We are taking our teenage daughter to Spain for spring break. We will be in Madrid, with
side trips to Toledo and Segovia. Based on what I've read here and in the guidebooks, we are planning to have our big meal at lunch and lighter tapas in the evening. Any restaurants/taverns/bars you'd recommend we try? Thanks in advance.

Hi,

My favorite restaurant is Posada de la Villa, near Plaza Mayor. Among tapas bars that I like are Cerveceria Alemana and Vinoteca Barbechera, both in Plaza Santa Ana.

Check out the Rick Steves travel guide. He has a section on tapas crawling in Madrid. I do not remember the name of any of the places but the one he refers to with the sizzling shrimp is fantastic.

Thank you for your ideas - anyone else
have suggestions? thanks!

Hi

We loved the Alhambra Tapas Bar, Calle Victoria 9. It had so much authentic Spanish atmosphere. The New York Times wrote: "Alhambra has been serving excellent wine, beer, and tapas to a gregarious crowd since 1929. Around midnight the one-room tavern fills up, the windows get steamy, and the crowd begins to do pseudo-sevillana dance moves to traditional music. When it's packed, they jump right onto the wooden tabletops without missing a beat." Another suggestion, although some say it's touristy, is the Plaza Santa Ana in the evening. Very atmospheric! And of course no evening is complete without hot chocolate and churros at San Ginés Chocolateria, Calle de Coloreros. Death by chocolate!