Culinary suggestions in the Literary Quarter

The culinary offer in the Literary Quarter (Barrio de Las Letras) stands out for combining the traditional and the modern.  The most traditional flavours come from the traditional taverns where the most popular recipes of Madrid and Castilian cuisine can be savoured, such as patatas bravas or squid roll. Gastrobars add the modern touch, offering a mixture of tradition and innovation, traditional and haute cuisine.

TRADITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

Casa Alberto

Calle de las Huertas, 18. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Sevilla (L2)

Founded in 1827, this tavern is one of the most outstanding century-old establishments in Madrid, where authentic traditional Madrid cuisine can be savoured with an avant-garde touch and vermouth on tap, which has been prepared in the tavern itself.

Its red façade is typical of Madrid's taverns, and its onyx stone bar is unique in Madrid. Its speciality is stewed oxtail, considered to be one of the best in Madrid. Its menu also features typical dishes, such as Madrid-style tripe and cod.

La Venencia

Calle de Echegaray, 7. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Sevilla (L2), Sol (L1, L2, L3)

This ancient tavern, located close to the Puerta del Sol, specialises in wines from Jerez and manzanillas. Its decor stands out for its dark wood and barrels that are reminiscent of the old taverns where people gathered in the mid-20th century. Its wines are usually served with a plate of filleted salt-cured tuna, olives, anchovies or pickles, in the classic style of Madrid's taverns.

Taberna de la Dolores

Plaza Jesús, 4. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Estación del Arte (L1)

Founded in 1908 as an eatery, this traditional Madrid tavern is easily recognisable thanks to its beautiful tiled façade and traditional period decoration. It serves tapas and cold rolls, which are much appreciated as an aperitif, especially at weekends, when this establishment is full of visitors.

Casa González

Calle del León, 12. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Sevilla (L2)

This is the oldest functioning business in the quarter, having opened in 1931 as a grocery store.   Famous for its preserves, wines, cheeses (Spanish, French and European), and Iberian cured meats, which can also be tasted on the premises since the 1990s.

Casa Manolo

Calle de Jovellanos, 7. Metro: Banco de España (L2), Sevilla (L2)

Typical Madrid tavern that opened its doors in 1896, which is known for two culinary dishes: freshly made churros with hot chocolate or coffee for breakfast, and delicious ham croquettes, which are undeniably its speciality, for tapas.  This establishment also serves a wide range of traditional dishes from Spain and Madrid. 

Los Chanquetes

Calle de Moratín, 2. Metro: Antón Martín (L1)

Restaurant founded in 1972 which serves home-made food and its menu is full of traditional recipes from Spanish cuisine.  Home-made specialities, such as oxtail, Madrid-style tripe, beans with clams or Madrid stew stand out.

Cervecería Alemana

Plaza de Santa Ana, 6. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Sol (L1, L2, L3)

Founded in 1904 by a group of German industrialists solely for the consumption of beer, today it is a must when passing through Plaza de Santa Ana. Its food always leaves a good taste in the mouth: boiled prawns, octopus in vinaigrette, clams marnière, steamed mussels, sardines in batter, fried anchovies, Manchego cheese, Iberian cured meats, Spanish omelette, German sausages and croquettes, among others.

TAPAS IN THE LITERARY QUARTER

Taberna Los Gatos

Calle Jesús, 2. Metro: Antón Martín (L1)

This tavern is a must on a tapas route in the Huertas area. It offers a wide range of toasted bread: duck ham, gulas (one of the most typical), prawns with garlic sauce, or Roquefort cheese with smoked salmon. Its décor is peculiar and curious with its walls covered in footballers’ shirts, jerseys belonging to famous cyclists, some bullfighting details and even an altar boy wearing sunglasses.

La Platería

Calle de Moratín, 49. Metro:  Estación del Arte (L1)

One of the best known tapas bars in the quarter which stands out for its long central bar where different tapas and portions can be savoured.  Don’t forget to try the sliced potatoes with scrambled eggs and brie cheese, tuna with ratatouille or Portuguese-style cod.

Las Bravas (Álvarez Gato)

Calle Álvarez Gato, 3. Metro: Sol (L1, L2, L3)

In this establishment, the speciality is patatas bravas, whose sauce is said to have been patented. It is a spicy sauce that comes out of the kitchen to the cry of ‘Una de bravas!’, accompanying succulent portions of potatoes. Its menu also features other dishes, such as Spanish omelette or cuttlefish with three sauces. It also serves generous portions of prawns in garlic, squid, Galician-style octopus, baby squid and fried or pickled anchovies that can be accompanied by a beer or sangria, especially in the warmer months.

Los Rotos

Calle de las Huertas, 74. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Estación del Arte (L1), Sol (L1, L2, L3)

Wine cellar with a classic appearance, specialising in tapas and portions of scrambled eggs served in rolls and frying pans. Opened in 2009, it offers a relaxed atmosphere and serves popular scrambled eggs in a soft bread roll with potatoes and an additional ingredient of your own choice, ranging from gulas, spicy sausage, black pudding, ham, mushrooms, Roquefort cheese, cod, piquillo peppers to chicken breast in garlic.

La Tapería del Prado

Plaza Platería de Martínez, 1. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Estación del Arte (L1)

At the start of the Literary Quarter when entering from the Paseo del Prado, this establishment boasts a large terrace to savour tapas and portions with an avant-garde touch.

Its kitchen is open all day and its menu consists of a wide variety of tapas, boards and cold meats, stews, salads, meat, fish and desserts. It also serves different types of breakfast and group menus.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

Taberna La Elisa

Calle de Santa María, 42. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Estación del Arte (L1)

This tavern run by the Triciclo catering group offers a combination of tradition and renovation, combining the traditional and haute-cuisine with an innovative touch. It is a meeting place to savour the most typical dishes of Madrid cuisine.  Revamped traditional recipes for haute cuisine, without losing the cañí essence. It serves portions (full, half and thirds), stews and a wide variety of signature tapas and pintxos, which is rounded off with a selection of beers, wines by the glass and vermouth. 

Inclán Brutal Bar

Calle de Álvarez Gato, 4. Metro: Sol (L1, L2, L3)

This restaurant offers an informal and original proposal, which stands out for its wide range of cocktails, carefully designed décor and fun and unique tableware created by José Piñero. Run by the chef, Joaquín Serrano, its Mediterranean-style gastronomic proposal is rounded off with oriental touches merging the traditional with the avant-garde.

Marina Ventura

Calle Ventura de la Vega, 13. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Sevilla (L2)

If you are a fan of rice, don’t miss this restaurant specialising in rice dishes, which offers up to 20 varieties, including dry rice, creamy rice and rice broth, accompanied by seasonal products, such as mushrooms, vegetables or seafood.  Its specialities? Rice with octopus, rice with duck and mushrooms or rice with lobster, monkfish, prawns, cuttlefish and a spicy touch. The menu also includes meat and fish, such as smoked sardines or fillet of  wild sea bass.

El Caldero

Calle de las Huertas, 15. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Sevilla (L2)

Restaurant specialised in traditional cuisine from Murcia with creative and modern touches. Rice and seasonal fish brought directly from the Levante region, the Mediterranean Sea and other suppliers from Murcia stand out on its menu. Its speciality is rice in fish broth, served in the traditional cauldron-style pan and prepared with garlic, tomato, ñora peppers and fish from the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor.

Yugo the Bunker

Calle de San Blas, 4. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Estación del Arte (L1)

Located in the Literary Quarter, this restaurant specialising in Japanese haute-cuisine stands out. It is run by the chef Julián Mármol and the finest ingredients are used to prepare traditional Japanese dishes. The great creations earned the restaurant a Michelin Star which has been renewed since 2019.

It offers two tasting menus: Bunker Classics, a unique opportunity to enjoy some of its most famous bites, and Evolution, a menu that reflects an evolution in the in-depth understanding and comprehension of each product, accompanied by the finest selection of sakes, wines and champagnes.

Prada a Tope

Calle del Príncipe, 11. Metro: Sevilla (L2), Sol (L1, L2, L3)

Inspired by typical taverns from Leon, this rural-style restaurant serves home-made products prepared in the traditional way from the El Bierzo region. Its menu features local cured meat and black pudding, wood-fired roasted peppers, stewed omelette, pasty, boiled hock of pork with cachelo potatoes, cabbage and fried vegetables and spicy sausage and, of course, stuffed pork intestine. Its speciality dessert is lemon cream with chestnuts.

Inti de Oro

Ventura de la Vega, 12. Metro:Antón Martín (L1), Sevilla (L2)

It is possible to savour authentic Peruvian cuisine at this restaurant in the Literary Quarter, which serves an innovative gastronomic proposal, consisting of avant-garde dishes inspired by modern flavours, sensations and textures prepared with the finest ingredients. Ceviches, tiraditos or piscos sour feature on its menu, which also includes dishes that are influenced by Spanish, French, Italian and Asian cuisine.

Ferretería Restaurante

Calle de Atocha, 57. Metro: Antón Martín (L1), Sol (L1, L2, L3), Tirso de Molina (L1)

A former hardware store founded in 1888 is home to this restaurant, which offers a menu consisting of revamped traditional Spanish cuisine, prepared with the finest ingredients.  Its gastronomic proposal consists of dishes to share, fish, meat, vegetables and home-made desserts. It also serves a selection of cocktails and a wide range of wines.

Discover more restaurants in the Literary Quarter