Get a crash course in Spanish food and culture as you taste your way through the market stalls, pastry shops, and tapas bars of central Madrid's most charming neighborhoods. From Spanish classics like hand-sliced Iberian ham to only-in-Madrid specialties such as a fried calamari sandwich, consider this your introduction to the city’s most unmissable bites.
First up on your Madrid morning food tour, you’ll unlearn everything you thought you knew about churros—and discover the real origins of chocolate—at a beloved neighborhood café serving up the best version of both in all of Madrid.
Next, you’ll set off on the next stop in many madrileños’ morning routines: buying bread for the day. At a tiny storefront managed by a passionate young baker from northern Spain, you’ll learn why good bread in Madrid can be surprisingly hard to come by—and taste for yourself why this spot is the exception, in the form of their delicious homemade chorizo-stuffed rolls.
From there, it’s off to the market! You’ll explore the vibrant Mercado de Antón Martín as locals from all walks of life do their daily grocery shopping. Along the way, you’ll stop at a variety of stalls to taste their finest products: flavorsome olives, cured meats, locally sourced produce, and Spain’s very own liquid gold: extra virgin olive oil.
After tasting your way around the market, you’ll make your way to an unassuming neighborhood deli with a surprising past. It was here that the owner’s father held clandestine meetings to plot against Spain’s newly established dictatorship in the 1930s! Today, that same space is where you’ll sit down for a mini tasting of cheeses from around Spain paired with two different wines.
The next stop is a favorite among locals and infamously hard to reserve—but luckily, your spot is already guaranteed! Here you’ll try freshly fried croquettes—a staple of tapas bar menus across Spain—and wash it down with an ice-cold beer while learning all about tapas culture.
The only thing you should eat around Plaza Mayor is your next bite: a calamari sandwich. You can find it almost anywhere in the surrounding area, but today you're trying the best one around, with calamari rings cooked to perfection in light, crunchy batter. Enjoy it standing outside the bar, just like the locals do.
Finally, you’ll finish your Madrid morning food tour on a sweet note at a pastry shop that’s been going strong since 1855. Opened by the Spanish queen’s own personal pastry chef, this incredible spot is seemingly hidden in plain sight. You might recognize this elegant shop from Spanish-American chef Jose Andrés' travel show, but we've known about this hidden gem for years! Here you’ll try a classic Spanish dessert with your choice of coffee or tea.
Guide: English