Madrid Huertas

DiBocca Restaurante Italiano, Paseo de los Olmos, 28 (☎91 517 22 19; www.dibocca.com), If you're sick of tapas and craving some Italian in the middle of Espagne, look no further than DiBocca, upscale environment without the pricetag. Try one of their regular or stuffed pastas (€10), salads (€8), meats and fish (€11), or desserts (€4.65) to get a taste even Snookie would enjoy. From Puerta del Sol walk straight south down Pasea de los Olmos (tiny street). English menus available. Entrees €5-12. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.
La Negra Tomasa, C. de Cádiz, 9 (☎91 523 58 30; www.lanegratomasa.es/), Come to this fun Cuban restaurant for big portions, big drinks, and a raucous good time. Waitresses in Cuban garb serve up traditional Cuban fare in a restaurant with walls lined floor to ceiling with memorabilia. Try one of the main dishes like the Ropa Vieja Habanera (€8-12). Order para picar, tiny appetizers to share (€3-7), and while you're there be sure to get a cocktails (€6-7). From Puerta del Sol, walk south down C. de Espoz y MIna, restaurant will be on your right. Entrees €8-12. Day prices for drinks: 1:30-11pm. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Taberna de Antonio Sanchez, Meson de paredes, 13 (☎91 539 78 26), Founded in 1830 by bullfighter Antonio Sanchez, this taberna has had a lot of time to perfect its delicious tapas and entrees. Get a variety of tapas (€1-3) to share as two tapas calientes are filling enough for dinner. If you can find this restaurant, the inside covered in dark-wooded walls and Spanish paintings feels like a step back in time. Make sure to try the Mortados Calientes de Chizo or the Escalipines à la Madrilena for a taste of the old world. From Tirso De Molina, walk past the Plaza de Tirso de Molina until you get to C. del Meson de Paredes. It will be on your left. Entrees €3-15. Takes credit cards.
Casa Patas, C.de los Cañizares, 10 (☎91 369 04 96; www.casapatas.com), For a perfectly Spanish cultural experience, come to Casa Patas for a flamenco show at 9pm or midnight (€30, includes one drink, around 1.5hr). With unbelievably talented dancers, the show is fun and fast-paced. Make a reservation in advance, and stay afterwards for a nice but pricey dinner. From Antón Martín, walk up Atocha and turn left onto C. del Olivar. Casa Patas will be on your right after Cat's Hostel. Entrees €10-30. Open M-Th 1-4:30pm and 8pm-midnight, F-Sa 7:30-1am. Takes credit cards.
Casa Alberto, C. de las Huertas, 18 (☎91 429 93 56; www.casaalberto.es), Founded in 1827, Casa Alberto is one of the oldest taverns in Madrid. Come for a taste of some of the best tapas in the city, made from carefully selected ingredients and true to the recipes of past generations. Lancers and banderilleros used to come here to imbibe a “cup of courage” before entering the bullring. Feeling adventurous? Enter your own bullring of fear by trying tripe (stomach..yum), or pig's ear. If you'd rather stay in your comfort zone, go with customer favorites such as snails, lamb's knuckles, oxtail, veal meatballs, or Madrid-style Salt Cod. From Plaza Del Angel, walk down C. de las Huertas towards the Prado. It will be on your right. Entrees €5-20. Open daily noon-1:30am. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.
CAFEteria Marazul, Plaza del Ángel, 11 (☎91 369 19 43), Cafeteria Marazul is conveniently located right outside of the Hostel Persal in Plaza del Ángel. This cafe offers good food and even better service. Get a typical Spanish warm entree like patatas bravas (€8-14) or a bocadillo, a Spanish sandwich (€6-7). From Anton Martin, walk right down C. Atocha, and make a right on C. Olivar. Walk until you see Plaza del Angel on your left right before Plaza Santa Ana. Entrees €5-12. Takes credit cards. Has air conditioning.
Tahona Peter-Pan, Tahona Peter-Pan is just steps from Cat's Hostel and the boatloads of hostels on C. del Atocha. This small bakery and coffee shop serves up tasty pastries and coffee. Be sure to check out their filling lunch special: a salad, sandwich, and Pepsi From Anton Martin, turn right down C. Atocha; before you hit C. Olivar, it will be on your right. Entrees €3-10. Open daily 7:30am-8pm. Does not take credit cards.
Lateral, Pl. Santa Ana, (☎91 420 15 82; www.cadenalateral.es), Although this restaurant in tourist-heavy Plaza Santa Ana caters to foreigners, it is a great place to get a taste of gourmet local fare. Share various pinchos (tiny appetizer-like morsels) to share like the Sirloin with Caramelized Onion or the Mushroom Crepes (€3.20). Don't know what to get? Order from the “suggestions” part of the menu or get one of their many side dishes (€6), salads (€6.50), or desserts (€4) at a reasonable price. If you face the ME Madrid Reina Victorial Hotel in Plaza Santa Ana, Lateral will be on your left. Entrees €5-15. Open daily noon-midnight. Takes credit cards.
O'Pulpo Meson Restaurante, C. de los Cañizares, 8 (☎91 369 02 46; www.opulpo.com), Right next door to Cat's Hostel, O'Pulpo serves up traditional local tapas with a one-big-family attitude. Try the Tortilla Tapa—a mixture of potatoes, eggs, and onion, with the Tinto de Verrano, a beverage made with wine and lemon Fanta. From Plaza Santa Ana, walk south down C. Olivar and pass C.Magdalena. It will be on your right. €5-15. Open daily 10am-4:30pm and 8:30pm-midnight. Takes credit cards.
La Tapa Del Mundo, C. de la Magdalena 1 (☎91 369 36 47), If you're craving food from back home, this place will probably have something for you no matter where you began your trip. Get entrees (€10) from hamburgers to nachos with guacamole to complement their specialty cocktails (€6). Feeling that morning hangover? Try the traditional Spanish churros con chocolate (€2.40) or an American breakfast (€4.20). Right outside Tirso De Molina. Entrees €3-15. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Fatigas Del Querer, C. de la Cruz, 17 (☎91 523 21 31; www.fatigasdelquerer.es), Come to this restaurant/bar combination on tiny C. de la Cruz for authentic Spanish tapas and drinks. In traditional Spanish style, meat is shaved off fresh by the order. Salads (€4-8), tapas caliente (€2), large meat dishes (€8), and desserts (€2.50) are complemented by a great beer and wine selection (€2-3). From Plaza del Angel, go north up C. Espoz y Mina, bear right so that the street turns into C. de la Cruz. €4-12. Open M-F 11am-1:30am, Sa-Su 11am-2:30am or 3am. Kitchen closes 1am. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol.
La Soberina, C. Espoz y Mina (☎91 531 05 76; www.lasoberbia.es/), For a traditional Spanish dish try the Arroz Abanda at La Soberina. Originally a way to use up leftovers from the week, Arroz Abanda is a gumbo-like seafood rice dish. From 1-5pm get the special: an appetizer and entree (€9.50). Tapas calientes (€4) and drinks (€1.90) also served. From Plaza de Santa Ana head down C. Espoz y Mina towards Puerta Del Sol. Entrees €4-12. Open daily 8:45am-2am. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol.
El Tigre, C. de las Infantas, 30 El Tigre is crowded, hectic, loud, and fun. Buy a round of drinks (try one of their big mojitos) and get free plates full of tapas to go with them. Enough to fill you up, the tapas here are deep fried and delicious. Prepare to fight your way through the crowd to grab a ledge to perch your food and drink. Originally a local favorite, El Tigre has been discovered by travelers who now make up a large part of their clientele. From Gran Vía, walk north up C. de Hortaleza and make a right onto C. de las Infantas. It will be on your right. Entrees and drinks €3-10 Open late. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Meson Cinco Jotas, Serrano, 118 (☎91 563 27 10; www.mesoncincojotas.com), Touting the “best ham in the world,” Meson Cinco Jotas is known for its genuine Iberian ham. With English picture menus available, Meson Cinco Jotas aims to please anglophiles. Order a variety of tostas to share like the goat cheese with caramelized onion. Tapas calientes (€2.50-3.60); raciones (€10-12.50). In the Plaza Santa Ana. €5-20. Open daily 8am-2am. Does not take credit cards.
Giuseppe Ricci Gelato and Caffé, C. Huertas, 9 (☎91 429 33 45; www.heladeriaricci.com), This is the perfect place to grab a delicious gelato snack and chill after a day at the museums. Get a tiny cup of gelato as a pick-me-up in the middle of the day..the cookie dough is delicioso. Walk down C. Huertas from Plaza del Angel. It will be almost immediately on your left. Smalls €2.20; medium €2.70; large €3.20. Does not take credit cards. Has air conditioning.
El Inti de Oro, C. Amour de Dios, 9 (☎91 429 19 58; www.intideoro.com), Craving authentic Peruvian food? Wanting to try it for the first time? This Peruvian restaurant with English menus (with pictures) is a great way to take a break from tapas-heavy Spanish fare. Try the traditional Arroz Chaufa con Pollo (€9.50). One of the best parts of the meal is the specialty dessert drink brought with the check—with Bailey's, milk, cinnamon, and secret ingredients, it may make you want to leave a bigger tip. Steps away from Anton Martin down C. Amour de Dios. Entrees €5-15. Open daily 1pm-midnight. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.
Miranda, C. de las Huertas, 29 (☎34 913 691 025), This cute and classy restaurant offers a break from the steady stream of tapas bars along C. de las Huertas. Miranda offers some classic Spanish fare but also dishes up food from around the world. Sit down for a yummy mixed salad (€9-10), an entree (€12-14), tapas (€7-10), or tostas (€4). Looking for a steal? Try their special: an appetizer, main course, and dessert (€12). From Plaza Santa Ana walk down C. de las Huertas towards the museum district. Miranda will be on your left. Entrees €5-15. Open 9am-2am. Takes credit cards. Has air conditioning.
Viva La Vida, Huertas, 57 (☎91 369 72 54; www.vivalavida.vg), One of the few vegetarian options in Huertas is Viva La Vida, a tiny buffet-style to-go locale that also sells organic fruits, veggies, and dairy. The food is priced based upon weight, so don't overload but instead get small samplings of each tasty dish. Eat it in a nearby park like the Parque Del Retiro. C. de la Huertas between C. de San Jose and C. del Fucar. Buffet €21 per kg of food. Open daily 11am-midnight. Takes credit cards.
El Basha, Estamos en Plaza Matute, 7 (☎91 429 96 10; www.restauranteelbasha.com), With cushions for chairs and hookahs available on request, this authentic Middle Eastern restaurant is a nice break from the row of tapas bars along C. de la Huertas. Try their huge selection of tea in the afternoon or a variety of Arab dishes such as arayes with meat and couscous. Go in on Saturday nights for a belly dancing show. C. de la Huertas between C. de San Jose and C. del Fucar. Entrees €5-15. Takes credit cards.
Lizarran, C. del Prado, 4 (☎91 429 33 61; www.lizarran.es), Come to this upscale tapas restaurant and choose from a huge variety of cold and warm designer tapas. Keep your toothpicks, as you are charged based on the number you have on your plate at the end of the meal. Not in the mood for tapas? Lizzarran also provides a variety of cold cuts, salads, meats, and desserts. From Plaza de Santa Ana, make a left onto C. de Echegaray. Entrees €10-25. Takes credit cards.
La Finca de Susana Restaurant, C. de Arlabán, 4 (☎91 429 76 78; www.lafinca-restaurant.com/), Although it looks forebodingly expensive from the outside, this white-tabled Mediterranean restaurant serves some reasonably priced meals. Come here for a date or a night out with friends and choose between various appetizers (€7), fish (€8), and other meats (€6-10). To be safe, go for something in the “suggestions” part of the menu. From the Seville, walk south down C. del Principe and make a left on C. de Arlabán. Entrees €6-20. Open M-W 1-3:45pm and 8:30-11:30pm, F-Sa 1-3:45pm and 8:30-midnight, Su 1-3:45pm and 8:30-11:30pm. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.