La Hora del Vermut. 🍷
Vermouth in Madrid is not a mixer; it is the main event. It is sweet, red, infused with botanicals, and served on tap ("de grifo") with a slice of orange and an olive.
The Gilda
The classic accompaniment. An olive, a spicy pepper (guindilla), and an anchovy on a stick. Salty, spicy, and perfect.
La Latina
Head to **Calle Cava Baja**. It is the most famous tapas street. Just walk in, order one drink and one bite, then move to the next door.
Mercado San Miguel. 🏛️
Located just off Plaza Mayor. It is the most beautiful market in the city. It is touristy, yes, but the quality of the food is undeniable.
Ibérico Ham
Watch the master carvers slice Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. It is €20 a plate, but the fat melts on your tongue like butter.
Seafood
Despite being inland, Madrid has the second largest fish market in the world (after Tokyo). The fresh oysters and gambas (shrimp) here are incredible.
The Atmosphere
Grab a glass of Cava, find a standing table, and soak in the roar of conversation. This is the sound of Madrid.
Since 1894
24 Hours Open
Chocolatería San Ginés. 🥖
Hidden in a passageway near Puerta del Sol. It is famous for one thing: Churros con Chocolate. It is the traditional end to a night out.
The Technique:
The chocolate is not a drink; it is a dipping sauce. It is thick, dark, and rich. Dip the churro, eat, and drink a glass of water after.
Sobrino de Botín. 🐖
Founded in 1725. The Guinness Book of World Records certifies it as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world.
Hemingway's Table
Ernest Hemingway was a regular. He wrote about Botín in "The Sun Also Rises." Ask to sit in the cellar for the most atmosphere.
Cochinillo
The specialty is Roast Suckling Pig. It is cooked in the original wood-fired oven from 1725. The skin is like glass, the meat is incredibly tender.