In a city so jam-packed with restaurants that one could eat out in a different place every meal and never repeat, it’s saying a lot to return to a place more than once, and then too many times to count. Such is the case with Naif, a cozy/grunge burger spot nestled into Plaza de San Idelfonso serving burgers, with a side of sass. Ask for a glass of water and one of the snarky waiters will return saying they’ve run out of water, but they do have gin. Alternatively, copas of beer and wine are available for cheap and are a must for washing down the grub.

The jocular banter with the waiters, the hype that comes with having to (almost) yell over the music in order to be heard across the table, the flickering candles of the dining room, all contribute to making repeat Naif visits, but the real reason to return is for the burgers. Never a disappointment, never.

Here, the king of burgers, is, undoubtedly, the Hamburguesa de Trufa: hamburger gold. The rich flavor of truffles oozes out of the burger with every bite. La Ibérica also pleases with its hefty slices of jamón and manchego respectively. Naif has the Goldy Locks principle working to its advantage: the burgers are not too big, not to small— they’re just right. Nevertheless, they can be a challenge to eat; baskets of napkins are placed on the tables for this very reason. Don’t mind about minding manners.

A large chalkboard wall boasts nachos among the house specialities. What comes to the table is a casserole dish of chips bathing in a tangy bath of cheese, plus some avocados and peppers for a spicy punch. These are not skating rink nachos. They can be a meal in itself or something to share– cheesy fingers for all.

And beyond burgers, dessert awaits on the horizon. There is carrot cake, of course, as well as cheesecake and American Pie. It’s not your mom’s recipe, but it’s pie! Inexplicably, it lacks the bottom layer of crust, but there’s a top. Let’s not be too picky, now. The carrot cake benefits from the addition of nutella and walnuts.

Eating at Naif is addicting. You want to be there, wrapped up  in this rough and rugged metropolitan environment, until closing time. Naif can serve as the backdrop for any social situation: friends, dates, and parental visits alike. The soundtrack somehow always fits the occasion and the dim lighting makes everything seem cooler than it probably is.

Web

Facebook

Where: Calle San Joaquín, 16

Phone: 910 07 20 71

 

Photos courtesy of Pablo Arias

 

Looking for other cool spots in Malasaña? Check out:

La Paca, the perfect Malasaña café and bar

Pepe Botella, a coffee place where you can think

Toma Café, Fuel up, Feel hip

Best Café-Bookshops in Madrid

Best First Date Ideas in Madrid for foodies

 

Goiko Grill is the kind of place I wish I had known about years ago. Owned and run by Venezuelans, Goiko Grill is a down-to-earth, young and awesome burger joint, serving, in my opinion, the best burgers in Madrid. Plus it has a fun vibe and good service.

And though I’ve never tried anything off their burger list, they’re also known for their starters, especially the nachos and teques  (tequeños, a popular Venezuelan finger food, similar to mozzarella sticks) as well as for their fresh salads, sandwiches and great desserts.

All of Goiko Grill’s burgers are made with 180 grams of top quality Spanish beef, the beloved carne de buey to be exact, and come with ridiculously good homemade potato wedges.  What’s more, the burger menu has a number of mouth-watering combinations and quirky names to pull you in, such as the Puchi (cheddar, bacon and grilled mushrooms), La Philly (190 grams of top quality, tender Spanish beef, topped with crunchy fried onions and cream cheese) and the Aloha (topped with a slice of grilled pineapple and cinnamon, and a slice of ham). 

With so many options,  it’s nice that the waiters are friendly and even speak English. Luís, the waiter who I met last time, is originally from Venezuela but lived in the U.S. for many years. He told me all about Goiko Grill and helped me choose what burger to order as he saw the indecision written on my face. Everything is good here, he told me, so don’t be afraid to try something new.

So far, my favorite two burgers are the M-30 Goat Cheese Burger (9.50E) and the Aita Northern Burger (12.50E). The Goat Cheese burger comes with a thick disc of  savory, crumbly goat cheese, and a warm layer of sweet caramelized onions oozing over. The Aita del Norte burger comes with Galician Arzúa cheese and roasted red peppers.

The last time I went to Goiko Grill I went with a friend of mine, Alondra, who has a passion for guacamole. Hence, she ordered the Chipotle burger which came with heaps of guacamole, chipotle sauce, and cheddar cheese. She said it more than hit the spot, and that the homemade potato wedges brought back memories of her mother bringing home a bag of potatoes, chopping them up and frying them.

My husband, who’s also smitten with Goiko Grill, has a slight problem–he wants to try out all the burgers but always ends up ordering his favorite: La Pigma burger. It comes with a fried egg, bacon, cheddar cheese and Maho Goiko sauce. Apparently, this burger is the favorite among the boys, and there’s a history behind it that you’ll have to ask the waiters yourself.

In addition to succulent burgers, Goiko Grill also has great drinks. Monday through Friday from 5pm-8pm, Goiko Grill has different Happy Hour deals; 2×1 on mojitos, beers, wine and other drinks depending on the day. Since it’s located right across the street from Instituto de Empresa (IE), Spain’s most prestigious business university, the clientele is young and enjoys the casual scene.

Facebook
Web
Address: c/ María de Molina, 16
Metro: Gregorio Marañón
Phone: +910 17 76 98