When I first spotted Madrid’s best cheese shop, Formaje, it looked like an Aladdin’s Cave of golden cheesy wonder; but wait for the aroma when you walk in - intoxicating.
The shop assistants are so helpful - every cheese has a story, and they let you try everything. It’s a great policy as I ended up taking four cheeses home with me on my first visit; my favourite was from Bavaria: organic cows’ milk coated with the fragrant dried petals of flowers picked in the fields where the cattle graze. Please try the amazing “queso de Josefa” too - you’ll thank me!
As well as a fabulous selection of European cheeses, they also sell crackers and olives and such. Shout out for the most delicious sourdough baguettes too - warning: they sell out quickly!
Stop by Plaza de Olavide and buy some wine in Vino y Compañía - you’ve got the making of a great lunch! Check out the ghostly Estación de Chamberi too - it’s just over the road! And as this really is one of my most beloved spots, maybe I’ll see you there!
Find your way with 243 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Microteatro por dinero" in Madrid is simple: 15m² - 15-minute plays - 15 spectators. It's a new way to to go the theater. What a thrilling experience!
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"La Pentola Mágica" in Madrid makes the best Italian food I ever had. The chef's a character, the food's amazing... I can't stress it enough. Just go.
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Madrid in the 1980s was certainly rocking and she became a fixture in the city’s music scene, always going out in her famous leather jacket and cap.
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This fantastic wine shop, "Vino y Compañía" is the place to discover the fantastic variety and quality of wine on offer in Spain. Come with an open mind!
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Although it’s a Galician restaurant, they do an excellent paella mixta (chicken and seafood) and arroz negro, flavoured and coloured with squid ink.
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The apartment block this cafe sits under is an ugly beauty and I love it, not least for the exuberant planters that are an integral part of the building.
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I didn’t think Madrid was lacking anything but now I’ve found "Mazál Bagels and Café" I’m wondering how I survived without its bagels all these years!
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What sets this bar apart is its exceptional handling of ingredients, creating dishes that sing with Andalusian flair—a nod to Manu's roots.
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They have a wide selection of wines to suit all pockets, and you can also discover some weirder flavours if your tastes run to the unique...
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"Mo de Movimiento" in Madrid offers a new take on the restaurant business - sustainable organic ingredients, recycled materials and second opportunities!
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Sala Canal Isabel II in Madrid used to be a water tower: now it's an uber-cool gallery used for media exhibitions. I love it, and not just because...
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VETA is the biggest contemporary art gallery in the city, so once you’ve had your fill of the Old Masters at the Prado, why not get off the beaten track?
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243 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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