My 5 Go-To Restaurants in Madrid
I come back to these places (again and again) every time I'm in Madrid. Here's why I love them so much.
Madrid is one of those culinary hub cities that has hundreds of delicious places to try. With so many options, it can be hard to decide—especially if you’re only visiting for a few days.
My husband and I go to Madrid for a couple days every few months and these are my go-to restaurants we come back to again and again. From Spanish classics and Italian street food to Peruvian favorites and even a sweet treat to make it complete, this list has the best of the best.
For Spanish Cuisine:
#1 La Campana
You MUST try the fried squid sandwich from La Campana. This iconic sandwich is typical Madrilenian cuisine, and it’s just so good.
Juicy and perfectly-tender breaded and deep-fried squid rings are packed into a small baguette. It’s served right away, so it’s fresh and warm. Top it with lemon juice and—of course—alioli (delicious Spanish garlic mayonnaise), and it’s just divine.
Know that this place is always packed. Whether you’d like to dine in and enjoy a vintage Spanish bar experience or get it to go, be prepared to wait in line. But, once you order, the sandwiches come super fast.
With fantastic bocadillos (sandwiches) that cost less than 5€ each, you’ll want to come back to this place again and again.
☝🏼Pro tip: La Campana is right outside of Plaza Mayor, which is nearby the Royal Palace and the Debod Temple. It’s not too far from Gran Via, either. My point is—you can stop by any time of day (it’s open from 10:30 am–11 pm every day except Mondays) in between sightseeing and grab a quick bite.
For Burgers:
#2 Marlons
Marlons knows how to make a smashburger. This was one of the many burgers we tried during The Champion’s Burger (a country-wide food-truck event where the best burgers from all over Spain compete to be named the best burger).
Their speciality is smashburgers, but these aren’t just any smashburgers. At the Champion’s Burger event, we tried their Texas Blaze burger—complete with two crispy smash patties, gooey cheese, a creamy house sauce, and a caramelized bacon jam. It was fantastic.
#3 Distrito Burger
We’ve been to Distrito Burger multiple times because:
They’ve got great burgers. They’re simple, but savory.
Unlimited fries. (Need I say more?)
Awesome prices for lunch—12.50€ gets you a burger, unlimited fries, a drink, and a dessert.
While they have multiple locations, the one right next to Retiro Park by the Ibiza metro station is our favorite. Enjoy a stroll through the park before (or after) stopping to get burgers for lunch!
For Latino Food:
#4 Humo
Of all the restaurants on this list, Humo is the one we’ve been to most (in fact, we come here almost every single time we’re in Madrid; it’s that good).
Their roasted Peruvian chicken, pollo a la brasa, is simply unbeatable. It’s perfectly juicy and has a flavor that transports you back to an authentic polleria in Lima, Peru. I dare say, Humo’s Peruvian chicken is the best I’ve had outside of Peru.
For just 16.90€, a half chicken (big enough to fill two people) comes with a generous side of crispy fries, a fresh salad with an unforgettable vinaigrette, and of course the spicy rocoto sauce and the typical aji amarillo sauce.
Peruvian food just isn’t complete without the typical drinks: the golden Inca Cola and the purple-corn delight, chicha morada. Humo’s chicha morada is one of the best I’ve had, and it always hits just right.
☝🏼Pro tip: Make a reservation—even if you plan on going for lunch on a Tuesday. This place is always packed and you definitely don’t want to miss out.
#5 Tiki Taco
The line wrapped out the door when we got to Tiki Taco around 8pm. But what was most concerning was the clientele: the line was filled with gringos, frat girls, and spring breakers.
My heart dropped. This was probably going to be very over-hyped. (After all, this place was all over Instagram and their famous 1€ tacos were taking the internet by storm.)
Thankfully, I was wrong. These tacos were absolutely fantastic. And definitely worth the almost 1-hour wait.
Everything we tried was super flavorful. The meat in the carnitas, suadero, and al pastor tacos was incredible—super juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. It’s one of those bites that makes you go “mmmm.”
I also really loved the agua de jamaica—it was sweet and refreshing and paired perfectly with the tacos and quesadillas we ordered.
Yes, the tacos are on the small side, but they’re super cheap so you can try a bunch without breaking the bank. I’d definitely recommend this place as a dinner option if you’re craving authentic Mexican food in Madrid.
☝🏼Pro tip: Come prepared to wait in line. Finding a spot to sit can be difficult, so it’s not ideal for large groups (more than 4 people).
Plus, A Few Honorable Mentions I Just Couldn’t Leave Out
The five restaurants above are my all-time favorites in Madrid (so far). But, I just couldn’t leave out these fantastic spots we’ve enjoyed as well:
Alboraya Horchatería—When you come to Spain you must try Spanish horchata. Unlike Latin America’s horchata that’s made from rice, this creamy cold drink is made from tiger nuts. It’s very popular in the summer in Valencia and nearby cities, but you can also find it here in Alboraya Horchateria. Make sure you ask for a few fartons (fluffy, breadstick-shaped pastries) as well for the authentic experience.
Divorare—This place serves authentic Italian street food sandwiches that are simply delicious. It’s a great place for a quick grab-and-go bite if you’re feeling hungry. And they have a ton of great sandwich varieties to choose from.
Maison Glacée—An elegant artisan ice cream to remember. They make the waffle cones in house, unlike many ice cream places. Plus, they have unique flavors that you won’t find at other ice cream shops. I’ll warn you: this place is definitely on the more expensive side, but the ice cream is so good it’s worth trying at least once.
So, there you have it! If you’re going to Madrid soon, save this list to enjoy some of the best cuisine Madrid has to offer. There’s a lot to do in Spain’s capital city (more on that next time) but my favorite thing—by far—is eating at these delicious restaurants.
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