Madrid’s must-try restaurants

According to the Guinness Book of Records, this restaurant – which was founded in 1725 – is the oldest in the world. And according to the most discerning of foodies, it is one of the best examples of traditional cuisine in Madrid. For Casa Botín, being original means returning to the origin and essence of food. Combining traditional cooking practices with quality ingredients, it keeps its menu simple, sourcing the best produce for excellent-tasting dishes. Delicious suckling pigs and lambs roasted Castilian-style in a wood-fired oven, freshly caught seafood (stand-out dishes include the Botín clams and Madrid-style hake), along with traditional décor has allowed this restaurant to stand the test of time.

DID YOU KNOW? From Galdós to Hemingway, María Dueñas to Michael Aaron Rockland, Casa Botín has been cited and loved by many famous writers throughout its history.
Image Credit: restaurantescentenariosmadrid.com

Fashion and gastronomy combine in a unique and stylish space, where a grill, quality raw ingredients and careful attention to detail create an elevated dining experience. Born from a fusion of Andalusian cuisine, a commitment to healthy eating and traditional grilling, Mentidero Sal y Brasas’ menu features a selection of simple dishes to enjoy from breakfast through dinner. From poké bowls with tuna, salmon or tiger prawns to Bacalhau à Brás – their signature dish of cod, scrambled eggs and potato – everything is made with high-quality, local and healthy ingredients.

DID YOU KNOW? A varied menu means there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Mentidero Sal y Brasas, including an expansive selection of Spanish wines (such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro) and a classic cocktail list to sip amongst friends.
Image Credit: mentiderodelavilla.es/mentidero-las-rozas-village/

With a venue that could well be inspired by the season two of The White Lotus and a culinary offering that even the most demanding of Nonnas would love, visiting Villa Capri is like travelling to the sophisticated Italian island without having to pack your bags. A small al fresco terrace leads you to this trattoria, with baroque, Italian details that complement its traditional cuisine. Inside, the decor transports us to a spectacular marine grotto (home to mermaids and mermen) on the Amalfi coast, where the pizzas, pasta and antipasti are as spectacular as the venue in which they’re served.

DID YOU KNOW? Every corner of this restaurant is Instagram-worthy. Beyond the dining room, venture upstairs and you will find two bathrooms with shell-shaped sinks and a vintage lamp that make for the perfect selfie spot.
Image credit: bigmammagroup.com/es/trattorias/villa-capri

Located at 6 Conde de Aranda and 29 José Ortega y Gasset are two of the restaurants and gourmet boutiques owned by the renowned Madrid chef, Cristina Oria. With simple recipes and iconic tableware, Oria is a name that’s become synonymous with luxury décor and the most discerning of tastes. On the menu, you’ll find dishes for sharing, such as omelettes, croquettes, toasties, focaccias, salads and more. If you’re a fan of breakfast (or simply feel like a small snack), there’s plenty of sweet and savoury options to try throughout the day.

DID YOU KNOW? There’s also a Cristina Oria restaurant and gourmet boutique in Las Rozas Village, where you can sample famous dishes and buy classic pieces from her collections.
Image Credit: cristinaoria.com

In the famous Salamanca neighbourhood, there’s a place you’ll want to see and be seen in. But above all, a place where you’ll eat well. Escaping from the typically fashionable world of gourmet cooking, the two-Michelin-star chef Paco Roncero has joined forces with four other stars – the actors Miguel Ángel Silvestre and Álex González, and footballers Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann – to create a buzzing restaurant, lounge and club. Fusing Mediterranean and Latin cuisine, Rhudo’s dishes are fresh, tasty and perfect for sharing amongst friends.

INSIDER TIP Starting with the oysters, have the lobster brioche dish with trout roe and apple lined up for seconds. Then, sample the rice with roasted lamb shank or grilled sea bass plate and opt for the coconut milk trio for a sweet finale.
Image Credit: rhudo.world/es

Where’s Casa Botín located?

It’s on Calle de los Chuchilleros, 17 in Madrid, near the La Latina and Tirso de Molina metro stops.

What’s Cristina Oria's largest store?

Her store/largest restaurant is on Calle Ortega y Gasset, 29, in Madrid, on the corner of Calle Velázquez – one of the most prestigious areas in the city.

Who’s the owner of Salvaje Madrid?

Fermín Azkue is the partner and executive chef of Salvaje. Azkue was born in Venezuela, of Basque descent, and has trained in some of the best restaurants in Europe, the Caribbean and Panama, where he opened the first Salvaje.