Madrid – Tips for Food Lovers

For my son’s February term break, he asked for a short trip to Madrid – just four days – opting for a city break instead of a full week of skiing. That way, he could also enjoy a few relaxing days at our cosy home. With only two full days in the city, we didn’t plan any excursions outside Madrid. Instead, we focused mainly on food, and my son especially enjoyed strolling through the shopping districts and taking photos.

Puerta del Sol

Restaurante Botín – A Must-Visit Classic

A visit to Madrid wouldn’t be complete without dining at Restaurante Botín – the oldest restaurant in the world, as recognised by the Guinness World Records. Its specialities include roast suckling pig and lamb cooked in traditional Castilian style in a wood-fired oven that has been in use for 300 years since 1725. We ordered Ibérico ham, suckling pig, a dish of clams, and a small jar of sangría. I particularly enjoyed the suckling pig and clams – the meat was juicy with perfectly crispy skin, and the clams were fresh and delicious.

Churros – A Sweet Tradition

Make sure to save room for churros!

We visited the iconic Chocolatería San Ginés, founded in 1894, where the churros are served piping hot and absolutely irresistible. The line outside says it all – this spot is a favourite among both locals and tourists. You will need to pay extra if you want the churros served with the rich, thick hot chocolate sauce. Some people like to dip generously, but I prefer just a little, I am a fan of the original taste of churros.

Churros in Chocolatería San Ginés

We also tried Churrería 1902, another excellent place. Their churros were just as hot and delicious, and honestly, I couldn’t tell the difference in taste between those at Churrería 1902 and San Ginés. There is some taste difference with the fried dough sticks that Hong Kong people like to serve it with congee.

Churros in Churrería 1902

I just remember I must remind my friends to have churros when they stay in Madrid!

Restaurante Ta-Kumi – Michelin 2025 – Japanese Omakase Experience

Having dined at Ta-Kumi in Málaga and loved it, we had high expectations for the Madrid location, and it didn’t disappoint. The sashimi was fresh and beautifully presented. My personal favourite remains the red shrimp sashimi, which I first tried in Málaga and later in Lisbon – fresh, rare, and absolutely delicious.

Mercado San Miguel – A Tourist Destination

We had lunch at the vibrant Mercado San Miguel. My husband and I enjoyed a variety of fresh seafood, including oysters, shrimp, razor clams, sea urchin, and tiny clams. We paid extra to experience oysters with caviar and champagne. While the oysters were fresh, the champagne soaked into them, which somewhat lost its original flavour, but it was a unique experience. My son and I enjoyed the fresh fruit, selecting from a variety and choosing a medium cup to share. As my son isn't keen on seafood, he picked for his favourite baguette with ham.

Restaurante El Soportal @Plaza Mayor – The Grilled Dry-Aged Steak Experience

We were drawn in by the sight of a huge dry-aged steak outside the restaurant while strolling around Plaza Mayor. The following day, we returned for lunch and ordered a 1kg dry-aged steak to share among the three of us. Instead of serving it fully cooked, the restaurant brought it out partially grilled, along with a hot stone. When the first stone cooled, they replaced it with another one. This interactive touch allowed us to sear each bite to our preferred doneness and enjoy it hot off the stone – fun and delicious! It was our first time experiencing such a thoughtful and unique way of serving steak.

Royal Palace of Madrid and Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena

We walked along the main road to Plaza de la Armería. Although we hadn’t bought tickets to visit the palace, we could view it from the cathedral's open balcony. We also enjoyed a broad view of Madrid. The cathedral's interior decoration was beautiful and impressive, though not as magnificent as La Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

Royal Palace of Madrid

Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena

Kwantida Thai Massage

I had to choose between visiting Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and getting a Thai massage – and we opted for the latter. We visited Kwantida, which located near the shopping district, just a 10-minute walk from Plaza Mayor. It was wonderful to relax and enjoy an authentic Thai massage at a much lower cost than in the UK.

Kwantida Thai Massage

Final Thoughts

Madrid was the fourth city I visited in Spain, after Barcelona, Seville, and Málaga. For some, especially those who aren't Real Madrid fans, Madrid might not be a top priority. But if you're doing a round trip across Spain, it's still worth visiting.

When I planned road trips through Europe in the past, I found Spain particularly challenging because the cities I wanted to visit were far apart. In hindsight, taking four separate trips to Spain was a wise decision.

One thing I noticed during my travels was the similarity in Spanish cuisine – many restaurants use olive oil and herbs as their base, which gives the food a consistent flavour across different regions. After about five days, you might start to feel a bit overwhelmed by the repetition.

If you have limited time in Spain, I recommend starting with Barcelona because La Sagrada Família alone is worth the visit. Seville and Málaga, being relatively close to each other, are wonderful places to visit. I especially loved two excursions from that region: one to Zahara, Setenil, and Ronda, and my personal favourite – Caminito del Rey.

Winner Lee Mindvigation

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