Acut-outand keepguideto Madrid’sbest tapasbars
TAPAS has come a long way from being a free nibble with a drink. OMAR ALLIBHOY, who has just opened his third tapas restaurant in Britain, returns to his home city to give his definitive list of Madrid’s best . . . CASA LUCIO AN INSTITUTION in Madrid and perhaps the most famous tapas bar in the world. You’ll find it on one of the city’s oldest streets, where its owner, Lucio Blazquez, has welcomed celebrities and politicians. You must try the callos (stew) and huevos rotos (broken eggs).
■ Calle Cava Baja 35, casalucio.es CACHIVACHE FULL of young, fashionable Spaniards, this trendy place offers quality tapas and is good value, too. It’s run by two brothers; Paco is front of house and Javier is behind the stove.
■ Calle de Serrano 221, cachivachetaberna.com
JUANA LA LOCA FOUND in the La Latina neighbourhood, this bar has a young vibe and serves top- notch pinchos (snacks on skewers) and Spanish omelette.
Plaza Puerta de Moros, 4, juanalalocamadrid.com/en ALBORA CHEF David Garcia has a Michelin star. The restaurant has white tablecloths, while the bar is more informal. Try the Iberico jamon selection. Jamonibericodebel
lotaJoselito has been declared the best ham in the world (hence the price tag).
■ Calle de Jorge Juan 33, en. restaurantealbora.com
SALA DE DESPIECE THEMED as a slaughterhouse, this is designed to look like a butcher’s with a long cutting table that’s also used as a bar. The staff even wear white coats. There are no separate tables, so lots of people stand and eat. It gets really busy and the music cranks up at 9pm. The stand-out dish is a simple tomato salad.
Calle de Ponzano 11, academia deldespiece.com/sala-de-despiece GABINOTECA THIS young and contemporary tapas bar is all rough wood, concrete and mismatched furniture, with large glass windows. The menu is stylish: try truffled eggs served in a Kilner jar.
Calle Fernandez de la Hoz 53, lagabinoteca.es
MERCADO DE SAN MIGUEL NOT just one tapas bar — an old market building full of them. There’s been a market here since the 19th century, but this one reopened in 2009 with a beautiful glass front. It’s still used by local residents. There’s lots of fresh pasta, fish and pastries, but as the day wears on it shifts to beer and tapas.
Plaza San Miguel, mercadode sanmiguel.es OMAR ALLIBHOY’S Tapas Revolution bars are in Shoreditch, London E1; Westfield London W12; and Bluewater, Kent. Visit tapasrevolution.com