Spanish tapas€€chamberi
La Falda de Chamberi took over the historic Sylkar space in Madrid in 2024 and now bakes the official 2025 national-champion tortilla de patatas of Spain.
Signature: Tortilla de patatas, Pimientos del padron, Croquetas
Order: Tortilla de patatas (12 eggs and 3 extra yolks, no onion) cooked to a runny middle.
Tip: Reservations are wise after the 2025 championship win; lunch service from 13:30 is calmer than the dinner sitting.
Madrileno Taberna€€lavapiesTue-Sat 13:00-24:00; Sun 12:00-17:00; Mon closed
Taberna Antonio Sanchez on Calle Meson de Paredes in Madrid's Lavapies has run since 1830, with bull-fighting paintings on the wall, the rabo de toro.
Signature: Rabo de toro, Callos a la madrilena, Vino de Pitarra
Order: The rabo de toro with patatas and the callos a la madrilena. A jug of Vino de Pitarra to share.
Tip: Closed Sunday evenings and Mondays. Book three days ahead for the dining room; the bar takes walk-ins.
Spanish tapas€centroDaily 11:00-15:30 and 18:00-23:00
Casa Labra near Puerta del Sol in Madrid has fried the bacalao rebozado in iron pans since 1860; the PSOE was founded upstairs in 1879. Located in Centro.
Signature: Bacalao rebozado, Tajada de bacalao, Croquetas
Order: A pincho of bacalao rebozado (1.30 euros) and a tajada de bacalao (boiled and seasoned salt cod) with a cana.
Tip: Walk-in only at the bar; the inside dining room takes reservations for lunch. Cash strongly preferred.
Castilian Asador€€€centroDaily 13:00-23:30
Sobrino de Botin near Plaza Mayor in Madrid is the Guinness-certified oldest restaurant in the world, in business since 1725. Located in Centro.
Signature: Cochinillo asado, Cordero asado, Sopa de ajo
Order: The cochinillo asado roasted in the 1725 wood oven, then sopa de ajo with poached egg.
Tip: Book the cave dining room downstairs three weeks ahead. Lunch is calmer than dinner; the 14:00 service is the working-day local hour.
Madrileno Taberna€€la-latinaDaily 13:00-16:00 and 20:30-24:00
Casa Lucio on Cava Baja in Madrid's La Latina has cooked the huevos rotos (broken eggs over fried potatoes) since 1974. Kitchen leans madrileno taberna.
Signature: Huevos rotos, Cocido madrileno, Solomillo
Order: The huevos rotos on a bed of fried potatoes, then a half-portion of the solomillo or the cocido.
Tip: Book ten days ahead by phone; Casa Lucio rarely takes online reservations. Ask for the downstairs dining room when you book.
Spanish€€€centroMon-Sat 13:00-24:00; Sun 13:00-16:00
Lhardy on Carrera de San Jeronimo in Madrid has run the wood-panelled dining rooms above its Parisian-style charcuterie counter since 1839, serving.
Signature: Cocido madrileno, Callos a la madrilena, Consome de ave
Order: The three-volcado cocido madrileno on a Tuesday or Thursday.
Tip: The downstairs counter pours consome from the silver urn for 4 euros standing up; the cocido is upstairs by reservation.