- Clandestino and cute as a cute thing, El Jardin Secreto won’t knock socks off on the food front.
- But its seductive ways with candles, flattering light and lush greenery could well win your heart.
- Go for great shakes, sinfully good desserts and a generous pour on the drinks front.
- It lives up to its name on enchantment – we’re suckers for pretty secret gardens.
- And it might sound trivial, but the carrot cake is worthy of a visit all by its delicious self.
el jardin secreto
SPAIN
- C. del Conde Duque, 2, 28015 Madrid
- +34 915 41 80 23
- quirky
- cute
- characterful
Caripen Madrid
SPAIN
- Plaza de la Marina Española, 4, 28013
- +34 915 41 11 77
- Feel like whiling away the night until the wee small hours? This is the place.
- A one time flamenco bar, it’s quiet on the castanets these days but the passion lives on.
- It’s warm, inviting, never less than a little busy and as loved by locals as diehard romantics.
- The dress code’s come-as-you-like. The staff are charming and the food’s very, very good.
- Romantic
- Unstuffy
- Late
Sobrino de Botin
SPAIN
- C. de Cuchilleros, 17, 28005 Madrid
- +34 913 66 42 17
- ‘Yum’ or ‘Yuk’ on suckling pig? Doesn’t matter.
- Shine your shoes, polish your manners and do Botin anyway.
- The world’s oldest restaurant has been roasting pigs since 1725 (in the same ovens, mainly).
- It’s still at home in the same astonishing medieval townhouse – more like a fairy tale than a restaurant.
- Captivating
- Historic
- Charming
Meson Txistu
SPAIN
- Plaza Ángel Carbajo, 6, 28020 Madrid
- +34 915 70 10 06
- When a Basque family of cooks invite you to eat, don’t hesitate.
- Meson Txstu feels like home, because it is.
- So let go a little, settle in for enormous plates of deliciousness and don’t be shy about sharing a table – they’re strong on family-style service here.
- There’s a hint of San Sebastian’s grand gardens on the terrace in summer.
- Basque
- Family-Style
- Homey
El Rinconcito Cusqueno
SPAIN
- Calle Guadarrama, 19, 28011 Madrid
- +34 915 26 75 89
- Pure Peruvian, frill-free and so friendly it could dry the tears of a homesick Llama.
- If you know Peru, you’ll know this is the real thing (we do and it is).
- Focus is on food, fuelling up locals and keeping prices pretty low.
- It’s mercifully poncho-free, we didn’t hear a panpipe once and the staff are sweethearts.
- Real-deal
- Peruvian
- Friendly
Fratelli Figurato
SPAIN
- Calle de Larra, 13, 28004 Madrid
- +34 914 85 79 93
- Fratelli Figurato is Neapolitan all the way down to olive trees at the door, cosy vibe and recipes from a real live Italian grandmother.
- But these sons of Naples can play fast and loose with tradition too.
- Try their authentic Neapolitan pizza with original, wholewheat or five-grain crust (a first for us).
- Naturally there’s no messing with the sacred Margherita – Nonna’s knows best on this one.
- Pizza
- Italian
- Cosy
Bodega de la Ardosa
SPAIN
- Calle de Colón, 13, 28004 Madrid
- +34 915 21 49 79
- does not look too great from the outside but the place is definitely a hidden gem
- full of locals and where they come for their traditional spanish food fix
- the best tortilla in madrid
- walk in and transports you back to the 20th century
- always busy, ideally call in advance to try and book
- Authentic
- Hidden
- Delicious
ojala
SPAIN
- Calle de San Andrés, 1, 28004 Madrid
- +34 915 23 27 47
- a place with the coolest interior
- great for brunch & lazy days
- whisk of on holiday with their sand beach basement with a beach bar
- must try the sangria, croquettes and chicken sandwich
- beach
- chilled
- sangria
venta el buscón
SPAIN
- C. de la Victoria, 5, 28012 Madrid
- +34 915 22 54 12
- seafood paella and arroz caldoso is the best
- super cheap and big portions
- a very local place, not fancy or upmarket, very casual and laid back
- Casual
- Reasonable
- Meat
La Sanabresa
SPAIN
- C. del Amor de Dios, 12, 28014 Madrid
- +34 914 29 03 38
- this place is based on spanish cooking traditions and very popular amongst the locals
- the menu del dia is a great price and worth the value for a starter, main and dessert and everything is very fresh
- caramel cake is a must try
- have to queue to get a table, but it is worth the wait
- portions are huge and the taste is as if you are going to your spanish grandmas house for lunch
- Traditional
- Abuela
- Local
La Oveja Negra taberna vegana
SPAIN
- C. de Buenavista, 42, 28012 Madrid
- +34 665 85 73 63
- one of the best places for vegan food in madrid
- huge variety of dishes to choose from
- board games to play while there
- super cool and quirky atmosphere, not your regular restaurant
- Vegan
- Hip
- Colourful
hanso cafe
SPAIN
- C. del Pez, 20, 28004 Madrid
- +34 911 37 54 29
- you will have to queue for this place but it is worth the wait
- one of the best brunch places in madrid
- cosy and very buzzing
- great coffee and a brilliant working space
- Buzzing
- Brunch
- Coffee
Alboroto Princesa
SPAIN
- C. de la Princesa, 3, 28008 Madrid
- +34 910 88 99 30
- the wings are THE BEST
- the place is known for their innovative and crazy cocktails
- the place is more than a restaurant, it is all about having a
- unique experience which they definitely deliver on
- a very instagrammable place
