emalekween

Madrid is such a large city that I'm having a difficult time acclimating myself to the area where we'll be staying. Just there two nights. Have read and printed mucho info from Maribel's guides, but would like to pare the info down a bit. Am not familiar with the neighborhoods as this is our first time in Madrid. Any recommendations for inexpensive restaurants (10-15E) or Tapas bars specifically within walking distance of the Hotel Intur Palacio San Martin would be greatly appreciated. You all haven't let me down yet! Thanks, Lissa

Christina

I don't plan things too much like that, so am not much help -- I just look around and eat in plces that look decent. However, I stayed in that hotel a few years ago and just loved it. It's within easy walking distance of tons of places to eat -- you've got Gran Via to the north, Plaza Mayor and Puerto to the South, and the opera to the west. I don't make notes on these things, but there is a good Italian pizza place right near the hotel just a door or two to the west. I ate in there once or twice when I didn't want to be out late far away. There is a good Argentinean steak house a bit further to the west going to the Opera. To be honest, I doubt if either of those are 10-15 euro which seems impossible to me for dinner, although the pizza place might be. A very good area for tapas bars and other restaurants is south around La Latina metro stop. It isn't a bad walk from Plaza Mayor, either. Cava Baja and Cava Alta are full of them, get out at La Latina and start walking north and look around. There are about 40 bars on Cava Baja alone.

I really don't know about eating for 10-15 euro, though, if you mean a full meal plus drinks. Here is a list of quite a few around Puerto del Sol and La Latina, I think there are a couple there in your price range:
http://www.whatmadrid.com/tapas.html

kimhe

Try the Menu del día, three course lunch menu with wine for about 12-13€, at traditional Casa Marta close to your hotel (Calle de Santa Clara, 10):
http://www.restaurantecasamarta.com/rcm.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html

The very popular tapas bar/restaurant Casa Labra is also close by (just off Puerta del Sol in C/Tetuan, 12). Book ahead if you want to sit down for a meal or be there early if you are going for tapas. The famous Bacalao de la Casa comes for 3€.
http://www.casalabra.com/index.html
http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui...nt-detail.html

Lots of very good restaurants and tapas bars in and around Calle Cava Baja (the Latina area) just on the other side of Plaza Mayor from your hotel. Highly recommended!

Revulgo

"El Cucurucho del Mar", at Postigo de San Martin 6, is primarily a good value seafood restaurant located in a modern and traditional decor with shells, lamps and wooden cabin. They offer very fresh seafood brought in from Galicia.In its menu they also offer fish and meat. It is advisable to book and smoking is permitted. Seafood may be asked to take away

"Chocolatería Valor" at Postigo de San Martín 7. Hot chocolate with churros.

Bar-restaurant "La Panera" at Calle Arenal 19. They serve a free tapa with your drink order at the bar. There are raciones (large tapas) for sharing.

mikelg

I´d just go out and enjoy the area, and enter into any of the many places that offer you tapas and meals. The choice is wide, you are in the very center of Madrid "old town".

emalekween

Thanks everyone for the variety of suggestions.
Christina- Thought we'd try the Menu del Dia specials middle of the day (suggested by many posters)and lighter fare, or tapas at night. We can spend more but I'm always looking for a good deal!
Kimhe- Thanks for your very specific suggestions and the web addresses. Very helpful info.
Revulgo- The seafood place sounds great....fresh being the operative word.
mikelg- Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You're right, we're on vaca and we should just wander and see what appeals.

kimhe

You may also want to visit the recently reopened and modernized food market Mercado de San Miguel (from 1916) just off the north-western corner of Plaza Mayor. Several tapas bars serving great seafood etc.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/07/26...l/26heads.html