Madrid eats later than any other capital in Europe and tapas its way through the early evening before sitting down to dinner at 22:00. 20 bookable food tours below — plus the neighbourhoods and dishes the city is built around.
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The guide
Madrid eats later than any other capital in Europe and tapas its way through the early evening before sitting down to dinner at 22:00. The city's food is what Castilian peasants ate, gentrified slowly over four centuries of being the seat of empire: roast suckling pig and lamb from wood-fired ovens, slow-cooked offal stews, jamón ibérico, a winter chickpea-and-meat stew called cocido that takes most of a day. Everything else is here because the rest of Spain came here. Galician seafood, Asturian cider houses, Basque pintxos counters in Salamanca, Andalusian fried-fish bars in Lavapiés. The tapeo, the practice of going from bar to bar eating one small thing at each, is the city's defining ritual. Do it on Calle de la Cava Baja on a Sunday afternoon and you've understood the place.
Where to focus
Four neighbourhoods to anchor a few days of eating
La Latina
Calle de la Cava Baja is the iconic tapeo street. Old taverns elbow-to-elbow, vermut hour from noon, the city's most famous huevos rotos at Casa Lucio at the top of the street. Sundays after the Rastro flea market is the busiest moment of the week.
Malasaña
The hipster neighbourhood where the new wave of Madrid restaurants opens. Natural-wine bars, modern Spanish small plates, kitchens that run later than the rest of the city.
Chamberí
Residential, less touristed, where Madrileños eat at old casas de comidas (set-menu lunch counters) without queuing. The Plaza de Olavide squares are a good orientation point.
Lavapiés
The most multicultural neighbourhood in Madrid. Bangladeshi and Indian curry houses, Senegalese counters, Moroccan tea rooms, all at a tenth of Salamanca prices.
What to eat
The dishes the city is known for
- 01
Cocido madrileño
· The winter chickpea stew, served in three courses: broth with fine noodles, then chickpeas and vegetables, then the meats. Many casas de comidas reserve Tuesdays and Thursdays for it. - 02
Bocadillo de calamares
· Fried calamari rings stuffed into a crusty roll. Cheap, defining Madrid lunch, sold at the old bars ringing Plaza Mayor. - 03
Huevos rotos
· Fried eggs broken over fried potatoes, often topped with jamón or chorizo. Casa Lucio's version on Cava Baja is the famous one; every neighbourhood tavern does a respectable one. - 04
Churros con chocolate
· Thick hot chocolate with crispy fried dough sticks, eaten for breakfast or after a night out. Chocolatería San Ginés (1894) in a passageway off Sol stays open until almost midnight. - 05
Cochinillo asado
· Roast suckling pig from a wood-fired oven, Castilian classic. Sobrino de Botín near Plaza Mayor has been serving it since 1725 and holds the Guinness record as the world's oldest restaurant. - 06
Vermut
· Spanish vermouth on the rocks with olive and orange peel, drunk before lunch on weekends. La hora del vermut runs roughly 12:00 to 14:00 and is the most Madrileño thing you can do.
Practical notes
Meal timing, tipping, payment
Lunch is 14:00 to 16:00, dinner starts at 21:00 and runs late. Tipping is small: 5–10% for sit-down service or rounding up at tapas bars. Cards work everywhere. Reservations a week ahead for Botín and Casa Lucio on weekends; most tapas bars are walk-in. Many of the best old places close for the first two weeks of August when Madrid empties for vacation.
All 20 food tours
Updated 2026-07-01The full list · sponsored partner links
- 01
Madrid History Food Tour: Tapas & Drinks Tasting
Madrid is a city with a rich history and a diverse culinary culture. Your food and history tour of Madrid provides an excellent opportunity to discover the city's most iconic dishes while learning about its history. The
3.5h - 02
Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor in Madrid
We demystify Spanish wine in a fun way, with no pretentiousness, witty banter and bad jokes. Oh, and we try lovely wines!
1h - 03
Madrid Food Walking Tour with Tapas and Vermouth
Bond with fellow foodies and eat your way through Madrid on our Tapas Tour. Over two and a half hours, you’ll explore La Latina and Madrid Centro. They may be popular neighbourhoods, but we know where the locals actually
2.5h - 04
Madrid: Tapas Walking Tour with Food and Drinks Included
Eat your way through Madrid on our Tapas Tour! Over two and a half hours, you’ll wander through La Latina and Madrid Centro with a local foodie guide who knows exactly where the locals eat. Along the way, you’ll pass his
2.5h - 05
Let's Tapear! The Madrid Tapas Route Walking Audio Tour
Forget the fixed timings of conventional walking tours and explore the tapas hotspots of central Madrid with a VoiceMap tour. Download the mobile app and roam from Madrid’s La Latina and Austrias neighbourhoods to its Li
2h - 06
A local's Madrid: A self-guided audio tour
If you like food and history, join me on this self-guided audio tour. If you would like to learn about the history of Madrid and fill your tummy up with tapas and drinks along the way, you’ve come to the right place. We
0.8h - 07
Full-Day UNESCO Tour to Avila & Segovia from Madrid with Lunch
Take an excursion to visit two of Spain’s oldest cities on a full-day coach trip from Madrid. Avila and Segovia are known as Spain’s “Heritage of Mankind” cities, rich in history and featuring old monuments such as the r
9h - 08
Segovia and Avila Private Tour with Lunch and Hotel Pick up from Madrid
Take a Tour to visit two of Spain’s oldest cities on a full-day coach trip from Madrid. Avila and Segovia are known as Spain’s “Heritage of Mankind” cities, rich in history and featuring centuries-old monuments.
8h - 09
Traditional Paella & Tortilla & Sangria
Welcome to my kitchen, where every dish tells a story and every moment is shared like family. We’ll begin with a taste of Spain — a refreshing sangría made on the spot, just like we do at home. Of course, there will als
2h - 10
Madrid By Night - Private Tapas Tour of Madrid with Friendly Local Guide
Madrid is a European record for the number of bars and restaurants! And no wonder, because a big part of Spanish life takes place in bars:) And given the local great tradition, when asking for a glass of beer or wine, yo
3h - 11
Traditional Spanish Wine & Tapas with Private Local Guide on Madrid Food Tour
Experience our food tour with traditional tapas and drinks included in the price and get an inside view of the tapas culture. Your personal guide who knows the streets of Madrid will take you to the best tapas and hiding
3h - 12
Madrid: 3 hour Guided Highlights Bike Tour with Optional Tapas
This tour is ideal for everyone who wants to get to know Madrid in a short time but in a relaxed way. In about 3 hours and 12 km biking, you will more or less see and hear everything of the old center while riding a very
3h - 13
Learn to Make an Authentic Paella!
The experience will take place in the Chueca neighborhood in the heart of Madrid. We will begin by preparing and tasting a traditional Spanish sangria, or a nice wine from Rioja, Spain's most famous wine region (beer/so
2.5h - 14
Tapas & Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with a Professional Chef
- Make and eat Spanish tapas and paella with a pro chef at a private eatery in Madrid - A very participative and interactive class. You will get a hands-on training from a local and expert chef and then taste your own c
3.5h - 15
Madrid: Paella Sangria and Churro Making Class in the City Center
Looking for the ultimate cooking class in Madrid? Look no further! Led by your passionate professional local chefs, you’ll be guided step by step through the art of creating Spain’s most iconic dishes: authentic paella,
3h - 16
Madrid Luxury Evening Food Tour In the Vibrant La Latina District
Experience the best of Madrid with this luxury evening food tour, created for foodies and wine lovers alike. Step into the soul of Madrid through its flavours as you explore the city like a local, discovering its most ir
4h - 17
Real Madrid Stadium Tour & Tapas with local host
Discover the history of Real Madrid CF on a guided tour of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Visit the museum, see the trophies, and enjoy some Spanish tapas at a local bar.
2h - 18
Madrid Tapas and Wine Tour with Iberian Ham
Book a fun Madrid food experience with all the tapas and drinks included and get an inside look into the fascinating Spanish food culture. Streetwise local guides will take you to the best tapas places and hideouts in th
3.5h - 19
Iberian Ham and Wine Small Group Tour in Madrid
Get to know the famous Jamon Iberico, learn about the its different textures, tastes and colours. You´ll get to learn about different Spanish wines and discover a traditional Iberian ham tavern in Madrid. During this 2
2h - 20
Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience
Embark on a delightful Wine Tasting experience in Madrid! Explore 4 exquisite Spanish wines – white, rosé, and red – each paired with traditional tapas. Whether it's a private tour for a personalized experience or a sh
2h