What to Eat in Madrid? Vegetarian-Friendly Recommendations and More

Home » Blog » ספרד » מדריד » What to Eat in Madrid? Vegetarian-Friendly Recommendations and More

Written by Inbal Cabiri
Last updated date - March 26, 2025
No Comments

Food in Madrid

Visiting Madrid for the third time in 10 months is quite an achievement, and I can attribute most of it to the high-speed train that takes me from Barcelona to the heart of Madrid in just two and a half hours. Convenient, fast, and efficient.

Looking for a hotel? Here’s a fantastic list of **recommended hotels in Madrid**.

What else can you do in Madrid besides eating? Check out these great post **what to do in Madrid**.
Want to see everything in pictures? Head over to my **Instagram highlights** (there are already four).
First time in Spain? Make sure to go over the **local dining customs** so you won’t end up hungry!

Marmiton Bistro

Let’s start with the fanciest option: **Marmiton**.
A cozy bistro listed in the Michelin Guide (though without a star). We counted just seven tables in total.

The food is creative, intriguing, and delicious, with a small but perfectly curated menu.

Highlights for us included:
– The colorful ravioli, a delightful gimmick created especially for Pride Week.
– The smoked butter served alongside sourdough bread.
– The corn croquettes with jalapeño.
– The mushroom dish with parmesan and pine nuts.

There wasn’t even a tiny bit of room left for dessert.

Highly recommended! Be sure to book well in advance.

Anton Martin Market

For me, this was *the* discovery of my most recent trip.

Last time, we stayed at a great hotel just two minutes away, and somehow, we completely missed this market.

It’s not a traditional food market but more of a collection of small restaurants—think Mahane Yehuda market vibes.

The building has two floors and offers a very wide variety of cuisines. It’s perfect for a casual meal and for connecting directly with the people preparing your food or the owners themselves.

(Pro tip: the code for the women’s restroom in the building is 2244.)

Asian Army

**Asian Army** definitely lives up to its high Google rating.

Vegetarians will find plenty of options here, though not all of them are obvious at first glance on the menu. There were even some off-menu items available.

I went for the most unusual and unfamiliar dish I could find: **jackfruit curry** served with coconut rice wrapped in a banana leaf, accompanied by crispy tapioca chips.

The texture contrast was fantastic, and the sambal sauce, aptly named *”Killing Me Softly,”* added a gentle spicy kick that elevated the dish even further. Honestly, it’s a dish I’d happily eat again sometime soon.

Since I was nearly alone there, I ended up having an interesting chat with the owner, Stuart—a Brit married to an Indonesian. That pretty much explains everything about the fusion vibe.

The army concept stems from the saying *”an army marches on its stomach.”* Oh, and the cutlery housed in bullet casings. So original!

Caracola Antón Martín

What do you need after a good Asian meal? Cheesecake, of course.

This spot specializes in cheesecakes and tortillas (also known as frittatas).

I went for the most classic option, which, to my delight, wasn’t overly sweet and had a texture that left me no choice but to finish it completely.

Don’t skip it!

Caravan Cafe

A café-restaurant located in the edgy **Lavapiés** neighborhood, known for its abundance of street art.

If you’re up for an interesting street art tour, check out **this post** for more details.

The place is cool, fun, and super cozy to sit in, with delicious food.

We tried the **chili toast**, which was excellent, and the **Yam Yam salad**, which was absolutely fantastic.

We loved it!

127 Taipei Bar Ramen & Baos

Like my dad, I can enjoy (or should I say *drink?*) soup even on a scorching hot day. And if it’s soup, why not a steaming bowl of **ramen**?

My sister—bless her—was totally on board with the concept, even going for the vegetarian ramen, which meant I got to taste two dishes!

The **vegetable ramen** stood strong on its own—packed with noodles that I suspect are made in-house. We added an egg since we’re not vegan. The broth was incredibly flavorful.

But the real standout for me was the **mushroom ramen**. It came with giant tempura mushrooms that provided a fantastic contrast in texture to all the soft, slurpy goodness happening in the broth. A truly excellent and unique dish.

The place is fairly small, so if you can, make a reservation or arrive early.

Gosto Café

A spot my son really loved, so we ended up visiting twice. They have a great **avocado toast** and an overall hipster vibe, with lots of plants that are pleasing to the eye and comforting to the soul.

There aren’t many seating options, so if you’re planning a picnic, this could be a great **takeaway option**.

Indian Aroma

Not in the mood to sit in a restaurant? This is the perfect chance to grab some **takeaway that the kids won’t touch!**

Delicious Indian food, beautifully packaged, and a real treat for the parents of kids who just wanted another burger from somewhere.

It’s not cheap, but it’s definitely worth it!

Fratelli d'Italia [ Chueca ]

A charming Italian spot that’s apparently won some important award.

It’s an excellent option if you’re dining with kids—there’s pasta, there’s pizza, and everyone’s happy.

Not the best I’ve ever had, but definitely good!

Oven Mozzarella

My kids loved this place, so we ended up visiting twice—not that we minded! 😊

The Italian food is decent, with a wide variety, quick service, and reasonable quality. It’s not cheap, though.

There are several branches—we tried the one on the east side of **Gran Vía**.

Mazál Bagels & Café

I’m guessing Mazal is “one of us,” and I’d love to meet her because this place hit the spot for a delicious late breakfast with a nod to the Israeli food we always miss.

There aren’t many seating options—on weekends, you’ll find a long line here, so make sure to come very early.

I can’t understand why the bagel concept hasn’t really taken off in Spain. If she ever opens a branch in Barcelona, I promise to visit at least once a week.

We absolutely loved it!

Which restaurant *must* I go to on my next trip to Madrid? Tell me in the comments.

If you have tried out any of my recommendations, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! 😊

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You might also be interested in -

Don't miss any new posts. Register here

Search by topic

–

Vacation Rentals in Madrid – Guide 2025 March 24, 2025
Michelin Guide Spain 2025 December 10, 2024
Authentic Boutique Hotels in Costa Brava and the Pyrenees November 14, 2023
La Merce Barcelona – 2025 Guide September 19, 2023

Looking for the most beautiful, delicious, and inspiring places?
Vicky & Cristina always know where to go.
Want to know who’s behind the scenes? Read here

The Travel Community Vicky & Cristina

Welcomes travelers with good vibes, fine taste, and a passion for adventure

Join here

To the main blog page

What to Eat in Madrid? Vegetarian-Friendly Recommendations and More

Food in Madrid

Content

Marmiton Bistro