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In the region of the capital, culture, tradition and culinary avant-garde converge, as well as some of the best Spanish wines

Enjoy the flavour of Greater Madrid

19 October, 2022

Traditional, international, avant-garde, fusion food, haute cuisine... All this forms part of the gastronomy of Greater Madrid, which adapts to all tastes and budgets. The region is an outstanding representative of Spain’s gastronomic boom.

In Greater Madrid you can enjoy Michelin star restaurants as well as centenary establishments and gastro bars. Also, you can taste dishes which come from evolving latest trends, such as a traditional Madrid stew, or some succulent “tapas”, which attract tourists so much and are the passion of the people of Madrid.

Food and wine experiences in Madrid include moments such as savouring a delicious meal in a trendy restaurant, having lunch or tea in the garden of a museum, tasting some tapas sitting on one of the many terraces in the streets and squares, as well as discovering the best lifestyle in the world sipping a cocktail in a club or on a rooftop with sunset views.

A series of gastronomic days and competitions are added to the permanent offer of restaurants throughout the year. These are all excellent pretexts to nourish body and soul with surprising samples of micro-gastronomy, sometimes even accompanied by a live show. In addition, Madrid has a wide range of local products which contribute to the success of its cuisine.

Traditional Madrid stew

Madrilenian stew, served in three ways – i.e., distributed throughout the meal with different presentations in this order: soup, chickpeas with potatoes and vegetables and, finally, meat. Everything from the same pot and cooked together - it is a gastronomic wonder which always surprises the visitor.

This flagship of the region's cuisine can be tasted in some of the city's classic restaurants, although when winter comes many others also join the so-called Ruta del Cocido, a must for lovers of dishes you eat with a spoon.

The fashion of tapas

Tapas in Madrid are a custom which merges tradition and innovation since new ones have been incorporated to traditional premises and tapas, all remaining faithful to the commitment to offer top quality dishes made with the best raw ingredients.

After work or when meeting friends, during the week or at the weekend, any time is a good time to go out for tapas. And visitors eager to try new things have naturally taken note of this. Because here the key is the combination of gastronomic tasting in the company of friends or family.

But tapas are not restricted to the capital. Some unique spots such as Alcalá de Henares or Chinchón, (including Plaza Mayor surrounded by balconies) with excellent inns and restaurants, have exquisite tapas; although these have become so popular that almost every weekend a Tapas Fair is held in some municipality.

Gastro markets

An interesting proposal for international tourists are the traditional markets which have been converted into gastronomic temples where you can buy and savour gourmet products: the Mercado de San Miguel next to the Plaza Mayor, the Mercados de San Antón and San Ildefonso in the Chueca neighbourhood, the Moncloa Market, or the multicultural San Fernando Market in the Lavapiés neighbourhood. In addition, in the Salamanca neighbourhood are the Mercado de la Paz and the Platea Madrid gastro area.

A visit to Madrid would not be complete without visiting one of these markets, tasting the gastro proposals that are created and recreated in their stalls, accompanied by a good wine, a beer or a cocktail, experiencing the good atmosphere and enjoying the moment, as the people of Madrid do!

Madrid’s wine tourism

Madrid is the only European capital that has its own Denomination of Origin -Vinos de Madrid-, this explains the importance of wine tourism in this destination. Less than an hour from the city we find a great variety of landscapes, wineries and experiences around wine. The one in this region stands out for its quality and richness of nuances, aromas and flavours.

The history of Madrid's wines cannot be understood without its towns, its heritage, its customs, its traditions and its gastronomy. So the Madrid Wine Routes pass through municipalities such as Arganda, a cultural landscape in a unique spot, or Aranjuez, with its rural architecture, the result of the interaction of nature and human beings.

The Navalcarnero area, land of fields and meadows, also has an important landscape value, with its characteristic plains divided from north to south by the Guadarrama River. On the other hand, the area of San Martín de Valdeiglesias is more rugged and mountainous due to the proximity of the Central System. Meadows, mountains and pine forests define its landscape of great natural value.

And we must not forget a visit to the towns –which were growing with the vineyards and the economic wealth they generated–
and their characteristic squares, churches, monuments, washing areas, caves, underground cellars... These towns are, without a doubt, the ideal place to enjoy Madrid's varied gastronomy, an ideal complement to pair with the Wines of Madrid.