Aldara Collet (1976)

Around 13:00 have an “aperitivo”, a vermouth, a glass of wine or a beer with some “tapas”, a bit of “empanada” (typical dish from the north of Spain) or a Spanish omelet (sooooo good!).

I used to go there after classes with my cousin a couple of years ago when I was at the University, to enjoy the tortilla which restores your soul as well as your body (as you can guess I am absolutely fanatic of the “tortilla de patatas”).

You can also have dinner here. Every dish tastes like the ones my grandmother used to cook.

You can also find la Daniela near the Bernabeú (Calle de Gutiérrez Solana 2- Tel: +34914 115 861) and near Huertas Street ( Calle de Jesús, 7 – Tel:+34 913 896 238)

Just the place to go to have great cocktails and cool music! You can find many different types of people, from Cirque du Soleil actors to writers.

You can grab a bite while listening how the DJ Jaimote puts a record on… The “croquetas” are really yummy, you can have meals or grab a bite if you want.

The place is great to have an after work or after dinner drink, especially a mojito or a glass of champagne, and to enjoy a relaxing conversation with good music.

5 minutes away from Plaza de Oriente, this cosy restaurant is a fantastic spot to have a really good meal. The house wine (from La Rioja of course) is specially bottled for the restaurant, but choices can be made among the excellent wine list the place has. Asparagus in phyllo pastry, tomatoes stuffed with foie, and a very succulent dish of “esgargots” (rioja style) or the stewed oxtail can provide you with an excuse for a 3-hour lunch or dinner. Portions are very reasonable and the ambience is quite relaxed for this level of restaurant. Not at all stuffy.

The owners, Isabel and Pilar (the chef) are two kind and very friendly sisters who offer you warmth and hospitality. This restaurant is an obligatory stop when visiting the Austria’s area, you won’t regret it.

Do not forget to ask the meaning of Algarabia once there!

We though it was never going to open again, but it finally did in the center of Chueca…..the “Mercado de San Antón” where you can shop for groceries get a bite to eat too. It is similar to the one in San Miguel Square (check the Mercado San Miguel article) but with a terrace and free parking!!

On the first floor you can buy organic food and various groceries (the burgers from Nostra are spectacular!), whereas the second and third ones are reserved to eat and grab a bite. It is nice to see they have taken sustainability seriously during the renovation, by adding solar panels.

The “Mercado de San Miguel” is one of the oldest covered markets in Madrid. It was recently refurbished and now offers and whole new concept of market. You can actually go and buy good fruits, cheese (more than 100 different varieties) and fish among others things… you can also have oysters with a glass of wine while reading a book bought in the library recently opened inside the place.

Its 33 shops offer a great variety of the best delicatessen delicatessen products in a magnificent setting. It can be called the market of this century even though the Market is almost one hundred years old (it was constructed in 1916).

Mercado de San Miguel has recently gained a new appearance, but you can recognize the metal structure of its original construction (the only one surviving in Madrid). Located near “la Plaza Mayor“, it has certainly become the soul of the square!