Madrid's Best Casual Restaurants

Sacha Restaurant is a longtime favorite in Madrid, known for its playful Spanish dishes with Catalan and Galician influences. Inside, you’ll find a cozy space that blends bistro charm with personal touches reflecting the chef’s style. In warmer months, a peaceful outdoor terrace offers a relaxed place to enjoy a meal.

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Oliver Jansson

Food Enthusiast

Playful dishes with its foundation in traditional Spanish cuisine, with Catalan and Galician influences. Sacha is a culinary icon in the vibrant city of Madrid. In a charming restaurant featuring humble wooden chairs tastefully contrasted by pristine white tablecloths, Sacha Hormaechea serves playful dishes with its foundation in traditional Spanish cuisine, with Catalan and Galician influences from his parents. Expect fresh seafood, robust meat dishes, and tapas created with simple, high-quality ingredients. In the summer you have the opportunity to sit on the peaceful outdoor patio that provides a very serene atmosphere. Don’t miss Sacha’s signature tortilla vaga if you go here!

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Sala de Despiece in Madrid takes a former butcher shop and turns it into a playful tapas spot where the chefs often finish dishes right at your table. Guests sit along a single counter, adding to the casual, energetic vibe. It’s a compact space that highlights fresh ingredients and a fun, interactive atmosphere.

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João Sá

Chef

Table side plating and great flavours. Casual, nice music and ambience. All dishes plated by the waiters' table side. Great flavours. This is a place to go to again and again.

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Arima Basque Gastronomy is a relaxed spot in Madrid that merges traditional Basque cooking with a modern twist. The menu is small but focuses on fresh, top-quality ingredients, reflecting the spirit of the Basque region in every bite. It’s a friendly place where you can experience authentic flavors in an unpretentious setting.

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David J Constable

Writer & Underwear Model

Chic modern variation on a traditional Basque tavern San Sebastián native Nagore Izazuegi heads this small establishment in Calle Ponzano, which features a typical bar where customers can enjoy pintxos, the Basque country’s take on tapas. The menu is small but the flavours big, with a tiny and visable kitchen where chefs cook up dishes like Stilton cheese croquettes or rib steak and stewed cheek. The black pudding talo (kind of like a tortilla) is really something very special. The average price per dish is between €12-€16, so pretty reasonable for the quality.

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Barracuda Mx is Chef Roberto Ruiz’s new, more casual spot in Madrid that highlights the vibrant flavors of the Mexican Pacific. It sits near the Puerta de Alcalá and offers a relaxed setting where guests can explore a variety of tequilas, mezcales, and other drinks. The cooking is fresh and easy to enjoy, making it a welcoming place for anyone looking to experience a lighter twist on Mexican cuisine.

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Paula Móvil

Journalist & PR

Michelin star worthy Mexican restaurant in Madrid Owned by chef Roberto Ruiz, once behind Michelin star restaurant Punto MX. Start off with tequila and sangrita, followed by a Michelada or one of their cocktails. The menu revolves around the flavors of the Mexican Pacific, so think of oysters with chile de árbol sauce, memelas with wagyu and avocado sauce and an amazing pescado a la talla meant to be eaten with freshly made tortillas.

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Piantao Legazpi is a contemporary Argentinian grill in Madrid that focuses on seasonally sourced meats cooked over an open flame. Diners often mention the welcoming atmosphere and well-chosen wine list, making it a comfortable spot to enjoy a taste of Argentina in the city.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

This Argentinian restaurant mainly focuses on grilled meats, and we can tell you those meats are great! We went for dinner and ordered the following: * Empanada criolla (meat cut with knife and Yasgua sauce). * Chorizo criollo. * Ojo de Bife (Ribeye). * Fried potatoes in cow fat. * Sweet potatoes glazes in cane sugar. * Dulche de Leche Alfajor with chocolate. The meat was in our opinion perfectly cooked, and the quality top notch, with a nice fat infiltration a lots of flavor! What we also loved was the wine selection they had, we picked a great Argentinian wine, and also important to mention, we thought the atmosphere was very enjoyable!

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Tripea is a relaxed spot in Madrid’s Vallehermoso market that blends influences from Peru, Thailand, and Japan with local Spanish ingredients. Recognized with a Bib Gourmand, it offers an unpretentious dining experience full of fresh flavors. The name comes from the idea of travel, hinting at the restaurant’s global approach to cooking.

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Malgosia Minta

Food journalist

Flavours of Peru and Japan in the heart of a neighborhood market. Unpretentious, flavourful and enjoyable- that’s what Tripea is. Its name comes from “trip” or “travel”, and that’s the idea behind its food. In the set menu (7-8 courses for ~ 40 Euro) you will find accents from Peru, Thailand or Japan meeting local Spanish products, say empanadillas with tuna and tomato escabeche served with red curry sauce or oysters with the first strawberries of the season and leche de tigre or a bao bun topped with cheese sauce. Plus a nice selection of wines, to enjoy by the glasses or bottles.

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Araia is a welcoming spot in Madrid’s Chamberí neighborhood that recreates the laid-back feel of a hidden island. The warm, energetic staff and beach-cave-inspired space offer a relaxed escape that brings a bit of the Mediterranean mood into the city.

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Paula Móvil

Journalist & PR

Mediterranean vibes on the hippest neighborhood in town Araia is conceived as an imaginary island in the middle of the Chamberí neighborhood. In a venue that resembles a beach cave, the energetic and young staff will serve some original creations such as a beetroot carpaccio (amazing!), crunchy fried calamari with aioli, a spicy octopus and a perfect rice casserole with duck. Do not miss the lamb sish kebab or the ox tail stew.

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Chispa Bistró is a friendly spot in Madrid with an open kitchen and an industrial-style dining area. An Argentinian chef leads a team that draws on flavors from around the world, focusing on tasty, unpretentious cooking. A top Spanish sommelier curates the wine list, rounding out the welcoming bistro experience.

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Peter Atzen

Copenhagen Foodie

Perfect mix of fine dining and bistro. I think they have found the sweet spot of fine dining meets bistro. For me the great thing about this balance is that you get all of the skills of the chef from fine dining in terms of technique and knowledge about how to build flavor but in a relaxed bistro setting. To me the restaurant is all about flavor. There are no pretentious dishes showing off technical skills or super expensive products. What there are a lot of are very delicious dishes. Looking at the menu and as I was eating through it I was thinking what is the identity of the place as it is a bit all over the place with lots of Asian flavors, Spanish as well as New York. At the end of the day I didn’t really care that it was all over the place because what brought it together was the great flavor and that’s why you come as a guest.

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Restaurante Cuenllas is an iconic spot in Madrid known for its traditional local cuisine and extensive wine selection to fit different budgets. Its welcoming atmosphere and straightforward approach to food make it a place that many people enjoy visiting again and again.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

This iconic restaurant in Madrid serves typical food from Madrid and has an exceptional wine cellar on top of the great food. Without further due, here’s what we ordered: * Toast of smoked eel and scrambled eggs. * Grilled green beans and foie gras. * “Callos a la madrileña” (guts stew). * “Soldaditos de Pavía” (battered cod). * Millefeuille of custard and cream. * Lemon pie. We really enjoyed everything, just simple and very tasty food overall, perfect for any occasion, and as mentioned previously you’ll find a wine that fits every budget and taste. A place to come back often in our opinion.

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Del Diego Cocktail Bar is a welcoming spot near Gran Vía in Madrid, with a classic, art deco–inspired interior and notably attentive service. It offers well-crafted cocktails and a relaxed vibe early in the evening, which becomes livelier around midnight.

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Paula Móvil

Journalist & PR

Cocktails are classic and perfectly executed, service is certainly one you will never receive in other bars in the city Hands down one of my favorite cocktail bars in Madrid. The Del Diego brothers keep the legacy of their father, Fernando, responsible for giving life to this beautiful art deco inspired spot. Cocktails are classic and perfectly executed, while the service is certainly one you will never receive in other cocktail bars in the city: elegant, attentive... and perfect. Located right next to Gran Vía, it becomes a lovely place to have a pre-dinner drink, although it is around midnight when it gets more crowded and lively.

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Derzu Bar – Restaurante en Barajas offers a laid-back take on the “asianleña” style of cooking, inspired by renowned culinary pioneers in Madrid. Tucked away from the city’s usual dining routes, it provides a refreshing change of pace for those looking to try something different.

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Pedro Espinosa

Food writer

Another good follower of the asianleña cuisine style, which was created by pioneers like Alberto Chicote, Ricardo Sanz and taken to new heights by David Muñoz. David Vangoni's most casual place deserves a visit outside the usual gastro routes in the city.

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Doppelgänger Bar is a small spot in Madrid’s Mercado Antón Martin that offers fusion cooking with Latin American influences and a selection of natural wines. It has a laid-back vibe in a fun market setting, and the prices are notably easy on the wallet. This relaxed atmosphere makes it a good choice for anyone looking to enjoy creative flavors without the fuss.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

This small restaurant is located in the market of Antón Martin in Madrid and offers nice fusion cuisine with lots of influences from Latin America and also a nice variety of natural wines. We pretty much left everything in their hands and let them choose what we would eat that day, and we had the following: * Crunchy taco with prawn. * “Colihuevo de ñora” * “Laura” style Tamal. * Bitter sweet pork. * Banana karé. * Berliner doughnut. The dish that surprised us the most was the “colihuevo de ñora”, the broth had lots of flavor and was super tasty. In general we had a nice meal, in a fun location and unbeatable prices where the most expensive dish was 8€!

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El Doble is an emblematic tavern in Madrid known for pouring a proper “doble” and giving plenty of attention to its seafood tapas. The informal setting draws locals and visitors alike who want a simple bar experience. It’s a popular spot for anyone looking to enjoy a drink without the fuss.

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Anastasia Avramenko

Freelance journalist

This emblematic tavern is best known for pouring a proper doble, while their seafood tapas deserve not less attention. This is the place. El Doble. Try Madrid’s most famous tapas here: Galician mussels prepared en escabeche, gambas salad with diced onions, olive oil and sherry vinegar, boquerones en vinagre (fresh anchovies cured in salt and vinegar). In addition to that, El Double is where you’d witness the art of pulling a perfect caña, or doble.

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El Fogón de Trifón is a small, family-run restaurant in Madrid’s Salamanca neighborhood that prides itself on honest cooking. Visitors enjoy the friendly setting, whether they’re dropping by for a quick meal at the bar or settling in for a relaxed dinner in the cozy dining room. Regulars often mention how welcoming the staff is and appreciate the focus on quality ingredients.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

Spanish restaurant with fantastic ingredients and cooked great, with a cozy atmosphere making you feel at home. The concept reminded us a little bit of La Tasquita de Enfrente actually, with the emphasis being on the ingredients. On this occasion we went with our good friend Luis and had a nice little feast composed of the following: * Clams from Carril. * Artichoke with foie gras. * “Huevos rotos”: Fried eggs with fried potatoes and “papada ibérica” (pork jowl) and black truffle. * “Chopitos” (baby squid) with potato. * Cod “Cocochas” with pil-pil sauce. * Cheesecake with a green olive confit. A fantastic meal, not overcomplicating things and just being able to appreciate the main ingredient of each dish.

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El Pescador is a well-liked restaurant in Madrid that focuses on fresh seafood and fish. Diners appreciate its straightforward cooking style and laid-back atmosphere. It’s a go-to spot for anyone craving quality seafood in the city.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

THE place for seafood and fish in Madrid. This is THE place for seafood and fish in Madrid. It was four of us and we didn’t overcomplicate things, we mainly ordered grilled simple and delicious seafood and fish: * “Almejas gordas”(Big clams) from Carril. * Red prawn from Denia. * “Cigalitas” (crayfish) from Isla Cristina. * “Lenguado” (Sole). * “Besugo” (Sea bream). * Filloas filled with custard. Definitely one of the places we’ve most enjoyed in the city, and your place to go if you are craving some good seafood or fish.

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Marisquería Fide Calle is a standing-only bar in Madrid with a casual, no-frills vibe. It specializes in fresh seafood brought in weekly from Galicia, offering a simple selection of tapas-style bites and cold beer. It’s a relaxed spot for a quick snack or drink before heading off to dinner.

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David J Constable

Writer & Underwear Model

Standing-only counter with great local beer and first-rate tapas-style snacking One of man’s greatest achievements was putting an anchovy on some toasted bread and boy, do they have a fantastic selection of anchovies here! The vibe is incredibly casual with no-frills, just good cold beer and excellent slider foods - grilled seafood, grilled prawns, pulpit camariñas, crabs, barnacles, shrimp (the seafood brought in every week from the Galician town of Cambado). Also worth noting that it is a bar serving food, so its standing only. Perfect for snacks or a quick ‘beer & bite’ before dinner.

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Fismuler Madrid focuses on simple cooking that brings out the best in carefully chosen ingredients. The kitchen takes a stripped-back approach, allowing each element to shine. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it an inviting place to enjoy a meal in the city.

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David J Constable

Writer & Underwear Model

Simple, to-the-point cooking: showing off first rate produce and ramping up the flavours. A brilliant lunch at Fismuler from chef Patxi Zumarraga. Simple, to-the-point cooking: showing off first rate produce and ramping up the flavours. This is my favourite sort of place, advocating a stripped back simplicity, and pushing ingredients to the fore. There’s a lettuce bud from the restaurant’s garden, crowned with shavings of 24-month Comté; Navarrese white asparagus with champagne cream; Figueres onion soup with ‘cod’s guts & egg yolk; artichoke rice with flamed snails; a San Roman schnitzel with egg & black truffle; pickled wild boar with foie gras & spring vegetables; and the best damn omelette I’ve ever had - with potato, onion, fried green peppers & Carrasco Iberico chorizo.

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Hermanos Vinagre is a relaxed spot in Madrid where people come to enjoy the traditional aperitif. With three locations in lively neighborhoods, it offers high-quality produce and a friendly atmosphere. It’s a simple yet inviting place to take a break from the city and soak up local culture.

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Paula Móvil

Journalist & PR

A heaven for pickled food With three locations in Madrid (Ibiza, Chamberí and Chueca neighborhoods), Hermanos Vinagre is the place to enjoy the time of the aperitif, one of the favorite hobbies of madrileños. With a glass of vermouth in hand or a caña, indulge in gildas (skewered olives with anchovy and piparra), a matrimonio (cured anchovy in salt and in vinegar) or on a toast with butter and anchovy, a mix of battered cheese and berberechos or some mussels in escabeche. They also have a very good ensaladilla rusa and steak tartar. It is not cheap but the quality of their produce is worth it.

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Kuoco is a fusion restaurant in Madrid that brings together flavors from around the world in a relaxed setting. The constantly changing menu emphasizes contrasts and fresh tastes, making each visit feel new and exciting. Its inviting atmosphere and creative approach to food make it a memorable spot to share a meal.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

If we talk about fusion cuisine, three places come to our minds in Madrid, and Kuoco is one of them. Every bite is an explosion of flavors inspired by food from the whole world. We chose a la carte and ate the following: * Pani-Puri with kefir and smoked sardine. * Peking duck croquette. * Causa croquette with fish, chilli garlic and chalaquita. * Crunchy wonton of pork al pastor, spicy pineapple mojito, lime and coriander. * Oyster with leche de tigre. * Scallop tartar with passion fruit dressing, tomato tsukemono, black quino and shallots. * Steak tartar with gochujang dressing, toasted sesame, mushrooms cracker. * “Presa ibérica” (Iberian pork loin) with lapsang souchong tea, shiitake mole, truffled pico de gallo and crunchy wonton. Overall, a very solid meal, lots of contrasts, and in our opinion the main flavor that was played around with was the acidity.

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