10 dishes you must try in Madrid

Madrid is a city where you can spend an entire afternoon—or an entire string of afternoons—wandering from one tapas bar to the next, sipping glasses of vermouth, and snacking on plates of golden croquetas, patatas bravas, and tortilla Española.

Spain’s dynamic capital is home to some of the world’s most impressive collections of art, a bounty of green space, and a perfect blend of old-world history and contemporary spirit. But it’s also a culinary gem, stuffed like its signature Bocadillo de Calamares (fried squid sandwiches) with long-standing traditions you’ll find in century-old restaurants, markets, and cutting-edge spots with tasting menus.

Here are 10 must-try dishes to seek out on your next visit to Madrid.

​​Jamón Ibérico is a cured pork leg produced from free-range Iberian pigs, the most prized of which are raised on a diet of acorns. Among the most pricey charcuterie in the world, the salty, rich ham is a staple in tapas bars and Michelin-starred restaurants around the city. It’s a must-try for carnivores and is usually sliced—with meticulous precision—to order.

Where to get it: Part gourmet shop, part wine bar, Casa González is equally perfect for enjoying endless triangles of Manchego and glasses of cava amid its cases of Spanish cheese as it is to pick up ​​Jamón Ibérico and other provisions to bring to the nearby El Retiro Park (about a 15-minute walk away) for a picnic lunch. The family-run institution dates back to 1931, and besides the prized cured meat for sale, you can also grab a bottle of wine from the selection of some 200 bottles.

Tip: Ask the helpful staff for recommendations to assemble the cheese and charcuterie plate of your dreams, and pair it with regional wine from one (or two) of the dozens offered by the glass.

This simple, rustic dish is a breakfast staple in Spain. It consists of crusty bread layered with a blend of tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.

Where to get it: The best breakfast in the city just may be the one at Dani Brasserie at the Four Seasons Madrid, where you can sit on the breezy rooftop with views of the historic building’s bell tower and the city skyline. Acclaimed chef Dani García oversees Dani Brasserie and serves lunch and dinner as well. Still, the breakfast, with its sprawling buffet, fresh-squeezed juices, cafe con leche, and traditional Spanish dishes like huevos rotos (a delicious egg and potato number), is an especially lovely way to start the day. Order the pan de tomate, which comes on housemade bread and is topped with Jamón Ibérico.

Tip: The restaurant welcomes non-guests, but make sure to make a reservation.

Madrid has a strong vermouth (vermut) culture, which means it’s easy to find a glass of the inky red fortified wine infused with herbs, botanicals, and/or spices in bars and cafes anywhere in the city. Whether you order it straight, on the rocks with a slice of orange, or a splash of soda, it’s best served alongside a plate of tapas.

Where to get it: Opened in 1892, Bodega de la Ardosa is a neighborhood tavern that draws a mix of locals and tourists looking to get a taste of one of the city’s quintessential tapas bars—and a taste of the vermouth that flows from the tap. Order a glass of it with some croquettes, olives, and tortilla de patatas.

Tip: If the cafe seems full in the front, ask if there’s room in the back, which you can access by dipping under the bar.

Crispy cylinders of fried dough paired with a cup of thick hot chocolate, churros con chocolate is a quintessential Spanish treat, usually served as a sweet breakfast or an afternoon snack. Said to date back centuries, the name “churro” may come from the horns of the Churra sheep, a breed native to Spain.

Where to get it: Chocolatería San Ginés—a 100-plus-year-old institution—is open 24 hours a day, which means that you can visit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or late at night after hitting the bars.

Tip: Add an order of porras, a thicker, chewier version of churros.

These crispy, golden bites of fried bechamel were adapted from the French version (which is made with potatoes) in the 19th century but have long been a staple in Spain. They can be found in bars and restaurants all over the city in several variations, including with cod, jamon, and sometimes cheese and mushrooms.

Where to get it: You’ll find croquettes on practically every tapas menu in Madrid, but to sample a superlative version, visit Las Brasas de la Castellana inside Rosewood Villa Magna. Each spherical bite is an ideal contrast in textures—crisp exterior, creamy rich center—and comes crowned with a ruby red slice of ​​jamón Ibérico. Pair an order with an effervescent tinto de verano and opt for a table on the sunny outdoor patio, an oasis of lush greenery.

Tip: After dinner or afternoon snacks, wander into Flor y Nata, the hotel’s cafe and pâtisserie, for a cup of colorful ice cream.

Also known as tortilla Española, this thick, frittata-like omelet is made with potatoes and sometimes onions. Its exact origins are murky, but it likely first appeared in the country around the late 18th century in farmhouses as an inexpensive and hearty meal. These days, it’s a culinary staple in Spain, usually served in wedge-shaped slices in restaurants, tapas bars, and home kitchens for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack.

Where to get it: Locals and visitors alike visit Casa Dani in the historic Mercado de la Paz for a taste of what’s widely considered one of Madrid’s best tortilla de patatas. See for yourself, and try the croquetas and huevos rotos, too.

Tip: While you’re there, make time to check out the stalls at one of the city’s longest-standing markets and pick up a stash of preserves and other edible souvenirs.

Sugared violets—made with delicate purple flowers dipped in sugar syrup and dried to a crystal shell—are a specialty of Madrid. The candy first became popular in the 19th century and was as popular with the Spanish royalty as it has been with the rest of the population.

Where to get it: The elegant La Violeta has been specializing in the candy since 1915 and sells both the real deal as well as violet candies (a violet-flavored version). Both are packaged in pretty purple boxes and are perfect to bring home as gifts. Here’s another creative way to taste the sugared violet flavor. El Patio—the polished lobby bar at Four Seasons Madrid—has partnered with local bakery Balbisiana for an only-get-it-here treat: an exquisite violet tartlet capped with a swirl of fresh whipped cream and flower petals.

Tip: La Violeta and El Patio are a block from each other, so stop into the shop to pick up souvenirs, and afterward, go for a coffee and treat at El Patio.

Cocido Madrileño—which literally means “Madrid stew”—is a hearty chickpea-centric stew with roots that trace back to medieval Spain. It’s actually served in three courses: broth with thin noodles, chickpeas with vegetables like cabbage and carrots, and meat—typically beef, pork, blood sausage, and/or a mix.

Where to get it: Located on the outskirts of Madrid, Cruz Blanca de Vallecas is a homey, family-friendly tavern renowned for its outstanding cocido. Served in the traditional “tres vuelcos” (or three turns), each course comes at a leisurely pace with plenty of old-school pomp.

Tip: It’s difficult to score a reservation. Make sure to book months in advance.

Despite being miles from the nearest coastline, Madrid has a reputation for excellent seafood. (It’s also home to MercaMadrid, one of the biggest fish markets in the world.) Popular fish include cod, octopus, sardines, and shrimp—served in myriad ways, but one you must try is bocadillo de calamares. Fried calamari is stuffed into crusty bread and flavored with a squeeze of lemon (or garlicky mayo). The sandwich is a staple street food but is also served in restaurants and markets.

Where to get it: Though it’s right near the bustling, tourist-saturated Plaza Mayor, Bar La Campana is a local favorite. The no-frills shop sells an exemplary version of the sandwich, which you can order to stay, along with olives, patatas bravas, and other tapas. Or order one to go for a quick snack.

Tip: Don’t let the typically long line at La Campana deter you; it moves quickly.

Salt cod fritters (aka bacalaitos), have long been a popular dish throughout Spain. Salt cod (bacalao) itself comes from the centuries-old method of preservation that fishermen used when bringing home the fish they caught. Flaky cod is soaked in water to get rid of excess salt, then batter-dipped and deep-fried.

Where to get it: Since 1966, Casa Revuelta has served some of Madrid’s best bacalao to a standing-room crowd that gathers around high-top tables and spills out onto the sidewalk. The unpretentious spot, just off Plaza Mayor, also serves a roster of classic tapas, which you should order alongside a fizzy tinto de verano or a jug of sangria.

Tip: Stop by Casa Revuelta for a snack break in between sightseeing in Madrid’s historic center or after waiting in the epic line at family-run Casa Hernanz to stock up on its well-priced, expertly crafted espadrilles.