Madrid Food Guide

Many of the dishes popular throughout Spain can be found in Madrid, but the city also has a number of its own typical dishes.  Try the Callos a la Madrileña, a hot pot of spicy beef tripe similar to what you find in Turkey or the Balkans.  Cocido Madrileño is a chickpea stew with meat and vegetables.  What makes this stew unique is the way it is served; the soup, chickpeas and meat are served and eaten separately.

If you are in the mood for some hearty port try the Oreja de Cerdo.  This popular dish of pigs ear fried in garlic can be found throughout central Spain.  And for more garlic-pig delights try the Sope de Ajo, a rich and oily garlic soup with paprika, grated Spanish ham, fried bread and a poached egg.  A variation of this goes by the name Sopa Castellana.  Try all the tastes around town in your own Madrid car hire.

Meat and meat products (Jamon Iberico, morcella, chorizo etc) are generally of a very high quality in Spain, and this is particularly true of Madrid. 

A fun option to get to know the food and drink of the area is to join a gastronomic tour.  This is available in the La Latina neighborhood just south of the Plaza Mayor along the Cava Baja street.  Take the Old Madrid Tapas and Wine Tour, or just treat yourself to the deli-like shops along Calle Arenal that offer food para llevar (for take away).  Save on your self-led gastronomic tour of the city in your own cheap car rental in Madrid.