I found some great spots to eat in Madrid on my last trip. These include:
Bar Tomate, Calle Fernando el Santo 26: A part of Grupo Tragaluz of Barcelona where I tried two of their restaurants there near my hotel. I was told they had a restaurant in Madrid so I jumped at the chance to go. I enjoyed a casual meal in the well-designed space. I had a really good experience as I did with the other two restaurants. I also liked their restaurant in Mexico City!
La Bola: Located at Calle Bolla 5, the restaurant, a short distance from the Palacio Real and Teatro Real, has been there since 1870. It has a great old-world atmosphere. I ate there before and had to come back. You have to have the Cocido Madrileno. This is a stew of garbanzo beans, ham, chicken, sausage and beef that is cooked in a clay pot for several hours. The waiter pours the broth which is served as a soup over pasta. The stew is then served with a cabbage and a tomato sauce for the beans. It is really filling and good!!
On my list for my next trip is Restaurante Botín in the center of Madrid. The restaurant was opened in 1725 and can be found in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest restaurant. Calle de Cuchilleros 17.
Mercado De San Miguel: This is an old market building that has been restored to a new bustling market. There are vegetables, cheeses, meats, bread etc., but there are many stands selling wine, pastries, tapas, coffee, chocolates and ice cream. You can definitely go and make a meal out of it. I stopped by twice once for a snack and once for lunch! Plaza de San Miguel, s/n 28005.
Musee Reina Sofia: This great museum has a very modern restaurant and café, Cafeteria y Restaurante de Edificio Nouvel, in the new building across the courtyard. It is a perfect spot for lunch, tea or a snack.
Other good restaurant choices based on recent reviews include:
For Tapas Estado Puro; others include Restaurante Diverxo, La Tasquita de Enfrente, Ramon Freixa Madrid, Sacha at Calle de Juan Hurtado de Mendoza, La Terraza del Casino, El Club Allard with two Michelin stars, La Gabinoteca, Arzabal, Cilantro Gastrobar, Poncelet Cheese Bar, Asturianos at Vallehermoso 94, Restaurant de la Riva and El Chiscon de Castello.
Wallpaper* likes Punk Bach, Ana la Santa and La Fabrica Cafe. The NY Times also likes Taberna Laredo and for tapas recommends exploring Madrid’s Cava Baja with its large group of traditional tapas restaurants on one street. In addition to Posada del Leon de Oro they like Txalcolina, Casa Lucas and Vaova for cocktails.