Madrid is one of the best places in Spain to enjoy food and has some of the best tapas bars in the country. From historic taverns in La Latina to modern gastrobars in Malasaña, the city offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or rediscovering the capital, finding the right tapas bar can turn a regular meal into something memorable. In this guide, you’ll find a curated list of the best tapas bars in Madrid, based on my experiences, local favorites and the best Spanish cuisine has to offer.
What Are Tapas and Why Do They Matter in Madrid
Tapas are small dishes served alongside drinks, a tradition rooted in Spanish food culture for centuries. The word “tapa” originally referred to the small slice of bread or meat used to cover a glass of wine, meant to keep out dust or flies. Over time, it evolved into a social and culinary experience that encourages sharing, conversation and variety. Tapas vary across Spain, Andalusia in the south is known for cold dishes like salmorejo, while in the Basque Country, they have their own version of pintxos. However, Madrid brings together influences from all regions. Here you’ll find everything from classic tortilla de patatas and jamón ibérico to creative modern twists in some of Madrid’s best tapas bars. Eating tapas in Madrid isn’t just about the food, it’s about the atmosphere, the pace and the people.
1. Casa Canito
Tucked into a quieter stretch of Recoletos street, this retro‑chic hotspot blends the classic tapas culture with inventive bites by Patxi Zumárraga. Try the signature sirloin tonkatsu and the creamy ensaladilla with quail egg. No reservations are allowed, so you have to get there early or be prepared to wait, especially during the weekend. This is one of my top 3 tapas bars in Madrid.
Address: Calle de Recoletos 11, Salamanca, 28001 Madrid
2. Hermanos Vinagre
The moment you step in, you can truly feel the vibe of a casual tapas bar. You’ll find yourself savoring each gilda skewer (and there are plenty of variations), eating Russian salad out of a Matryoshka doll, and sipping vermouth until conversation flows as freely as the vermouth itself. Unpretentious and authentic to its core. There are a few locations in Madrid, so wherever you are in the city, you will probably have one relatively close by.
Address (Chueca location): Calle de Gravina 17, Centro, 28004 Madrid
3. Chez Pepito
For me, Chez Pepito has the best patatas bravas in Madrid. Potatoes are cut in cubes, topped with aioli and their homemade chili crisps. While the menu is clearly one of a tapas bar, it has a lot of influences from different cuisines. I don’t know why more people don’t praise the perfectly balanced home-made cheesecake, which you shouldn’t miss. The atmosphere is relaxed and lively, with simple high tables and a classic barra surrounded by colourful tiles. Ideal for a midday bite before going back to Madrid’s busy streets. Another Madrid tapas bar with more than one location, making your visit more convenient no matter where you are.
Address: Calle del Cardenal Cisneros 66, Chamberí, 28010, Madrid
4. Bar Trafalgar
An elegant yet welcoming space, this is not another tapas bar in Madrid but more of an all-day bar with tapas. Think a mix of modern with classic environment, thoughtful lighting, and a contagious buzz. The menu includes delicious cocktails, apart from the mandatory vermouth and beer options. Try the mille-feuille style patatas bravas and the grilled tuna belly with pickles and Gilda sauce.
Bar Trafalgar is polished without being pretentious, so you can lounge and linger into the evening with ease. It is also one of the few places in Madrid that has an uninterrupted schedule from 1 pm until after midnight
Address: Calle de Alburquerque, 14, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid
5. Casa Labra
Since the 1860s, this spot has been a gathering point for workers, artists, and everyday Madrileños. Every corner hums with nostalgia. However, currently, most customers visit for the famous fried cod and the velvety cod croquettes. The fried cod is indeed one of the juiciest you will ever have.
Casa Labra is unvarnished, no-nonsense eating at its finest. People are lining up to grab a seat at one of the outside or inside tables, or standing at the bar to enjoy their cod with a glass of cold beer or vermouth.
Address: Calle de Tetuán 12, Centro, 28013 Madrid
6. Bodega de la Ardosa
A dive into Madrid’s roots: floor-to-ceiling shelves with vintage bottles, handwritten chalk menus, and aged photographs of old Madrid scenes. Bodega de la Ardosa is not just on of Madrid’s best tapas bars, it’s an institution. The salmorejo soup, which is one of my favourite summer dishes, is lush and comforting. Truly one of the best versions you will find in Madrid. Every visit feels like stepping back into a time when life was measured in sips, small talk, and satisfying bites.
Address: Calle de Colón 13, Centro, 28004 Madrid
7. La Perejila
This is a small tapas bar, where you will find locals as well as tourists unwind with a fun, lively atmosphere and good food. Plates are sharing style and if you want to be a classic Spaniard and order bread and tomato to start, be prepared to receive a whole basket of bread. The portions here are very generous despite being a tapas bar. While La Perejila is labeled as a more touristy spot, I still find its Andalusian spirit to be attractive for anyone looking for a quick and tasty value-for-money meal.
Address: Calle de la Cava Baja 25, Centro, 28005
8. Visit a Mercado
Food markets are a huge part of Spanish culture. The most popular food market for tourists in Madrid is Mercado San Miguel, close to Plaza Mayor. If it’s your first time in Madrid, then you should definitely check it out. However, Madrid has numerous other markets with great food options and more local character across the city, for both raw produce, tapas bars and other types of restaurants. Some of my favorite ones include:
- Mercado San Anton in Chueca – Small market but with several great food options. For some of the best seafood tapas bites in Madrid, try Casa de Bacalao. For more elaborate dishes, Gustoo specializes in creative baos, brioches and filloas.
- Mercado de la Paz in Salamanca – You can try Casa Dani, which is one of the most popular tapas bars in Madrid, for its tortilla de patatas. Alternatively, El Triperito serves Peruvian cuisine with street food influences.
- Mercado de Chamberi – Insurgente is one of the most popular Latin American street food restaurants in Madrid. While it’s not strictly Spanish tapas, it does reflect the culture of small dishes drawing inspiration from Latin America, Asia and Spain. And right next to it, Juancho’s serves great burgers if you crave something juicy and fatty.
- Mercado de Vallehermoso in Chamberi – Here you will find a mix of various street foods from around the world. Empanadas from Galicia, Asian street food at Kitchen 154, Latin American at El Tripeo and seafood at Krudo.
Conclusion and Overall tips
In general, you can find great tapas bars around Madrid. What is important is to try as much as you can, be open to exploring new places and enjoy new flavours. Often, new tapas bars will open their doors, serving inspired tapas variations, but some of Madrid’s best tapas bars are long-standing institutions operating for decades. Give a chance to both and learn through experience what you enjoy the most. Below some general tips to keep in mind:
- Best times to go: Choose the beginning of the service hours, depending on the place you would want to go since it’s usually easier to get a table. Weekends are definitely busier than weekdays, especially in central locations that cater for both locals and tourists.
- Drinks matter: A well-chilled vermut or crisp caña (beer) are your classic companions for enjoying your tapas
- Order loosely: Blend half portions of tapas with main dishes and single units to get the most variety out of your meal.