10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Madrid

La Guapa lies in Madrid's old neighbourhood of Hortaleza, offering a multicultural menu for those who fancy leaving the more touristy side of the city. The restaurant is a mix of a traditional Madrileño bar and a refined venue, with antique lamps and baroque Venetian ceilings. 

Traditional dishes include huevos rotos con cecina (fried eggs with cured beef), patatas bravas con tiras de pollo (fried potatoes with chicken strips and spicy sauce), and berenjena empanada con miel y salmorejo (breaded aubergine with honey). If you're craving comfort food, La Guapa's delicious hamburgers and Tex-Mex options are great options. For dessert, try the brownie with vanilla ice cream or torrijas de brioche (sweet French toast). 

DiverXO is a cutting-edge Madrid restaurant specialising in haute cuisine. This 3 Michelin-starred establishment first impresses you with a creative space as irreverent and original as its creator, Dabiz Muñoz. 

The chef has conjured up a tasting menu with 2 options, one featuring 7 dishes and another with 15. DiverXO also has an international menu that takes you across different countries, including Mexico, Hong Kong, Japan, India and, of course, Spain.

Bodega de la Ardosa is in the heart of the multicultural Malasaña neighbourhood, close to Plaza de San Ildefonso. This famous bodega has been serving locals since 1892, making it a must-visit when you're in the area. 

Here, you have a combination that never fails – beer and a pincho de tortilla (Spanish omelette). Bodega de la Ardosa's must-try is the on-tap vermouth, one of the most acclaimed in Madrid. For the complete Madrileño experience, order a tapa of callos (stewed tripe) or tortilla. It's difficult to decide, as everything is delicious with genuine local flavours.

Cerveceria Plaza Mayor prides itself on serving excellent draught beer in Madrid, great if you're looking for a break from the summer heat. Located in the central Madrid de los Austrias neighbourhood, this bar opened its doors in 1976. 

Feeling peckish? Its bocadillos de calamares (fried squid baguettes) are among the most sought-after in the capital. Cerveceria Plaza Mayor has an extensive selection of tapas, including callos madrileños (stewed tripe in spicy sauce) and ensaladilla rusa (Russian salad). You can enjoy drinks and tapas while people-watching on Cerveceria Plaza Mayor's terrace, which is heated in winter.

La Bola is a picturesque tavern close to magnificent city sights, such as the Sabatini Gardens, the Royal Palace, and Almudena Cathedral. This family-owned restaurant, which dates back to the 19th century, serves arguably the best cocido madrileño (chickpea-based stew) in Madrid. This hearty dish of meat and vegetables is traditionally cooked over a wood fire 

La Bola has a classical decor that brings to mind times gone by. If you want something light, try a tapa of ropa vieja, which contains vegetables and shredded meat from its famous stew. 

Zalacaín was the first in Spain to be awarded 3 Michelin stars. Its exquisite menu, which combines traditional and signature dishes, ensures an unforgettable meal. Try the house speciality, pequeño búcaro Don Pío (quail egg, smoked salmon and caviar), followed by meat or fish with potato soufflé. 

Zalacaín is a great place for celebrating a special occasion or a fine meal for 2. Reserve a table well in advance as the restaurant's fame makes drop-ins quite impossible. 

Madrid's Casa Lucio is rightly famous, both for its huevos rotos (broken fried eggs) and prominent clientele. This renowned restaurant is easy to find, thanks to its central location in La Latina. It's within a 5-minute walk of Mercado de la Cebada and Teatro La Latina.

Choosing what to have isn't so simple, but everything here is excellent. Must-tries, besides the huevos rotos, include the comforting rabo de toro (oxtail stew), capón en pepitoria (capon in a traditional almond saffron sauce), and the tender cocochas a la plancha (grilled hake cheeks). 

Madrí defines itself as “a timeless, traditional Madrileño bar”. Located inside the famous Mercado de San Miguel, locals often come here for its unique spin on classic tapas. Even though it's in a famous location, the bar offers quality meals at affordable prices.

Special mentions include mejillones tigre (mussels served in the shell with béchamel) and patatas bravas (fried potatoes in spicy sauce). Pair your choice of tapas with a glass of ice-cold beer. 

La Bistroteca is a Latin fusion restaurant with a justifiably fast-growing reputation. Start with creamy guacamole based on a traditional recipe served with crisp totopos (toasted tortilla chips). It's most famous for burgers, which is cooked on a charcoal grill, resulting in a smokey flavour. 

La Bistroteca has a variety of burger options, though we highly recommend the 'La Koreana'. It's made with deboned pork ribs that are marinated for 6 hours, topped off with spicy kimchi mayonnaise. If you like seafood, try the brochetas de pulpo/atún (octopus or tuna brochettes).

Reineta Vegetariano, located right by Plaza de Santa Anna, specialises in meat-free local cuisine. Start with a hearty cream of vegetable soup, followed with lasaña de lentejas (lentil lasagne), berenjenas rellenas (stuffed aubergines) or arroz con algas arame y nori (rice with arame and nori seaweed). 

Don't forget to leave room for dessert – you have to try the tarta de chocolate con mermelada de naranja (chocolate gateau with orange marmalade) or the classic compota de manzana (apple compote).