What to eat in Madrid: 8 essential dishes
Discover cocido madrileño, bocadillo de calamares, churros, tapas and other foods that define Madrid.
Madrid eats socially. A good route moves between taverns, market counters and pastry shops, mixing substantial local dishes with small plates and something sweet.
- Cocido madrileño
A chickpea, vegetable and meat stew traditionally served in separate stages.
- Bocadillo de calamares
Fried calamari rings in a simple bread roll: one of the capital's defining quick bites.
- Huevos rotos
Fried eggs broken over potatoes, often finished with jamón.
- Callos a la madrileña
A rich, paprika-coloured tripe stew suited to cool weather.
- Soldaditos de Pavía
Strips of battered fried cod, commonly eaten as a tapa.
- Churros con chocolate
Crisp fried dough dipped in thick hot chocolate, ideal for breakfast or late night.
- Torrijas
Bread soaked, fried and sweetened; strongly associated with spring and Easter.
- Tapas
The pleasure is in moving between bars and trying several small dishes rather than one long meal.
How to make the list your own
- Order a few plates for the table instead of one dish each.
- Save room for a late sweet stop.
- Check seasonal availability for traditional pastries.
Keep your own food map
Save the dish, place, photo and score in Mappetite, then find the memory when you need it.
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