Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon: September 2025

Monday, September 15, 2025

Tapas time in Madrid is always special

Spring time in Madrid is a perfect time to checkout tapas. Last April, when we returned to Madrid, visiting its historic taverns and tapas bars was at the top of our list. YES, no trip to Madrid is complete without visiting its historic taverns and tapas bars. I have heard many stories from fellow travelers about Madrid's tapas bars. Amongst my earlier gastronomic adventures in Madrid I discovered some delightful restaurants, and of course a few tapas bars. Fortunately we booked a hotel on Grande Via in Central Madrid, which is the perfect location for exploring nearby historical sites, and checking out the local culinary scene. Of course, Madrid's tapas bars and historic taverns, is what I will explore in this post.

Time for Vinos y Tapas, Madrid © Spaswinefood

Soon after we arrived in Madrid we book a Tapas Tour.

Tapas Time in Madrid

We were excited to met our guide, Osmel at the designated location, Plaza de Sta. Ana.

Plaza de Sta. Ana, Madrid © Spaswinefood

Hanging out at Plaza de Sta. Ana, Madrid © Spaswinefood

While we waited we took in the sights around the plaza.

Plaza de Sta. Ana, Madrid © Spaswinefood

Plaza de Sta. Ana has a statue that caught my attention.

Calderon de la Barca, Madrid © Spaswinefood

The plaza has a statue of Pedro Calderón de la Barca (January 17, 1600—May 25, 1681), who was a dramatist and poet that succeeded Lope de Vega as the greatest Spanish playwright of the Golden Age. There is so much history to discover in central Madrid however, we had come to learn more about the tapas scene. Let's check out the tapas stops that Osmel took us.

El Lacón
Soon after the meetup off we went to our first stop at El Lacón at Calle de Manuel Fernández y González.

El Lacón, Madrid © Spaswinefood

It offers not only tapas but also, steak, paella, and of course pork shoulder (el lacón), with a long wine list.

El Lacón, Madrid © Spaswinefood

El Lacón © Spaswinefood

We enjoyed our tapas and wine while watching the preparation of various dishes by the staff.

Starting at El Lacón © Spaswinefood

El Lacón Story, Madrid © Spaswinefood

It is a great place to enjoy the various offerings. You may want to check out the El Lacón story while you are there. In case you are wondering el lacón is cured shoulder ham that is typically associated with the Galicia region of Spain.

Gonzáles Vinos y Tapas

Our second stop was Gonzáles Vinos y Tapas.

Gonzáles Vinos y Tapas, Madrid © Spaswinefood

Gonzáles: Vinos y Tapas © Spaswinefood

Gonzáles is well know for its wine and cheeses.

Welcome to Gonzáles © Spaswinefood

Cheese Display, Gonzáles © Spaswinefood

La Casa Del Abuelo

There is always a tapas stop with a name like, La Casa Del Abuelo. In fact Madrid has a number of locations, at least eight in central Madrid. I have visited at least two one on Calle de la Victoria, and the other on Calle Toledo.

La Casa Del Abuelo, Calle Toledo © Spaswinefood

La Casa Del Abuelo © Spaswinefood

Soon everyone wa inside checking out the shrimp offerings.

Waiting for Shrimp, La Casa Del Abuelo © Spaswinefood

I will add a vignette from an earlier visit in 2024

La Casa del Abuelo Visit 2024

La Casa del Abuelo, one of the most representative historical taverns in Madrid, is one that you should not miss. It is more than 100 years old, and it specializes in all variety of shrimp tapas. Tradition is preserved, given today everything is served the same way as 100 years ago! Calle Toledo 11

La Casa del Abuelo © Spaswinefood

When we arrived the wine was being poured. Here the tradition is to eat shrimps with the red sweet wine called El Abuelo. This tradition has made this tavern famous.

La Casa del Abuelo © Spaswinefood

Pouring the Wine, La Casa del Abuelo © Spaswinefood

Upon arrival we gathered around the tables at La Casa del Abuelo.

La Casa del Abuelo © Spaswinefood

There was shrimp of course to sample.

Shrimp Time, La Casa del Abuelo © Spaswinefood

While most enjoyed the shrimp some of us were served tomato tapas. Accommodations were made for vegetarians and other dietary options on the tour.

La Casa del Abuelo © Spaswinefood

Again, off we went exploring and discussing the rich history along the way.

Restaurante Los Galayos

Our final stop took us to Los Galayos for a tapas lunch. According to our guide Restaurante Los Galayos, has very good croquetas, pork belly (torreznos) and the best cheesecake in downtown Madrid

Los Galayos © Spaswinefood

Upon arrival at Los Galayos we entered and went upstairs to a table for our group.

Los Galayos, Madrid © Spaswinefood

Upstairs at Los Galayos, Madrid © Spaswinefood

Upon arrival at our table we were introduced to two Spanish wines, a sparkling wine and a red.

Time for Bubbles, Los Galayos, Madrid © Spaswinefood

Time for Bubbles, Los Galayos © Spaswinefood

Los Galayos © Spaswinefood

Bubble and Red Wine, Los Galayos © Spaswinefood

Now for the tapas shared over lunch. There was Spanish Tortilla.

Spanish Tortilla, Los Galayos © Spaswinefood

Cheese Balls, Madrid © Spaswinefood

Pork Belly (Torreznos), Los Galayos © Spaswinefood

More Croquetas, Los Galayos © Spaswinefood

This was a great tapas stop for this vegetarian.

My Tapas Lunch, Los Galayos © Spaswinefood

Of course there was a tapas dessert!

Dessert Time, Los Galayos © Spaswinefood

YES to Cheesecake, Los Galayos © Spaswinefood

The Best Cheesecake in Madrid, Los Galayos © Spaswinefood

It was a complete lunch with tapas and wine was a great way to end our tour!

Meanwhile this tapas tour brought back memories of a year earlier. A time when I also explored, with my sister Georgia, Madrid's tapas bars and historic taverns.

Our 2024 visit took us to tapas bars and historic taverns like La Buha, La Concha, and of course La Casa del Abuelo.

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

For sure it never gets old walking through historical Central Madrid.

Whenever my travels take me to Madrid it is Tapas Time. Tapas time in Madrid is always special. Without a doubt checking out Madrid's historical sites while exploring tapas 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, tapas bars, historic taverns, 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 Bluesky and Facebook.

CHEERS!

Sharon
April 2025
Madrid, Spain

Follow me on Bluesky and Facebook

I would highly recommend our tour guide, Osmel (his contact info is at the bottom). After spending an afternoon with us he sent our group the following recommendations:

Hey beautiful people, it was my absolute pleasure to meet you and show you some of Madrid hidden food gems today. For the next days, here you have some recommendations:

- Mercado de San Antón, nice traditional market, not too crowded or expensive. San Ildefonso and San Fernando are also good. San Antón https://maps.app.goo.gl/dc5kenfpxuXEtbn98?g_st=ic

San Ildefonso https://maps.app.goo.gl/awrQGmHMr795n3yp8?g_st=ic

San Fernando https://maps.app.goo.gl/ecNCkwuHpXVMFZdS8?g_st=ic

The neighborhood is called Chueca, home of the LGBT community in Madrid.

- Culture center with nice expositions. Also terrace bar and view point to the east and Retiro Park: Círculo de Bellas Artes
913 60 54 00
https://goo.gl/maps/p32oM2Qdoo7LjMSQA

- Great view point of Madrid and Gran Vía. No entrance fee Mirador El Corte Inglés at Plaza Callao https://maps.app.goo.gl/kmgJk1wyBSWbt3zX7?g_st=ic

- This place has great food, kind of gourmet tapas:
Sala de Despiece https://maps.app.goo.gl/zhVyUWTnXMBoQKT39?g_st=ic

- For a tasting of top quality ham Mercado del Jamón Ibérico https://maps.app.goo.gl/k6yGQPfMi5roifNm9?g_st=iw

- Torrijas (traditional Spanish dessert) at La Mallorquina https://maps.app.goo.gl/nN1PZ3b8ojsVd6jR9?g_st=ic

- Plus Casa del Abuelo at Calle Toledo, just by Plaza Mayor, try the calamare sandwich with bread from squid ink https://maps.app.goo.gl/2pQRfrSWG2iW9MdZ9?g_st=ic

And another Casa del Abuelo with the best garlic shrimps in Madrid https://maps.app.goo.gl/eDHuKPTopSQUPeCz9?g_st=ic

- Try the squid croquetas at El Fontán, eggplants in tempura with honey. They also serve as starter a great blue cheese, Cabrales https://maps.app.goo.gl/wTDcemnnon3xiVnT9?g_st=ic

- Chocolatería Valor, in my experience, best chocolate with churros in Madrid https://maps.app.goo.gl/dFLoNtfmqtUEGZmd8?g_st=ic

- Chocolatería San Ginés for chocolate con churros, oldest and most iconic in Madrid https://maps.app.goo.gl/qf4jupxWQvAPABecA?g_st=ic

- Restaurante Los Galayos, very good croquetas, pork belly (torreznos) and the best cheesecake in downtown Madrid https://maps.app.goo.gl/9ZwibMikp8zRYtNy6?g_st=ic

- Pastry shop specialized in cheese cakes:
Dulce Safari, Calle Caracas 1 https://maps.app.goo.gl/u4wcnEehyPwt5HSx8?g_st=ic

- El Tigre Sidra Bar at Calle de las Infantas 23 and at Calle Hortaleza 23 for large, cheap and tasty traditional tapas...

C/ de Hortaleza, 23 https://maps.app.goo.gl/ao5RUEYrMUrq3pXj7?g_st=ic

C. de las Infantas, 23 https://maps.app.goo.gl/pum7n51KsfAMBz3w6?g_st=ic

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pum7n51KsfAMBz3w6?g_st=ic

- Try the traditional Madrilian madroño (lichi) liqueur
At Restaurante El Madroño https://maps.app.goo.gl/gCnm5q1e63cGaqnt5?g_st=ic

Or get it at Carrefour or Hipercor supermarkets, or online: https://marianomadrueno.es/producto/comprar-el-oso-y-el-madrono-licor/

Please let me know if I can help in any way.
Above everything, may you have a great time in Madrid!

Osmel Darlington

Travel specialist for Cuba/Tour guide in Madrid

Mobile/WhatsApp: +34 647 090 092; darlingtonosmel@gmail.com

Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon

Monday, September 15, 2025

Tapas time in Madrid is always special

Tapas time in Madrid is always special

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