AMERICAN

Gumbo
Calle Pez 15
Tel: 91-532-6361
Metro: Noviciado
Opening times: 14.00-15.30 and 20.00 to 02.30. Closed on Sunday night and Mondays all day.
Menu at EUR 10.50

Forget the chain burger and rib joints, this is the real American meal deal with N’Awlins native Matthew Scott sporting his trademark bandana do-rag and turning out Big Easy eats like seafood gumbo, shrimp and grouper creole, and spicy, free-range chicken.

A recommended evening meal here might begin with one of the classic cocktails on offer, then fried green tomatoes, a stuffed pork chop with caramelised onions and bodelaise sauce as the main course and a big slice of pecan or peanut butter pie for dessert.

As they say in those parts: “Laissez les bon temps roulez!”

BASQUE

La Alacena de Serrano
Calle Infanta Maria Teresa 19
Tel: 912207009
www.laalacenadeserrano.com
Metro: Concha Espina or Colombia
Opening times: 13.30-16.00 and 20.30 to 24.00. Closed on Sunday night and Mondays all day.
Menu - Menu degustación at EUR 25

A nice elegant venue that has an air of distinction. It is highly-recommended for business meals due to its relaxed and quiet atmosphere. The eye for detail is what sets the décor of the restaurant apart from all others.

The high quality of food is also shown in presentation of the dishes and the food itself. Specialities are basque cuisine and Spanish alike, where you can try delicious callos, rabo de toro or cochinillo.

À la carte dishes are offered in full or half versions, medias raciones, allowing you to enjoy the same great taste for half the price.

CATALAN

Can Punyetes
Calle San Agustin 9
Tel: 91-429-94-83
www.canpunyetes.com
Metro: Anton Martin
Opening times: 13.00-16.00 and 20.00 to 24.00. Fridays and Saturdays opened till 01.00. Closed on Sundays.
Menu at EUR 11.50

Cheap and cheerful, this bistro boasts a barbeque pit in the main dining room where butifarra sausages, rabbit, chops and other prime meats are done to a turn over the open fire. It is also where they grill the chewy country bread for the extensive range of tostadas topped with pisto con ventresca, jamón serrano, patés and other goodies. There are seasonal specialities such as escudella (Catalonia’s version of minestrone soup) in the winter, grilled baby asparagus in the spring and grilled vegetables in the summer served with romescu and alioli (garlic) sauce. A crema catalana (a sweet creamy pudding) is the perfect finish.

CUBAN
Bayuca
Calle Luisa Fernanda 9
Tel: 915415891
 Metro: Ventura Rodriguez
Opening times: 10.00-02.00. Closed on Sundays.
Menu at EUR 8.50, half-menu at EUR 5.

The restaurant at the Moncloa district is beautifully decorated with a superb collection of Cuban sceneries.

It also boasts of a unique Cuban cuisine with dishes such as enchilada de gambones or moros y cristianos. While there is great selection of wines, don’t miss out on the variety of signature tropical cocktails such as cohiba and montecristo.

Enjoy your sumptuous dinner with best Cuban music, from son and danzon to habaneras. And if you are lucky, you may even get to enjoy live music.

INDIAN

Annapurna
Calle Zurbano 5
Tel: 91-319-8716
www.annapurnarestaurante.com
Metro: Alonso Martinez, Colon
Opening times: 13.45-15.45 and 21.00 to 24.00. Closed on Saturday lunchtime, Sundays and bank holidays all day .
Menu at EUR 30

Annapurna is one of the higher peaks in the Himalayas and its namesake is arguably the height of South Asian dining in this city.  An exotic bar, an extensive dining room which looks out over a small garden and the tasteful Indian décor, provide an elegance missing in most Madrid curry houses. There are almost 30 curries on offer with the prawn curry seasoned with mustard seed and tamarind and, for vegetarians, the garbanzo curry,  among the stars. Tandooris, tikkas, naans and a selection or rich rice dishes round out the menu, all helpfully explained by the patient staff.

ITALIAN

La Creazione
Calle Ventura de la Vega 9
Tel: 91-429-0387
www.lacreazione.com
Metro: Sevilla
Opening times: 13.30-16.00 and 20.30 to 24.00.
Menu ‘ejecutivo’ at EUR 18, pizza menu at EUR 10

This romantic spot in the Plaza Santa Ana district has its own informal pizza joint on the premises but it would be a shame not to try the more ambitious dishes such as the Caprese salad of fresh mozarella cheese, tomatoes and basil or gnocchi with bolognese sauce and gorgonzola.

Other standouts include risotto with shellfish, grilled prawn brochette, porcini mushroom paté with Parma ham and turkey breast stuffed with ham, cheese and spinach. There is an impressive list of both Italian and Spanish wines and the usual sinful selection of over-the-top Italian desserts.

MEXICAN

Taqueria del Alamillo
Plaza del Alamillo, 8
Tel: 91-364-2088
Metro: La Latina
Opening times: 13.00-16.00 and 20.30 to 24.00. Closed on Mondays all day and Tuesdays for lunch.
No fix price menu available.

Several years ago, Mexican restaurants were popping up like magic mushrooms after a Oaxacan rainstorm. This is one of the survivors and deservedly so. There are a dozen prime tequilas and exquisite margaritas to get the ball rolling and best accompanied by the freshest guacamole in Madrid, unadorned except for a pinch of salt and cilantro (coriander). Three enchilada dishes – with verde, rojo or mole sauce – are a sure bet for the main course and there are off-the-menu specials every day. Whatever you choose, ask for the smoky salsa picante (hot sauce) made with freshly roasted peppers then cool down with papaya ice cream.  

SPANISH

El Chaflan
Avenida Pio XII 34
Tel: 91-350-6193
www.elchaflan.com
Metro: Pio XII
Opening times: All week 13.30-15.30 and 21.00 to 23.00.
6 course menu at EUR 60 or with wines EUR 75. 'Urban' menu EUR 50

Among the fashionable eateries which have opened over the past few years in the capital’s better hotels, El Chaflan quickly earned a reputation as one of the best restaurants in the city as well as a Michelin star. Decorated in a simple style with lots of white, beiges and soft greys, the dining room shares space with the glass-walled kitchen so customers can view the preparation of their meals. These might include tuna belly in a sherry sauce, suckling pig with potato and apple purée, fried white asparagus or artichokes and scallops. Wash it all down with one of the 600 wines on offer.

La Broche
Calle Miguel Angel 29-31
Tel: 91-399-3437
www.labroche.com
Metro: Gregorio Marañón
Opening times: 14.00-15.00 and 21.00 to 23.00. Fridays and Saturdays opened till 01.00. Closed on Saturday and Mondays at lunchtime and Sundays all day.
Full menu at EUR 85, 'express' menu at EUR 45 and 'executive' (Mo to Fri only) at EUR 35.

Since arriving in Madrid in 1997, chef Sergi Arola has almost single-handedly redefined haute cuisine in the capital. The two Michelin-starred La Broche is now a must visit for any travelling gourmand visiting the city. Located in the Hotel Miguel Angel building, the restaurant is a study in Eastern-influenced minimalism, better to help the diners concentrate on the always-surprising and satisfying food. A green bean soup with cockles and potato flan starter could be followed by baked sea bass with tapenade. There are three tasting menus consisting of tapas, starter, fish, meat and dessert.

RACIONES

La Trucha
Calle de Manuel Fernandez y Gonzalez 3
Tel: 91-429-5833
Metro: Sol
Opening times: 20.00-24.00 all week.
No fix-price menu. Only raciones.

There are two branches of this traditional tapas bar and restaurant in the same neighbourhood, but this one is slightly bigger and can better handle the weekend crowds. It also has a roomy terrace open well into October. Old bullfight posters and other bric-a-brac provide a colourful atmosphere for indulging in the excellent fried fish dishes, shrimp in garlic, shellfish soup and a hearty house salad. Two tapa standouts are the pescado en adobo (white fish marinated in vinegar and spices, then breaded and deep fried) and the verbena de canapes (a selection of smoked fish served on toast).

17 November 2009
Updated by Daura Carballo