Itineraries for Your Trip to Madrid
3 Days in Madrid for Foodies
One of the main reasons I moved to Madrid was to eat. Yes, it may seem crazy, but drinking wine and eating Iberian ham on the regular is a lifestyle I knew I needed. And one of the best things about Madrid’s gastronomy scene is that you don’t have to spend a lot to eat well, thanks to affordable tapas, fixed-price lunch menus, and some of the most wallet-friendly Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe.
Whether it’s fresh olive oil, perfectly crisped churros, savory tapas, or a hearty meat stew, Madrid's food scene has it all. This 3-day itinerary includes a little bit of everything, too, from typical Spanish markets full of hanging ham legs to chic restaurants featuring creative cuisine.
Restaurants usually run hot, so pack layers regardless of the season.
If you only have time for one thing, make it tapas-hopping: roam around a neighborhood like La Latina and sample different tapas from a variety of bars, restaurants, and food markets.
Start by learning about how locals in Madrid eat by walking around Plaza Mayor (don’t eat directly in the square, just observe), Cava Baja street, and the La Latina neighborhood. Walk through the San Miguel Market and taste whatever piques your interest, from fresh shellfish to buttery cheeses. Although it’s touristy, you should at least take a peek at Sobrino de Botín, said to be the oldest restaurant in the world. If you do decide to dine there, try the roast suckling pig, the restaurant’s specialty.
Once the sun sets, roam the tapas joints in the bustling Las Letras neighborhood, sampling popular Spanish dishes like Iberian ham, Manchego cheese, fried eggplant with honey, and chickpea stew.
Today is all about wine. Spend the first half of the day learning about Spanish wine and visiting a few wineries in Madrid’s wine region. Opt for a tour so you don’t have to worry about driving.
Most bars or restaurants offer Rioja or Ribera options for red and Rueda or Albariño options for white. Taste them all along with Toro, Bierzo, and other delicious varieties at a wine bar like La Venencia, La Fisna, or Taberna Averias. Wine shop Madrid & Darracott also offers weekly tastings, or you can simply pop in to buy some bottles to take home. Continue the evening along Calle Ponzano, a lively street full of tapas bars and restaurants.
Spanish breakfasts often include a one-of-a-kind treat: piping hot, sugar-coated churros dipped in a mug of thick, steaming chocolate. Sample them at tourist-catered churros hub San Gines or, for a more local experience, order them at Valor.
Home to the world’s biggest fish market after Tokyo, Madrid offers some of the best seafood in the world. Treat yourself to a long lunch at a hole-in-the-wall café specializing in tinned fish or an elegant fish-focused restaurant.
Now that you understand a bit more about Madrid’s food scene, try your luck preparing some Spanish delights yourself. Learn how to prepare tapas, gazpacho, or paella, then enjoy eating what you’ve cooked.
