€€€€Castilian AsadorCentroDaily 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.
OrderThe cochinillo asado roasted in the 1725 wood oven, then sopa de ajo with poached egg.
TipBook the cave dining room downstairs three weeks ahead. Lunch is calmer than dinner; the 14:00 service is the working-day local hour.
€€€€SpanishCentroMon-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.
OrderThe three-volcado cocido madrileno on a Tuesday or Thursday.
TipThe downstairs counter pours consome from the silver urn for 4 euros standing up; the cocido is upstairs by reservation.
€€€€Cocido Madrileno SpecialistCentroSun-Wed 13:30-16:00; Thu 12:00-21:00; Fri 12:00-20:30; Sat 12:00-20:00
Taberna La Bola near the Teatro Real in Madrid has cooked the cocido madrileno in individual clay pots over charcoal since 1870. Located in Centro.
OrderThe cocido madrileno served the three traditional volcados.
TipCocido served at lunch only; book three days ahead for weekday lunch. Cash strongly preferred. No card terminal until late 2024.
€€€€Spanish tapasCentroDaily 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.
OrderA pincho of bacalao rebozado (1.30 euros) and a tajada de bacalao (boiled and seasoned salt cod) with a cana.
TipWalk-in only at the bar; the inside dining room takes reservations for lunch. Cash strongly preferred.
€€€€Madrileno TabernaLa 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.
OrderThe huevos rotos on a bed of fried potatoes, then a half-portion of the solomillo or the cocido.
TipBook ten days ahead by phone; Casa Lucio rarely takes online reservations. Ask for the downstairs dining room when you book.
€€€€SpanishChamberiMon-Thu 13:00-17:00 and 19:30-00:30; Fri 13:00-17:30 and 19:30-01:30; Sat 12:30-17:30 and 19:30-01:30; Sun 12:30-17:30 and 19:30-00:30
Sala de Despiece in Madrid's Chamberi runs the room like a butcher's counter: stainless steel benches, white tiles and the meat carved in front of you.
OrderThe lomo en manteca (pork loin in lard) and the bone marrow roasted with capers. Glass of Mencia by the glass.
TipWalk-in only; arrive before 13:30 for lunch or 20:30 for dinner. The bar stools are the seats locals want.
€€€€Madrileno TabernaChuecaMon-Thu and Sun 13:00-16:30 and 19:30-24:00; Fri-Sat 13:00-16:30 and 19:30-01:00
La Carmencita on Calle Libertad in Madrid's Chueca has run the 1854 taberna under Carlos Zamora since 2014, recovering the original recipes and pouring.
OrderThe Thursday cocido madrileno, the croquetas de jamon, and a vermut de grifo before lunch.
TipCocido on Thursdays only. Book a week ahead. The terrace on Calle Libertad seats eight; the inside dining room is wood-panelled.
€€€€Castilian AsadorLa LatinaMon-Sat 13:00-16:00 and 20:00-24:00; Sun 13:00-16:00
Posada de la Villa on Cava Baja in Madrid's La Latina has roasted Castilian cordero in a wood-fired oven since 1642, with the cocido madrileno and callos.
OrderThe cordero asado roasted in the wood oven and the cocido madrileno (three vuelcos).
TipBook a week ahead for weekend lunch. Cordero orders must be placed when reserving; the lamb is roasted to order.
€€€€SpanishTetuanTue-Sat 11:00-24:00; Sun 12:00-24:00; Mon closed
Viavelez near Nuevos Ministerios in Madrid is the modern Asturian founded by chef Paco Ron, now led by Enrique Limon since 2023, with a refined take.
OrderThe fabada asturiana with compango and the arroz cremoso de bogavante. A bottle of Albarino from Rias Baixas.
TipBook a fortnight ahead for weekend dinner. The tasting menu runs 65 euros weekdays; carte is 50 to 70 euros per head.
€€€€Spanish tapasCentroTue-Sat 10:30-16:00 and 19:00-23:00; Sun 10:30-16:00; Mon closed
Casa Revuelta off Plaza Mayor in Madrid has fried the bacalao rebozado (battered cod) to standing-room counters since 1924. Located in Centro.
OrderBacalao rebozado at the counter (5 euros per piece) with a cana. Add the callos in winter.
TipWalk-in only; the bar fills up after 13:00. Order at the counter; cash is the default though card now accepted.
€€€€Madrileno TabernaCentroTue-Sun 12:00-23:00; Mon closed
Casa Ciriaco on Calle Mayor in Madrid has served the gallina en pepitoria (hen in almond and saffron sauce) since 1929, three steps from where Alfonso XIII.
OrderThe gallina en pepitoria with rice and the callos a la madrilena. Half-bottle of house Valdepenas.
TipClosed Wednesdays. The Tuesday and Thursday cocido is the surest order; the dining room is full of regulars by 14:30.
€€€€SpanishChamberiDaily 13:00-02:00
Casa Mono in Madrid's Arguelles district is the modern taberna by chef Ramiro Vazquez, with a market-led carte of croquetas, tartares and slow-braised.
OrderThe croquetas de jamon and the carrillera estofada with potato puree. A glass of Lopez de Heredia rosado.
TipBook a week ahead for Saturday lunch; the dining room is small. Lunch menu del dia runs 22 euros weekdays.
€€€€SpanishCentroDaily 11:00-24:00
Casa Mingo on Paseo de la Florida in Madrid is the Asturian sidreria since 1888, serving roast chicken and natural cider poured from height.
OrderA whole roast chicken (12 euros) and a bottle of sidra natural poured from arm's length.
TipWalk-in only; arrive before 13:30 or after 22:00 to skip the queue. Pollo and a bottle of sidra for 18 euros per person.
€€€€Madrileno TabernaLavapiesTue-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.
OrderThe rabo de toro with patatas and the callos a la madrilena. A jug of Vino de Pitarra to share.
TipClosed Sunday evenings and Mondays. Book three days ahead for the dining room; the bar takes walk-ins.
€€€€SpanishLavapiesSun-Thu 12:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-02:00
El Sur in Madrid's Lavapies has cooked the steak tartare table-side, the croquetas and the pulpo a la gallega since the 1980s. Priced at €€.
OrderThe steak tartare prepared on the trolley and the pulpo a la gallega. A bottle of Mencia.
TipBook a week ahead for weekend dinners; tables of four are easier than two. Lunch menu del dia runs 18 euros weekdays.
€€€€Madrileno TabernaCentroDaily 12:00-24:00
Los Galayos in Plaza Mayor in Madrid has cooked the Castilian roast lamb and the migas pastoriles since 1894, with a terrace under the arcades and wood-fired.
OrderThe cordero asado from the wood oven (1/4 lamb portion) and the migas pastoriles with grapes.
TipBook the inside dining room for cordero; the terrace is fine for tapas but the lamb needs the wood oven downstairs.