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Our local recommendations
Our top 5 street food / quick food places:
El Matadero: a set of neo-Mudejar style pavilions built at the beginning of the 20th century along the banks of the River Manzanares, is today a small city devoted to culture. Always something going on, food trucks, bars and restaurants. The locals use it also to practice any hobby like roller-skating, dancing, singing etc.
Mercado de San Ildefonso: choose any food of your liking from any food stand within the market.
Mercado San Anton: great food stands with rooftops to have a fabulous drink in the heart of the gay district.
El MiniBAR: cosy out of the box thinking bar with great tapas near Opera Square.
La Perejilla: Little cozy bar in the middle of the street Cava Baja with most bars and restaurants in one street ever seen.
Our top 5 most recommended restaurants / food establishments:
Restaurante Triciclo: the food experience not to miss in Madrid but make a reservation asap very popular with the locals.
La Maruca Velázquez: nice Spanish dishes in the beautiful Salamanca area.
Café del Lago: combine visit and lunch in the biggest park in Madrid (4 x Central Park) Casa de Campo.
Ochenta grados Malasaña: great fusion food in the layback area of Madrid Malasaña.
Arrocería Marina Ventura: the best Paella restaurant in Madrid centre near Sol.
Best coffee stops in the city to start your day:
Brunch-it: great coffee also for a Brunch in the famous shoe shop area.
Naked & Sated Preciados: healthy breakfast and great staff/service.
Café de Oriente Palacio Real: have the best view at the Royal Palace while having a coffee, also have a look inside the café.
Top 5 live music / evening entertainment venues you can’t miss:
Café Central: have a cocktail and enjoy the live music at an authentic café.
Galileo Galilei: always having some concerts going on, fair prices, and a lot of locals.
Héroe Bar Espectáculo de los 80, Bar with 80s & 90s music great place to go after dinner.
SLVJ Madrid: fusion food with DJ Music on weekends, reservation needs to be made can be done through their website.
Corral de la Morería: original Flamenco show with dinner options, they also have a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant. Reservation can be made through their website.
Our top 3 parks to wander and relax in:
The Retiro park with the famous crystal palace.
The Royal Botanic Garden, great to visit by yourself or with guide.
Parque del Oeste beautiful cool park and don't forget to visit the ancient Egyptian Temple of Debot.
Our favourite hidden gems:
Bravo Wine bar, wine tasting friendly staff near the famous square Dos de Mayo in the Malasaña area.
Salvador Bachiller is a bag shop with in some of them a very nice cocktail/coffee bar for example the one in Montera street just go in and explore.
Brownie coffee a hidden patio coffee place in the middle of the shopping area Barrio Salamanca.
If you would like to visit a more Multicultural area go visit Lavapies here you will have a mix of African, Indian mixture shops and restaurants.
Let's go to the Post office at the Cibeles Square (also known for his Real Madrid celebration fountain) for a beautiful view of the city from the rooftop.
Top must-do activities in the city:
The busy visited Hotel Riu Plaza España with the best rooftop view of Madrid is worth a visit.
Cerro del Tío Pio Hillside park famous for sunset walks.
El Corte Inglés Food experience at the department store Callao or Serrano.
Top thing to avoid while visiting:
Avoid eating at the Plaza Mayor, nice for a coffee or one drink. Very touristy and expensive.
Be careful with pickpockets in busy areas! Never leave your bag on a chair next to you. Be aware if anyone asks you for directions it might be a distraction of your belongings.
When going to either the Royal Palace or the Prado Museum (or any other activity), buy your tickets on-line beforehand.
Avoid midday walking through the big city in plain Summer (July and August). Rather, choose any of the parks or museum options. Stay hydrated.
Final suggestions:
Tips are very much appreciated if you consider, and the services were as you would expect, 5% to 10%, which is very reasonable.
Some shops might be closed between 14.00hrs – 17.00hrs for the famous siesta/nap.
Madrid lunch time 14.00hrs – 16.00hrs and dinners from 20.30hrs until late.
