Madrid Eat/Drink/Vibe $$
The following is a running list of my favorite midrange price point restaurants in Madrid. I call it eat/drink/vibe because a truly satisfying dining experience must have the perfect combination of all three. I promise to never take you somewhere with bad vibes.
Cappuccino, Pl. de la Independencia 5, Retiro
$$$, cafe, casual drinks outside
This is where you go to see and be seen. Most of the restaurant has a large front patio overlooking the plaza with views of Puerta de Alcala and Retiro Park. When you’re walking by, you will accidentally stop and stare because the most attractive young people you’ve ever seen in Madrid are sitting at Cappuccino. The drinks are great, my favorites are the hugo spritz, the espresso martini with reposado tequila (duh), and the white espresso martini. It’s a bit sweeter than normal but, something about it works for even those without a sweet tooth. I've had some food there, it’s averagely good, but that’s not why you’re there. The truffle fries are decent and the steak is painfully average. The one we got was super fatty, but again, you’re probably here to socialize, not for the finest cuisine in the city. If you're gonna eat here I say go for one of the salads, they are surprisingly good. At the end of the day, you’re sitting here to have a hugo spritz, sit in the sunshine, smoke a cigarette (sorry momma it’s Europe I don’t do it often), and look at cute boys.
Allegra, C. de Velazquez 11, Salamanca
$$$, italian, romantic vibe
Allegra is loosely translated to the word ‘joyful’ in English. That is how it felt to consume their spicy rigatoni pasta. Incredibly joyful if you order the beer tartare to start. Overdosing on cheerfulness if you order a drink off their special horoscope cocktail menu, naturally, I got the Virgo (that’s my sign) and of course, it was an espresso martini. I was euphoric by the time my meal was over. The venue was absolutely beautiful as we dined in the ‘red room’ filled with pop art photographs of various strangers profiling silly expressions. The red lighting creates a romantic and intimate setting, from smiles to sorrows to blowing bubbles. The main dining room also has such a vibe, with a live piano and what I would describe as plush seating. One thing I believe can make or break the restaurant experience is how comfortable the seating is. I would rather order Uber eats than sit in a chair that makes my ass cheeks numb, I don't care how aesthetically pleasing it is. Get the spicy rigatoni (yes they have gluten-free pasta) and skip the bolognese. I'm not a fan of butter-based bolognese, so give me the red sauce. Split a bottle of wine with three friends or make out with your crush on the couch, life is a choose-your-own-adventure and this setting is diverse enough to attend with multiple different routes for your evening.
p.s.- I have to mention the beef tartare again because as a self-proclaimed “not a huge fan” of it, I am a huge fan of this particular one.
Bump Green, C. de Fortuny 7, Chamberí
$$-$$$, global, lunch with a side of gossip
We ordered two bottles of wine, hummus, burgers (gluten-free bun), fries, and salad while I told my long-distance best guy friend from college the three-hour-long story of what exactly transpired between me and my most recent ex-boyfriend. Some stories are better told in person and the venue can dictate how much detail you can divulge in a particular setting. You can’t tell this story in a club, it's too loud. You can't tell this story in the Uber, your poor Uber driver. You can't tell this story while you're at home getting ready, it requires much more attention to detail. You can effortlessly tell this story over lunch, seated in a lightly buzzing cafe/restaurant in a Northern Madrid neighborhood. The food was delicious, I just had to send my burger back because Europeans seem to prefer their meat a bit more alive than I do, but other than that I have no complaints. A very reasonable price point for the quality of food. The moral of the story is that sometimes you need to tell a story, and the setting in which you do that can provide the perfect social lubricant or leave you needing to schedule an appointment with your therapist. Please use my vulnerability as proof to trust all my recommendations.
Fortuny Home Club/Club Morris, C. de Fortuny 34, Salamanca
$$$, mediterranean, dinner that turns into a club
I would like to start by saying, I only recommend this place because of the vibe. If you want to have dinner and drinks with friends, then immediately walk downstairs into a party, this is your spot. Our dinner reservation was at 11 pm, and we were kind of just going for apps and wine and then to walk downstairs and party. The staff was borderline rude, but our server was blatantly rude! They made it pretty apparent they did not like us. Four blonde, American girls at dinner always attract some kind of attention in a foreign country and it’s either love or hate. When I asked if they had gluten-free pizza she looked at me with disgust, told me to read the menu, and walked away. I guess there is not a gluten-free menu option! Aside from that bizarre encounter, my friends liked their Margherita pizza. I ordered the beef tartare, ew. It had egg shavings on top. Which, as you know, I believe is the most unappealing sight atop an uncooked beef. I’m sorry. Gross. Okay, the more I write, the more I realize I do not recommend coming here for dinner. Just pay the $35 or whatever and go to Club Morris at midnight (or have a club promoter put you on the list). A pregame at home would probably be a more pleasant experience. The club is so redeemable because it’s not a typical club atmosphere, as they have a huge outdoor patio, so half the club is running amok like you’re at a bar in the jungle. The other half of the party inside has the more traditional DJ set up, but, it’s not as dark as most clubs and the music isn’t as heavy. The crowd here is a bit more mature, most guys I’ve met here are millennials. Honestly, it might be 27+ but if you’re a pretty girl, rules don’t apply as much.
Casa Benigna, C. Benigno Soto 9, Chamartín
$$$, traditional spanish, family dinner, or a fourth date
This family-owned restaurant has some of the best paella and customer service I’ve had in Spain. We had a family dinner here for about 6 people and the staff could not have been more accommodating. They were absolute sweethearts, making our rambunctious bit of a group feel right at home. We all split about 3 or 4 different paellas. They have every kind that exists, ranging from seafood with squid and shrimp, to rabbit for those who prefer to eat land creatures. Rabbit is pretty big over here, I can’t really get behind it because my friend has a pet bunny named Lola, and the thought of eating her grosses me out. But, some people love it! Anyways, order legit any of the paellas, they were all delicious. They also have a great selection of wine…we definitely partook in a couple of bottles of red. There’s not much around here so if you’re looking for a party vibe, this is a wholesome event for sure. The quiet street hides this hidden gem so an Uber to your next destination is necessary. They also have gluten-free bread for my gf girlies and were so damn nice about it.
La Unica, C. de Claudio Coello 10, Salamanca
$$$, mexican, drinks/live music
The first time I went to this bar was for after-dinner drinks to keep the party going. Nothing like a live singer who will walk around the bar and sing to your boyfriend. All in good fun, of course. I tried their food for the first time to celebrate this very website and can tell you the food is just as delicious as their extensive list of mezcal cocktails. Their menu of Mexican fusion has the best shrimp tacos with an Oaxaca cheese crust and smoked chipotle aioli. The Galician beef tacos are also amazing with a mozzarella cheese crust. Their assortment of salsas adds the perfect amount of zing and spice if you prefer your food a bit spicier like me. This is the perfect, buzzing social setting to celebrate with friends.
Taberna Los Gallos, C. de Puigcerda 6, Salamanca
$$$, spanish, dinner
Truly, just a restaurant. Good old-fashioned food. Duck confit with corn cream and pears in red wine. Excellent. Shiseido Peppers. Excellent. Oysters. Simple and taste just like they should. Iberian pork cheek with sweet potato puree and fries. Comforting. Still an upscale atmosphere, but no need for extra frills here.
Casa Macareno, C. de San Vicente Ferrer 44, Malasaña
$$-$$$, spanish, dinner
I honestly don’t have much to say about this spot except that it's great for traditional Spanish food in a casual, Spanish setting. It’s decorated just like you would expect a Spanish restaurant to be decorated. The people are warm, the bar is cozy, the room is buzzing and the patatas bravas are flowing. If you make friends with the bartenders they might even spoil you with some extra drinks and shots to enjoy with them.
Le Club Sushita, C. de Alcala 63
$$-$$$, japanese, dinner/drinks
According to my friend, this is the best espresso martini he’s ever had. So if that’s your vibe for the evening, let’s start with that beverage. After that, I would order the spicy tuna roll (duh) and the Mexican roll. The spicy tuna roll is as classic as always and tastes just fine, so, I must rave about the Mexican roll – salmon jalapenos, and pico de gallo. They absolutely killed it. I've never had a roll similar to this, so, they impressed me with their culinary creativity. Sushita also has many locations and to my knowledge, all have a different vibe – Le Club has a funky retro atmosphere that you want to take a million pictures of and it’s the kind of place you take selfies in the bathroom. I guess I have to try the other locations and report back!