This restaurant brings back the traditional flavors that makes eating out a really enjoyable experience. It is 100% Spanish food and wants to honor the quality of the Mediterranean products such as the olive oil.

You can find traditional recipes such as meat balls and soups. The kitchen is open so you can watch the cooks prepare all the meals. Please try the hamburger with “Manchego” cheese!

In the afternoon, downstairs, you’ll find the GIN CLUB, situated at De La Reina Street. The Gin tonics are supposed to be really good. Unfortunately I can’t test that since I don’t like them. They have nice wines by the glass too!

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El Mercado de la Reina | Bars, Restaurants (Spanish) | Main meal € 20.00
C/ Gran Vía, 12 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915213198
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 00:00, Sat 10:00 – 01:00, Sun 10:00 – 00:00

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

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

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

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!!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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)

Have you ever thought about drinking a real natural juice in Madrid? It´s really hard to find a place like this one, so that´s maybe why it´s one of my favourites spots for a juice or a shake in the middle of a long day shopping in the city.

Vitamina is located in one of Gran Vía´s side streets, so if you don´t know it, you´d probably miss it. I´d say it´s actually a good alternative to other type of fast food restaurants in the area. In fact, I think it´s the only place of this type in Madrid!

There´s a good mixture of healthy food and amazing freshly squeezed juices served in huge or regular sized glasses. When I go there I don´t go just for the food, but specially for the pleasure of choosing among the more than 40 types of juices.

You can ask for a classical juice, just with one fruit, or a combination of up to three different fruits. They even have exotic fruits or you can add milk to them!! Try the delicious mango juice and you´ll see what I mean…The tropical pineapple pizza is one of the best though! And there´re salads as well…

The amazing thing about this place is that, now that they have renovated it, there are heaps of flat screen televisions where you can watch football matches. And even outside, from the street!!

Buen provecho!!

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Vitamina | Snacks | Menu € 9.90
C/ Chinchilla, 9 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915227162
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 23:30, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 01:00

I have a yet not fully expressed passion for photography and this is one of my favourite small private photography galleries in Madrid. Located on Plaza Guardias de Corps just opposite Conde Duque cultural centre you can be sure to stumble across some interesting small exhibition.

The gallery focuses on promoting Spanish photographers on the international stage, but also hosts new and established international artists. Blanca Berlin, the director, soon dropped her career in urban planning to fully dedicate her life to photography.

On a warm day have a caña on the square (it’s nice and leafy and quiet) following your visit to the gallery. Ask to get on their mailing list if you’re in Madrid for a while as they often organise interesting events and private views.

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Blanca Berlín Gallery | Art & culture | Free
C/ Limón, 28 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34915429313
Mon – Sat 10:30 – 14:30 & 17:00 – 21:00

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.

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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

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

This little organic product store is hidden in the city center. There are handmade soaps and lotions, imported clothes from afar and bag and shoes made from recycled materials.

Everything there is organically made, ethically constructed and good for your soul. The prices are fair enough (and even better when there are sales) – hemp and cotton pants will run 30-60€ and handbags are under €20.00.

I really love the natural soaps because there is a chocolate-scented one with shea butter that smells delicious. For everything in the shop, the Cameroonian owner has a story to tell about where it came from or how it is made, which is part of the fun of shopping there.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Biocotonniers | Shopping | Soap gift box € 7.50
Abada, 4 | Gran Via & Princesa | +34608094096
Mon – Sat 10:30 – 14:30 & 17:30 – 21:30