You have found your way to the popular Cava Baja and had your mind blown by all its wonderfully traditional taverns. Now head over to the spectacular Plaza de la Paja and sit on one of the busy terrazas, and have a coffee. You may spy an old brick wall at the bottom of the sloping square; the door leads into a secret garden - these are Los Jardines del Palacio del Príncipe de Anglona, commissioned by the Marquises of La Romana to Javier de Winthuysen, an 18th-century painter and garden designer.
It's a simple little garden with brick paths and low boxwood hedges, some trees, rose bushes and benches to sit on. It's not the most gorgeous garden ever, but it has history and a ton of charm. Peek over the back wall onto Calle Segovia, and you'll realize you are high up above it; the designer cleverly elevated and flattened out a steep slope to make this tiny jewel.
I love it here - it's really peaceful and a great place to read a book, or, if you are travelling, you can study your maps, edit your Instagrams or decide on the next great spot to check out!
Plaza de la Paja 5
€
free
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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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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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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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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.
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His favourite time seemed to be that magic hour when the sun is sinking low in the West and turns everything a golden pinky hue.
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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.
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"Konnichiwa" is a Japanese street food restaurant in Madrid. Their specialty is the ramen with the egg, which they cook with a blowtorch at your table!
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266 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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