After 20 years running the famous Old Town Madrid Tapas Tour it is frustating to see how many travelers miss out on the “menu del día”.
What is menu del dia? What is menu of the day?:
⋅ It is a fixed-price lunch, restaurants offer from MONDAY to FRIDAY (as long as it is not a holiday). The cost is a BARGAIN, it ranges from 12 to 16 euros and covers:
PRIMERO (STARTER) – There are about 4 options
SEGUNDO (MAIN DISH) – There are about 4 options
POSTRE (DESSERT) or coffee
+ one drink (bebida) and bread (pan). It is not uncommon that if you order wine they bring you a whole bottle.
⋅ The list of first and second dishes options is either written on a piece of paper, you ask the waiter for, or on a blackboard outside the restaurant. Google Images is the best way to decipher it.
⋅ It is not translated into English. Restaurants want travelers to order á la carte, more profitable.
These are my favourite: (Warning: these places are popular, I recommend you to be at the restaurant at 1.45 pm, that is, before everybody arrives at 2 pm)
CLOSE TO THE ROYAL PALACE
I go first to Casa Parrondo (the best). If the menu doesn’t drive me crazy on that particular day I go to Inti de Oro which is around the corner. If I am still not happy I go to Opera Victoria. You will find the menu of the day outside the restaurants.
CASA PARRONDO
Calle de Trujillos, 4
Casa Parrondo is run by two brothers, 300 pounds each. You just have to look at them to tell how seriously these two take food. There are two Parrondo restaurants in the same street. Go to the one in the picture (btw the woman is reading the menu of the day!):
INTI DE ORO
Calle de las Navas de Tolosa, 9
This is one of the best Peruvian restaurants in Madrid and the best Ceviche I have had.
OPERA VICTORIA
Calle de los Caños del Peral, 2
This restaurant is perfect if you visit the Royal Palace of Madrid since it is minutes away. It has a terrace. I have been to it several times and it is always good.
CLOSE TO THE CATHEDRAL
My 3 favorite are: Rayuela, Casa Ciriaco and La Musa Latina.
RAYUELA
Calle de la Moreria, 8
The setting of this restaurant has been used several times in Spanish movies. Atmospheric old house under a bridge and very good food into the bargain. They have a 13.5 € and a 19.5 € menu. They share the same first courses (primer plato) but the difference comes with the second ones (segundo plato). They change the menu every week and you can check it at: https://www.facebook.com/TabernaRayuela
LA MUSA LATINA
Located in one of the most beautiful squares in Madrid, its terrace is highly demanded. You won’t see the menu of the day anywhere, it is only on the internet.
CASA CIRIACO – (IT DOESN’T OFFER THE MENU OF THE DAY RIGHT NOW)
Calle Mayor, 84
Ciriaco has the charm of the restaurants that have not changed in decades. Right next to the cathedral it offers traditional dishes cooked with expertise. You will find the menu outside the restaurant, printed on a paper. Be there before 2 pm, it packs.
CLOSE TO PLAZA MAYOR AND PUERTA DEL SOL
LOS GALAYOS
Calle Botoneras, 4
Founded in 1894 and one of the best traditional restaurants in Madrid. You will see the menu del día written in a small paper outside the restaurant (if there is no paper it is because they are not offering the menu that day, which is no uncommon). I like it upstairs, it is so beautiful (see picture). If you see “cochifrito” and you like pork, order it!
IN THE HUERTAS NEIGHBORHOOD
TERRAMUNDI
Calle Lope de Vega, 32
The menu of the day is 13.9€ . If you want their specialty, Segovian piglet shoulder roasted, you have to pay 4 euros more and there has to be at least two of you. It comes with a cup of gravy you have to pour over the pork. The crunchy skin of the pork and the gravy are to die for.
You can see all the dishes of the menu of the day by visiting the restaurant’s website and scrolling down.
LA MALONTINA
Calle Verónica, 4
It is in the city center but in a street off the beaten path. Cozy, small, great local atmosphere. They upload their menú del día on the internet every day.
