Madrid is a city that loves to eat. But Chueca? Chueca is where tradition meets trend. In this neighborhood, you can find a 19th-century tavern next to a Nordic specialty coffee shop. The options are endless, but tourist traps also exist.
To help you eat like a local, we have curated the definitive list of places where we actually go. No frozen paella here. Just honest, delicious food.
💶 A Quick Note on Tipping
In Spain, tipping is not mandatory. Locals usually leave some change (rounding up) or 10% if the service was exceptional, but don’t feel pressured.
🍻 Tapas & Casual Bites (Budget Friendly)
1. El Tigre (The “Free Food” Legend)
The Vibe: Chaotic, loud, and incredibly cheap. It’s a rite of passage for anyone visiting Madrid.
The Deal: Order a beer or cider (approx €6 for a large one), and they will serve you a huge plate of food for free (Paella, Patatas Bravas, Ham, Croquettes). Two rounds here, and you have had dinner.
📍 Calle de las Infantas, 23 | 💰 Price: €
2. Bodega La Ardosa (Historic Tavern)
The Vibe: Founded in 1892. Old wood, dusty bottles, and pure history. You might have to crawl under the bar to get to the back room.
Must Try: Their Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish Omelet) is consistently ranked in the Top 3 of Madrid. Also, try the artichokes and the Vermouth on tap.
📍 Calle de Colón, 13 | 💰 Price: €€
3. Mercado de San Antón (Gourmet Market)
The Vibe: A 3-story food heaven. The ground floor is a traditional market; the second floor is for tapas stalls.
The Plan: Go to the 2nd floor, grab some Iberian Ham at “La Charcutería de Octavio”, some oysters at “Fish Corner”, and a glass of wine. Then head to the rooftop terrace for the views.
📍 Calle de Augusto Figueroa, 24 | 💰 Price: €€
🍽️ Sit-Down Dinner (Reservations Recommended)
4. Roostiq (Trendy & Fire)
The Concept: “We farm, we cook”. They use products from their own farm and cook everything in a wood-fired oven.
Must Try: The Torreznos (crispy pork belly) paired with a glass of Champagne. It sounds weird, but it’s a life-changing combination. Their pizzas are also superb.
📍 Calle Augusto Figueroa, 47 | 💰 Price: €€€
5. Celso y Manolo (Neo-Tavern)
The Concept: A classic tavern reinvented with organic ingredients and a modern twist.
Must Try: The Tomato Steak (Chuletón de Tomate). They source incredible huge tomatoes that taste like real fruit. Perfect for a healthy but hearty Spanish dinner.
📍 Calle Libertad, 1 | 💰 Price: €€
6. Grosso Napoletano (Best Pizza)
The Concept: Authentic Neapolitan pizza. Wood oven at 500°C and ingredients imported from Italy.
Must Try: The classic Margherita or the Borghese. The dough is elastic and the edges are fluffy. Great for a quick, high-quality dinner.
📍 Calle del Pez, 11 | 💰 Price: €€
☕ Best Brunch & Specialty Coffee
- Panod (Calle Prim, 1): Winner of the Best Butter Croissant in Spain award. You can watch the bakers working through the glass window. Essential for breakfast.
- Acid Bakehouse (Calle Magdalena, 27): For the coffee purists. Minimalist design, sourdough bread, and arguably the best Flat White in the area.
- Adorado Bar (Calle Mesón de Paños, 5): Argentinean style All-Day Brunch. Huge portions, homemade cakes, and Dulce de Leche everywhere. Feels like home.
💤 Food Coma? Find a Hotel Nearby
Staying in Chueca means you are just walking distance from all these delicious places.