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Sobrino de Botin
Immortalised by the final two pages of Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises when Jake invites Brett to Botin for the Segovian specialty, the Sobrino de Botin has been captivating locals and foreigners for over 200 years. Something of a Madrid institution, Sobrino de Botin is a family run restaurant that has eclipsed three generations, carrying over its friendly customer service ethic. With much of the décor still pertaining to the original restaurant, patrons look into the open kitchen which houses a charcoal hearth, hanging copper pots and an 18th century tile oven used especially for roasting suckling pig, one of the house specialties. Try that, the Segovian Lamb, baked Cantabrian hake or the fillet mignon with potatoes. A desert favorite is strawberries with whipped cream, if in season. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: Calle de Cuchilleros 17
Website: www.botin.es

Taberna Toscana
A friendly tapas restaurant with charming Spanish décor adorning the white walls, Taberna Toscana has the all the characteristics of a village restaurant with legs of hams hanging from above the bar, earthenware jars containing chilled sangria and colorful plates and an assortment of framed photographs decorating the walls. An authentic tapas restaurant, guests can choose from a range of small dishes to have in succession, accompanied with fresh bread and a standard wine list, although most guests opt for a glass of sangria. A dining experience that encourages a leisurely pace, patrons should try the chorizo, snails in hot sauce or kidneys in sherry sauce. Open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday.
Address: Manuel Fernández y Gonzales 10

Jockey
A favorite of international celebrities, diplomats, and heads of state, Jockey has been serving up gourmet Spanish cuisine for over four decades and has carried its dedication to customer service and quality produce over the years. A recipient of a Michelin star, this superb Madrid restaurant is ideal for a special occasion. A small but sophisticated restaurant, Jockey extends over two levels with wood panelled walls, white linen tablecloths and turquoise suede seating. Recommended dishes are the sea bass, lamb a la Provencal and marinated partridge. With a wine list of over 600 wines from different regions across the globe and a mouth-watering desert menu, a night at Jockeys is a gastronomic experience you won't forget. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: Amador de los Ríos 6

La Bola
A blood red façade used to be commonplace with fashionable restaurants in Madrid and La Bola is one of the last restaurants in the city to don one. Initially operating as a wine shop in 1802, this family owned restaurant has been passed down over seven generations and continues charming visitors with its olde worlde décor of aging velvet, Spanish tiles, lace curtains and cosy nooks. Although attracting quite a touristy crowd, La Bola guarantees affordable prices and homemade dishes packed with flavor. Some house specialties include grilled sole, fillet of veal, Basque-style hake and grilled salmon. A traditional favorite is Madrileno cocido, a slow-cooked meat dish prepared in earthenware pots on a wood fire. Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for dinner only.
Address: Calle de la Bola 5

Wagaboo
A great modern restaurant that offers cool interiors, good food, attentive service, affordable prices and consistency, Wagaboo is a good bet for lunch or dinner in Madrid. Specialising in pasta and noodles, Wagaboo has a great selection of contemporary Italian and Asain cuisine. The stylish industrial interior of exposed brick and piping is complimented with chic modern lighting, red leather seating and shiny dark wood tables. Contemporary art and photography adorn the walls and the glassed-in kitchen allow patrons to see the pasta and noodles being handmade. Try an Asian stirfry, tuna pasta salad, spring rolls or thin crust pizza with pesto, cherry tomatoes, arugula, feta and parmaham. Finish off any meal with some refreshing fruit sorbet. There are four Wagaboos in Madrid and all are open for daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: Calle Gravina 18, Chueca

La Broche
With a white minimalist setting, designer cutlery and large windows onto the street, La Broche has been designed so that the only color in the restaurant exudes from your plate. Opened in February 2000 in the Hotel Miguel Angel, Catalan chef Sergi Arola uses his gastronomic creative wizardry to compose dishes that are unique and unforgettable. Even the freshly baked bread that is placed on the table is offered with four different olive oils. A perfect location for a special celebration or important business meeting, La Broche's menu offer a variety of haute cuisine from a carpaccio of wild mushrooms to escargots and salmon risotto. A recipient of two Michelin stars, visitors looking for creative Spanish cuisine should head to La Broche. Don't forget to look at the desert menu. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: Calle Miguel Angel 29-31

Bazaar
A good restaurant for a laidback luncheon or dinner with friends, Bazaar serves low-price creative Mediterranean food in a trendy environment. Priding itself on fresh produce and modern cuisine, Bazaar serves dishes such as thinly sliced tuna served with mango chutney and tender ox with parmesan and rocket. With racks filled with oils, wines and various fripperies, Bazaar has an initial delicatessen feel to it. Follow the large staircase to the dining area with cream leather banquettes and windows overlooking the streets of Chueca, ideal for people watching. The affordable menu is displayed as a list of dishes with no definition between starters, mains and deserts and is complimented with a wide-ranging wine list. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: Calle Libertad 21

Chic
A small wine bar situated oppostie the Royal Opera House in Madrid, Chic serves seasonal cuisine with a new daily menu, priding itself on fresh produce and innovative combinations. Located in a long low-lit cellar, the restaurant is made of up three rooms, the cool bar area with crisp light colors, the first dining area with cream walls and crimson tablecloths and the second dining area with olive green walls, exposed brick and white linen tableclothes. Compliment your Iberian nouvelle cuisine with one of the wines from the cellar or snack on some tapas before headin out to the opera or one of the many bustling bars in the area. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: Calle Campomanes 5

Casa Paco
Maintaining its olde worlde charm, quality dishes and unpretentious ambiance, Casa Paco is a favorite of Madrilenos and foreigners who have been visiting Madrid for over thirty years. A superb steak house, meat at this taverna is ordered by weight and the Casa Paco Solomilo (fillet steak) is a firm favorite, best accompanied with chips, a fresh salad and local red wine. For those looking for some variety, the sole and baby lamb are also first-rate dishes. The tiled dining room and traditional décor at Casa Paco add to the homegrown atmosphere, as does the old fashioned bar, natural sidra (cider) and conscientious service. Start with a garlic soup or chorizo a la sidra. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: Puerta Cerrada 11

Café Balear
For the best paella and a quality selection of cavas (Catalan champagne-type wine) that compliment this traditional dish, Café Balear is the place. A traditional Spanish eatery, Café Balear serves a variety of superb paella, vegetable and seafood dishes. The elegant dining room is simply decorated with cushy white linens and curtains, lifted by art prints and potted palms. Attentive staff and a friendly atmosphere add to the appeal of Café Balear, as do the main specialties of Caldereta de Langosta (seafood and lobster casserole), Paella de Centollo (crab-based paella), Arroz Negro (rice with squid in its own ink) and the standard Paella Mixta (paella with seafood, pork and mixed vegetables). Open daily for lunch and Tuesday to Saturday for dinner.
Address: Sagunto 18 near Plaza de Chamberi

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