Famed for its historical and cultural legacy, Madrid has always been an attractive destination for those wishing to discover the crossover of European and Islamic legacies as well as aesthetes looking to gorge themselves on the artworks of Prado, Velázquez and Goya.
However Madrid is fast becoming a main course for gourmands exploring Europe’s gastronomy scene, thanks to its eclectic mix of award-winning venues and restaurants, some of which have been around since the Royal Palace of Madrid was just foundations. From dishes that straddle culinary excellence and artistic brilliance to beloved, decades old tapas creations, there is something to tempt all visitors in the Spanish capital, including these eight exquisite dining experiences.
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1. DANI BRASSERIE
A delightful rooftop venue perched atop the architectural marvel that is Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, Dani is your elegant yet easy going escape from the thronging streets of Calle de Sevilla and Calle de Alcalá. Helmed by acclaimed chef Dani García, interior design is all about colour. Guests are greeted with an oblong-shaped seafood bar crowned with hanging, green plants blooming with citrus fruits and walls adorned with splash art. Inside dining comes with laid-back vibes and chilled, melodic sounds, while the outdoor terrace serves up spectacular views of the Madrid skyline. Turning to the raw bar menu, it’s hard to beat Dani’s red tuna ‘descargamento’ with yellow bell peppers, lime and black olive. For home comforts, tackle the indulgent Dani’s rossini burger of matured Swiss simmental loin, foie gras and lashings of melted parmesan cheese.
2. SALA DE DESPIECE
A small bite for gourmands, one giant leap for tapas dining. Sala de Despiece welcomes diners to experience the future of tapas through a stripped-back approach to dining on the foodie-favourite Calle Ponzano in Madrid's elegant Chamberi neighbourhood. From its unassuming, tin-shed-like exterior to a space-aged slaughterhouse ambiance, replete with meat hooks for bags and framed hacksaws, meat cleavers and butchers’ gloves and boots, the restaurant is a carnivore’s carnival. Expect to be served dishes on stainless steel crockery and mini-tote boxes with bottles of Spanish wine stored in sinks behind the venue’s one and only dining table that runs the length of the restaurant. Ask the waiters for recommendations and you will tuck into the likes of confit-fried artichoke, calamari and veal loin, accompanied by a glass of hearty red.
3. LHARDY
It is said the history of Lhardy is the history of Madrid. Serving the great and good of Madrilenian society since it opened in 1839, the centuries-old restaurant is as popular with ordinary citizens and tourists as it is with Spanish royalty and the city’s high-ranking politicians. Beautiful Cuban mahogany wood greets diners on the façade before giving way to an intricate series of exquisitely designed dining rooms including the Japanese Room, which still retains its original wallpaper, ornaments and chandeliers from the 19th century. A three-course lunch is not compulsory but comes highly recommended; a delectable combination of stew croquettes, Canetón duck and artisanal ice-cream with hot chocolate. Lhardy’s signature Callos (Madrid-style tripe) and the legendary Madrid stew — a medley of quintessential Spanish produce — are other tempting choices.
4. CORRAL DE LA MORERÍA
For culinary explorers searching for a fusion of cultural entertainment and gastronomy, make a beeline for the legendary institution of Corral de la Morería. Throwing open its doors when night falls, the tablao (flamenco dinner show) — considered by many to be the finest in the world — raises the curtain to the evening with a Michelin-starred meal curated by Basque chef David García. Traditional Basque dishes served with a hint of García magic include creamy cod soup with free-range egg yolk, grilled salmon drizzled with smoked leek sauce and 72-hour cooked mellow beef with sauteed boletus and mashed potatoes, followed by caramelised torrija with banana ice-cream. Dinner is followed by a serving of clattering castanets, percussive guitars and explosive and expressive movements by a bailaor (male dancer) and bailaora (female dancer) on the stage. Olé!
5. CEBO
This intimate Michelin-starred restaurant adjoining Hotel Urban in the historic heart of downtown Madrid showcases menus packed with flavourful dishes and sublimely artistic presentation. Under the auspices of the much-vaunted culinary duo, Javier Sanz and Juan Sahuquillo, emphasis here is on simplicity. The 10-dish Clásicos (Classic) menu is a favourite for midweek luncheons, while the more extensive Temporada (Seasonal) offering raises the bar for evening and weekend gatherings. Innovative dishes include the blunt tomato, which is smoked from the inside and sprinkled with matcha drops of five chilis; and the wonderful dessert of fresh goat milk with oxidised corn. And if you fancy a post-meal drink, round off the evening with a cocktail on the rooftop terrace accompanied by panoramic vistas of Madrid.
6. COQUE
Interactive dining experiences don’t come more adventurous than at two Michelin-starred Coque. Now in the hands of the third generation of the Sandoval family — Mario, Rafael and Diego — the restaurant takes guests on an 18-course culinary journey accompanied by drink pairings that starts in the Cocktail Room and moves to the Wine Cellar and Kitchen before you pull up a chair for a collection of gastronomic delicacies in the Dining Room. In chic surroundings imagined by Mexican-born designer Jean Porsche, every serving offers a sense of theatre with your master of ceremonies (waiter) conducting the show. Menu highlights include Mediterranean stew soup heated at the table with science laboratory equipment, melanosporum black truffle tartar presented in a toasty tree stump and a spinning carousel of chocolate petit fours that is a regular site on social media feeds.
7. CASA JOSÉ
In an area famed for its home-grown produce thanks to its proximity to the River Tagus, it’s not hard to understand why Casa José has become a must-visit destination for gastronomes exploring the Region of Madrid. A stone’s throw from the UNESCO World Heritage site Royal Palace of Aranjuez, the family-led restaurant by chef Fernando Del Cerro is all about good food, good people and great fun; where every guest is greeted with a smile and waved off with a hug. Say hello to the team who are busily readying orders from an open kitchen before taking a seat upstairs where you can indulge in imaginative locally sourced vegetable and green dishes; the salty and sweet asparagus is a standout. Carnivores won’t go hungry either, with perfectly cooked beef shank being a firm favourite. Once your cravings have been satisfied, head outside to join locals enjoying a glass of wine and dance in the Aranjuez sun.
8. DEESSA
White-washed walls, sparkling chandeliers, lots of gold furnishings and busts of Chronos, the Greek God of Time — Deessa knows how to make a first impression. Set within Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid, the two Michelin-starred venue is the brainchild of one of Spain’s most celebrated chefs, Quique Dacosta. Grab a table in the Alfonso XIII room if you enjoy a side of people watching with your meal. Choose between two degustation menus: Historic, a selection of Dacosta’s favourite dishes, or Contemporary, a combination of historic plates and servings crafted exclusively for Deessa. Sample crispy crab claw, chard tea and prawn emulsion and arguably the best bread you will savour in Madrid. Elevate the experience with a signature helping of caviar and fish roe before treating yourself to a glass of wine on the terrace and views of verdant gardens.
