Top Restaurants in Madrid

Almendro

Get here early in the evening because there are not many tables and you will not want to stand all night waiting for the delicious tapas to arrive. You probably will not want to share the tapas either because they're so good. Shout your order through the kitchen window and the bell will sound when the food is ready. Try the wild boar blood pudding, the savory toasted bagels, Roscas, or their famous fried egg dishes, and wash them down with a glass of beer or Fino sherry. You will find this bar in the lively nightlife district of La Latina, not far from the Rastro (Flea Market). The old-fashioned interior was recently restored in a simple but attractive combination of plaster, brick, and woodwork.

Trucha

There are two Sevilla taverns in Madrid (the other is located on Núñez de Arce, 6. tel. +34 91 532 0882);each offers an authentic taste of Andalusia. You are surrounded by the typical coloured ceramic tiles and wrought-iron window grilles. As for the food, you´ll find all the favourite southern tapas on offer along with the house specialty, fresh trout. Don´t miss the mixed fried Mediterranean fish, or Pescaíto at EUR12.02 for a large portion or the Asparagus Omelette or the selection of canapés. The clientele is an interesting combination of tourists, bullfighters, footballers, and TV personalities in here.

Bar de los Caracoles

An atmospheric and traditional old tavern with a lovely zinc bar counter that is famous for serving delicious portions of snails. The secret is the accompanying spicy sauce that leaves you begging for something to drink. A ración served in large portions costs the same as a wonderful portion of boquerones (marinated anchovies). Beer, wine, vermouth and soft drinks are available.

La Taurina

A huge bar whose interior decor is dedicated to the national pastime - bullfighting. If eating alongside and underneath rows of stuffed bull's heads turns your stomach, try somewhere else. It's especially busy on weekends when it closes later than usual. There's a lot of room to stand at the long bar and any number of tables to sit at. Try the toasted bread canapes with hot or cold toppings or the delicious croquettes. The small, earthenware dishes of stewed vegetables, meat or fish are good value for money and the house special - Rabo de Toro (oxtail stew) - is a bargain.

La Botillería de Maxi

It is named after its curious interior decor: a collection of soda siphons and all sorts of other bottles on display. It is a welcoming bar, open since the 1930s, which still serves up traditional tapas. Try the house specials: Callos (spicy tripe stew) and Rabo de Toro (oxtail stew). You can choose from a wide selection of wines and draught beer. It attracts a wide cross-section of the local population and enjoys an excellent reputation for good service.

Cardamomo

This is one of the best places in town to listen to the new brand of flamenco music that mixes traditional styles with jazz, contemporary pop and Latin rhythms. It attracts a stylish young clientele, some of whom are involved in the world of contemporary flamenco music, so you should dress up smartly to fit in. The interior is all wood, exposed brick and panels painted like old-fashioned publicity posters. You can hear live flamenco concerts twice a week.

La Fontana de Oro

It's like an authentic old Irish tavern inside with the addition of bottles from all four corners of the world on display. You can come for the regular live acts that feature small bands playing folk tunes. The cave-like basement with its subdued lighting is an ideal place for a romantic smooch or a serious conversation. You can order a snack at any time of day or night, which is highly recommended if you intend going on a bar-crawl around this lively area full of drinking venues. The original bar on this site gave Spanish 19th-century writer Benito Pérez Galdós the title of a novel.

The Quiet Man

Famous British and American bands usually drop in here for a discreet few drinks when they are passing through Madrid on tour. It is the sort of place where you can relax and enjoy a couple of pints whilst listening to live blues. The place is named after the John Ford movie that was based on a James Joyce novel.

Café Central

It's fast becoming a very fashionable venue for live jazz music. There's a performance every night of the week. You can enjoy the music in a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by elegant decor. Jazz greats like clarinetist Ken Peplowski, Grant Stewart and Wynton Marsalis have all played here. Admission prices vary, and include a complementary drink. It's a good place to come for a quiet drink in the afternoons as well.

O'Neills

With 1100 square meters worth of space spread over two floors and full of nooks and crannies decorated with typical rustic artifacts from the emerald isle, it claims to be the largest Irish pub in Europe. Its version of a traditional Irish breakfast fry-up of eggs, french fries, bacon, sausages and black pudding will set you up for a night on the town. You'll hear all languages spoken here, as it attracts a clientele made up of locals and masses of tourists that haunt the Plaza de Santa Ana area. As you would expect, it offers a wide variety of beers and whiskeys, and plays a lively selection of music.