Julián López has been selling fabric in Spain for 70 years - I walked into their shop on Calle de la Bolsa for the first time intending to spend 5 minutes and left an hour later, carrying some new cushions and a pashmina! The quantity and variety of fabrics on display is mind-boggling; I could have stayed there all day honestly!
I got home and started looking at “patchwork” videos and Googling “sewing classes” - in short, I was inspired! Because they don’t just sell fabric, they have literally everything you would need to make a dress, a quilt, or to upholster that old armchair or make some drapes.
It’s a TARDIS-like Aladdin’s cave of colour and creativity for anyone, but also a great place to find some peculiarly Spanish items classified as “indumentaria”, which is a new word for me. It means all the special trimmings and items that make up traditional costumes.
It’s fascinating, so make sure to walk up the street and step inside when you are visiting nearby Casa Lope de Vega or Café Central.
Find your way with 243 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"FMCMP" in Madrid is a quiet, elegant space that still feels fresh. It is a fantastic museum and I can't think of a better place to spend an hour!
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"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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243 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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