Want to go for tapas like a local in Madrid? Here are the bars that are really worth it, from century-old taverns with cod and garlic prawns to modern temples of gildas, bravas and escabeches.
Map of the best tapas bars in Madrid
These are our criteria for classifying tapas bars
- Bars with a clear identity: clear product focus and a star bite (prawns, cod, bravas, gildas…).
- Balance between classic traditional areas (Sol, La Latina, Malasaña) and new tapas hot spots (Retiro/Ibiza, Chamberí).
- Sources: recent specialist guides and media + official websites + the criterio of our gurus (GuruWalk Free Tour guides).
This guide is NOT an absolute ranking, but we can say it IS a reliable roadmap to get it right on your first try.
The best tapas bars by neighborhood
Centro / Sol – Huertas – Latina
La Casa del Abuelo (1906)
What to order: Gambas al ajillo (century-old recipe and their “vino del Abuelo”). The place itself puts the spotlight on its prawns; Time Out includes them among the iconic tapas bites in Madrid for 2025.
Why go: Historic bar 1 minute from Sol; small serving, perfect to start your route.
Address: Calle de la Victoria, 12. Price: €–€€.
Casa Revuelta
What to order: Battered cod chunks (the house specialty). Their website and long-standing reviews agree: cod is the star here.
Why go: A proper stand-up bar just a stone’s throw from Plaza Mayor and Cuchilleros.
Address: C. de Latoneros, 3. Price: €.
Taberna Tempranillo
What to order: a glass of red wine + toast; a wine temple on Cava Baja (the most tapas-packed street). Address and opening hours backed by press and guides.
Why go: Packed bar, endless bottles on display and a classic Madrid vibe.
Address: Cava Baja, 38. Price: €–€€.
La Ensaladilla de la Taberna Errante
What to order: Russian salad (the star of the house; Sundays only). Location and concept documented by the local press.
Why go: Perfect Sunday plan around El Rastro: vermouth + Russian salad + gilda.
Address: Mira el Río Baja, 21. Price: €.
La Gildería (La Latina)
What to order: Classic and creative gildas.
Address: C. Calatrava, 17. Price: €–€€.
Chamberí – Trafalgar – Olavide
Bar Trafalgar
What to order: anchovies, bravas and their own take on the squid sandwich; recommended by Eater and featured in the press for its cheeky bar menu.
Address: C. Alburquerque, 14 (entrance on Palafox). Price: €€.
Hermanos Vinagre (Cardenal Cisneros)
What to order: mussels in escabeche and gildas; a benchmark for the Madrid aperitif according to Repsol.
Address: Cardenal Cisneros, 26 (they have more branches). Price: €€.
La Gildería (Trafalgar)
What to order: their “jamón del mar” (“sea ham”, smoked tuna) and pickles; highlighted by Repsol. IG confirms this branch.
Address: C. Trafalgar, 15. Price: €–€€.
Bodega de la Ardosa (1892)
What to order: tortilla slice and vermouth on tap. History and address (Colón, 13) are well documented.
Price: €–€€. Atmosphere: legendary bar, always packed.
Retiro – Ibiza
Taberna y Media
What to order: Alejandro’s creamy bravas (winner of a contest in 2020; still the house’s flagship tapa). Their website and Time Out both highlight them.
Address: Lope de Rueda, 30. Price: €€.
Caiño
What to order: Russian salad and squid-ink croquettes + porrones of wine at the bar; branch and opening hours on their website.
Address: C. de Ibiza, 35. Price: €–€€.
La Rox
What to order: pork ear bun with brava sauce and Russian salad (Time Out includes it in its 2025 route).
Address: Bulbiza area. Price: €–€€.
Lavapiés – Rastro
Tasca Barea
What to order: gildas and marinera; a modern tavern much loved by Repsol.
Address: C. de Rodas, 2. Price: €–€€.
Taberna Delfín
What to order: tripe stew, spicy pork ear and showcase seafood; appears on Time Out’s 2025 tapas route.
Address: Eugenio Caxes, 12. Price: €–€€.
Quintana – Ciudad Lineal (beyond the city center)
Docamar
What to order: Patatas bravas (an icon since 1963) and ‘Domingo’, the tapa that won Best Tapa in Madrid 2025 (4th official championship).
Address: C. Alcalá, 337. Price: €–€€.
Bonus: foolproof classics
Casa Toni
What to order: griddled pork ear and sweetbreads; address verified (C. de la Cruz, 14).
Price: €.
Juana La Loca (new location)
What to order: their potato tortilla. Note: in 2025 the original La Latina location closed and reopened in Recoletos (new premises).
Price: €€.
Casa Labra (1860)
What to order: cod loin/croquette. Official address and a clear focus on cod.
Price: €–€€.
Suggested mini routes
- Old-school downtown route (2–3 h): Casa Labra → La Casa del Abuelo → Casa Revuelta → Tempranillo (wine and toast).What you’ll find: Cava Baja in 4 stops; cod, prawns, fried cod and a glass of red winenear Sol.
- Refined Chamberí aperitif: La Gildería (Trafalgar) → Hermanos Vinagre (Cisneros) → Bar Trafalgar.What you’ll find: Gildas + escabeche dishes + bravas.
- Retiro/Ibiza bravas + wine: Taberna y Media → Caiño → La Rox.What you’ll find: Signature bravas, a wine bar and playful touches 5 minutes from Retiro Park.
Tapas “with your beer” (free or very cheap)
In Madrid there are still bars where your small beer comes with a tapa included (or a very generous one for little money). Here are some well-known examples; policies can change, so check on site:
- El Tigre Sidra Bar — C. de las Infantas, 30 (Chueca).
- La Petisqueira — C. de Mejía Lequerica, 17 (Tribunal).
- El Respiro — C. de las Infantas, 34 (Gran Vía/Chueca).
- Cervecería Sierra — C. de Galileo, 41 (Chamberí).
- Bar La Amistad — P.º de Santa María de la Cabeza, 53 (Arganzuela).
- La Pomarada — C. de Conde Duque, 3 (Conde Duque).
- A Cañada (DELIC Experience) — C. Cruz Verde, 16 (Universidad/Noviciado) and other branches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) What is the best area for tapas in Madrid?
For tradition: Sol–Mayor, La Latina (Cava Baja/Cuchilleros) and Malasaña. For new-style tapas: Chamberí (Olavide/Trafalgar, Ponzano) and the Retiro–Ibiza axis.
2) What is the most famous tapas street?
Cava Baja (La Latina) concentrates taverns and historic wine bars such as Tempranillo.
3) Where do they serve free tapas with your beer?
It’s not a universal rule in Madrid (more common in Granada/León), but there are still bars with a tapa included with your drink.
4) What time do people go out for tapas?
The aperitivo starts around 12:30–13:30; dinner is late (from 20:30–21:30). International travel guides reflect these local timetables.
5) Which typical tapas should you order in Madrid?
Essentials: squid sandwich, bravas, gildas, Russian salad, cod, pork ear and garlic prawns.
6) How much does going for tapas cost in 2025?
It depends on the neighborhood: in central areas a small beer is around ~€3; in outlying neighborhoods it can be cheaper. Individual tapas are around ~€3–7 and shared plates ~€10–18 in mid-range taverns. Take these ranges as approximate.
7) Do you need to book?
In classic bars you just walk in and stand at the bar, no reservation. In modern places or if you’re going in a group/on weekends, better to book (for example, Bar Trafalgar or Taberna y Media manage reservations on their websites).
* The information on prices, opening hours and access conditions is current as of November 2025 according to official sources. This data may change at any time due to public holidays, works or regulatory changes. Always check the official websites or phone numbers of each place before your visit.
