Fodor's Expert Review Espacio Eslava

The crowds gathered outside this local favorite off the Alameda de Hercules may be off-putting at first, but the creative, inexpensive tapas (from €3) are well worth the wait—and so is the house specialty, the Basque dessert sokoa. Try delicacies like the solomillo de pato con pan de queso y salsa de peras al vino (duck fillet with cheesy bread and pears in wine sauce).

Tables at the tapas bar can't be booked (a call will get you a reservation at the next-door Eslava restaurant); to help avoid a wait, visit between 12:30 and 1:30 pm or between 5 and 8 pm.