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!



Picalagartos, dine sky high on a stunning rooftop overlooking Gran Vía

This year myself and one of my best friends have been on pretty different trajectories. Whilst she’s been globe trotting galore having taken a sabbatical, I’ve never felt more aware of putting down “roots” – having finally become a home owner, cue quite the case of FOMO.
After 11 months of not being able to enjoy so much as a glass of fizz together in person, last weekend we were finally reunited for the puente in my adopted city of Madrid. This called for a special venue for a special lunch.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

Now I love a rooftop. I’m not sure if it’s something to do with being a city dweller who’s constantly on the search for cleaner air, but I feel it’s probably more to do with the “grammable” views that are pretty much guaranteed when you head sky high.

Having done my research, Picalagartos was booked, the restaurant perched atop the NH Hotel on Gran Vía, boasts 360 views of the city. Not too shabby, eh? Now most hotel restaurants have a bad rep, often found to be overpriced and underwhelming, but not the case here. The standard of food matched the view, to be summed up in a word, it was stunning.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

Feeling the kind of giddy high that I can only imagine toddlers feel at soft play, we started with a cocktail to toast our reunion. This was the start of a true Spanish sobremesa, with neither of us keen to leave until the sun had well and truly set over Gran Vía.

My friend’s a veggie (no I don’t know how we dine out together either, being a self-confessed carnivore Queen) but it was pleasing to find that this wasn’t an issue – the menu offering a variety of veggie options, all of which were more tempting than the standard offering of tortilla.
Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

We split a mille feuille of patatas bravas that is in the running for being the best carb that’s ever passed my lips. Layers of buttery potatoes formed into giant “chips” were served with a piquant bravas sauce and a mouth-wateringly good aioli. They were so downright divine, case in point, we ordered a second portion and not one part of me regrets having to work them off the following Monday at spin.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

I plumped for a steak (cooked perfectly), while my amiga sampled the delights of a vegetable garden – which looked so temptingly tasty that it could almost have lured me away from my meaty marvel, but not quite.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

A couple of chocolate soufflés later, gin and tonics sunk – our vows of friendship reaffirmed, there was nothing left to do but harass the waiter to take (multiple) pics of us with Madrid in all her dusky delight in the background – luckily he obliged, I have a feeling we weren’t the only ones bowled over by the vista.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

Picalagartos is the kind of “oooh and aaah” inducing spot that will have you falling in love with Madrid all over again (in case your affections have ever waned). The food, and in my case, the friendship, were faultless and it was the perfect place to spend a free Friday afternoon that combined both gorgeous grub and plenty of glamour.

Picalagartos