Tapas in Madrid and other stuff to do
 

Is tapas part of the culture in Madrid? What are the good ones to check out? Last time I was there I saw flamenco and that was just amazing, hot sweaty passion! I went to the Sofia and Prado museums and also the Royal Palace, spent sunset at Temple of Debod next to a bunch of lovey dovey kids and haf a nice long stroll along a garden near the Palace. I rode the HOHO bus! I love HOHO buses in any city, get immense pleasure especially when I remember to bring my own foldable quality headphones that makes a world of difference. I met fun and interesting people watching a soccer game at a dive bar and more interesting people at a rooftop of some fancy dancy hotel I stayed in. Please help me fill my 5 days there. There is so much to learn about Madrid, a city I initially underestimated but can't wait to go back soon. Muchas gracias!

you do not say when you are going and it is easy to pick what ever you like via the offical website.
http://turismomadrid.es/en/

Tapas didn't start in Madrid, but neither did flamenco, and there are plenty of tapas bars around, so in that way, it's definitely part of the culture. Lots of good guides, this is a good list of places in various areas
https://tapastalk.wordpress.com/tapas-bars/

Yes, I would say that tapas is very much part of the culture in Madrid, as well as having aperitifs late in the afternoon in any of its plazas.
A place I recently "discovered" ( was actually recommended by Lincasanova a poster here) and found to be very authentic was Casa Revuelta , in Old Madrid. Its specialty is bacalao (cod fish). Its very difficult to get in, because its small and usually mobbed, but don't be deterred!

Forgot to add in reference to things to do, if you have good weather you should spend some time in Retiro park.

... and north of Retiro in upscale , non touristy Salamanca - Serrano

If there on a Sunday and in season, go to a bullfight !

Yes! I forgot about Retiro Park thanks for reminding me and Salamanca also. I'm leaving this week flying to Barcelona first but thats even quicker only 2 days there, just enough time to see some of the big ones I wanted to do - Park Guell and La Sagrada. Thank you for the restaurant rec Casa Revuelta. I'm looking forward to more of your suggestions. Gracias!

I also enjoy Mercado San Miguel, near Plaza Mayor

Have a great trip!

When in Spain, we tend to have a cheap menu del dia at lunchtime, and tapas in the evening. last time we were in Madrid we stayed near the Opera and it was very easy just to wander out of the hotel and more or less pop into the nearest bar to see what they had. we rarely found a duff one and we had a lot of fun in the process.

Casa Revuelta is excellent, but it's no restaurant, just great tapas and atmosphere. A few small tables, but in line with good tapas tradition most people just stand in the bar and eat and drink. Try the squid in its own ink tapa, also delicious! http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html

+1 Mercado San Miguel. We went there a few times during a short stay in Madrid. Great variety and prices were reasonable. Nice wine and fun atmosphere.

check out marble's guides-our favorite tapas and dining recs were all in the retiro park area. mmmm!

I think that's Maribel's guides, suitably mangled by the spell-check.

The Mercado San Miguel YES! Great idea, I wanted to go there last time but ran out of time thank you. I took a HOHO bus and it dropped me off at a tapas place but don't remember it starts with an L, with an open air window with indoor/outdoor feel. Candle lit at night and the kitchen is in the building across the restaurant. People were smoking inside though but surprisingly didn't bother me just made me miss my disgusting habit back in college. What was the name of it? It has two locations in Madrid. Maribel! wherever you are thank you for creating the wonderful guide you so generously share with everyone.

<dropped me off at a tapas place but don't remember it starts with an L, with an open air window with indoor/outdoor feel>

Could have been Madrid classic Casa Labra:
http://www.casalabra.es/
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/casa-...nba-Pm7-yZR-yA
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ra-Madrid.html

Enjoy tapas on your own. Suggested routes:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...qEvGaY_4&msa=0

Some fabulous routes here, Revulgo. Route 9, 11 and 12 would all be great intros to Madrid tapas culture in the heart of the city, but next time in Madrid I'll go for either 13, 14, 15 or the Chueca or Chamberi routes and around. Thanks!

Thanks for the great map...

Casa Lucas , one of my favourites on Cava Baja , is missing.
Albora serves slightly different tapas than usual " tourist selection" , was mobbed at lunch.
La Catapa is very local...ther was no menu in English a couple years ago (might be a problem for some) and

Estay is still closed (under renovation ).

Fabulous is right, Revulgo! Thank you so much for the continued suggestions everyone snd for introducing me to Maribel's goodies. Is there a recommendation for the BEST paella in the city that specifically includes chorizo and mussels? I am so dying for this I might have to get my fix in Barcelona. I will be in Barcelona by tomorrow and cannot wait to go tapas/pintxos hopping. Woot! I will be staying in the el Born area. Kimhe I read your suggestion of Tapeo, Euskal and Xampanyet in one of your comments to another poster. Any other suggestions will be truly appreciated. I took notes danon. Muchas gracias senoritas and senors!

Whatever happened to La Trucha ? Wonderful smoked trout and other tapas. Aroung forever.

La Trucha has closed down.

I used to love the Huevos Rotos at Casa Lucio, lining the belly with greasy sausage egg and chips before going on the lash is particularly pleasant in Madrid.

Memories of my youth come flooding back.
Was Bocadillo de Calamares the inspiration for McDonald fillet of fish burger?

Thank you, si si, calamares is in the works! :)

Bocadillo de calamares. Bar La Campana on Calle Botoneras 6, next to the Plaza Mayor.
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...bocadillos.jpg

Both La Campana and La Ideal are institutions in town. Never leave Madrid without having had a Bocadillo de calamares in one of these places. Also many other delicious bocadillos, grilled pork fillet, sausages, chorizo, ham, cheese etc. etc. And watch out for El Brilliante, next to the Reina Sofia museum and close to the Atocha train station, I always end up here for some reason: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkFU_M4l-Iw

La Campana: http://www.calamareslacampana.com/
La Ideal: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...al-Madrid.html
El Brilliante: http://www.barelbrillante.es/

La Catapa was one of the ones recommended by Maribel and it was dellish. I would sit at the bar and ask the waiter to recommend his 2 favorite and then we would go from there. Tapas are great, but they are not for the meek.

The Madrid tripe trail should start with Callos Madrilenos. America is the epicentre of the sandwich world.The fillings have always been the best for me, but the bread tended to let them down.....until http://www.grilledcheeseacademy.com/signature

geminican,

Hope you had yourself a solid paella or arroz fix in Barcelona, plenty of fabulous rice places there as you know.

Paella is not very much a Madrid thing, but they are very serious about it at Casa Benigna, close to Real Madrid's Santiago Bernaueu football stadium. http://www.casabenigna.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...na-Madrid.html

Geminican,
We really enjoyed La Barraca in Madrid for paella. Very well known, has been there for 80 years, the family that owns it was originally from Valencia so they know about paella. They have a big selection of paellas and we though it was excellent. Enjoy!

This is wonderful food info. I didn't get to indulge in paella so I'm excited to try it in Madrid and some of your suggested places in Madrid. Thank you! The tapas/pintxos in Barcelona kept me stuffed and nostalgic of San Sebastian. I also like callos so that was a great suggestion thanks. I ate so much and enjoyed my second time there checking out Gaudi's work of art.

Interesting, I went to La Barraca 3 yrs ago and thought it was mediocre and the service I found appalling.

Have you ever drink from a "porrón"? Have fun at El Porrón Canalla, drinking from a porrón and eating good "bocadillos" (roll bread sandwiches). Address: Calle de la Ballesta 2, close to the Gran Vía:
http://www.maruliaenlaciudad.com/wp-...3N-CANALLA.jpg

Porrón in Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porron

never drunk from one, Revulgo - looks like fun, if a tad messy.

Paris has come to an end (so soon) and it's almost Madrid time!! Thanks Revulgo, I think I watched Anthony Bourdain drink from a porron once, didn't know what it was called but it does look fun and yes messy. Any other fun ideas during my stay? annhig, tapas in the evening, yum, such a great way to dine and sample a variety of goodies.

I'll be staying in the Salamanca area, believe it or not I still have to book my hotel tonight, cancelled the first one. Planning to do the HOHO bus again, found it easy to get around, and hopefully get to some of the smaller less crowded museums too. kimhe, it wasn't Casa Labra but I'm making a note of that!

Two flamenco suggestions for tonight in Madrid:

See fabulous Paloma Fantova (1989, Puerto Real, Cádiz) dance in Cardamomo tonight or tomorrow night at 22h. One of the great young promises:
Video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck7hMzNH3b8
http://cardamomo.es/

Or see Leilah Broukim at Candela tonight at 23h: http://www.flamenco-vivo.org/#!leilah-broukhim/c24d4
Video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcjPJfblSeo
Candela: http://flamencocandela.com/

I did a tapas and flamenco crawl in Madrid:

http://madride.net/

Tapas Bars I like:

Cueva del Gato: http://lacuevadelgato.webnode.es/la-cueva-del-gato/

El Tigre: http://eltigre.delsurweb.com/

Kaixo: http://www.tabernakaixo.com/