Madrid's historical and culinary explorations are a perfect mix

When we (my sister and I) booked an apartment in Central Madrid on Grande Via, the location was perfect for exploring nearby historical sites, and the local culinary scene. Of course, you always pay a little extra for a good location, where you are in walk distance to major historical sites. What I did not realize however, when in planning the stopover, was that Taylor Swift was in town. Hence, not only did accommodations cost more, but also the crowds were larger than normal. Arriving in Madrid, at the end of May, I also wanted to take advantage of my earlier culinary discoveries, plus add some new ones. Amongst my earlier gastronomic adventures in Madrid I had discovered some delightful restaurants, and of course a few tapas bars. 

Culinary Explorations, Plaza Major, Madrid © Spaswinefood

Shortly after arrival from Budapest, off we went to explore the nearby historical sites, and the culinary scene of Madrid's historical center. Madrid has many squares, or plazas that have evolved over time. Our first stop, after checking into our Gran Via apartment was Plaza Mayor, one of Madrid's most historic squares. 

Gran Via, Madrid May 2024 © Spaswinefood

Returning Spring 2024, for a three day stopover, I was so excited to be back in Madrid, and not just passing through on a flight to somewhere else in Spain (such as Basque Country or Ribera del Duero), or nearby Portugal. 

Madrid's Historical Center

Much has been written on Madrid's tapas bars and historic taverns. Others have focused on traditional Spanish dishes, or the rich diversity of cuisine that is offered at many Madrid restaurants. 

Tortilla Española and Cerveza, La Buha, May 2024 © Spaswinefood

Besides exploring on our own, it was exciting to take a foodie tour of central Madrid.

Sangria Time at Mesón de Champiñón, Madrid, May 2024 © Spaswinefood

We soon discovered that Madrid's historical and culinary explorations are a perfect mix!

Revisiting Madrid's Culinary Scene

Fortunately, I  still remembered October 2013 through January 2014 when we (John and I) did Spawinefood’s stopovers in Madrid. It was the result of these visits that I discovered some of central Madrid's culinary hotspots. Returning 10 years later, I was delighted to revisit some of these earlier discoveries, like Public Restaurant, a small restaurant with great food and wine. 

Returning to Public Restaurant, May 2024 © Spaswinefood

Yes, I still have notes from our earlier visit.
Public Restaurant, Calle de Desengaño, 11

 Public Restaurant Menu © Spaswinefood

Our choice for wine was a Ribera Del Duero, Vega Real, Roble 2012.

 Ribera Del Duero, Vega Real, Roble 2012, Public Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Our first course selections were:

 Salad, Public Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Salad, Public Restaurant © Spaswinefood

The second course options included:

 Second Course, Public Restaurant © Spaswinefood

 Vegetarian Course, Public Restaurant © Spaswinefood

The desserts selected included:

Dessert, Public Restaurant © Spaswinefood

 Dessert, Public Restaurant © Spaswinefood

During our 2024 three-day visit we managed to dine at two of Andilana Restaurants, Public (Calle de Desengaño, 11), and La Gloria De Montera (Caballero De Gracia, 10).

Gloria De Montera Restaurante, May 2024 © Spaswinefood

Yes, indeed I have more from those earlier  2013-2014 visits.

 

After we accidentally stumbled upon Public (Calle de Desengaño, 11), we started to search for similar restaurants. This led us to La Gloria De Montera (Caballero De Gracia, 10). We dined there once in November 2013. 

Gloria De Montera Restaurante, Caballero De Gracia, 10

Gloria De Montera Restaurante © Spaswinefood

Gloria De Montera Restaurante, Caballero De Gracia, 10 © Spaswinefood

Now, here are a few wine and food highlights:

Gloria De Montera Restaurante, 2014 © Spaswinefood

Two of the wines we tried included Soto De Torres, Ibéricos Crianza 2010 and Ribera Del Duero, Prado Rey, Roble 2010.

Soto De Torres, Ibéricos Crianza 2010, Gloria De Montera Restaurante © Spaswinefood

Ribera Del Duero, Prado Rey, Roble 2010, Gloria De Montera Restaurante © Spaswinefood 

Our first courses included dishes such as:

Seafood Soup, Gloria De Montera Restaurante © Spaswinefood 

Salad, Gloria De Montera Restaurante © Spaswinefood 

Our second course choices included:

Octopus, Gloria De Montera Restaurante © Spaswinefood 

Octupus, Gloria De Montera Restaurante © Spaswinefood 

Our vegetarian selections included:

Salad, Gloria De Montera Restaurante © Spaswinefood 

Vegetarian Lasagna, Gloria De Montera Restaurante © Spaswinefood 

Our dessert selections were:

Dessert, Gloria De Montera Restaurante © Spaswinefood 

Dessert, Gloria De Montera Restaurante © Spaswinefood 

When we returned to La Gloria De Montera in January 2014 guests dining next to us asked if we had tried other restaurants in the group -- when they named the restaurants we remembered Public.  The restaurants in the group included Bazaar, Ginger, La Finca De Susana, La Gloria De Montera and Public. 

La Gloria De Montera Menu, 2014 © Spaswinefood

During the remainder of our stay we did manage to fit in a visit to Bazaar (Calle De Libertad, 21). Our next visit would obviously include La Finca De Susana (Calle De Arlabán, 4). During our lunch visits to these restaurants at least one of us ordered the menu of the day. The wine list at each restaurant was good. The presentation and quality of food was good. The overall quality of the service was generally good. At a cost of 10.35 Euros you cannot beat this deal for a three course quality lunch in beautiful settings. 

NOTE: These restaurants are still a great value, coming in around 20 Euros. Now, here are more notes from 2014 visit

Bazaar Restaurant, Calle De Libertad, 21

Wine List, Bazaar Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Bazaar Restaurant, Calle De Libertad, 21 © Spaswinefood

The wine we selected was a Rioja, Consejo De La Alta, Cosecha 2010.

Rioja, Consejo De La Alta, Cosecha 2010, Bazaar Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Our first courses were:

Soup, Bazaar Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Salad, Bazaar Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Our second course selections were:

Burger, Bazaar Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Risotto, Bazaar Restaurant © Spaswinefood

We shared the following desert:

Crepe with Ice Cream, Bazaar Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Bazaar Restaurant, Calle De Libertad, 21 © Spaswinefood

Obviously, I had those earlier experiences to draw from, when we were out and about in Madrid during our May 2024 visit. It was so exciting to re-discover Andilana Restaurants, some of Madrid's cuisine at budget prices. 

Enjoying theViews, Historical Taverns, Tapas Bars and More

Exploring Central Madrid, May 2024 © Spaswinefood

Given the high temperatures in Madrid at the end of May, it was so welcoming to return to our apartment on Gran Via after exploring.

Roof Top Views from Gran Via Apartment © Spaswinefood

More Roof Top Views, Gran Via © Spaswinefood

Watching sunsets and sunrise over Central Madrid from our apartment on Gran Via was a special treat.

Sunrise over Gran Via © Spaswinefood

Of course no visit to Madrid was not complete without checking out Madrid's tapas bars and historic taverns, which I will explore in a future article. 

Vermú at La Concha: Vinos y Tapas, Madrid © Spaswinefood

Our My 2024 tour of Madrid's tapas bars and historic taverns was definitely a highlight.

La Buha, Madrid © Spaswinefood

La Concha: Vinos y Tapas, Madrid © Spaswinefood

Without a doubt checking out Madrid's historical sites while doing culinary explorations are a perfect mix. Madrid is the perfect place for a combo historical and culinary adventure. Central Madrid is packed with historical sites, many good restaurants, and there is also plenty of Spanish wine available to sample. I invite you to join me in my wine travel adventures in Spain and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood  on  Twitter and Facebook. 

CHEERS! 

Sharon
May 2024
Madrid, Spain

© Spaswinefood

Central Madrid, Spain May 2024 © Spaswinefood

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