10 Best restaurants in Madrid, according to Little Miss Madrid

So, if you’re a long-time Madrid dweller, you’ll remember the harsh days of the financial crisis which are now (thankfully) a sort of blip on the landscape of Madrid’s movida. Business is booming and as a result, the culinary scene in the city now packs more than just a punch. It positively sizzles with the best of Spanish produce and rustic neighbourhood joints that can’t be missed.

It’s a tough one to call, but I’m not sure what I’ve done more of since having moved to the land of jamón – eat out, or treat myself at the Zara sale. Either way, I’ve had a lot of hot dinners and have whittled down my favourites for you to work your way through. A sort of foodie bucket list as it were.

If traditional cuisine is your thing, hopefully I’ve got you covered. However, as the city lets go of its slightly conservative culinary roots, the patrons of the plazas and the tourists on the terrazas now greedily gobble ramen, cervices and bao buns with as much gusto as the locals love their pinchos. Many to-do lists are a chore, make this one a pleasure.

Here’s a round-up of the 10 best restaurants in Madrid. You’ll also find my full restaurant review of each one if you click on the link in the titles!

1. Lady Madonna – take a day off the diet

10 Best restaurants in Madrid, according to Little Miss Madrid

If you’re in the mood for a great bit of grub without breaking the bank (and aren’t we all?) head to Lady Madonna. Definitely the kind of place where you can dress up for dinner, it’s just a stone’s throw from Alonso Martínez and a little oasis in the heart of the city. Its charming little terrace is the perfect place to people watch, and the Sunday brunch is pretty damn delish.

2. Bosco de Lobos – a casual-chic restaurant in Chueca

10 Best restaurants in Madrid, according to Little Miss Madrid

Oh how I love this place. Let me count the ways… It’s a favourite in the same way as a beloved leather jacket is. Bosco de Lobos is the perfect place for a casual yet chic dining experience. The menu covers every foodie fad but is complete with classics such as arroz and steak tartare. The desserts are to die for, as are the interior vibes – all dim lighting and shelves groaning with books. A must visit.

3. Ana la Santa – baby it’s cold outside

10 Best restaurants in Madrid, according to Little Miss Madrid

Situated on one of the most beautiful plazas in the city, Ana La Santa is housed in the ground floor of the Hotel Me. Beyond cosy in the winter and perennially popular, Ana La Santa always delivers on excellent service and an awesome ambiance.

4. Bar Tomate – modern minimalism at its best

10 Best restaurants in Madrid, according to Little Miss Madrid

Somewhat off the typical tourist trial, this is a great neighborhood spot. Chamberí is somewhat of a foodie mecca and Bar Tomate combines minimalist decor at its best and delicious cuisine. The vibe is rustic and the food is fresh. A winning combo if I ever I saw one.

5. Luzi Bombon – get ready to luck out

10 Best restaurants in Madrid, according to Little Miss Madrid

Situated on the swish and swanky Paseo de la Castella, Luzi Bombon is a stylish restaurant offering flawless service and utterly divine food. It’s part of Grupo Tragaluz, meaning you’re in safe hands when it comes to enjoying some marvelous munchies.

  • Facebook & Instagram: @luzibombon
  • Address: Paseo de la Castellana 35
  • Phone: 917 02 27 36
  • Metro: Rubén Darío

6. Somos Restaurant – the jewel in Barceló Torres’s crown

10 Best restaurants in Madrid, according to Little Miss Madrid

Located in what’s become the iconic Torre de Barcelona, Somos Restaurant and Garra Bar have become the type of places to splash your hard earned cash. In an undeniably stunning setting overlooking Gran Vía, the outstanding cuisine is not too be missed and neither is the sunset as the sunshine bids the city goodnight.

7. Picsa – got a ‘pizza’ my heart

10 Best restaurants in Madrid, according to Little Miss Madrid

On one of the hippest streets in Madrid (ok I’m biased, I live here) Picsa serves up delicious Argentinian pizzas that rival any that BA has to offer. The flavour combos are to die for – I never resist the lure of the chorizo criollo with provolone and hey Heber should you.

8. Gracias Padre – you’ll be thankful for this Mexican restaurant

10 Best restaurants in Madrid, according to Little Miss Madrid

In the barrio of Salamanca, Gracias Padre is hands down one of Madrid’s best Mexican restaurants. Here’ll you’ll find treats as tasty as tacos hailing from Tulum. Their frozen margs always hit the spot and the rainbow-esque surroundings are a riot of crayola colour.

9. Nubel – the Reina Sofia Museum’s stunning restaurant

10 Best restaurants in Madrid, according to Little Miss Madrid

Nubel is the beautiful restaurant housed in the world-famous Reina Sofía museum. It’s a hybrid that feels like part restaurant/part nightclub as there’s often a DJ playing a delectable mix of club classics that adds to the buzzy energy that envelops you on arrival.

  • Facebook, Website & Instagram: @nubelmadrid
  • Address: Museo Reina Sofía, Calle de Argumosa, 43
  • Metro: Atocha
  • Phone: 915 30 17 61

10. Picalagartos – dine sky high on a gorgeous rooftop bar overlooking Gran Vía

10 Best restaurants in Madrid, according to Little Miss Madrid

Picalagartos is quite literally (in the words of the song) up on the roof. Towering above Gran Vía, it’s perched atop the NH hotel. It boasts 360-degree views of our beloved city and combines great cocktails with great cuisine.

All photos from each restaurant’s respective social media accounts

By Cat Powell, aka @littlemissmadrid

Have any favourites that we should include in a second “best restaurants in Madrid” list? Let us know in the comments!



Casa Picsa, another gem on Calle Ponzano

Calle Ponzano is one of the city’s most treasured local hangout spots. Situated in Chamberí, it belongs to a handful of Madrid streets that are lined with great bars and restaurants, together with La Cava Baja, Corredera Bajo de San Pablo and La Calle Pez, just to name a few. In addition to the old-school bars de toda la vida, it seems as though a new eatery opens up on Calle Ponzano every week, and I’m slowly making my way through all of them! So far I’ve been to Sala la Despiece, Bar Lambuzo and Taberna Alipio Ramos. Plus Naked contributor, Kate, has also just written about restaurant Toque de Sal.

Casa Picsa on Calle Ponzano by Naked Madrid

Now here comes Naked’s fifth discovery along Ponzano: Casa Picsa, an Argentine restaurant specializing in pizzas made in a wood-fired oven with local and seasonal ingredients. I went with my friends Vanessa (who writes Las mesas de Vanessa, another foodie blog you’ve got to follow), Juan and James.

In true Ponzano form, Casa Picsa has a down-to-earth and comfortable ambience. I’d say it’s on the pricier side, but they serve some of the best pizzas I’ve had in Madrid, with high quality ingredients and great service, too. The décor is modern and simple, with a spacious bar and a small seating area.

Casa Picsa on Calle Ponzano by Naked Madrid

To start, Casa Picsa offers small appetizers to share: mezzos from around the world with a Porteño touch, as stated on their menu. They’re only meant to whet your appetite, as the real deal is the pizza. As we were a party of four, the waiters recommended we order just a few mezzos and save room for the main attraction. So we went with their homemade Paté Picsa and Porotos en vinagre (organic beans in a vinaigrette). Both were delicious.

Casa Picsa on Calle Ponzano by Naked Madrid
Casa Picsa on Calle Ponzano by Naked Madrid

The pizza menu is separated into two sections: “old school” and “new school.” They cost €20-25 each and are meant to be shared between two people; and trust me, they’re big enough. Each pie has eight slices, or “servings of happiness,” overflowing with succulent ingredients. Plus you can order two kinds per pie; that way you get to try two in one! *You can also order gluten-free pizzas made with a chickpea based dough.

We followed our waiter’s advice and ordered two pies and four different kinds of pizza. We had the Papada de cerdo ibérico y alcachofas (Iberian ham and artichokes); Pato e higos (duck and fig); Butifarra negra (Catalan black sausage) and Chorizo criollo y grills (Creole chorizo with turnip greens). My favorite was the ham and artichoke one; the rest of the table said the winner went to the butifarra. They were all delicious, though. And as we walked out of the restaurant and looked at the mouthwatering pies on other patrons’ tables, we knew we’d have to go back to try the rest!

Casa Picsa on Calle Ponzano by Naked Madrid
Casa Picsa on Calle Ponzano by Naked Madrid

After our main course, we were contentedly stuffed and more than happy to end our night sans sweets. But the waiter managed to convince us to get dessert and we gave in to the Chocolate cake with dulce de leche ice cream. How could you possibly resist that? It was insanely good (sorry we forgot to take a photo of it!)

Casa Picsa