Revulgo

Tapapiés is the largest tapas contest in Madrid. In 2023 it is held from October 19 to 29 in Lavapiés, one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city.This barrio represents the fusion of people and cultures that Madrid has experimented within recent years. It is said that up to 88 different nationalities —from Africa, South America, Middle East and Far East— stay at the multicultural Lavapiés. The festival offers a variety of 100 different tapas from around the world. Each participating bar in Tapapiés develops their own signature tapa that compete for being the most voted snack. The festival will have unique creations of different types of cuisine and many tapas will be offered in a vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free version. Be sure to stop by San Fernando Market and Antón Martín Market, where several vendors also participate. The festival is organized by the Neighborhood Merchants Association, and sponsored by El Aguila beer.

One participant tapa plus one El Aguila beer (mini-bottle or caña) will cost you just €3. You can simply wander around, dropping into whatever bars you come across and trying your luck. Each one usually advertises a photograph of their tapa with a huge banner out front, so you’ll know more or less what to expect, or ask for a brochure at any of the participating places and you’ll get a pocket-sized booklet that contains a list of every single tapa being offered, as well as a photograph and a detailed ingredients list for each. They’re all plotted on a numbered map, so you can plan out your ideal route.

In addition, this gastronomic festival will feature live music, parades, storytelling for children and theatrical performances at different designated spots every Saturday and Sunday, at mid-day (13.30) and at evening (20.30). At peak weekend times expect to eat standing up while balancing a beer in one hand and a tapa in the other, and yelling at each other just to be heard. This is not an activity for those who would rather settle into a cozy restaurant for a relaxed dinner. The frenetic and colorful spirit of the neighborhood is never more alive than on a Tapapiés evening. IMO, the best times to attend the festival are from 13:00 to 15:30 and from 19:30 onwards. Don't forget that on Sunday the 29th at 3:00 AM the clocks are turned backward 1 hour.

Maribel

Thanks, Revulgo I'll be there!

To add...if you're still hungry after all those great bites, do indeed stop at the Mercado de Antón Martín downstairs and try the fantastic ensaladilla rusa at Lalópez Bar (and tell Maia and Sergio I sent you!)

TDudette

Thanks and Wow! I have found a recipe for ensaladilla rusa...it looks incredible.

Maribel

Hi Revulgo,
I noticed that the HOTEL TAPA TOUR is coming up, starting September 14 and ending September 24.

From the esmadrid.com site (which you don't write )

"For the eighth year in a row, Hotel Tapa Tour is back to showcase high-end hotels as important gastronomic spaces. From 14 to 24 September, Madrid will once again host the informal haute cuisine festival, which for the first time ever will be held simultaneously in Barcelona."

We took advantage of this last year to have tapas and wine on the lovely terrace of the Relais Chateau Orfila and at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, where we usually can't afford to dine. But prior reservations are encouraged at both.

https://hoteltapatour.com

Maribel

Hi Revulgo,
Well, today, the "opening day" of Tapapíes wasn't the optimum day to go, as you know, due to the torrential rains that never stopped, but tomorrow we're hoping for sunny skies so that the musicians and entertainers can come out.

We did rescue this very wet day by having a great and inexpensive lunch at a new favorite, TATEMA, at Argumosa 11, just a few blocks up from La Caníbal (La Caníbal's special tapa, the nigiri de papada ibérica, wasn't so great so don't recommend it and it's only served on the O Pazo de Lugo side.).

TATEMA serves comida viajera, like its multicultural neighborhood of Lavapiés, with winks from several nations-- México, Lebanon, Thailand, Argentina, etc. And many dishes are grilled, as the theme is amor por la brasa (love of the embers).

Tatama was a hit, as many dishes can be ordered in a half portion, even a third, so we were able to sample several. Prices are fairly gentle for the high quality.
Many vegetarian friendly dishes too--
We tried the roasted carrot salad with baba-ganoush (grilled eggplant) in a toasted cashew sauce,
a roasted sweet potato in a spicy Thai sauce heaping with portobellos with a side of rice and egg yolk (mixed together),
fried broccoli with a sesame dressing topped with slivers of cured sheep's cheese,
baby asparagus topped with grilled Brie, cream of roasted garlic and pancetta (non veggie) and
for dessert, a luscious brioche filled with dulce de leche ice cream, warmed on the grill.

There were many other attractive dishes we wanted to try, so a good reason to return---along with the nice service, cozy back dining room and interesting selections of wines by the glass (Gaba do Sil godello from Valdeorras).

Hope to return to Tapapiés on the weekend blessed with sun and live music...much more fun!

Maribel

And Tatema now, as of today, has received a Repsol Guide "solete", along with Barmitón, Bodegas Rosell, La Montería, Taberna Húmedo, Puzzle and Haranita.

Revulgo

Another "solete" for La Gildería on Calle Calatrava
https://www.instagram.com/lagilderia...dium=copy_link

Maribel

Have to get to La Gildería soon!

Revulgo

La Gildería in National Geographic (Spain)
https://viajes.nationalgeographic.co...ste-2023_17556

Maribel

I finally got to La Gildería and now, speaking of gildas, there´s the new Doble y Gilda on Santa Engracia, in your district of Chamberí.
https://dobleygilda.com

Long live la gilda!

danon

Maribel and Revulgo…you are making me long for Madrid…I returned to Canada a few weeks ago ,already booked another visit in the spring.