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

Image by E.G.G.

Tao is part of a group of Asian restaurants distributed all over Madrid.

You can find unpretentious but attractive dishes with elements of different Asian cuisines: Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese… You can find dim sum, duck strip (both of them very tasty), sushi and spicy meat dishes.

Tao has several menus to choose from. A Japanese Menu (16 euros), Oriental Menu (12 euros) and so on; each one with many option for both the first courses and the main ones. Its decoration is minimalist and sober. The service at meals hour is a bit slow.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Tao | Restaurants (Asian) | Dinner € 35
Felix Boix 7 | Castellana | +34913454047
13:30 – 16:00 & 21:00 – 00:00 daily

Image by La Cesta

La Cesta is an informal but cool restaurant with reasonable prices. Its dishes contain excellent ingredients and are created (not executed) by one of the best cooks in Madrid: Oscar Velasco. He is the cook at Sant Celoni, a two Michelin star restaurant.

In La Cesta, which opened in the last months of the past year, you can enjoy tasty dishes based on the traditional Spanish cuisine: callos, solomillo,  judías… I specially recommend tortilla and croquetas. All this in a modern and comfortable place (I love the decoration) with a good service, as well, and a good selection of wines.

As it’s a contemporary tavern, you can also go only for a drink or an aperitif. Despite the fact the restaurant works with booking, La Cesta has a little bar and two tables at the entrance for people that haven’t booked.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Cesta | Bars, Restaurants (Traditional) | Dinner € 35
Calle Recoletos 10 | Castellana | +34911400696
Mon -Tue 13:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 12:30 – 01:30

Image by Palob

Palob offers breakfast, lunches and dinners in an elegant ambient. It’s spacious enough for events such as business breakfast or family celebrations.The food is Spanish and based in the ingredients that they can find in the daily market.

Palob has four reserved spaces that brings about the privacy. They are equipated with the last technologies for presentations and other corporative events.

They have a daily menu for 18 Euros and a weekend one for 25.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Palob | Restaurants (Spanish) | Dinner +/- € 25
General Gallegos 1 | Castellana | +34913454318
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 16:00 & 21:00 – 00:00

Image by E.G.G.

Before the trend of quality burgers restaurants arrived in Madrid, this over-elaborate and dark place, that reminds you of British pubs, was a classic for eating very acceptable burgers in Madrid, and for a good price.

The best one is the Knight burger, of course. You have them from four euros to six. But not only can you choose a burger, you can also order hotdogs, sandwichs, eggs, salads, desserts…

The decor is made up of a wooden bar and furniture, a big beer bottle collection, red curtains and the walls are filled up with art decó posters, actor’s photos, and even the ceiling is full of classic pictures.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Knight n’Squire | Bars, Restaurants (Burger) | Burger average € 4.50
Felix Boix, 9 | Castellana | +34913450159
Tue – Sun 13:00 – 01:00