Santa Rita is a restaurant with character: exquisite and cozy at the same time. I like it because every dish they make they put well-deserved care into. I should be clear that you better go with enough time in your hands, but the time it takes to bring your food to the table is worth the wait. Santa Rita is looked after by its owners.

I like having lunch there. The menu (only from Monday to Friday) is very well priced and includes two dishes, a drink, bread, dessert or coffee. The specialty of the house are smoked dishes and of course the brasserie. The environment is informal and modern, with cozy and warm interior design. Reminder: we are in Madrid, in the neighborhood of Chamberí, between Santa Engracia and Plaza Olavide.

One aspect that I love about this place is that they cook with fresh seasonal products. The meat, fish and rice are very tasty with that touch that the smoked coal gives. The dishes with vegetables are spectacular. This restaurant with its recipes makes eating vegetables a novel experience.

My favorite dishes here (truly difficult to decide): the caramelised and braised onions, the roasted red peppers and the aubergines roasted in charcoal. Or the menu, like the one in the photo (cous cous with yoghurt and charbroiled vegetables).

Santa Rita also has a blog where they can be surprise you by what they’re up to.