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.

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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

For being a Michelin-ranked restaurant, El Buey is surprisingly affordable and makes for a fun interactive meal!

The restaurant, one of two in Madrid, is famous for the high quality of ox meat which you can order in a stew or in raw slices to cook on a hot ceramic plate. The ox-tail stew, though spectacular, is nothing compared to the raw meat with big grains of salt, seared on your plate. Don’t rush and try to cook all of the meat slices at once, if your plate gets cool, ask the attentive waiter for another one.

The menu is short, with some fish and vegetable options and the waiter will also tell you about any daily specials as well. Added bonuses are the excellent house wine (which you can buy on your way out) and aged cheese that is served as you sit down at the table. My only complaint would be that the fried potatoes served with most of the dishes are unimpressive in comparison with the rest of the food.

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El Buey | Restaurants (Spanish) | Dinner € 25.00
Plaza de la Marina Española, 1 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915413041
Mon – Sat 13:00 – 16:00 & 21:00 – 00:00

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Image by Nikko Hinderstein

The intimate setting of Toma is like a classic diner grown-up, there might be Bruce Springsteen playing, but the fresh flowers and soft candle-light give it a nice romantic edge.

Perhaps you’ve been craving fried chicken? Or a full brunch with a breakfast burrito and mimosa? Toma, which roughly translated means “take that”, delivers. Their brunch is arguably the best in Madrid when counting the niceness of the waitstaff, the food options (it’s a big carb load, but you can walk that off at the Prado) and the price.

The menu changes seasonally (strawberry pie now!), but maintains a few basics along with delicious desserts like cheesecake and brownies.

Toma is very small with about 6 tables and a bar, be sure to make a reservation.

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Toma | Restaurants (American/Intern.) | Brunch € 18.00
Calle Conde Duque 14 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915474996
Tue – Sun 21:00 – 02:00, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 16:00 & 21:00 – 02:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Nestled into Parque Oeste on the West side of town is one of Madrid’s amazing treasures – an Egyptian temple which is striking by day and luminous by night.

The Temple of Debod was a gift to the government of Spain after helping to save various historical buildings from the Nubia region in 1960 which was under threat of flooding from the construction of the Great Damn of Aswan.

It graciously arrived bit by bit to Spain in 1968 and stands in open air with a view of the far West of Madrid (on clear days you can see out to the Guadarama mountains). Several other temples were given to other countries; the Temple of Dendur stands inside the Metropolitan museum in New York, Temple Taffeh is in the Netherlands and the Ellesiya Temple is in Turin, Italy.

My favorite time to go is to watch the sunset behind the temple; it’s a popular place for young and old couples to go and make-out (you’ll find a very easy-going public kissing policy in Madrid). If you go during a hot day, you can admire the temple from a shady trail and then find a nearby terraza to enjoy a cold drink or ice cream.

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Templo de Debod | Art & culture | Free
Calle Pintor Rosales | Gran Via & Princesa | +34913667415
Apr – Sep Tue – Fri 10:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 20:00 Oct – March: Tue – Fri 09:45 – 13:45 & 16:15 – 18:15, Year round Sat, Sun and festivals 10:00 – 14:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

Located on the 9th (top) floor of the commercial centre called El Corte Inglés (don’t worry, there are escalators or several lifts to get there), this coffee shop is one of the best examples of how beautiful Madrid is from the roof.

You´ll never imagine that inside a huge commercial centre, in its cafeteria, you´ll find such a fantastic atmosphere. But it´s real!! And there´re still a few privileged people who can enjoy it. I say “just a few” because the large window from where you can observe the whole city is available for a maximum of six-seven tables. The rest of the coffee shop is a regular venue where you can order your meals or drinks.

It gets so crowded during lunch time, that I won´t recommend it because you even have to wait your turn to sit beside the window. So the best moment to enjoy your coffee with “tortitas con nata” is just before dinner, in the late afternoon (between 16:00 – 19:00).

This is an ideal place for a drink while you see how it gets dark, either to impress your friends or your couple with an exquisite place. It´ll depend where you sit, you´ll be able to see the Royal Palace, the Opera, Gran Vía, or even Casa de Campo.

Enjoy the view!!

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Cafetería El Corte Inglés | Coffee & tea | Main meal € 12.00
Plaza de Callao, 2 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34913798000
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 22:00 (11:00 – 21:00 on holidays)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

FNAC is Madrid´s largest and most well-known stop for books, films, music, DVD´s and electronic hardware. Here you can find a wide variety of titles as well as current newspapers. They also have a fairly extensive travel and local interest sections.

Madrid´s building is actually the first FNAC in Spain. After opening it, there came Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza… up to more than 16 in the whole country.

Here it´s possible to listen to those CDs you have been looking for (there are headphones available) and also to sit down and read the first pages of that magazine you have just picked up randomly. On the book´s section there is an area (which can get crowded sometimes) for those who´re tired of wandering around. You just choose a spot, open your book and enjoy the reading!!

FNAC Callao also has an specific area where, from time to time, there´re concerts, book presentations and different events.

It´s impossible to miss this huge building in Callao´s square. Its big sign is now more than a symbol in the city.

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FNAC Callao | Shopping
C/ Preciados 28 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915956100
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 21:30, Sun 12:00 – 21:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

There are several book stores of Casa del Libro in Madrid, as it´s a franchise. So why do I choose and recommend this one in particular? From my point of view, Gran Vía is a great location and I always find those rare books I’m looking for easier than in other shops. I think it’s because they have more clients and they need more variety…

The good news is that there´s no problem when they don´t have the book that I want, as I just ask for it and they will call me in a few days when they have received it.

I normally check first the first pages of the books on their website in order to have a rough idea of what I´m looking for. The problem is that, when I’m there, I get so fascinated with EVERYTHING that I´m always tempted and I end up buying more than expected! There´re specific and more general books from all genres, good literature and the latest releases. And sometimes you get good discounts!

This is actually a very traditional bookstore in Madrid. Founded in 1923, it started in the city and expanded to more than 19 places right now in different parts of the country.

Because of my job as a Journalist I interview authors very frequently, so that´s why I highly recommend Casa del Libro as it offers a good chance to go to book presentations almost everyday.

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Casa del libro | Art & culture, Shopping
Gran Vía, 29 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34902026402
Mon – Sat 09:30 – 21:30, Sun 11:00 – 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

Whenever I do not have any plans I try to join a cultural activity. Sometimes, Casa de America is the right place!!

Created in 1990 in the heart of Madrid, this place was built with the purpose of generating a forum of ideas and debates concerning economic, political, scientific, technological and cultural aspects of Latin America.

There are thousands of activities every day. From book presentations to art exhibitions, story telling workshops or poetry series.

I love its garden, called Jardin Brugal-Casa de America, inspired in the Dominican nature, and also its restaurant called Bistronómico.

The projection room is very good and most of the times the shows are free, so you can see interesting documentaries or attend fascinating conferences.

Highly recommended for people who have a soft spot for culture!! Do not miss it!

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Casa de América | Art & culture | Free
Plaza de la Cibeles, 2 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915954800
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

I was recently asked where to get the best bread in Madrid and I was hard-pressed for an answer. Most of the Spanish breads I’ve tried are not spectacular – let’s assume that is to not take away from rich food it is usually sopping up.

I’m a big fan of this Belgian bakery chain that has popped up around Madrid because they have flavorful breads and delicious desserts. Their lunch and dinner menus are impressive as well featuring fresh greens and fruits. Do try the Belgian waffles or the multi-grain bread that is served with nut butters and tasty jams. If you take a loaf of bread to go, you can ask for it to be sliced.

Oh, and I don’t drink coffee, but apparently this is the best place to get real foam on a cappuccino! I stick to the homemade lemonades.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Le Pain Quotidien | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Baked goods) | Waffle with fruit € 3.80
Gran Vía 46 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915234004
Mon – Thu 08:00 – 00:00, Fri 08:00 – 01:00, Sat 09:00 – 01:00, Sun 09:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Nikko Hinderstein

There is a 1 euro charge per person to enter the café which seems ridiculous at first, but the food prices are reasonable and I always leave thinking I got the bargain. On weekends, pay another euro and go up to the rooftop terrace to enjoy a spectacular view of Madrid. It’s breathtaking.

The Circulo de Bellas Artes (The Circle of Fine Arts) is a beautiful old building from 1880; back in the day there was a student named Pablo Picasso who took painting classes. Now they offer daily events ranging from classical to contemporary music concerts, dance performances, art exhibits and films, but my favourite part is the cafe.

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Circulo de Bellas Artes | Art & culture, Bars, Restaurants (Spanish) | Entry € 1.00
C/ Alacala 42 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34913605400
Mon – Thu 09:00 – 01:00, Sat – Sun 09:00 – 03:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid