The 6 Best Restaurants in Madrid You Need to Try This Year

Kristin Espinar

If you’re a curious traveler seeking insider tips on the best restaurants in Madrid, allow me to be your guide. As a well-traveled local, I’ve had the pleasure of indulging in some of the finest culinary delights the city has to offer. Madrid’s restaurant scene is diverse and vibrant, ranging from Michelin-starred fine dining establishments to cozy tapas bars and bistros. Whether you want to sample traditional Spanish dishes or international flavors, Madrid has it all. In this post, I’ll be sharing my expert recommendations on the top restaurants to visit, based on my personal experience and those of other food-loving locals. So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and let me take you on a culinary journey through the Best Restaurants in Madrid.

*Note some of the links feature affiliate links. I only recommend items that I 100% love and think you will too!

Introduction

Known for its vibrant culture, architecture and nightlife, Madrid has also emerged as a top culinary destination in recent years. Food critics and globetrotting gourmands have flocked to the Spanish capital to experience its incredible array of restaurants, featuring both traditional Spanish fare and innovative avant-garde cuisine. From historic institutions to cutting-edge newcomers, Madrid offers a diverse and exciting fine dining scene.

In this article, we will highlight some of the very best restaurants that Madrid has to offer. Ranging from Michelin-starred temples of haute cuisine to beloved local gems, these are the establishments that should be on any food lover’s Madrid itinerary. Whether you’re a visitor eager to experience the highlights of the city or a Madrileño looking to rediscover the wonders of your hometown’s culinary offerings, this list offers a guide to Madrid’s essential dining experiences. Read on to discover the incredible flavors and unforgettable meals awaiting you at the top restaurants in Madrid.

Methodology

How the Best Restaurants in Madrid were Chosen

Choosing the absolute best restaurants in a city like Madrid is no easy task. I compiled this list through a combination of extensive research from the best food critics, local recommendations from Madrid foodies, and an examination of major restaurant awards and ratings.

The starting point was the annual list of Spain’s 50 Best Restaurants, which highlights the most critically acclaimed restaurants across the country as voted on by over 350 Spanish food experts, chefs, and gastronomes. This provided a shortlist of Madrid’s Michelin starred restaurants that consistently rank among Spain’s elite.

To complement the critical perspective, I consulted trusted Madrid locals and expats to provide their favorites for the best authentic dining experiences that capture the city’s culinary spirit. Their suggestions highlighted incredible but lesser known spots that a visitor must try.

Finally, I cross-referenced major restaurant awards and ratings like the Michelin Guide, La Liste, TripAdvisor and more to validate consistency in quality, service and diner satisfaction. For example, a restaurant needed at least one Michelin star for consideration, while also maintaining impeccable TripAdvisor and Google ratings.

This comprehensive process resulted in a list that represents the culinary pinnacle of Madrid, from refined tasting menus to dazzling tapas, all offering an exceptional fine dining experience. The final selections will make any food lover ecstatic to dine at the Spanish capital’s very best tables.

El Club Allard

El Club Allard is an elegant fine dining restaurant located in the Salamanca district of Madrid. It’s situated in a distinguished 19th century building that formerly housed the renouned Allard coaching inn. The dining rooms retain an old-world charm with wood paneling, ornate moldings, chandeliers and antique furniture.

El Club Allard has become renowned for its traditional Spanish haute cuisine. Some standout dishes include the roasted quail with truffles, the Iberian pork sirloin with potato gratin, and the grilled turbot with seasonal mushrooms. The restaurant has an extensive wine list featuring many top Spanish wines to pair with the meals.

Chef Mario Sandoval, who oversees the kitchen, puts a creative touch on classic Spanish dishes. The menu changes seasonally to highlight the best ingredients. Attention to detail and technique are hallmarks of the cuisine. El Club Allard offers a fine dining experience and a taste of traditional Spanish culinary excellence in an historic atmosphere.

DiverXO

DiverXO is widely regarded as one of Madrid’s top dining destinations, thanks to avant-garde chef David Muñoz. Located in the fashionable Salamanca neighborhood, DiverXO holds three Michelin stars for its inventive and boldly flavored tasting menus.

Chef Muñoz is known for his creative reinvention of traditional Spanish dishes with influences from South America, Asia, and beyond. His meticulously crafted menus showcase unusual ingredient combinations like oysters with kimchi and coconut, or Iberian pork with miso and yellow mustard. Yet these unlikely pairings result in beautifully composed plates that delight the senses.

The dining room has an urban, modern vibe with copper accents and an open kitchen. DiverXO offers two set menus, including a shorter seasonal tasting for €250 and a longer signature experience for €350 featuring Muñoz’s greatest hits. Reservations are essential for experiencing this temple of modern gastronomy led by one of Spain’s most acclaimed chefs. With an unforgettable meal full of art, science, and emotion, DiverXO represents the pinnacle of avant-garde cuisine in Madrid.

Lúa

Lúa is a charming restaurant located in the Salamanca neighborhood of Madrid known for its market-fresh seasonal ingredients. Chef Luis Alberto Lera sources the highest quality local produce, meat, and fish to create his contemporary Spanish tasting menus.

Lúa’s dishes spotlight the flavors of seasonal ingredients sourced that very morning from Madrid’s famed Mercado de San Miguel. You may find morsels of trout from the Pyrenees paired with just-picked mushrooms, or slow-cooked suckling pig from Segovia with roasted squash and Brussels sprouts. The menu evolves throughout the year depending on what’s ripe for the picking.

The dining room itself is modern yet cozy, with an open kitchen that provides a glimpse into the creativity behind each dish. Lúa also offers an excellent wine list focused on small producers, with knowledgeable sommeliers to provide pairing assistance. It’s the perfect place to experience the essence of seasonal cooking using the best ingredients Madrid has to offer.

Ramon Freixa Madrid

Ramon Freixa Madrid is widely considered one of the best restaurants in Madrid. Under the direction of Chef Ramon Freixa, this elegant restaurant has earned two prestigious Michelin stars.

Chef Freixa is originally from Catalonia and many of his dishes reflect Catalan influences. The tasting menu highlights the finest seasonal Spanish ingredients prepared with meticulous technique and artistic plating. Signature dishes include salmon belly with idiazábal cheese and green apple, and Iberian pork cheek with textures of onion.

The atmosphere at Ramon Freixa Madrid is refined yet relaxed. The dining room features warm lighting, dark wood, and accents of brick. A highlight is the open kitchen, which allows diners to observe the choreography of the chefs at work.

Service is seamless, professional, and warm. The sommelier expertly pairs Spanish wines to complement each dish. With only 30 seats, Ramon Freixa offers an intimate fine dining experience.

Ramon Freixa Madrid represents creative Catalan cuisine at its best. Chef Freixa’s innovative dishes and impeccable execution have rightfully earned the restaurant two Michelin stars. It is an essential destination for fine dining in Madrid.

Taberna Pedraza

Taberna Pedraza is a cozy tapas bar in the heart of Madrid, known for its traditional tapas and lively atmosphere. Opened in 1995 by Chef and owner Julian Pedraza, this family-run restaurant has quickly become a local favorite for both tourists and Madrileños alike.

The menu features classic tapas like tortilla española, patatas bravas, and chorizo a la sidra. Everything is prepared a la minute using high quality, locally-sourced ingredients. While the classics are excellent, Chef Pedraza also puts his own creative spin on traditional tapas. Dishes like the rabo de toro – oxtail braised in red wine served over mashed potatoes – put a gourmet twist on homestyle cooking.

In addition to the food, the ambiance of Taberna Pedraza can’t be beat. The warm, inviting interior is decorated with classic Spanish tiles and features a beautiful L-shaped marble bar. Diners can watch the chefs prepare food while sitting at the lively bar sipping on Spanish wines, sherries, or vermouth. The restaurant also has a few cozy tables tucked in the corner for those looking for a more intimate dining experience.

No matter where you end up sitting, expect a buzzing, high-energy atmosphere filled with lively conversations between old friends and new acquaintances alike. The sociable vibe seems to lift off the shelves of vermouth and sherry bottles lining the walls. Stop by Taberna Pedraza to experience Madrid’s most quintessential tapas paired with a glass of vino in one of the best social spots in the city.

Paco Roncero

Paco Roncero is widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in Madrid for its exquisite gourmet tasting menus and breathtaking rooftop views over the city.

Located on the rooftop terrace of the historic Casino de Madrid building, the restaurant offers a refined and elegant dining experience under the open sky. Guests can enjoy unobstructed 360-degree views over Madrid as they dine, taking in sights like the Palacio Real, the Almudena Cathedral, and the Cuatro Torres business area.

The tasting menu at Paco Roncero showcases seasonal, creative Spanish cuisine by Chef Paco Roncero. Using only the finest local ingredients, Chef Roncero prepares avant-garde dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Standout courses may include seafood delicacies like oyster with caviar and sake, or Iberian pork with piquillo peppers.

The restaurant’s sommeliers are experts at pairing the optimal Spanish wines with each dish to heighten the flavors. Paco Roncero also offers an extensive gin and tonic menu featuring premium gins and unique botanical combinations.

Dining at Paco Roncero is a special occasion experience. The rooftop setting with sweeping city vistas creates an incredibly romantic ambiance. With its Michelin-starred tasting menus and excellent service, it’s no surprise Paco Roncero is regarded as one of the best fine dining experiences Madrid has to offer.

Conclusion

Madrid is home to some of the best restaurants in Spain and the world. After reviewing numerous top dining options in the city, a few stand out as exceptional choices for a memorable meal.

DiverXO, led by chef David Muñoz, earns three Michelin stars for its innovative “culinary madness” using Spanish ingredients in unexpected ways. The tasting menu provides a one-of-a-kind dining experience worth splurging for.

For exquisite contemporary Spanish cuisine in an elegant setting, Ramon Freixa Madrid is a refined choice. The two Michelin star restaurant excels at preparing fresh seafood and meats with masterful techniques.

While Madrid has no shortage of excellent restaurants, DiverXO and Ramon Freixa Madrid represent the city’s pinnacle of culinary excellence. Foodies visiting Madrid should make reservations at one or both of these restaurants for an unforgettable fine dining experience showcasing the best of Spanish cuisine.

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