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Madrileño foodie bucket list

Madrileño foodie bucket list

Do you have any friends or family in town who are new to Madrid and want to try some traditional, local cuisine? Or are you wondering what some typical madrileño dishes are and where you can find them? Normally I frequent international or ethnic restaurants in Madrid, but I wanted to compile a list and share some of my favorite spots for typical, authentic Madrileño deliciousness. While nothing beats casera (homemade) cooking from a Spanish madre haha, these places come pretty close. Check them out!

tortilla

Tortilla de patatas

There’s nothing quite like a great Spanish Tortilla. For something so simple and comforting, I can’t believe I never had it before I came to Spain. In essence, it’s an omelette made with potatoes, eggs, oil and salt. However, in comparison to other types of omelettes, the potatoes are the true star of the dish. Other Tortilla variations may have onions, green or red peppers, chorizo, ham, or other veggies.

Where to eat:

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Cocido Madrileño

Cocido Madrileño is a traditional hearty garbanzo bean stew with meat (usually pork belly, fresh chorizo, morcilla, ham, beef shank, chicken) and vegetables (usually potatoes, cabbage, carrots, turnips). At restaurants, cocido is served in “vuelcos” (overturns). First is the soup, second are the garbanzos and vegetables, and third is the meat, (although I notice most places offering just first the soup, and second is everything else). In Madrid, many Spanish restaurants offer cocido as part of their menu del día on Wednesdays.

Where to eat:

  • Bar Malacatín: C/ Ruda 5 (La Latina), €19,50/complete cocido
  • Tomates Verdes Fritos (Cocido is only on Sundays): C/Santa Isabel 27 (Antón Martín), €15/complete cocido with drink and coffee or dessert.

torrija

Torrija

Torrija is a typical seasonal dessert during Lent and Holy Week in Spain. It reminds me a bit of French Toast. It is made of slices of bread soaked in milk, mixed with egg, then fried in oil. They are usually topped with cinnamon and sugar.

Where to eat:

  • La Mallorquina: C/Mayor (Sol), 2, €2,80/piece
  • La Casa de Las Torrijas (Torrijas served year-round!): C/Paz 4 (Sol), €1,30/piece

callos

Callos

Callos, which means “tripe” is a stew found across the country, although callos (along with cocido) is considered one of Madrid’s signature dishes. It is typically made of beef tripe and/or garbanzo beans, chorizo, morcilla and bell peppers.

Where to eat:

croqueta

Croquetas

A Spanish croqueta is a fried food roll covered in breadcrumbs and usually made with béchamel or mashed potatoes. They are usually filled with jamón, chicken or cod. But you can also find other variations with shrimp, vegetables, mushrooms, different types of cheeses, or morcilla. They are a staple tapas dish in many Spanish bars.

Where to eat:

  • Bar Melos, C/ Ave María, 44 (Lavapiés or Tirso de Molina), €8/ración or €1,10/piece

oreja

Oreja

Oreja is pig’s ear. Perhaps for the more adventurous foodies, I have tried oreja and it was a good experience, although the consistency takes some getting used to (as it’s cartilage). Oreja is usually served roasted as a tapa with a spicy tomato sauce, or boiled in cocido.

Where to eat:

  • La Oreja de Jaime: C/Cruz 12 (Sol), €4,50/ración

huevos rotos

Huevos rotos

Huevos rotos literally means “broken eggs.” This typical tapas dish is made of eggs fried in olive oil, served over French fries or potato chips, and usually served with jamón, but can also be served with bacon, chorizo, and green peppers.

Where to eat:

  • Taberna, C/Almendro 13 (La Latina), €6,50/half ración, €9,80/full ración

paella

Paella

Paella is not traditionally Madrileño, it’s better attributed to Valencia, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a decent paella in Madrid! Essentially, paella is made of white rice cooked in broth, saffron and olive oil. The most popular types are: Valencian paella with chicken and rabbit, seafood paella, or mixed paella with both meat and seafood. In Madrid, many Spanish restaurants offer paella as part of their menu del día on Thursdays

Where to eat:

  • Marina Ventura: C/Ventura de la Vega 13 (Barrio de Las Letras, near Sol or Antón Martin), €15,50/Paella valenciana, €19,50/Paella de mariscos

roscon

Roscón de reyes

Roscón de reyes is a pastry eaten on El Reyes Magos/3 King’s Day on January 6th, which is when Spaniards traditionally exchange gifts (instead of Christmas). The roscón is round and is made of sweet bread decorated with dried or candied fruits and can be made with or without cream filling. However, there’s more to this pastry than meets the eye! In Spain, there’s a small figure hidden inside, either of a baby Jesus or a toy, as well as a dry fava bean. If you find the figure, you are crowned “king” or “queen”, but if you find the bean, you have to pay for next year’s Reyes party.

Where to buy:

  • Horno de San Onofre, C/ San Onofre, 3; C/ Mayor, 73; C/Hortaleza, 9; C/Hernani, 7 y Mercado San Miguel, €30 euros/roscón (1 kilo)
  • Fonty, C/Castelló 12 (Principe de Vergara), €25 euros/roscón (8 servings)
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