Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
The bocadillo de calamares is Madrid's defining sandwich: battered squid rings on a fresh bread roll, a slice of lemon on the side, eaten standing at a Plaza Mayor counter at 13:00 with a cana.
The bocadillo de calamares emerged in Madrid in the 1950s, when Galician and Cantabrian migrants brought their squid traditions to the city; the Madrileno taberneros turned the fried calamares into a sandwich for the standing-room counter trade. The dish became canonical in the bars around Plaza Mayor, particularly along Calle Botoneras and Calle Postas. The squid is dredged in flour (no batter beyond), fried in olive oil at high heat for 90 seconds, and slid hot into a fresh roll. Lemon is essential; mayonnaise is the modern liberal touch. The Plaza Mayor counters (Bar La Ideal, Casa Puerto Rico, Casa Jose) still anchor the tradition; the dish remains under 6 euros at every working counter.
3 editor picks for Bocadillo de calamares in Madrid, ranked by editorial score. All Madrid signature dishes · Bocadillo de calamares across every city.
Confiteria La Campana off Plaza Mayor in Madrid is the original bocadillo de calamares counter since 1956, with the squid rings fried in a small kitchen.
TipWalk-in only; counter open daily until late. Cash preferred. The bocadillo (5 euros) is the only headline order.
Bar La Ideal off Plaza Mayor in Madrid is one of the bocadillo de calamares counters that built the local lunch tradition, with battered squid rings.
OrderBocadillo de calamares (5.50 euros) with a slice of lemon and a cana. Order at the counter to save time.
TipWalk-in only; the bar gets busy at 13:00. Cash strongly preferred at the bar; the dining room takes card.
Casa Puerto Rico off Plaza Mayor in Madrid is one of the Centro counters serving bocadillo de calamares to a midday crowd, with squid rings fried in a small.
OrderBocadillo de calamares (5 euros), a slice of lemon and a cana. Tortilla pincho on the side.
TipWalk-in only; standing room at the bar. Cash preferred. Open daily including Sundays through the rastro hours.
Bocadillo de calamares makes more sense with someone from Madrid explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3h 30m
Enjoy incredible local tapas and a fun, informative, private or shared walking tour of Madrid’s historic city center. Discover how the city’s food and history go together.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Enjoy a delicious initiation to Spanish cuisine at the small, family-owned eateries Madrid locals know and love best.
4 hours
Get immersed in Spanish food culture with a hands-on cooking class led by local chefs. Choose between a paella class with a market visit in the morning or a tapas clas...
