Best Dining Bets

Best Dining Bets

Best for a Romantic Dinner: El Amparo (tel. 91-431-64-56) sits in one of Madrid's most elegant enclaves, with cascading vines on its facade. You can dine grandly on nouveau Basque cuisine, enjoying not only the romantic ambience but also some of the finest food in the city. A sloping skylight bathes the interior with sunlight during the day, and at night lanterns cast soft, flattering glows, making you and your date look luscious.

Best for a Business Lunch: For decades the influential leaders of Madrid have come to Jockey (tel. 91-319-24-35) to combine power lunches with one of the true gastronomic experiences in Madrid. In spite of increased competition, Jockey is still among the favorite rendezvous sites for heads of state, international celebrities, and diplomats. It's the perfect place to close that business deal with your Spanish partner -- he or she will be impressed with your selection.

Best for a Celebration: At night the whole area around Plaza Mayor becomes one giant Spanish fiesta, with singers, guitar players, and bands of roving students serenading for their sangria and tapas money. Since 1884 it has always been party night at Los Galayos (tel. 91-366-30-28) too, with tables and chairs set out on the sidewalk for people-watching. The food's good as well -- everything from suckling pig to roast lamb. What else would you expect from the best eating spot in the Plaza Mayor?

Best View: The cafe tables on the terrace of the Café de Oriente (tel. 91-541-39-74) afford one of the most panoramic views of classical buildings and monuments in Madrid -- a view that takes in everything from the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) to the Teatro Real. Diplomats, even royalty, have patronized this place, known for its good food and attractive Belle Epoque decor, which includes banquettes and regal paneling.

Best Decor: Las Cuatro Estaciones (tel. 91-553-63-05) has the most spectacular floral displays in Madrid. These flowers, naturally, change with the seasons, so you never know what you'll see when you arrive to dine. The entrance might be filled with hydrangeas, chrysanthemums, or poinsettias. The food is equally superb, a magnificent blend of classical and modern, but it's the stunningly modern and inviting decor that makes Las Cuatro Estaciones the perfect place for a lavish dinner on the town.

Best for Kids: Foster's Hollywood (tel. 91-564-63-08) wins almost hands-down. Since 1971 it has lured kids with Tex-Mex selections, one of the juiciest hamburgers in town, and what a New York Times reporter found to be "probably the best onion rings in the world." The atmosphere is fun too, evoking a movie studio with props.

Best Basque Cuisine: Some food critics regard Zalacaín (tel. 91-561-48-40) as the best restaurant in Madrid. Its name comes from Pío Baroja's 1909 novel, Zalacaín El Aventurero, but its cuisine comes straight from heaven. When the maitre d' suggests a main dish of cheeks of hake, you might turn away in horror -- until you try it. Whatever is served here is sure to be among the finest food you'll taste in Spain -- all the foie gras and truffles you desire, but many innovative dishes to tempt the palate as well.

Best American Cuisine: Not everything on the menu at La Gamella (tel. 91-532-45-09) is American, but what there is here is choice, inspired by California. Owner Dick Stephens, a former choreographer, now runs this prestigious restaurant in the house where the Spanish philosopher Ortega y Gasset was born. Even the king and queen of Spain have tasted the savory fare, which includes everything from an all-American cheesecake to a Caesar salad with strips of marinated anchovies. It's also known for serving what one food critic called, "the only edible hamburger in Madrid," and that palate had tasted the hamburger at Foster's Hollywood . Its wine list is comprehensive, covering a wide range of national and world vintages.

Best Continental Cuisine: Although the chef at the small but enchanting El Mentidero de la Villa (tel. 91-308-12-85) roams the world for culinary inspirations, much of the cookery is firmly rooted in French cuisine. Continental favorites are updated here and given new twists and flavors, sometimes betraying a Japanese influence. From France come the most perfect noisettes of veal (flavored with fresh tarragon) that you're likely to be served in Spain. Even the Spanish dishes have been updated and are lighter and subtler in flavor.

Best Seafood: On the northern edges of Madrid, Cabo Mayor (tel. 91-350-87-76) consistently serves the finest and freshest seafood in the country. Members of the royal family are likely to come here for their favorite seafood treats, which might be a savory kettle of fish soup from Cantabria (a province between the Basque country and Asturias), or stewed besugo, or sea bream (also known as porgy) flavored with thyme. Even the atmosphere is nautically inspired.

Best Steakhouse: Spanish steaks at their finest are offered at Casa Paco (tel. 91-366-31-66). Señor Paco was the first in Madrid to sear steaks in boiling oil before serving, so that the almost-raw meat continues to cook on the plate, preserving the natural juices. This Old Town favorite also has plenty of atmosphere, and has long been a celebrity favorite as well.

Best Roast Suckling Pig: Even hard-to-please Hemingway agreed: The roast suckling pig served at Sobrino de Botín (tel. 91-366-30-26) since 1725 is the best and most aromatic dish in the Old Town. You'd have to travel to Segovia (home of the specialty) for better fare than this. Under time-aged beams, you can wash down your meal with Valdepeñas or Aragón wine.

Best Cocido: Malacatín (tel. 91-365-52-41). Cocido madrileño is the capital's favorite dish, a hearty combo of chickpeas, cabbage, salt pork, beef, and chicken designed to combat the winter cold. If you like it, come here: Having raised it to the peak of perfection, they've decided to serve nothing else. The restaurant is small, atmospheric, and an excellent value -- the fixed price also includes wine and dessert. Prior booking of both dish and table are essential.

Best Wine List: Although it may no longer be considered the finest restaurant in Madrid, as it once was, Horcher (tel. 91-532-35-96) does have one of the city's most laudable wine lists. The cuisine is also just as good as it ever was, but there's so much competition these days that other shining stars have toppled Horcher, now in its third generation of ownership, from its throne. Nevertheless, its wine cellars have won praise from kings and gourmands throughout Europe. It offers not only Spain's best vintages but also those from the rest of the continent. Trust the sommelier: He's one of the best in the business, and his advice is virtually always spot-on.

Best Value Lunch: For quality, good service, and simple but imaginative dishes (like chargrilled vegetables and fresh pan-fried rice) at a highly competitive price, the bright, modern Finca de Susana (tel. 91-369-35-57) beats most of its rivals hands down. You need to arrive earlier than usual in Spain for the bargain three-course lunch (say 1:30pm) in order to avoid the lines (no reservations).

Best Vegetarian Fare: Al Natural (tel. 91-369-47-09). Obviously, politicians' gourmet tastes are changing -- this totally "green" eating spot situated right behind the Congreso de Diputados enjoys the patronage of many a parliamentary member. Rice, vegetables, and veggie pizzas feature strongly, though some platos have chicken or fish included. Its 60 places are packed by midday, so try to get here early for lunch.

Best Place for Sherry: La Venencia (tel. 91-429-62-61). This cavernous bar sells sherry and nothing else, from ultra-dry manzanillas to hearty olorosos, in an uncompromisingly preserved, rundown, untampered setting. This means flaking tobacco-brown walls with tattered sherry posters, old barrels, and a basic wooden bar top where the barman chalks up your tab as you go along. Olives, Manchego cheese, and mountain ham are on the concise no-nonsense tapas list. Check out the sitting area with tables and chairs at the back.

Best Wine Bar: Aloque (tel. 91-528-36-62). No less than 200 vinos are on offer at this understated modern bodega-taberna hidden away along a narrow lane in medieval multiethnic Lavapiés. In addition to the inevitable Riojas and Penedès, you'll find some exciting new wines from hitherto undervalued areas like Yecla and Toro. Sit at the bar or at tables in a small alcove. Good incentive: a la carte raciones if you get peckish.

Best Tapas: El Bocaíto (tel. 91-532-12-19). Cited as a favorite snack 'n' wine locale by Oscar-winning cineaste Pedro Almodóvar, the stylish little Bocaíto, set in the heart of bohemian Chueca, will usually serve a free miniportion of cecina (smoked beef) or something similar with your vino before offering a wealth of marine delights that ranges from salmonetes (red mullet) to pescaítos (small fried fish).

Best "Celebrity" Bar: La Bardemcilla (tel. 91-521-42-56). The "Bardem" bit comes from the name of Spain's number-one movie family, the equivalent of the Fondas to the States and the Redgraves to the U.K. Actress mother Pilar's son Javier -- Oscar nominated for his performance as a homosexual Cuban writer in Before Night Falls in 2001 -- is co-owner with his sister Mónica; and tapas and raciones are accordingly named after other movies he's made: croquetas "Jamón, Jamón" and tortilla "Perdita Durango," for example. It's a warm, stylish bar with an ever-so-slightly pretentious ambience. Comfortable restaurant at the back.

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Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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