Places to Eat and Drink
Casa Labra A Madrid institution, it was here that Pablo Iglesias founded the Spanish Socialist party in 1879. Of the tapas on offer try the house speciality, soldaditos de Pavía (fried cod). Calle de Tetuán 12 91 532 1405
Artemisa This
well known vegetarian restaurant features a nettle purée among other
imaginative dishes. Also organic wines and herbal teas. No smoking. El Escarpín This lively Asturian tavern serves regional specialities such as bean soup (fabada) and sausages in cider (chorizo a la sidra). Calle de las Hileras 17 91 559 9957
Fatigas del Querer This Andalusian tavern was built in 1920 and still has its original wall tiles. There is an excellent range of tapas on offer, including hearty raciones, Iberian ham, seafood and fresh, fried fish. The atmosphere is always lively, especially at night . Calle de la Cruz 17 91 523 2131
Robata The usual Japanese combinations of tempura, sushi and sashimi dishes. Minimalist décor. Calle de la Reina 31 91 521 8528 Closed Tue
Museo Chicote It
was Ernest Hemingway who put this Art Deco cocktail bar on the map in
the 1930s; other famous visitors include Frank Sinatra and Orson Welles . Gran Vía 12 91 532 6737 Closed Sun, Aug
Don Paco This Andalusian taberna serves a house speciality of rabo de toro (bull’s tail). Calle de Caballero de Gracia 36 91 532 6372 Closed Sun, Aug, public hols
Cock This tastefully decorated late night bar is a good place to round off the evening. Calle de la Reina 16 91 532 2826
Museo del Jamón Snack on delicious cold cuts, cheeses, cakes and sandwiches at this restaurant and delicatessen. Café y Té The name “coffee and tea” says it all. Branch of a cafeteria chain in the heart of cinema land (see Cinemas and Entertainment). Gran Vía 42 91 521 4823 No credit cards
Specialist Restaurants
Zara Just off the Gran Vía, Zara has been a rallying point for Cuban exiles since the 1960s. Caribbean standards like ropa vieja (stewed meat in tomato sauce). Excellent daiquiris.
Zara
Al Natural Unpretentious restaurant serving vegetarian dishes. House speciality is spinach and mushroom tart (tarta de setas y espinacas). Calle de Zorilla 11 91 369 4709 Closed Sun D
Cornucopia This
American-run, art-filled restaurant gives trans-Atlantic treatment to
Spanish fare, with special cheap menus and great desserts. Calle Navas de Tolosa 9 91 521 3896
Edelweiss Next
to the Chamber of Deputies, this restaurant is popular with visiting
German politicians for its central European cooking. Speciality is
knuckle of pork with puréed potatoes. Calle de Jovellanos 7 91 532 3383 Closed Sun D
Errota Zar This family run restaurant serves grilled meat and fish dishes cooked to perfection. Try the red bream (besugo). Calle de Jovellanos 3, 1st floor 91 531 2564 Closed Sun, Aug, public hols
Ferpal Charcuterie near Sol with the usual range of jamón Ibérico, pâtés and cheeses, as well as sandwiches. Eat at the bar or take away. Calle de Arenal 7 No phone Closed Sun
El Pez Gordo This popular hang-out offers amenu del día as well as tapas. Calle del Pez 6 91 522 3208
Don Pelayo Asturian cooking is on offer in this formal restaurant. Live music Friday and Saturday. La Pecera For a small entrance fee you can enjoy tea in the café of the Círculo de Bellas Artes. Lhardy A Madrid institution, some customers never get further than the tapas counter downstairs .
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