Day-by-day eating plans for Madrid. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

Madrid weekend: the four classics, done right ★ 4.7

First-time visitor, two days2 days

A weekend built around the dishes Madrid invented: cocido madrileno, cochinillo asado, the bocadillo de calamares and the chocolate con churros nightcap, plus a Sunday rastro and vermut crawl.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: Mercado San Miguel, Botin lunch, La Latina dinner

    Morning
    Mercado de San Miguel at 11:00 for gilda tapas and a vermut at Casa Real Andaluza. Walk to Plaza Mayor, then to Calle Mayor.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Sobrino de Botin, 14:00. The cochinillo asado from the 1725 wood oven, sopa de ajo and a half-bottle of Ribera del Duero.
    Evening
    Aperitivo at Taberna Tempranillo from 20:00 for Spanish by-the-glass. Dinner at Casa Lucio, 22:00. The huevos rotos with chorizo, half-portion of solomillo.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: rastro vermut crawl, cocido lunch, late churros

    Morning
    El Rastro Sunday market 10:00. Vermut crawl along Cava Baja: La Pequena Graciela at 11:30, Casa Amadeo for caracoles at 13:00.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Lhardy, 14:30. The three-volcado cocido madrileno upstairs, a glass of Mencia, the consome from the silver urn afterwards.
    Evening
    Cocktails at Salmon Guru from 21:00 for the tiki-style flight. Late churros con chocolate at Chocolateria San Gines, 01:00, eaten standing at the marble counter.

Madrid three days: the asador canon and the Castilian roast ★ 4.6

Returning visitor, three days, roast-led3 days

A three-day plan around the Castilian roast tradition: Botin for cochinillo, Los Galayos for cordero, Casa Mingo for Asturian sidra-and-chicken, plus a Segovia day-trip for the asador headquarters.

  1. Day 1: Day 1: Centro asador and tapas crawl

    Morning
    Coffee at Cafe Comercial 10:00 on Glorieta de Bilbao. Walk to Plaza Mayor.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Sobrino de Botin, 14:00. The cochinillo asado, sopa de ajo, half-bottle of Ribera del Duero.
    Evening
    Aperitivo at La Venencia for sherry from 19:00. Dinner at Los Galayos, 21:30, for the cordero asado in Plaza Mayor.

  2. Day 2: Day 2: Segovia AVE day-trip for the canonical cochinillo

    Morning
    AVE from Chamartin at 09:00 to Segovia Guiomar; 30 minutes. Walk down to the Roman aqueduct.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Meson de Candido at 14:00. The cochinillo asado and the carving-with-a-plate-edge service.
    Evening
    AVE back to Madrid at 19:00. Late dinner at Casa Mingo, 22:00, for roast chicken and bottle of sidra natural.

  3. Day 3: Day 3: La Latina vermut crawl and fine-dining dinner

    Morning
    Coffee at Toma Cafe 10:00 in Malasana. Walk down to Cava Baja.
    Afternoon
    Vermut crawl on Cava Baja: Taberna Tempranillo 13:00, Casa Lucio 14:30 for huevos rotos.
    Evening
    Cocktails at 1862 Dry Bar from 20:00. Dinner at Saddle, 21:30. The truffle tortilla and the dover sole.

Madrid vegan: three days of plant-led cooking ★ 4.4

Vegan, three days3 days

A three-day plan for a vegan traveller in Madrid: Distrito Vegano, Viva Burger, Sanissimo, plus the natural-wine bars and the markets the city's plant kitchens shop from.

  1. Day 1: Day 1: Centro vegan tapas and Mama Campo brunch

    Morning
    Brunch at Mama Campo, 11:00 on Plaza de Olavide. The vegetarian-friendly carte and a cortado.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Honest Greens, 14:30 in Salamanca. The build-your-own vegetarian bowl and a fresh-press juice.
    Evening
    Aperitivo at Angelita from 19:30 for natural-wine pours. Dinner at Distrito Vegano, 21:30, for the vegan paella.

  2. Day 2: Day 2: La Latina vegan brunch and Viva Burger dinner

    Morning
    Brunch at Federal Cafe, 10:30 on Plaza Comendadoras. Smashed avocado, poached eggs and a flat white.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at El Vergel, 14:00 in Lavapies. The vegetarian set lunch with house-pressed juice.
    Evening
    Aperitivo at La Fisna from 19:00 for natural-wine pours. Dinner at Viva Burger, 21:00, for the vegan Mayflower burger.

  3. Day 3: Day 3: Conde Duque coffee, Lavapies lunch, vegan tasting

    Morning
    Coffee at Mision Cafe, 09:30 in Conde Duque. The sourdough toast brunch and a flat white.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at El Jardin de los Milagros, 14:00 in Malasana. The vegetarian set lunch in the back garden.
    Evening
    Cocktails at Macera Taller Bar from 20:00 for house-infused spirits. Dinner at Sanissimo, 21:30, for the vegan tasting menu.

Itineraries in Madrid, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Madrid?

Peak food season in Madrid is year-round.

What time do people eat in Madrid?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Madrid?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Madrid?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Madrid rewards trust.

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