Aug 2, 2025

La Oliva Madrid

Terrace at sunlight

""La Oliva" in Plaza Olavide in Madrid is really cozy and local. It has the most exposure to the sun. I sit at the terrace and let the time pass by..."

La plaza Olavide is a great place to pass by at any given time. It's a spectacular green pedestrian square in the middle of the cemented neighbourhood of Chamberí, making it a popular location.

No cars are allowed on the square and its unique form provides a feeling of openness very much needed in the middle of a city such as Madrid. It's full of playgrounds for kids, benches and trees, giving it a more gentle feeling, and it's a perfect location to watch how locals live day by day. Activity at this location is guaranteed!

Plaza Olavide has many bars to go to in the square and its surroundings. I specially like la Oliva due to its location on the square. Strategically, I would say it's the bar with the most exposure to the sun. The buildings are high, so the sun can be easily blocked, but not at the Oliva. I sit at the terrace and let the time pass -- you can easily forget time exists here!

When la Oliva is full, please lie back and enjoy all the conversations and activity surrounding you, as waitering will be almost inexistent. So please be patient. You may find people reading the newspaper slower than a snail attempting to run a marathon. Learn from them, bring down your pulse, and relax.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

About this spot

Plaza de Olavide 9

Patatas bravas:

5.50

915912318

Find your way with 264 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Madrid guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Madrid

La Abuela Rockera

I Want to be Her

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.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Catherine

Driver

Aug 26, 2025

Vino y Compañía

Wine a bit - why not!

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!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Andrea

Roberts

Aug 25, 2025

Los Angeles

Want to try a real paella?

Although it’s a Galician restaurant, they do an excellent paella mixta (chicken and seafood) and arroz negro, flavoured and coloured with squid ink.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Andrea

Roberts

Aug 23, 2025

Rebel Cafe

Let them eat cake

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.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Andrea

Roberts

Aug 23, 2025

Mazál Bagels and Café

Big Apple vibes in Madrid

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!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Andrea

Roberts

Aug 23, 2025

El Campillo

Tapas in Madrid's Rastro

What sets this bar apart is its exceptional handling of ingredients, creating dishes that sing with Andalusian flair—a nod to Manu's roots.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Cesar

Gonzalez

Aug 22, 2025

Licores Cabello

Find your favourite tipple

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...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Andrea

Roberts

Aug 21, 2025

MO de Movimiento

Innovative dining in Madrid

"Mo de Movimiento" in Madrid offers a new take on the restaurant business - sustainable organic ingredients, recycled materials and second opportunities!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Andrea

Roberts

Aug 21, 2025

Sala Canal Isabel II

Madrid's unique art space

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...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Andrea

Roberts

Aug 21, 2025

VETA Galería

Fine art in Carabanchel

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?

002-building
Art & culture

by

Andrea

Roberts

Aug 16, 2025

Kintaro

Loosen your belt!

Don’t worry about collecting and counting plates - there’s an “all you can eat” lunchtime menu, you can fill your boots for a very reasonable fixed price.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Andrea

Roberts

Aug 16, 2025

Mercado de Chamberí

On-trend tradition

Each covered market has its own flavour; Chamberí I would say is high quality and traditional but also one that has adapted successfully to the times.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Andrea

Roberts

Aug 16, 2025

Heading to Madrid?

264 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

264 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Bars

Our team loves Madrid

Get to know our other Spotters from Madrid

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
26
Made with the 💚 of 499 Spotters.
Filters