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

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.

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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

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 Nikko Hinderstein

Just off of busy Fuencarral, La Ardosa always has a pleasant jazzy atmosphere filled with typical Spanish scents.

The bar is packed with paraphernalia dating back to 1892 when it was founded – a picture of the owner’s family, famous people who have stopped in over the years, a board showing the results of their Guinness drinking contest (can you top 14 pints?!) and reprints of Goya’s “Caprichos” prints (silly, sometimes vulgar whimsical images). Check out this video of Chef Anthony Bourdain at La Ardosa!

They serve some of my favorite tapas; sliced ham from pigs who have only eaten acorns (Jamon de bellota), dried tuna (Mojama – tuna jerky!), and a thick version of gazpacho called Salmorejo. The “raciones” are big here, so you can ask for a “media-ración” instead of a full plate.

If the bar looks full from the street, push through the crowd, duck under the bar, and try the back room which is not accessible any other way.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Ardosa | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Tapas) | Salmorejo € 3.75
Calle Colon 13 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915214979
08:30 – 02:30 daily, August 11:30 – 02:30 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by A. Collet

It is just a great place where you can find different kind of people. Actually it is quite eclectic, great for weekends, you can spend hours in the terrace (even in winter!) reading the newspaper enjoying breakfast until 17:00 if you find a table because it is usually quite crowded!

There are concerts the last Thursdays of every month and DJ’s sessions the first Sundays of the month. Sometimes there are photo exhibits as well as paintings exhibits.

The food is good and drinks are good and the cocktails are great. You can have the typical “pomada” of the Balearic Islands (popular drink made out of gin and lemon), but also “mojito” or caipirinha.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Café Mahón | Bars, Music, Snacks | Meal € 15.00
Plaza Dos de Mayo, 4 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915324756
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 01:30, Fri – Sun 12:00 – 03:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by A. Collet

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, they have a small menu to grab a bite.

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Turba | Bars, Music, Snacks | Menu € 14.00
C/ del Conde de Xiquena, 3 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34915221813
Mon – Fri 13:00 – 02:00, Sat 19:00 – 02:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Fernando Peña

This cosy crêperie reminds me of a Parisien rue and the decoration of the Amelie Poulain film with its bright walls and antique objects. The crêpes, made while you’re waiting, can be sweet or salty and all are between 3 and 5 euros.

There’s the delicious nutella speciality, to other more original ones such as morcilla (a kind of black Spanish sausage), apple compote and egg. The one with salmon, tartare sauce and chives are a bit salty in my opinion. They have natural juices and milkshakes for drinks.

La Rue is a good option for eating something on the go. You can choose taking away the crêpes or consume them inside, although it is usually full because there is only room for two tables and two or three stools.

Despite the lack of meters, the local has shelves full of French products as macarons, foie, cheese or wine for sale!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Rue | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Crêperie) | Crêpes from € 3
Espiritu Santo 18 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34911897087
Sun – Thu 13:30 – 00:00, Fri – Sat 13:30 – 01:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Elia Garcia

La Rochella Café is a central, warm and bright Colombian café. Here you can find specialities from that country, from a beer (3 euros) to edible stuff like Sancocho, Tamales or Arepas (14 euros) and, of course, coffees with a tropical touch (4 euros).

The place has two different rooms. The entrance, dominated by a long bar; and the space at the back, separated by a wall with arches. It’s full of little tables with candles on them at night. I never have dinner in La Rochela, because I’ve always gone to see and listen to the storytellers (many of them are South-American people) while having a drink.

All the Thursdays there is a session at the back. It’s very familiar and friendly, because there is no stage and the room is quite small, so the storytellers are very near and let the spectators participate.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Rochela Café | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Colombian) | Dishes € 14
Manuela Malasaña, 31 | Chueca & Malasaña | +34914464138
Tue – Fri 17:00 – 02:00, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid