The time has come, dear travelers, to talk about cocido, The Full Cocido (pronounced co -THEE -dough) is Madrid’s most typical dish, and you should try it! Madrid’s most traditional restaurants offer it one day a week only, which increases its mystique. Don’t despair – you needn’t roam the city looking for it! In Casa Alvarez, you lucky omnivores can enjoy it any day of the week! Except for Wednesdays – that’s their day off.

So what is it? Cabbage, carrots, potatoes, chickpeas, and onions stewed together with various nourishing meaty treats – chorizo, tocino (don’t ask), black pudding, ham, and chicken.

Eating cocido involves some ceremony, so here comes the fun part. First they bring you a bowl of cooked noodles, then the water everything has been stewed in is poured on top: first course – soup. That finished, the veggies and meat are tipped out onto your plate – they have been kept warm in the dinky lidded earthenware pot that everything was cooked in. It’s a lot of food, so come hungry.

There are many other great Spanish mainstays at Casa Alvarez if cocido doesn’t appeal; top tip – Sunday is the best day for spotting locals.