Spain’s capital, Madrid, is majestic and beautiful. At every turn there is a grand via or beautiful fountain. Don’t miss the Prado Museum and since this is a food-oriented blog, I am happy to report if you find yourself there during lunch that the cafeteria provides a much missed favorite, baby arugula salad (topped with some of their famous canned tuna, of course).
Dinner is another matter, I am headed for Cava Baja, a few blocks south of the Plaza Mayor, the area known for its tapas bars.
They do take their jamon very seriously in Spain...Check out the beer taps in the shape of a prosciutto!
CASA PACO offers beef from Galicia (the region in the Northwestern corner of Spain known for its seafood, as well as, beef). As the plate warns, it’s sizzling hot, so be careful! Ribera del Duero is THE wine to wash it down with!
CERVECERIA CERVANTES on a street with the same name (near the Prado) has a great selection of seafood tapas and makes for a fun lunch in an excellent location and, bonus, it’s open Sunday at lunch-time when many restaurants are closed.
My favorite spot in Madrid was definitely the MERCADO SAN MIGUEL located just West of the Plaza Mayor. It’s a former commercial market that has been renovated into a fashionable, chic, modern market with kiosks inside. It is filled with local families on weekends (open Sunday too) and is so much FUN! You can get everything there: jamón, artisanally produced cheese, fresh fish and of course TAPAS!
Definitely plan on eating lunch here. You can either get plates of tapas and a glass of vino and eat at the central tables or sit at a tapas bar. Don't miss the place selling bacalao (salt cod) pictured below - both the salmon tapa and the entire selection of bacalao tapas (served on bread for easy eating) are divine. The quality is excellent and the price €1 each, a ridiculously good deal!
If you can score a seat at the tapas bar on the end where the fresh fish is sold, take it. Have what looks good offered at the bar and order a racion (large tapas portion) of crispy fried calamari. I don’t eat fried food often, but am so glad I didn’t pass this one up!
I serched all of Spain for this cheese and finally found it at the mercado. It’s a gooey sheep’s milk cheese that makes for a perfect meal on the plane ride home. Don’t worry- it’s not so stinky that they’ll kick you off the plane!
Torta Cañarejal
If you need to stop for a break or a light bite of lunch near the Prado I recommend DOCC on Calle Prado. It has a large selection of wine and high quality sandwiches. It also makes a perfect spot for a pre-dinner tapa.
I also recommend exploring more in the area of Salamanca (North of the Prado). It’s a beautiful neighborhood with nice shops. There are some hotels in the area, as well. The Westin Palace was a great location with nice rooms and it does that that beautiful dome...
I am stocked up with Spanish food treats and heading home.
CIAO FOR NOW! Andrea