Very rough outline here, but a friend sent this to me and I thought it would be helpful if anyone visited.
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH:
Federal: Good brunch food, nice open space. One of the only places you can get
a true American style breakfast in Madrid
La Bicicleta: Sundays go for seven-course brunch. Reasonable price. Cool
scene– -need a reservation in advance
LUNCH:
Olivia Te Cuida: LA style restaurant, great mix plates– cool rustic scene and will
always surrounded by cool local croud
Mercado de San Miguel: Great place to get a visual tour of Spanish food. Dont
go on weekend– -gets too packed
Bazaar: Clean interior, good day crowd.
Place on Gran Via
Caja Baja- street in La Latina lined with endless places-serves Pinchos (tapas).
Go to Casa Lucas
DINNER:
Ten con Ten: My opinion, best place in Madrid- food+scene
Bar Tomate: Cool scene, great food (very business heavy crowd)
Lateral: The go-to for eating out for any Madrid local. Many locations. Best on is
in Plaza Santa Ana
Gastromaquia- best tapas spot. Owner is very involved and will take care of
you/make it a cool experience. Need a reservation—two seating per night
Le Cabrera: High end gastropub. Great food/drinks. Sit downstairs
La Gabinoteca- beyond trendy. Interesting, tasty food—tapas style. Great scene
Fri/Sat
Zombie Bar: Creative burger menu. Good drinks/people. Young, college crowd.
Drinks/Nights:
***Get Gin & Tonics in Madrid
Areia Chillout- go to spot for drinks, lounge seating—good music
Gabana- Upscale club. Cool, intimate layout, good DJs
Ramses- upscale restaurant turn bar/club (don’t eat here—overpriced for
what it is), but get a Gin & Tonic (best in the city). Older, stuck up
atmosphere.
Urban Hotel Bar- to get a nice drink with a minor scene
T-Club (Pacha)- grand layout; good, but really depends on the night you go
Kapital- 7 levels, different themed rooms. Not my favorite, overrated
Le Boutique- upscale, older club
Other:
Toma Café: Not very Spanish at all but best coffee in city, super hipster
Mistura- Best gelato in the city—organic as well. Good people own the place
(Carlos)
ROOFTOPS:
Gymage- very local spot. Simpler version of a Nikki Beach– -. Go early to get a
table and post of with a bottle.
Círculo de Bellas Artes- best view in the city. Get a drink up there. A bit too
touristy though
ME Hotel: Older scene. Decent on the weekends. Overlooks a great Plaza
El ayuntamiento: Rooftop bar on city hall
El Viajero- LA Latina rooftop only open in the summer, bumping on Sundays
Corte Ingles- Gourmet Experience- top floor of department store remodeled
into a fancy food court. Incredible 360 degree views. Underrated food +
solid spot to post up and have drinks