Getting ready for a dinner party or just need a relaxing moment to yourself? In that case, nothing’s better than a wonderful manicure and pedicure…

In Madrid, you can have a mani-pedi in practically all hair salons and beauty centers. However, many of these places are often not the best, as they are either too fast or don’t use the appropriate tools, plus hygiene can be really questionable. At Naked, we bring you our list of great places for manicures and pedicures.

Apart from offering an enjoyable experience and stylish setting, these are my requirements for mani-pedis: cleanliness, value, quality products and professionalism. The first three places on this list are nail institutions here in Madrid–they throw nail parties and events, great for hen/bachelorette parties. Happy mani-pedis girls!!

(all photos from each salon’s Facebook)

1. Mi Calle de Nueva York

My experience at Mi Calle de Nueva York has been wonderful. It reminds me of a loft in Soho. The brands they work with are the best on the market and the quality of their treatments is fabulous. It’s a real luxury for your hands and feet.

Not to mention they also do waxing, threading, and have just introduced a new “Eyebrow Shaping” service. If you, like me, have no idea what that means, it’s getting your eyebrows professionally done – waxed and tweezed and all – according to the shape of your face. They literally take out a ruler and start measuring.

• Manicura Express: 16€
• Manicura Normal: 28€
• Pedicura Express: 18€
• Pedicura Normal: 39€

Web
Where: Calle Barquillo 39
Hours: Tues-Fri, 12-21h. Sat-Sun: 12-20h. Closed on Mondays & holidays.
Metro: Chueca

2. My Little Momó

MLM is located in the Salamanca district. Among the many things we love about this place is its Parisian style. If you wish to have a fabulous manicure or pedicure in an elegant and sophisticated place, this is your best choice.

• Basic Manicure: 18€ (20 mins)
• Price Brazilian Manicure: 28€ (30 mins)
• Express Pedicure: 20€ (20 mins)
• Brazilian Pedicure: 38€ (45 mins)

To see the rest of their treatments, visit their web.

Web
Where: c/ Villanueva, 21
Phone: 34 914 354 378
Email: info@mylittlemomo.es
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00-20:00. Saturdays, 9:00-19:00
Metro: Retiro

3. Nails Secret

If there’s a place in Madrid that really reminds me of NYC, its Nails Secret. Once you enter, it’s as if you were transported to a scene from Sex & the City. It’s safe to say that Nails Secret meets our main requirements for a manicure.

• Express Manicure: 14€
• Manicure Basic: 19€
• Full Manicure: 29€
• Express Pedicure: 24€
• Complete Pedicure: 45€

Check out their web for for other services.

Web
Where: 2 locations: 1. Calle de García de Paredes, 78 & 2. Calle Hernani 68 (semiesq.c/Orense)
Phone: 1. 917 02 40 38 & 2. 91 533 67 43
Metro: 1. Gregorio Marañón & 2. Cuatro Caminos

4. Opium

In the Salamanca district, this place works with quality brands and has fantastic prices.

• Manicura express: 15€
• Manicura completa: 20€
• Pedicura express 30€
• Pedicura completa: 40€

Facebook
Where: Donde Duque de Sesto, 50
Hours: Monday to Friday de 11:00 a 20:00 / Saturday de 11:00 a 14:00
Metros: Goya & O’Donnell

5. Handmade Beauty

What a wonderful place!!! I only have great things to say about Handmade Beauty, which can be found in two locations, both in great neighborhoods when it comes to fashion and style–Salamanca & Chueca.

• MANICURE
• Re-polish (15 mins): 11€
• Slow & Go (25 mins): 15€
• Manicura a la carta (45 mins): 28€
• PEDICURE
• Re-polish (15 mins): 11€
• Slow & Go (35 mins)18€
• Pedicura a la carta (45 mins): 38€

Web
Where: 2 locations: 1. c/Lagasca, 58 & 2. c/ Conde de Xiquena, 17
Phone: 1. 91 435 94 18 & 2. 91 319 66 10
Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:30-20:30h. Sat, 11-18:30h
Metro: 1. Serrano and Velázquez & 2. Chueca

6. Beautyque Nail Bar

Fantastic mani-pedis! Located in Chueca, Madrid’s trendiest area, this nail salon is very bohemian and the perfect place for a stylish manicure.

• Oferta Manicura & Pedicura: 45€
• Manicura Express 12€
• Pedicura Express: 16€
• Manicura Tradicional: 19€
• Pedicura Tradicional: 28€

Web
Where: c/ Pelayo 76
Phone:910 816 655
Metro: Chueca & Alonso Martínez

7. Ghetto Nailz

For the non-traditional ones who are not afraid of experimenting with their nails. If you are looking for a specific nail design, this is your place.

• Basic Manicure + color: 15€
• Basic Manicure + Nailart: 30€
• Basic Manicure + semi-permanent polish: 30€

Web
Where: Calle Barco 45
Phone: 630161187 & 666100880
Metro: Tribunal, Chueca or Gran Vía

Check out Round 2 of our recommendations for great mani-pedis in Madrid! 

Know of any more? Let us know!

For all of you who are like me and have a major sweet tooth, I present El Riojano—an old-work pastry shop in the city centre and the perfect place to start off this series on Madrid’s sweetest eats!

Who said that Roscón de Reyes is only eaten at Christmas? At El Riojano in Sol, you can order it all year round or taste it in their very own tea room.

For many it is considered one of the best secrets of Madrid, where you can enjoy not only the typical sweets of religious holidays, but all of Spain’s best sweet and savoury treats, from pastas (finger cookies) to hojaldres (puff pastries filled with all types of goodness).

My little love affair with this place emerged a few months ago, when I asked a friend of mine, also a Madrileña, if she knew a nice place for tea in the centre. I wanted to try something new.

She replied without hesitation: El Riojano.

I was a bit surprised so I replied, “Are you sure? El Riojano has no tea room.” She insisted I go find out for myself.

Well, when I entered I still thought my friend was totally mistaken.

But then I discovered the wonderful tea room hidden through the back. It turned out my friend was right. I was simply blown away!

While admiring the room, I took a seat and looked at the menu. The menu is very simple, dominated by savoury pastries such as hojaldres and empanadas, and, of course, a long list of irresistible sweets.

I opted for a riskier pastry, made with dates and bacon. Delightful!

My friend who came with me decided to order an empanada de pollo (chicken pie), which she said tasted wonderful.

We also decided to share some saladitos. These are mini pastries filled with different flavours such as cheese and sausage. La ración (a full portion) comes with 6 saladitos.

For dessert, we decided to try some delicious Torrijas, Spain’s version of French toast–to die for!

The lounge has an old, spacious and clean air to it, making you feel as though you’ve gone back in time. Although it’s not always full (which is great), do go early if there is a holiday or you will have to wait.

Price-wise, El Riojano is very reasonable. The pastries cost around €2-3 each, and for €3.50, you get 6 hojaldritos. The average price person is around €11, which will get you a few raciones of savoury pastries and sweets, plus a drink.

Since I discovered El Riojano, it has become one of my essential places in the centre for a quick snack or breakfast. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Facebook
Address: C/ Mayor, 10
Telephone: 913 66 44 82

Casa Federica is one of those places that very few people know about, one of those Madrid treasures worth discovering. I actually had a hard time writing about this restaurant, because I wanted it to remain a unique and special place, which only a few had access to. Though I’ve decided it’s time I spread the word.

Last Saturday, I was getting ready to spend the night in the company of good friends and wanted to take them here. We called to reserve a table, and were kindly informed that there were no free tables until 11pm. My first tip: go very early to grab a table (the restaurant opens at 8pm).

When you arrive, you realize how special and original this restaurant is. The exterior decoration itself is unique–the menu is placed on a stand with funny flippers on top. Then there’s a rather oddly-placed sculpture a few inches away, not to mention the bird cages. These details make this place one-of-a-kind.

Upon entering you figure out why it’s so difficult to get a table; the restaurant is very small and cozy. You can count the tables with the fingers of your hands. The atmosphere is friendly and lively. You see people enjoying themselves, and hear them laughing. Plus the food looks great.

When we sat down, the waiter brought us the menu featuring home cooked Argentine dishes, from empanadas to pizzas, and my favorite, the desserts.

We opted to order several things to share. First, an assortment of empanadas–cheese, calabaza (squash) and meat. They are all so good, but wow, the empanada de calabaza was truly a winner–who would have known that a squash empanada could be so incredible?

We also ordered pollo a la milanesa (breaded and covered in melted cheese and tomato sauce), understandably one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. Although the chicken was recommended by the waiter, the next time I went we ordered the ternera a la milanesa (bread veal instead of chicken), and I simply love them both. For its generous portion and simple presentation, this dish really makes you feel like you’re eating at your own home.

Then the waitress kindly suggested we go for a riskier dish, which apparently is another star house dish–buñuelos de espinaca (the spinach fritters). Well, there are no words!!! Unbelievable!

For dessert we decided on a brownie that absolutely hit the spot.

Casa Federica‘s prices are very reasonable. We ended up paying less than 12 euros per person.

All in all, it was a great night. If you like good food, special places, and good prices, this is definitely your place.

Facebook
Address: c/ Manzana 19
Telephone: 915 42 96 75

For other homey and family-style restaurants, check out:

Lambuzo, a family-run restaurant in the heart of Madrid, offering a taste of the South with a mix of fun activities in their wine cellar–wine tastings, olive oil tastings, micro theatre and more!

Taberna Bulgara, an off-the-beaten path restaurant that takes you right to Bulgaria

Aió, a wonderful Italian restaurant in Malasaña serving home cooked Sardinian food and providing a haven for Madrid’s bikers!