9 Things | Madrid - Find. Eat. Drink.

Madrid, Spain, Where to shop, Where to eat, Where to drink, Chef’s Recs, Chefs Feed, Where Chefs Eat, Where The Pros Eat, Where the Pros Drink, Where the Pros Shop, Inaki Camba, Iñaki Camba, Chef Andoni Luiz Aduriz, Mugaritz, Pierre Ferrand, Gin & Tonic, Jamon, Alexandre Gabriel, Citadelle Gin, Gin Tonic, Iberico, Bellota, Shops, Markets

On the surface, Madrid seems more staid and mature than sexy and whimsical Barcelona. But ask the local pros and you’ll find this city offers a culinary scene rich in history. From one of the oldest taverns that was the first place to sell jamon, to an all-sherry bar that dates back to pre-Spanish civil war days, to an 8-table chef destination, here are 9 food shops, restaurants and bars where the insiders go.

9 Things | Madrid

May 28, 2013

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- The Find. Eat. Drink. Guide

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Chorizo mini and Jamon at Mas Gourmet in the Mercado San Miguel

Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.

Mercado de San Miguel | Mas Gourmets

A Catalan food stall in the beautiful San Miguel marketplace. They specialize in high quality “jamones” as well as selling more than 20 different butifarras cheeses. Chefs Iñaki Camba of Restaurante Arce and Paco Roncero of La Terraza del Casino love walking around and checking out the high quality products. Beyond Mas Gourmet, you’ll discover a treasure trove of food and wine stalls open all day long. In the evenings, it transforms into a tapas fiesta. New York based Spanish chefs, Alex Raij and Jesús Nuñez always stop in to see all the local delicacies.

San Miguel Market, Plaza de San Miguel s/nº 28001, Madrid, Spain
T: +34.91.541.14.14 | masgourmets.com

Poncelet Cheese Shop

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Cheese | Poncelet

Named after a Parisian street market, you’ll find more than 300-plus European farmhouse cheeses at this specialty food store in the Chueca neighborhood. In addition to cheese, you’ll also find Spanish oils and vinegar, wine, beer and bread. Everything you need for a gourmet spread.

Calle Argensola, 27, 28004 Madrid, Spain

T: +34.913.08.02.21 | poncelet.es

D.o.c.c.

Spanish delicatessen with tapas and bocadillos (sandwiches). Everything served, including the wines and food, all have a quality certification - Designation of Origin and it’s for this reason, chef Iñaki Camba of Restaurante Arce heads here.

Calle del Prado, 28, 28014 Madrid, Spain

T: +34.913.69.76.14 | doccprado.com

La Tasquita de Enfrente

Photograph courtesy of La Tasquita de Enfrente

La Tasquita de Enfrente

Juanja Lopez inherited this small eight-table restaurant from his father and has turned it into a chef destination with his menu featuring dishes like blood sausage with pureed squash and a simple tomato tartare. Chef Andoni Luiz Aduriz of Mugaritz makes sure to always visit when he’s in Madrid.

Calle Ballesta, 6, 28004 Madrid, Spain

T: +34.915.32.54.49 | latasquitadeenfrente.com

Tapas and sherry at Stop Madrid

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Stop Madrid

Not much has changed in this classic tapas bar since it first opened in 1929. It is one of the oldest taverns in Madrid with over 50 different Spanish wines by the glass. It’s the ideal place to end your afternoon or begin you evening with a plate of stellar Jamon Iberico de Bellota and a glass of vermut on tap.

Calle de Hortaleza, 11, 28004 Madrid, Spain

T:+34.915.21.88.87

Lakasa

Serving modern tapas and pizza. You can order either half or full portions from the large menu, along with a Spanish version of a Gin and Tonic. Chef Iñaki Camba of Restaurante Arce calls it a delightful treat.

Calle de Raimundo Fernández Villaverde, 26, 28003 Madrid, Spain

T: +34.925.33.87.15 | lakasa.es

The Sherry List at La Venencia

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La Venencia

Whether you are a sherry drinker or just love old school traditional bars, having a drink at La Venencia is a must. Locals have been drinking sherry here since before the Spanish Civil War and the dust on the wooden casks most likely dates back to those days. Fino, manzanilla, oloroso, amontillado, palo cortado -- those are your drink options and nothing else, just sherry. No producer names to select from either. Your tab is written on the wooden bar in chalk and each glass sherry is served with a little snack of chips, olives, or almonds.

Calle de Echegaray, 7, 28014 Madrid, Spain

T:+34.914.29.73.13

Le Cabrera

Photograph courtesy Le Cabrera

Le Cabrera

When chef Andoni Luis Aduriz is visiting Madrid from San Sebastian, he makes sure to enjoy a cocktail at Le Cabrera. Argentinian bartender Diego Cabrera has created a gastro-cocteleria. The cocktails are broken down by clasicos (classics), and creacio (creative), and champagne cocteles (champagne cocktails). The decoration around the bar is shelves of cocktail shakers.

Calle Doña Bárbara de Braganza, 2 28004 Madrid, Spain

T: +34.913.19.94.57 | www.lecabrera.com

Restaurante El Padre

One of the unique places to experience oversized Spanish versions of a gin & tonic. Alexandre Gabriel, the maker of Citadelle Gin, recommends this family-run restaurant for their large selections of gins, rolled around the room on a dessert trolly. They also make many of their own tonics. The drinks are served with fresh garnishes, many picked from their own farm.

Calle de Serrano, 45 28001 Madrid, Spain

T: +34.914.48.40.16 | www.restaurante-elpadre.com

Contributing Pros