2016 gets off to the best possible start with bars and restaurants the city over participating in some of the festival’s usual sections, including Degustatapas (one tapa plus a small bottle of Mahou beer for €3); Rioja Wine in Our Favourite Bars (one tapa plus a glass of Rioja wine for €6); and Dining with the Stars, an event that attracts top international chefs to Madrid to work as guest experts in some of today’s hottest restaurants.
The Gastrofestival programme includes a host of other initiatives designed to please the most discriminating palates, including the Route for the Sweet-Toothed, the Colombian Coffee Route and even an entertaining calamari sandwich contest. Many restaurants also serve special menus for under €40. The menus fall under one of two categories, depending on the establishment’s particular specialty: Spanish Cuisine or World Cuisine.