Looking for information about what to eat in Madrid? Madrid is rapidly becoming a front-runner in the booming Spanish gastronomy, placing itself as a culinary powerhouse for both traditional meals and the avant-garde.
The city is heaven for foodies, thanks to its unpretentious restaurants filled with hearty, savory dishes. Tapas bars, cafés, and restaurants are a way of life in Madrid. Locals here live by the combination of walk-stop-eat-repeat, and food and drinks always go side by side.
As prices are relatively affordable, you can eat out every night without being drained. No trip to the Spanish capital would be complete without tasting at least a few of these typical foods in Madrid.
1. Huevos Rotos
Huevos Rotos is a favorite meal in Madrid, literally meaning “broken eggs.” The dish consists of lightly fried eggs placed over fried potatoes. The potatoes soak up the egg yolk and make for a savory, salty meal.
The dish often comes accompanied with bits of chorizo, slices of Iberian ham, seafood, or other types of meat or fish. It is served hot.
2. Callos a la Madrileña
Callos is one of the typical foods in Madrid during the winter seasons. You’ll normally find this stew in a clay dish. It features strips of beef tripe, chunks of chorizo and slices of Morcilla. The smoky, savory stew has been a favorite cold-weather dish in Spain’s bars and taverns for hundreds of years.
The first recipes for Callos dated back to the 16th century! The paprika usually tints this hearty stew red.
3. Torrija
If you happen to be in Spain during the Holy Week (Semana Santa), then Torrija is a must-try. Torrija is a traditional dessert that local restaurants offer during the Holy Week. Torrijas are the Spanish version of French toast.
It is stale bread dipped in an egg and anise mixture. Torrijas are then soaked in milk or wine, fried in olive oil, and served coated with sugar, cinnamon and honey.
4. Porras
You’ll find Porras for breakfast in local restaurants and street stalls all around Madrid. Locals seem to prefer the fatter and doughier Porras to the other thin and crunchy type. The Madrileños way of eating Porras is to dip the Porras in coffee or chocolate drink. If you are planning on travelling with kids, this place has got you covered. There is a different type of Porras covered with chocolate for the kids.
Most places in Madrid buy their churros and Porras in the morning from a fry-shop and serve them at room temperature.
5. Pincho de Tortilla
Tortilla, or Spanish omelet, is a staple of Spanish cuisine and one of the most typical foods in Madrid. Here in the capital city, the vast diversity of this simple dish is on prominent display.
You can find every variety of Tortilla. Some are runny piles of egg and potato that you have to scoop up with bread. Others are firm slices featuring everything from caramelized onions to mushrooms, sausage and peppers. Most bars in Madrid will serve a small square of Tortilla with a toothpick as a tapa, but to fully enjoy this dish, a Pincho of Tortilla is a must!
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