restaurants

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Botin

Madrid is made proud by Botin-which brags of being the world's oldest restaurant. The calling card here is their roast suckling pig. If you missed it, you really have missed something on your Madrid city break!

El Corral de la Moreria

This is one of the oldest flamenco show restaurant in Madrid opened in 1957. The restaurant is located in the heart of the Madrid, in the oldest part of the city, next to the Royal Palace.

The restaurant is air-conditioned and is prepared to seat upto 150 people. Furniture and lamps from the XVIII and XIX centuries give the restaurant a real Castilian style setting, transporting clients to a true "tablao" of the time.

Jockey

Jockey is one of the classical restaurants in Madrid offering International cuisines. This premier restaurant is a favourite of International celebrities, diplomats, and heads of state. The restaurant, with tables on two levels, isn't large. Wood-paneled walls and colored linen provide a cozy ambience. Against the paneling are a dozen prints of jockeys mounted on horses, hence the name was derrived from it. Also the restaurant was once a Jockey club, dropped because of the exclusivity.

The restaurant was established shortly after World War II, so, the chefs prided themselves of coming up with new and creative dishes. You can still order Beluga caviar from Iran but might settle happily for the goose-liver terrine or slices of Jabugo ham. Cold melon soup with shrimp is good on a hot day, especially when followed by grill-roasted young pigeon from Talavera or sole filets with figs in chardonnay. Stuffed small chicken Jockey-style is a specialty, as is tripa madrileña, a local dish. The Desserts are sumptuous.

Cafe de Chinitas Restaurant

The Cafe de Chinitas has a long tradition in Spain's capital. It is one of the most famous tablaos (flamenco restaurants) in the world. The Cafe occupies an 18th Century mansion close to the central Gran Vía area. It offers Mediterranean cuisine and an excellent flamenco show every evening.

Located right in the heart of Madrid just a short distance from the Senate and the lively Gran Via, Cafe de Chinitas mixes international cuisine with wonderful flamenco. The restaurant is popular with both visitors and locals and the restaurant dance troupe performs everyday with an invited guest star.

Jose Luis

At Jose Luis you are offered luxury tapas. You can either eat standing up (more likely) or at one of the tables (if you come early enough). The star tapas are Spanish omelette and grilled pork loin. However, the list is endless and other good options include crab, Boquerones En Vinagre (marinated anchovies), croquettes, tuna and more. As for drinks, you can choose from cider, wines, or beer. They also offer a range of traditional dishes.

Sacha

This restaurant is similar to that of many other modern Parisian bistros with its antique furniture and white linen tablecloths. This is a major hub of journalists, politicians, and artists in Madrid. The cooking has strong Galician and Catalan influences. The freshest of the natural ingredients are used for cooking. You may try the oysters, Skate Hotpot, Cannelloni stuffed with pork shoulder, or Monkfish and Prawn Canapes. The wine list contains a wide selection of Spain's finest varieties. In summer, the outdoor terrace is in demand, so book well in advance.

Terraza del Casino (La)

This is a stylish and tastefully decorated restaurant offering contemporary and spanish cuisines. It is nestled on the top floor of Madrid's historic Casino. To come to La Terraza del Casino, you will need to dress up smartly to fit in with the well-heeled crowd that frequents this place. As for the food,the famous Catalan chef, Ferran Adria, presents his imaginative versions of novel cuisines. During summer, it is best if you can book a table on the outdoor terrace of this restaurant.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 01:30 PM to 04:00 PM, Mo to Fr from 09:00 PM to 11:45 PM, Sa from 09:00 PM to 11:45 PM

La Bola Taberna

La Bola Taberna is one of those restaurants that existed in Madrid for long. The restaurant still maintains its old-fashioned interior and continues to prepare traditional dishes the way it always has been. The restaurant serves cuisines of Tavernas and Spanish. Although it is famous for its version of Cocido Madrileño (a popular Madrid two-course soup/stew), the delicately grilled sole or any of the other popular stews are also worth a try. The wine list has a range of varieties to choose from. This restaurant does not accept any credit cards.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM, Mo to Sa from 08:30 PM to 11:00 PM

Dantxari

This is a popular restaurant in the Madrid area. It provides excellent popular and comforting Basque cuisine like hearty stews and offal dishes as well as grilled meats and fish. As usual, the house speciality is bacalao al pil pil (cod simmered in garlic sauce). You may always encounter gangesters that make this place lively. You're sure to have an unforgettable feast. Take a look at the magnificent collection of antique clocks on the top floor. You can reserve one of the private dining rooms for more intimate gatherings and valet parking is available.

Opening hours: Mo to Sa from 01:30 AM to 04:00 PM, Mo to Sa from 08:30 AM to 12:00 AM, Su from 01:30 PM to 04:00 PM

Aloque

This popular and pleasant restaurant cum bar has more than 300 varieties to choose from its great wine list. The wine varieties are mostly in Spnish but with some French and Australian labels as well. Order them by the glass or bottle with something tasty from the tapas menu that features homemade specials and exotic treats like Pepper Steak, Cod Canapes, and Cecina de Astorga (smoked beef). The staff are friendly and very well served. The bar also runs wine tasting sessions and courses.

Opening hours: M-Su 7:30pm-1am

Plaza Mayor

Best place to get the flavour of Madrid's imperialism. This site was designed by Juan Gómez de Mora in the early half of the 17th century. The town square is renowned as an area for auto-da-fes. Get here if you want to enjoy an alfresco snack or drink.

Highlight:: Outdoor dining

La Broche

The restaurant has won two prestigious Michelin stars. The well known chefs prepare their own personal specialties to a selected clients in Hotel Miguel Angel. The restaurant is decorated in a simple manner in minimalist style and plain colors. There are lots of light from huge windows and lots of space between tables. The kitchen and the wine cellar are open to view. Don't forget to reserve a table several days in advance as there are only 50 covers. Outstanding dishes include Asparagus Tempura, Warm Clam Salad and Boletus Carpaccio. There's a range of tempting desserts as well. Valet parking is offered.

Opening hours: Tu to Fr from 02:00 PM to 03:30 PM, Tu to Fr from 09:00 PM to 11:15 PM, Mo from 09:00 PM to 11:15 PM, Sa from 09:00 PM to 11:15 PM

Gran Cafe de Gijon

Since its opening in 1888, It was a regular meeting place for intellectuals and writers. This cafe still attracts a loyal clientele made up of journalists and literary types. Famous poets and novelists like Federico Garcia Lorca, Antonio Machado, Ruben Dario and Perez Galdos all have spent time here. The restaurant specializes in international cuisine with an emphasis on meats. However, you can also choose from a range of regional Spanish dishes. The Asturian varieties are the best. Try Hake cooked in Cider or Grilled Sea Bass. The wine list features fine wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero.

Opening hours: Su to Fr from 07:00 AM to 01:30 AM, Sa from 07:00 AM to 02:00 AM

Suntory

This is Madrid's most luxurious and expensive Japanese restaurant. You may often encounter large tour groups here. However, it still retains an air of Oriental calm, even when busy. The interior is elegantly decorated in pure Japanese minimalist style. The cuisines are prepared in asian style. There's a sushi bar for those on a tighter budget. Portions in the main dining room are meagre compared to other places and the prices are high. You can reserve one of the private dining rooms and there is valet parking available too.

Opening hours: M-Sa 1:30p-3:30p & 8:30p-11:30p

Cabo Mayor

Caby Mayor is a Cantabrian restaurant that IS specializeD in fresh fish. It is located in the spacious ground floor premises that have been tastefully divided into several different spaces, all decorated with a nautical theme. The raw ingrediants are treated with tender loving care. You would be advised to try the Lobster Salad with monkfish and lemon preserve as a starter.

Opening hours: M-Sa 1:30p-4p & 8:45p-11:45p