For demanding palates, for those who’re fond of sensuous luxury, for those seeking the occasional treat… Madrid offers experiences and venues that make a difference.

Foodies

Madrid boasts an ever-growing, ever-evolving culinary offering. Traditional restaurants include Botín (the world’s oldest restaurant), Lhardy (serving legendary stews), Casa Lucio (whose fried eggs and French fries draw celebrities and royals form all over the world), Viridiana (Gabriel García Márquez’s choice in town) and Zalacaín, which now has the Basque chef, Íñigo Pérez, as its gastronomic director.

If you are looking for the most innovative flavours, Madrid has around twenty restaurants with Michelin stars: DiverXO, by the chef, Dabiz Muñoz, is one that marks the pace of the city and has three Michelin stars.

Those with a sweet tooth should probably head for Casa Mira (where they sell some of the finest turrones or nougats), La Violeta (making the delicate violet candy that King Alfonso XIII was so fond of) or the Madrid shop of Catalan confectioner Oriol Balaguer, who’s also the man behind the refurbished version of La Duquesita.

If you are looking for an international culinary experience, Kabuki or 99 Sushi Bar are excellent options to savour the Orient. Quimbaya or Barracuda MX, the most personal project by the Mexican chef, Roberto Ruiz, invites you to cross the pond and savour the new Latin American cuisine.

Some of the city’s best hotels also have a quality gastronomic offer, as is the case of the Four Seasons Hotel Madrid which boasts the Dani Brasserie restaurant, run by the winner of three Michelin stars, Dani García, and the Mandarin Oriental Ritz which is home to the exclusive Deessa restaurant, run by the chef, Quique Dacosta.

If you’re looking for the best ingredients for a homemade meal, here are a few ideas: fish from Pescaderías Coruñesas, olive oil from La Chinata or Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero, and fruit and vegetables from the traditional El Anón Cubano or the lovely Frutería Vázquez, in Barrio de Salamanca, where you may bump into a celebrity or two.

Over the past few years, the city has seen a rebirth of traditional market halls with a modern, creative twist. Their stalls offer freshly made snacks and meals. The San Miguel Market where some of the best chefs who won the Michelin Star have opened offices such as Jordi Roca, Rodrigo de la Calle, Ricardo Sanz or Roberto Ruiz. The Mercado de la Paz, one of the most popular markets in the district and one of the most emblematic in the city; and the Mercado de Chamartín where many chefs go to get the best raw materials to prepare their dishes.

Galería Canalejas Food Hall offers a unique gastronomic experience boasts 13 restaurants serving a wide selection of food from around the globe, led by the best international and national chefs.

Out for a drink

Madrid is home to some of the most renowned cocktail bars in the world. Museo Chicote, for instance, has been celebrated as the best bar in Europe on several occasions. Among its patrons we can find Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Bette Davis. The elegant Del Diego takes cocktails very seriously, making them with great art. The American-style bar JoseAlfredo is always crowded; people enjoy its decadent atmosphere. DRY Martini Bar by Javier de las Muelas, which is located inside the Gran Melia Fénix Hotel,  and the 1912 Museo Bar cocktail-bar in The Westin Palace Hotel.

Where to rest in luxury

In Madrid you can stay in hotels where the service is flawless and the atmosphere, posh. To the classic choices – the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, the Westin Palace, the Wellington, the Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, the InterContinental, the URSO Hotel & Spa Madrid or the Rosewood Villa Magna –, we should add more modern, less crowded options like the Silken Puerta América, the Orfila, the Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel, the Hyatt Regency Hesperia Madrid, the Eurostars Madrid Tower, the Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques or the Barceló Torre de Madrid.

Popular terraces

Madrid has numerous terraces that can be found at street level or on the roofs of hotels or emblematic buildings. Many of them have incredible views of the city center among which the Hotel Riu Plaza España located on the 27th floor of this new hotel located in the Edificio España. For its part, VP Plaza España Design hosts the Ginkgo Sky Bar, with restaurant-bar and a glamorous cocktail bar with the combinations of the moment.

Urban hotels with outdoor swimming pool

Some of the best hotels in Madrid have outdoor swimming pools on their rooftop being a great attraction when choosing accommodation in summer. Among them can be found the Dear Hotel with panoramic terrace located in the center of Madrid, next to the Plaza de España, the H10 Puerta de Alcalá in the epicenter of the Salamanca neighborhood, or the VP Plaza España Design with breathtaking views.

Luxury Shopping

Madrid boasts some of the world’s most luxurious and select stores. Most of them can be found in the  Salamanca District, known as the Golden Mile, such as Versace, Prada, LOEWE, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co and Dior , among others. 

The latest luxury icon in the heart of the city is undoubtedly the Galería Canalejas, an exclusive shopping centre with more than 40 boutiques selling fashion and accessories, perfumes and high quality jewellery and watches by the most prestigious luxury firms worldwide, such as  Hermès, Cartier or Rolex.