Cafe-Bar-Delicatessen and other Madrid, Spain Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: DELIC

Most popular among young Spanish and Foreign people living in Madrid. They have great coffee drinks, coctails, desserts and interesting food, mostly "raciones". Its in the hip neighborhood of La Latina on Plaza de la Paja.

Favorite Dish: Cafe de Canarias. Espresso with condensed milk, lime and i don´t kow what else. mmmm. Good carrot cake and croquetas too.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91 364 54 50
Address: Street: Costanilla de San Andres, 14
Directions: In Plaza de La Paja, La Latina Neighborhood, easily walkable from Pl. Mayor area or La Latina Metro.

Restaurant Name: Isla del Tesoro

Good vegetarian restaurants in Madrid are not so common. This one is a step above the rest. The decoration is eclectic, warm and tasteful. The food is international and has an interesting mix of flavors and ingredients. I have Spanish friends who are not vegetarians and who love this place. That says a lot.


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Theme: Vegan/Vegetarian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91 593 14 40
Address: C/ Manuela Malasaña, 3
Directions: From Metro Bilbao take the Malasaña exit, cross Fuencarral and the restaurant is just down M. Malasaña on your left.

Restaurant Name: La Barraca

For Valencian Paella in Spain's capital try La Barraca. Its frequented by both Spanish and some tourists and has great Paella. Not that "OK Paella" junk so many touristy restaurants advertise on signs outside their restaurant.
The decoration is nice, and the restaurant is classy. I went during the lunch hour with some friends visiting from the States, there were mostly business people eating there and I guessed since we were dressed in normal street clothes thats why they put us in a table at the back. They also didnt give us the best service(because we looked like tourists??) but it wasnt bad and Im sure normally its much better.

Favorite Dish: Anyway, I still recommend this place, I like Paellas that have Seafood bu you can choose the ingredients that you like.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91 532 71 54
Address: Calle de la Reina, 29
Directions: Near the metro stop for Gran via. Go north on C/ Hortaleza and take the first right onto Reina. Restaurant is down on your left.
Website: http://www.interocio.es/labarraca
Other Contact: Fax: 91 5238273

Restaurant Name: Paella de la Reina

I have eaten here a few times and although its almost all foreigners eating here the homemade paellas are great and the service always very attentive and friendly. My mom liked it so much we had to go back the next time she was in town.

Favorite Dish: We probably had a Chicken/Seafood Paella, MMM!!

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 91 531 18 85
Address: Calle de la Reina, 39
Directions: From Gran via metro stop go up calle Hortaleza, take the first right onto Reina and go past La Barraca, after about 3 blocks its on your left at number 39. Also walkable from metro stop Banco de España.

Restaurant Name: Cerveceria Sol Mayor

One of my favorite places is on the walking street between Sol and Plaza Mayor. Its not typically frequented by tourists because its not exactly a charming place, with the bright lights and mirror lined walls and there are no tables, just a few stools along both walls. And its sometimes crowded so you can't sit down. So do like the Spanish do, stand. Its called Cerveceria Sol Mayor and the tapas are great, the decoration very 80s and the service is always loud and with a smile. Very Madrileno!

Favorite Dish: Tortilla Espanola, Patatas Bravas, Championes (mushrooms), Pescado Adobado, Calamares. And many more!! The bocadillo de calamares (Fried squid sandwich) is a typical Madrid thing too but I prefer my Calamares without all that bread.

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

Restaurant Name: La Musa

La Musa has tasty spanish and cosmopolitan tapas and drinks. Try the Mojitos and Caipirihnas. Decor is a modern stylish casual, with light wood tables and chairs. I first went here 4 years ago and went back recently to find I forgot how nice this place is! I'll have to go back soon. Try the "brochettas" (shish kebab) are popular and they have a range of different salads and tasty things to try. If its a weekend go "early" around 8.30 or 9 to get your selection of a table or try your luck later.. Food is served after 8.30 pm and the prices are not cheap but not expensive either.


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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 914487558
Address: C. Manuela Malasaña 18, Madrid
Directions: From Metro Bilbao take C. Manuela Malasaña exit, cross Fuencarral and go down Malasaña for about two blocks.
Other Contact: la_musa@terra.es

Restaurant Name: Casa Marta

Have you ever just wanted a simple "Menu del Dia"(Price fix daily special) for lunch, served with a smile, in the historic center of Madrid on a nice little back street but off the tourist track?

Casa Marta is just the place. Its near Opera and the perfect stop for lunch after, or before, visiting the Royal Palace. The restaurant is devided into two intimate dining rooms, decorated in a traditional Spanish style with interesting tiles on the walls. The tables are nicely set with white tablecloths. Its a popular place among people who work at the Royal Palace and in the area so at Lunch time, around 2 and 2.30 it can be pretty busy.

Favorite Dish: I usually just order the "Menu del Dia" which costs around 8 euros and includes a drink (wine or something else), and first and second course and dessert or coffee. For the first course there is a choice between some kind of "Revuelto" scrambled eggs, or a vegetable dish or soup in the winter. For the Second course there is a fish option, and some meat options and usually accompanied by some pretty greasy home cooked french fries.
If the "Menu" is not your style there is also a variety of other options from the "carta" (menu).

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 915 482 825
Address: C/Santa Clara, 10 (Opera)
Directions: From the Opera metro stop go towards Real Musical music shop and stay to the left of it going up Calle de Vergara. It will be the 2nd street on your left (C. Santa Clara). The restaurant is practically on the corner on your left.

Restaurant Name: Baisakhi

I am basically putting this tip here for myself so I don't have to remember where I put the business card. But you are welcome to check out this restaurant too! However, I understand if you are in Madrid a short time you might be more interested than Spanish food than Indian.. Anyway, I just went to this place for the first time last week. The food is great, its laid back, popular and cheap!
Its in Lavapies, the neighborhood that I once over-heard someone describe as "pretentious working-class." (See my Lavapies tip)

Baisaki is one of 3 Indian restaurants along Lavapies and the others looked quite popular too. The restaurant is small (and a bit cramped when its full as it was the night I was there), and needs a good remodeling but this is Lavapies and you came here for cheap food, not a fancy restaurant. The decoration is cool though, purple walls draped with rich indian fabrics. The restaurant is opular with local expats and Madrile?os and the more erudite crowd. You feel that these are the same people who would be in a poetry reading.
Many of the people who work here are really from India and the food was fantastic. We ordered the Menu de Degustacion (tasting menu) which was the most expensive and for 15 euros we got

Favorite Dish: We ordered the Menu de Degustacion (tasting menu) which was the most expensive and for 15 euros (tax included) we got 3 courses, which consisted of some kind of stuffed pastry ( I dont remember the name), tasty tandoori chicken, several kinds of curries, drinks (I ordered 2) and dessert.

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Theme: Indian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 914 672 966
Address: Calle Lavapies 42
Directions: From Sol/Tirso de Molina walk down Calle Lavapies to number 42. From Metro Lavapies walk up hill on Calle Lavapies for about 3 blocks.