The Best Wine and Tapas Bars in Madrid(1)

Editor’s Note: As many of you know, through Valentine’s Day, we are hosting a contest for a free print of the Douro by submitting a question into our new Q&A section on Catavino. If the question can be answered, we’ll do our level-headed best to find it. For more information, check out this post.

Here is one recent question proposed to Catavino: “what are the ‘must-visit’ tapas bars in Madrid? I’m planning a weekend jaunt and want to visit places I missed last time. And what about decent wine bars (and I’m not talking sherry here guys)?”

And although we’re passionate foodies, and have lived in Madrid in our recent past, we felt it would be more appropriate to ask two tapas experts, currently based in Madrid, to give us their tried and true suggestions.

Janelle Norman, author of Tapas Talk, has provided us with several articles on funky and delicious tapas bars in Madrid. Today, she brings us her suggestions on where you should go when visiting Madrid.

Actually, this question is really two questions: tapas bars, and more specifically, wine bars. Some “must visit” tapas bars don’t offer any wines to write home about, but they have great tapas. Also, it is hard just to name a few tapas bars, when there are hundreds of great tapas bars in Madrid. Simply put, it’s a part of the culture.

The “tapeo” or the eating of tapas, takes place not in one location, but several. We pick an area, and then hit our favorites in that neighborhood. Some of the best areas include the streets between Puerta del Sol and Plaza Santa Ana. Also Plaza Santa Ana itself, as well as around the street of Huertas, are great nighttime spots.

For the best wine bars, and fun tapas places, head to the neighborhood of La Latina, especially the street of Cava Baja, which is lined from one end to the other with tapas bars and restaurants.

For the most typical, truly “Madrileño” tapas bars, head to the area between Sol and Pl. Santa Ana. Plaza Mayor is touristy so the prices might be a bit higher, but I have included one interesting place on the list. (all locations are listed on the Catavino Map of Spain)

Near Puerta del Sol

Casa Labra - C/ Tetuan, 12  - Try the fried cod and cod croquettes. Cheap!

El Abuelo - C/ Victoria, 12 - Enjoy the shrimp and prawns. On the same street, check out the Museo de Jamon. You can’t miss the hundreds of ham legs hanging in the window.

El Torre del Oro - In the Plaza Mayor  - Go for the bullfighting atmosphere. Enjoy a vermouth or traditional tapas,Catavino › Add New Post — WordPress while you are watched by bulls heads on the walls.

Taberna de Antonio Sánchez - C/ Meson de Paredes, 13 - near Tirso de Molina, its one of the Madrid standards, famous stopping place for bullfighters and flamenco artists.

Cerveceria Santa Barbara - Plaza Santa Ana - lots of traditional options, such as the “boquerones en vinagre” (white anchovies)  - Nice outdoor terrace Spring to Autumn on the Plaza.

Vinoteca Barbechera - Plaza Santa Ana - for a nice selection of Spanish wines.

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From catavino.net