Madrid is one of Europe's liveliest cities, well known for its nightlife, art, and historic landmarks. If there's one thing that exploring the winding streets and cultural squares gives you, it's an appetite. And luckily, Madrid has plenty to offer those with rumbling bellies, too.
From tapas to specialty meats, there are some dishes you've just got to sample when you're in the Spanish capital, so here are a few places to get your foodie fix.
Travelers who want a more hands-on introduction to Spanish cuisine can also take a Madrid cooking class before exploring the capital's markets and traditional restaurants.
Mercado de San Miguel
Located seconds from Madrid's grand Plaza Mayor, this indoor market first opened its doors in 1916. One of the city's oldest markets, the building fell into disrepair until it was refurbished in 2009, when it became one of the city's most popular foodie hot spots.
Packed with stalls serving anything from oysters and wine to fish, bread, fruits, and cheese, tourists and locals flock here to soak up the buzzy atmosphere and devour plates of food, which can be eaten at tables or on the floor in the middle of the marketplace.
Sobrino de Botín
Hailed as the world's oldest restaurant, Sobrino de Botín has been serving up grub since 1725. With mentions in both the Guinness World Records and Ernest Hemingway's novel The Sun Also Rises to its name, you'll probably need to book ahead to secure a table at this historical haunt.
Whether you're led up the original wooden staircases to the dining rooms or down below to the cave for your meal, try ordering the specialty suckling pig, or "cochinillo", prepared in the traditional wood-fired oven as has been the practice there since the 18th Century.
Taberna de la Daniela
One of Spain's best-known dishes, Cocido madrileño is served throughout Madrid, but a couple of places do it extremely well. While in the past, the est. 1870 Taberna La Bola has been a winner with tourists, but locals have an alternative worth trying.
Taberna de la Daniela is near the Goya Metro station and is one of the best places to sample this traditional stew of chickpeas, meat, and vegetables; the ingredients are served separately as a starter (the soup broth) and main course (everything else).
El Museo del Jamón
With branches throughout the city from Gran Via to Atocha, the Museo del Jamón (or Museum of Ham) isn't so much a museum as a restaurant and deli that serves cured ham cuts in sandwiches (bocadillos), croissants, and as main meals.
It's normally bustling with tourists on tapas tours and locals grabbing a quick snack, and the interior is decorated with ham legs hanging over the counters where you're served so that you can eat your Iberico or Serrano with a cheap beer. A great place to grab some food at a bargain price, before heading out to explore the rest of the city.
This article was originally published in partnership with Hotels4U and has since been updated.
