Madrid is filled with open air squares, delicious food, cafes, and Flamenco theaters. There is a vast selection of restaurants that are walking distance. The Mercado De San Miguel food hall is also a great option.
Best places to eat in Madrid
Paella is a staple and comes in many variations. This dish is reasonably priced, 13 Euro for the vegetarian version, and a plentiful serving for one person. Café-Taberna San Bruno has amazing food at a decent price. In addition to paella, their menu also has appetizers, steaks, salads, fish, and pastas. You can’t go wrong eating here and everything is great.
Mercado De San Miguel is a must visit and around the corner from Plaza Mayor. This cozy food and drink hall has an extensive selection that will satisfy everyone. Specifically, the cheese tapas paired with a glass of white wine are amazing.
O Cacho do Jose is another great dining spot. This restaurant is part of Plaza de Santa Ana which is in between Plaza Mayor and Atocha train station. They have a well-rounded menu, but I had the cheese plate which is delicious. During the winter months, they will give you a blanket if you would like to sit outside and enjoy the cool, crisp air.
Maestro Churrero is a great spot for dessert. This shop specializes in hot chocolate and a wide selection of churros to go with it. In fact, the chocolate, which is poured fresh upon ordering, is so creamy and the perfect paring to any of their churros. You can even take their chocolate home since they sell their chocolate in the form of a chocolate bar.
Flamenco Show in Madrid
I highly recommend seeing a Flamenco Show. I saw two shows from two different companies, Cardamomo and Teatro Flamenco Madrid. Both experiences were nothing short of spectacular. The emotion, pride, energy, and feeling the dancers and musicians express is like nothing else. The music is live and listening to the singers create the beat only adds to the amazing performances. A Flamenco doll also makes for a cute souvenir.
[…] Paella pans are one of the top Spanish souvenirs. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and depths. The size served in the restaurants for one person is 11 Euro and can be found at any home goods store. A cute flamenco doll, a spoon rest and a Flamenco sarong are also good options. […]