Image by Nikko Hinderstein

Just down from the Mercado de San Miguel (check the San Miguel article), the Mesón del Champiñon is a cave with fungi-esque decor.

They specialize in fantastic mushrooms drenched in olive oil, garlic and adorned with bits of chorizo, but in addition to the tapas, you get entertainment. There is a guy playing the electric piano for tips and you can make song requests (his repertoire is vast, but random) and then sing along group-style.

The last time I was there a microphone was taken out for a few customers who reminded me of characters from an Almodóvar film; they sang Spanish ballads, danced and we applauded.

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Mesón del Champiñon | Bars, Music, Restaurants (Tapas) | Mushroom tapas € 6.00
Cava de San Miguel 17 | Sol | +34915596790
Spring – Summer Sun – Thu 18:00 – 01:30, Fri – Sat 18:00 – 02:30, Winter lunch 12:00 – 16:00

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.

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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 trixi.com

Madrid’s long streets and vast parks can be overwhelming on foot, so Trixi’s bike rentals offer the perfect remedy.

You can pedal around the city on your own or request a specialized tour to see some sites. Their tour guides are multi-lingual (and handy with bikes!) and can organize tours to see some typical historical buildings or you can request a tour to see an area you want to see.

There is usually a daily tour that leaves every morning at 11:00, complete with stops for drinks and snacks. In general you don’t need a reservation, but it’s wise if you’re going with a bigger group to call ahead to reserve the bikes. Extra bonus, the bikes aren’t too modern (the seats are wide!).

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Trixi Bike Rental | Relaxing | 4 hour rental € 8.00
Calle de los Jardines 12 | Sol | +34915231547
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 14:00 & 16:00 – 20:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

This is one of my favourite cafes for going out during the week. It gets crowded, lets you meet very different people from all cultures, and it´s located in the heart of the city. Just a few meters behind Café del Real (see the Café del Real article), Café Madrid is also near Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. They serve an assortment of beers and wines in a pleasant atmosphere.

The reason why I usually go there is that, since 2000, every Wednesday there is what is called an International Evening. So either if you´re a local and you´d like to practise other languages, or you´re just visiting the city and you don´t know anyone, this is the place!!

In Café Madrid I find people from different countries, languages and cultures. Actually, language exchanges are getting popular in the city. We call them “intercambios” and they offer people the chance to practice their language skills with “native” speakers.

The madrileño´s guy who came up with the idea of these meetings at Café Madrid also acts as the host of the evening and helps with introductions. So don´t worry if you´re shy, as he´ll give you a little stick with the language you want to practice, for everybody to know. It´s pretty similar as what they do at O´Neills (see the O’Neills article) but in a different day of the week.

Trust me, it is the cheapest way to practice a foreign language!

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Café Madrid | Bars
Escalinata s/n | Sol
Language exchanges Wed 21:00 – till late

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

I know this cafe is mentioned in the Lonely Planet guides, but I can guarantee that locals also go there for a good chat. Café del Real is old-bistro style with dark-red painted woodwork, cigarette stain-coloured walls and ceilings and proper bistro tables and chairs. It´s usually crowded in the evenings during the weekends as it´s really cosy and comfortable for a cup of coffee.

I personally prefer the upper floor, where you can seat close to the window and see the Opera building from a perfect view. It’s actually perfectly located, just in front of Opera metro station (in the city centre) and it´s a good alternative after dinner or for a cake in the afternoon (what we call “merienda” time).

Once you enter, your eyes will go directly to the fantastic cakes that are shown at the bar. Carrot, chocolate, cheese cakes are some of the options. Then you can also ask for different types of coffees or teas. If you ask for a beer or a coke, for example, they´ll serve you some peanuts, so it´s pleasant to combine the salty snacks with your drink.

The music varies a fair bit, depending on who is working. I love when they play classical or instrumental music. It makes it a relaxing place, although people speak loudly around you…In Spain we normally do, so get used to it… you´ll enjoy it in the end!!

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Café del Real | Coffee & tea | Cake € 4.75
Plaza de Isabel II, 2 | Sol | +34915472124
09:00 – 00:30 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

This is originally a cultural project that was born in the end of the 80´s in the Canary Islands. A decade later their first store was established in Lanzarote. Now, you can find more than 300 international artists who show their artwork in different shops: from textile to exotic accessories (AMAZING earrings and bracelets), gifts, jewelry, decoration or music.

I like their philosophy, to “boost the human impetus to transform and develop handcraft under tradition, cultural values and respect for nature and environment”. They say this is a way to respect ourselves…

Trying to be a channel, creator and transmitter of culture and art, they are involved in a lot of activities. Some of the activities they have developed as a non lucrative cultural association include performances by musical groups in cultural centers, schools and prisons, workshops learning disabled children, talk shows and educational conferences, plays, etc.

I like their slogan: “Love like water infiltrates slow, leaving moisture trace forever…”

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Tierra | Shopping | Earrings € 8.00
Preciados 16 | Sol | +34915216288
09:30 – 22:30 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

This is not Ireland, but you can feel like being in that country for a few hours. O´Neills is the typical Irish pub located in the heart of Madrid. So why will a “madrileña” go there?

Very simple, as there are multiple reasons. For example, every Tuesday night, after 22:00, there’s an “intercambio” night at O’ Neills. An “intercambio” night is a night when you meet people from other countries to improve your languages. More than 20 nationalities gather, that’s why I sometimes go there to meet new people, practise my English speaking skills and have a drink.

Not only that: every Friday night, there are free concerts, from old classics to most recent hits. And for those who like sports, all the major and European leagues are shown live on two big screens. (Trust me, it gets really crowded when there´s a football match!)

I don´t normally go there for food, but you can try their Irish breakfast, the famous Fish N’ Chips or the loaded baked potato. There´re also sandwiches, salads and a huge variety of “Finger food”. Obviously, most of the people also go to O’Neills for the beer. So those who miss a good Irish pint won’t be disappointed!!

A good option for a genuine Irish ambiance in the heart of the city…

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O´Neills | Bars
C/ Príncipe, 12 | Sol | +34915212030
Sun – Thu 13:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 03:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

Jazz music is perfect for any kind of weather and any type of mood. So if we combine this music with an intimate, cosy bar, we will get a perfect combination. This is the best example.

Jazz bar is located in a very central part of the city (The Prado Museum, Thyssen Museum and Reina Sofía‘s Museum are close). In its same building a very famous Spanish playwright called Leandro Fernández de Moratín was born.

It opened almost 30 years ago and mostly locals go there. In fact, I can say I have never seen a foreigner in this place. You definitely have to know where it is to find it, as it is kind of hidden.

I usually go here after a nice dinner. It is a warm place where you can sit on comfortable sofas in front of a coffee or an alcoholic drink. Some people prefer to just sit close to the bar tender and have a chat with him.

Amazing jazz music, cocktails, soft and alcoholic drinks!! Just be careful because it is a small venue and it gets crowded really fast.

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Jazz Bar | Bars
Moratín, 35 | Sol | +34914297031
15:00 – 02:30 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan

Sunday morning is my favorite day for or a stroll in Plaza Mayor. The Plaza Mayor is now a major tourist attraction, visited by thousands of tourists a year. But it has been the scene of many events: markets, bullfights, soccer games, public executions, and, during the Spanish Inquisition, “autos de fe” against supposed heretics and the executions of those condemned to death.

The Plaza Mayor is now completely different and has its own live. There are always people wandering around, street musicians and, what I prefer the most: street painters.

The street painters not only sell their art work during the weekends. In fact, I would highly recommend to walk around any other day of the week if you are looking for something specific.

Sometimes they are specialized in caricatures, so you can sit down and get a funny vision of yourself after a few minutes. But most of the times the paintings have Spanish themes or just abstract designs.

Prices are quite affordable and it is really a nice and different souvenir from the city. As a local, I enjoy talking to the artists because of their original view of life…

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Painters in Plaza Mayor | Art & culture
Plaza Mayor | Sol
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid

Image by Teresa Juan López

La Rebelión de los Mandiles pays tribute to those traditional trades that help in the process of wine manufacturing. “Mandil” means “apron”, so all of them refer to the grape-gatherers, the barrel-makers, the wine-producers and also the sommeliers.

You can take part in a wine tasting tour even if you are a beginner. I have tried and it is a nice experience because you learn a lot. Keep in mind that it is pretty expensive, but if you want to do something for yourself at least once in a while, I would highly recommend it to you.

They also have a very nice shop located in Calle Mayor 88, close to Sol. There you can find all types of olive oil, wine and also products like shampoos, soaps, hand creams and gels made out of olive oil and wine.

Notice that the wine tasting session includes a free tour, and that sometimes you can even get discounts (as 2×1) or special offers. So I think it is definitely a great approach to those natural and powerful elements that we produce in Spain. Do not miss them!

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La rebelión de los mandiles | Shopping, Festivals & events | Wine tasting tour € 25
San Isidro Labrador, 10 | Sol | +34913656270
Tue & Sat 20:00 – 22:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Madrid