Dinner doesn’t happen until 9pm or 10pm and the partying doesn’t kick off until several hours after that. It’s a city for night owls; the early bird doesn’t get the worm in Madrid. With such a huge choice, narrowing down the best places restaurants in Madrid is a tough job. For those who travel to eat, finding a balance of healthy/indulgent meals can be tricky.
Many of the most beautiful places in the city are suffering due to a lack of visitors during the pandemic, and in this guide, we’ve rounded up some of the best ways to support them. But it was the perfect way to spend our last evening in Madrid and it’s free. It’s a huge park, so it’s good to have a couple of destinations in mind rather than just wandering around. We visited the Crystal Palace and of course the lake in the middle of the park. There were lots of musicians performing, and our favorite was this guy who serenaded us while the sun went down.
Another great option is the Mercado San Miguel, which serves food throughout the day. For dinner which may be cutting it close, but the market is a great place to grab something quickly right in the heart of Madrid. You should consider though that trying to enter the museums in the free hours can be a real challenge and people should be prepare to wait. Many businesses—especially those that aren’t located right in the center of the city—still operate on the traditional schedule. Smaller, family-run establishments close up shop for the afternoon while staff members eat a long lunch and then relax a bit at home. Make sure to plan your errands for the morning or the afternoon after businesses open up again.
Other hot sounds come from the Latin American dub and reggae band GoLem System, and the fusion-freestyle merchants LA Kinky Beat. Plaza de la Paja One of the most pleasant terrazas in the heart of old Madrid in this former market square in La Latina. Quiet and low-key during the day, gradually livening up as the night goes on. It’s a popular meeting point for the gay community but the clientele is mixed.
It’s one of the hippest areas in Madrid with a great mix of restaurants, tapas bars, pubs, boutiques, street art, and museums. It’s within walking distance to Calle Gran VÃa as well Madrid which is home to some of the best shopping in Madrid. Spain has an extensive rail network, at the very heart of which is Madrid.
Option 2
It will be cold, 30s and 40s, but you’ll enjoy almost empty tourist sights and the ability to get into popular restaurants without a reservation. It’s located about 90 km northwest of Madrid and can be reached in a little over half an hour by high-speed train. If you’re staying long enough in Madrid, then you might want to go beyond the city and take a day trip. I’ve listed three of the closest day trip destinations from Madrid below but be sure to check out our full article on Madrid day trips for more recommendations. Aside from food tours, we also enjoy taking cooking classes when we travel. Food tours can show you what and where to eat in Madrid but if you really want to learn about Spanish cuisine, then you may want to take a cooking class.
For fashion , the smartest addresses are calles Serrano, Goya, Ortega y Gasset and Velázquez in the Salamanca barrio, while more alternative designers are in Malasaña and Chueca (c/Almirante, especially). The antiques trade is centred towards the Rastro, on and around c/Ribera de Curtidores, while for general weirdness, it’s hard to beat the shops just off Pl. Mayor, where luminous saints rub shoulders with surgical supports and Fascist memorabilia.