Image by Claudia Ortega

There are several wanna-be diners in Madrid that don’t come close to a “real” American diner. Tommy Mel’s is the exception because the food is pretty authentic – think chili, hot dogs, fries, milkshakes and burgers – and the atmosphere is complete with 50′s music blasting and energetic waiters in timely costume.

To bridge the Spanish-American gap, you can order cocktails, beer and wine and have cheese fries with local blue-cheese topping. But, the majority of the menu is reminiscent of the movie Grease and is probably cooked with plenty.

Don’t miss the dessert and milkshake menu: the pecan pie gets my stamp of approval. The restaurant has been so successful, they’ve opened more around Madrid and are branching out to different Spanish cities.

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Tommy Mel’s | Snacks, Restaurants (American) | Classic burger € 6.35
Pedro Jeixeira 8 | Castellana | +34914178744
Mon – Thu 13:15 – 00:00, Fri 13:15 – 02:30, Sat 09:00 – 02:30, Sun 09:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

If you need your fill of tasty burgers and sandwiches with specialties like really spicy chipotle pepper chicken or a tandoori-spiced burger all made from organic meats, this is your place.

Owned by a French Canadian Chef who has made Madrid his home, the upscale diner-themed restaurant has gained popularity as it’s the only place in Madrid to get an organic beef burger. It’s absolutely necessary to have a reservation to eat there most nights of the week. In good news however, they offer take-out and they’ve opened two other branches in the city center.

Don’t miss the variety of homemade desserts.

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Home Burger Bar | Snacks, Restaurants (Burgers) | Classic burger € 8.75
Calle Espiritu Santo 12 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915229728
Mon – Sat 13:30 – 16:00 & 23:00 – 00:00, Sun 14:00 – 16:00 & 20:30 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Satisfying my greatest needs for good sushi, Oishi is just off central Plaza Callao and full of great food. There are two magnetic bands twirling platters of sushi around the tables where you can help yourself, or you can order soups and noodle dishes from the menu.

Be sure to specify if you want the soba (buckwheat) or udon (wide wheat) noodles. If you don’t see the sushi you want, just ask the sushi chef and he’ll whip up something fresh. At the end of the meal, your bill will be totalled based on the colors of the plates you’ve chosen.

Top off your meal with some sesame and green tea ice cream.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Oishi | Snacks, Restaurants (Japanese) | Sushi plate € 3.50
Miguel Moya 6 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915227574
13:00 – 16:00 & 20:00 – 00:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Just around the corner from the royal palace, this quaint bookstore is a great place to relax and peruse the books while having a cup of tea or coffee. Though mostly in Spanish, there is a travel section and a great kids section. Clients are invited to (carefully) look through the books while enjoying a snack.

La Buena Vida has cakes and savory snacks that change daily, while they also offer a wine special every month paired with a book. They use loose tea and Italian presses, so you actually get two cups out of an order.

For a truly royal experience, take your new book to read in the nearby Plaza Oriente or the Sabatini Gardens.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Buena Vida | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Tea € 2.00
Vergara, 10 | Sol | +34915429142
Tue – Sun 11:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Hidden just off the busy shopping street, Fuencarral, Jhambala is a secret trove of food, teas and chill-out lounging. Pulling their inspiration from Buddhism, the decor is tranquil, the food tasty and the music relaxing.

During the day it’s nice to stop and have a tea from their extensive menu, a salad or one of their exquisite desserts. On a nice day, enjoy the terrace outside. At night the mood turns more festive with exotic cocktails and eclectic dishes.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Jhambala | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Spanish/Arabic)
Pérez Galdós 3 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915222061
Mon – Thu 10:00 – 00:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Just off San Bernardo, this new spot has great prices and fantastic food. Instead of offering a huge menu-del-día that you can’t finish, they have several dishes per day depending on the season and the Chef’s mood. On the regular menu, try the Tuscon burger that has avocado and goat cheese.

The tapas are great too, I’ve tried the spicy sliders (little hamburgers) that were great, and at brunch on Saturday AND NOW SUNDAY, they have the regular favorites like french toast and eggs benedict.

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Carmencita Bar | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Spanish-American) | Breakfast burrito € 6.50
San Vicente Ferrer, 51 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915238073
Tue – Fri 13:00 -16:30 & 19:00 – 01:00, Sat 12:00 – 02:30, Sun 12:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by TM

What’s good in this local spot? It’s fast, cheap and a good option if you’ve gone out and want to eat something quickly. Not a lot of places offer food later than midnight. You can eat fast food like burgers, hot dogs, fries, milkshakes…

What’s not so good? TM Burger & Fries was made mainly for taking away your meal, so eating in the local it isn’t a memorable experience. The tables are small and the decoration, reminding you of the american restaurants in the fifties, are quite cold and don’t invite to stay there.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
TM Burger & Fries | Snacks, Restaurants (Fast food) | Burger € 2.95
Espíritu Santo, 3 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915220372
Mon – Thur 13:00 – 01:30, Fri – Sun 13:00 – 02:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

This tiny bakery shop is one of the sweetest recommendations for a breakfast or “medienda” (in the afternoon). There are a few of these shops in Madrid, but I will talk about the one located in Plaza de las Salesas, very close to Colón.

At Cosmen & Keiles the artesan bread is king and you can find all types of American pastries (donuts, muffins, sponges…) There are lots of different flavours so you can try carrot, raisin or red fruit cakes for a decent price.

There is also a delicious selection of salty products such as quiches or “empanadas” and sandwiches. Simply delicious!

I usually don’t stay there to drink my coffee or eat my pastry, but go outside and eat it in the park.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cosmen & Keiless | Snacks | Anti crisis menu € 2.20
Plaza de las Salesas, 8 | Salamanca Area | +34913196742
08:30 – 20:30 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

Even though I am not very fan of take away shops, I have to recognize that I love this place! It’s a piece of Mexico in Madrid. You can choose among their chicken wings, nuggets or guacamole with jalapenos. There are delicious burritos and tacos for just 1,50 euros each. Really cheap!

The place is very small but it is quite tempting if you are wondering around and start being hungry. Do not miss it!

Take Mexico home and keep enjoying Madrid!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La rancherita | Snacks | Burrito & drink € 5.00
Calle Hortaleza, 47 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34649494564
Mon – Wed 12:30 – 01:00, Thu – Sun 12:30 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

Who said it’s impossible to find waffles in Madrid’s streets? Bravo’s is a very convenient store for getting popcorn, hot dogs and of course “gofres” (waffles) in the very centre of the city.

Just behind the building of FNAC (see the FNAC article) it is possible to buy all those things that are hardly difficult to find in other Madrid´s streets.

There is actually no tradition of having lunch or a dessert while you walk in the street here. And that´s mainly one of the first shocking differences compared to other European cities. (You know, we like to be seated after lunch, have a long chat and enjoy the conversation…)

So, for those who like having a hot and delicious waffle covered with chocolate and cream, Bravo´s (a very Spanish name for the type of food they serve, by the way) is the best option.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bravo’s | Snacks
C/ del Carmen, 27 | Sol
09:00 – 22:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid