The 6 Best Tapas in Madrid (and Where to Try Them)

We've selected some of the city’s finest taverns, whether you’re looking for traditional tapas or something more creative, and share the hidden gems that are loved by locals but lesser-known to tourists. ¡Buen provecho!

Tapas, those delectable bites that are served in taverns and bars across Spain, originated in the late 18th century, when a saucer was placed over a drink like a lid (tapa in Spanish) to keep the flies off. A little something was placed on the plate and these simple snacks developed into tapas, now one of Spain’s most authentic and enjoyable culinary traditions. In Madrid, the tapeo – a bar crawl around tapas bars, each known for a particular dish – has become a beloved ritual and is among the very best ways to experience the city like a local.

A note on tapas etiquette: You might be surprised to see people tossing their napkins and toothpicks on the floor at some of the more traditional bars, but this is an accepted custom in Madrid and considered by some to be the sign of a great establishment. You usually order tapas at the bar, although some spots, particularly the smarter places, have table seating and waiter service.

There are hundreds of tapas bars liberally sprinkled along almost every street and square across the Spanish capital, but some neighbourhoods stand out for a dazzling concentration of taverns and bars. These are some of our favourite areas to head to for must-try tapas dishes. 

La Latina is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Madrid, with a history that goes back centuries. Formerly a working-class area, it’s now a diverse and eclectic district famous for its taverns, restaurants and bars. La Latina is the best neighbourhood for tapas in Madrid, and is home to the best tapas street in the entire city: the Calle de la Cava Baja, which has more than 50 bars within 300 metres.

The Huertas district, also known as the “Barrio de las Letras” (“Literary Quarter”), is associated with some of the greatest names in Spanish literature, from Lope de Vega to Cervantes. Saunter through the pretty cobbled streets to find some of the best tapas bars in Madrid, while you soak up the neighbourhood's charm and history. 

The Puerta del Sol is the centre of Madrid (El Centro) – and all of Spain, as the ‘Kilometro O’ plaque embedded in the square attests. This square, the nearby Plaza Mayor, and adjoining streets are also packed with a fabulous array of fantastic tapas bars, including some of Madrid’s most historic eateries. 

The glossy Salamanca neighbourhood, with its elegant avenues and luxury boutiques, is where you’ll find some of the city’s most fashionable bars and restaurants. This upscale district is home to some of the best tapas bars for creative cuisine in Madrid.

If you’re looking for the must-try tapas in Madrid and where to find them, we’ve rounded up the classic favourites and the best places to taste them, from century-old taverns to some of the city’s hottest new addresses. On our list, you'll find some of the top tapas bars in Madrid that offer a blend of local flavours and exceptional service, as well as options that cater both to meat-lovers and vegetarians. Make your stay in the city unforgettable with a tapas tour of the Spanish capital, whether you're here for a month or just a wonderful weekend break!

This thick Spanish omelette is made with thinly sliced potatoes, caramelised to perfection, and onions, which add a touch of sweetness and depth. Tortilla is a staple of every Madrileño tapas bar, a simple and satisfying snack, usually served with some crusty bread on the side. You’ll find the best tortilla in Madrid at the elegant Taberna Pedraza in the Salamanca district or at La Lorenza in Lavapiés – as well as the classic potato version, they offer variations with chorizo or seafood. Wash it down with a caña (a glass of cold beer).

• Taberna Pedraza: C/Recoletos 4, tel: 913 42 82 40 
• La Lorenza: C/Dr. Piga 3, tel: 91 182 69 28

These cubes of golden potato, crispy on the outside and fluffy within, are topped with a rich, bravas sauce infused with smoked paprika and perhaps a hint of chilli. A dollop of garlicky aioli is often added for a creamy counterpoint. To enjoy them at their most authentic, you could head to the place where they were invented back in the 1950s – Las Bravas, just a few steps from the Puerta del Sol. Or pull up a stool at the tiled bar at the Casa Macareno, in the vibrant Malasaña neighbourhood, to enjoy their perfectly prepared rendition of this local classic. The ideal accompaniment is an ice-cold beer.

• Las Bravas: Pasaje Matheu 5, tel: 91 521 51 41
• Casa Macareno: C/San Vicente Ferrer 44, tel: 91 166 09 21

The perfect fusion of crispness and creaminess, the humble croqueta has been a staple of Spanish cuisine since the late 17th century. They started out as a way to make a few ingredients stretch a little further, and are usually flavoured with cod, ham or chicken, but nowadays you will often find delicious spinach or wild mushroom varieties. The Bar Manero, which evokes the golden age of Madrid’s historic taverns with its floral wallpaper and gilded cabinets, offers award-winning croquetas made with jamón ibérico, the finest Spanish ham, or rabo de toro, a decadent oxtail stew. The Casa Labra, which opened in 1860 and has been dishing out its famous cod croquetas ever since, remains one of the city’s best addresses. Croquetas can be enjoyed with a glass of wine - bacalao or spinach croquetas pair well with a crisp white, while the meaty or wild mushroom versions are best with a full-bodied red.

• Manero: C/Claudio Coello 3, tel: 91 104 27 60
• Casa Labra: C/Tetuán 12, tel: 91 531 00 81

For this dish, plump, pink shrimp are cooked in a sizzling hot pan of olive oil with thin slices of garlic, occasionally topped with a scattering of fresh parsley, and served with crusty bread to sop up the juices. Another of Madrid’s wonderful century-old bars, La Casa del Abuelo (‘Grandfather’s house’), is one of the best places to try gambas al ajillo. Or you could head to the Casa Gallega, which opened in 1915 and is renowned for its beautifully fresh fish and shellfish brought in from Galicia. It's ideally paired with a glass of verdejo, a citrusy white wine, or cava.  

• La Casa del Abuelo: C/Victoria 12, tel: 91 000 01 33
• Casa Gallega: C/Bordadores 11, tel: 91 541 90 56

Jamón iberico is the jewel in the crown of Spanish ham. It is produced from Iberico pigs, which range freely and feed on acorns, and has a marbled texture and stronger flavour than other local hams. It is then cured for months or years, and finally sliced into wafer-thin, translucent slices that melt on the tongue. You can try it at Casa Lucio, a smart tavern on bar-lined C/Cava Baja, with an excellent reputation for high quality ingredients, or head to Michelin-starred A’barra, which comes recommended by Florencio Sanchidrián, appointed World Ambassador for jamón ibérico by Spain’s International Academy of Gastronomy. Enjoy it with a glass of wine - either red or a dry white - or, even better, a crisp manzanilla sherry. 

• Casa Lucio: C/Cava Baja 35, tel: 91 365 32 52
• A’barra: C/Pinar 15, tel: 91 021 00 61

Nothing quite epitomises Madrid’s love for simple, delicious pleasures like the bocadillo de calamares, a crusty baguette filled with golden-fried squid rings, with a drizzle of alioli and a squeeze of lemon. This is a must-try Madrid staple ­– just make sure you have plenty of napkins handy, as things can get messy! Bareto, located near the Cibeles Fountain and the Retiro Park, is a classic, and the ideal place to enjoy this most Madrileño of pleasures. You could also try the Bar Postas, a traditional bar that has stayed resolutely unchanged over decades, where the bocadillo de calamares is the well-deserved star of the show.

• Bareto: C/Alcalá 55, tel: 91 297 71 41
• Bar Postas: C/Postas 13, tel: 91 522 13 24

Many of the best tapas bars in Madrid offer dishes that are suitable for vegetarians, such as tortilla and patatas bravas mentioned above, as well as delicious pimientos del Padrón (small green peppers, pan fried and covered in rock salt), champis (juicy mushrooms fried up with garlic and olive oil) and platters of Spanish cheese, including strong cured Manchego or the pungent Asturian blue cheese, Cabrales. But the Spanish capital also boasts several eateries where the menu focuses exclusively on imaginative vegan dishes. One of the best is Cookaluzka, a 10-minute walk from the Retiro Park, which offers creative fusion cuisine including mouthwatering vegetable-filled arepas in a creamy avocado and coconut sauce. Another top address for vegans is Choose, which serves up 100% planet-friendly Sicilian favourites, and is perfectly set in the central La Latina neighbourhood. 

• Cookaluzka: C/Liria 8, tel: 91 042 27 09
• Choose: C/Segovia 17, tel: 91 287 33 63