simple. La Taquería del Alamillo has all the characteristics that I look for in a good restaurant: Excellent food, deserts to die for, nice decoration, good ambience, friendly staff, more than reasonable prices and a nice location in the heart of La Latina neighborhood. Apart from that, the place has a con… a BIG one. The managers had decided lately to liven up the meals with Mariachis performances that will completely destroy every attempt of conversation between you and your company.

So if you happen to go there in one of those terrible nights, I can only suggest you to indulge yourself with a couple of Tequila shots: the Mariachis will be playing anyway, but at least, you’ll have a great time :-p

Favorite Dish: One of the deserts: Crepas de Dulce de Leche.... delicious!

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Theme: Mexican
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91.364.20.88
Address: Pza. Alamillo, 8
Directions: Metro La Latina

Restaurant Name: Knight and Squire

In the antipodes of a fast food chain, lays this charismatic hamburger restaurant, supposedly the oldest restaurant of this kind in Madrid, although I have no ways to contrast this fact. Don't expect here Ronald MacDonald or Happy Meal menu: this place is all about its extraordinary decoration, more suited for an English pub that for a fast food restaurant. ;-)

Favorite Dish: The Indian burger (Indiahamburguesa in the menu)... delicious! :-)

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Theme: Fast Food
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91.345.01.54
Address: Félix Foix, 9
Directions: Near Plaza de Castilla

Restaurant Name: Kikuyu

Fancy a healthy dinner in a romantic environment? Kikuyu is your place, even if you can hardly pronounce its name (don't be afraid about that, I also can't even pronounce it) ;-)

I could give it easily a 10 over 10 in the aspect of decoration and ambience, and the quality of the food (specially the rice). My only complaint about the place will be that the menu is not as diverse as it should be in a restaurant of the category.

Favorite Dish: The rice here is magnificent, thought they don't offer paella with sangria. Sorry if that was your idea of Spanish food LOL

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91- 3196611
Address: Calle Bárbara de Braganza, 4
Directions: Metro Colon. Near Paseo de Recoletos

Restaurant Name: Zen Central

Maybe it was the decoration, or my beautiful companion, or maybe it was that the atmosphere that night had some treacherous quality. Regardless the reason, I felt in love with this restaurant almost immediately. Aside from the delicious mixture of Asian flavors that it offers, Zen treasures a terrace which is, in my opinion, the most romantic and charming of the city. Considering that summer is almost over, you should give it a try immediately ;-)

Favorite Dish: The tasting menu is definitely worthy a try

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91 431 12 33
Address: Puigcerda, 6
Directions: Metro Serrano. Salamanca district

Restaurant Name: Taberna Alhambra

You should not leave Spain without trying Jamon. Actually, chances are that after tasting Spain's most delicious culinary invention, you will not leave the country without a good provision of it in your suitcase. ;-) Surprisingly, a pretty decent place for Jamon tasting could be find in Sol area, surrounded by horrible tourist traps that serves Paella with sangria for dinner :-p Taberna Alhambra has a nice atmosphere, friendly staff, and an excellent (though not very diverse) selection of Spanish products.

Favorite Dish: Ok, this is what you have to say: "Jamon Iberico, por favor". Got it? Good! Now, repeat that phrase to your waiter as many times as you feel like :-p

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91 521 07 08
Address: Calle Victoria,9
Directions: Metro Sol

Restaurant Name: Bodega de la Ardosa

Ardosa is probably one of Madrid best "cervecerias", that is, an establishment specialized in beers. Long before the “Irish pub” Fever that his city suffered some years ago, this bar was the only place in Madrid where decent Guinness pints were available.

Having lost the exclusivity of Guinness beer, the bar still offers some exceptional tapas, at very reasonable prices, all within an old fashioned environment that really deserve to be discovered.

Favorite Dish: You will not be disappointed with the local Croquetas

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91.521.49.79
Address: c\ Colon, 13
Directions: Tribunal Metro Station (Lines 1 and 10)

Restaurant Name: Bazaar

If not plainly inexpensive, Bazaar is certainly a very economic place to have dinner in Madrid. For less that 20 Euros you can choose between a great selection of fashion starters, meats, fish, exceptional deserts and a decent wine. Trust me, you are not likely to find many places like this in Madrid.

Besides that, the place has an excellent decoration, young and friendly stuff and it's placed in one of the most fashion neighborhoods of Madrid. They don’t accept reservations, so you’ll have to show up there (the best idea is to go at the opening time: 8:30 pm) and appoint to the waiting list.

Favorite Dish: Chocolatisimo, a desert that will drive crazy any chocolat lover :-)

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 915233905
Address: c\ Libertad 21
Directions: Metro Chueca (Line 5)

Restaurant Name: Monteria

La Montería used to be the typical Spanish old-fashioned tavern, with the typical deer heads hanging on the walls, the typical old parishioners arguing mainly about futbol and toros and the typical excellent honest food. They recently renovated the decoration, removing the parishioners and the deer heads, but keeping the excellent food at the same prices that always.

Favorite Dish: Do not miss the veal and, of course, give a try to the best pincho of the house, the Monterías (specially prepared mussels)

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91 574 18 12
Address: C\ Lope de Rueda, 35
Directions: Near El Retiro (Ibiza Metro station)
Website: http://www.lamonteria.es
Other Contact: lamonteria@lamonteria.es