THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN MADRID ON A BACKPACKER’S BUDGET
Madrid is a culinary delight for travelers to discover, from its traditional Spanish cuisine and tapas to its international and modern fare. There’s so much to eat, smell, and sample in the city’s tapas bars, restaurants, and food markets. However, travelers on a budget needn’t fear that they can’t get a taste of the Spanish capital’s most tasty dishes. Here are 5 of the best places to eat in Madrid on a backpacker’s budget, where you won’t have to sacrifice taste for value!
Sidrería El Tigre
Sidrería El Tigre is a legend in the Spanish capital. It’s a sidrería, meaning the specialty of the house is cider, a drink that originates from the north of Spain. If you buy one beer, cider, or other drink for 5 euros, you then get a plate loaded with tapas and pinchos delivered to your table. The atmosphere is fun and lively, and the servers are friendly and inviting. Once you order another drink, you’ll get another huge portion of food to go along with it. This is always among the best places to eat in Madrid among students, backpackers, or those simply looking for a fun tapas experience. The prices are simply unbeatable for the enormous portions of tasty tapas that come with each drink.
Address: Calle de las Infantas, 23
El Capricho Extremeño
El Capricho Extremeño is always buzzing with locals who love and can’t get enough of their famous tostas. A favorite plan is to make a pit stop here to refuel after a morning at El Rastro, the famous Sunday morning flea market in the Embajadores neighborhood. For between 2-5 euros, you can get a giant slab of toast piled with ingredients like Spanish ham, pulpo (octopus), shrimp, olives, and more. The place is always packed, so grab a couple of tostas to take away and enjoy them outside. Pro tip: If you’re in a group, get a variety of tostas to share so you can try as many as possible!
Address: Calle de Carlos Arniches, 30
See more: Where to Get a Delicious Bocadillo de Calamares in Madrid
El Respiro
Right next to El Tigre, you’ll notice another restaurant, El Respiro. It has the same concept as El Tigre: buy a drink and get a huge plate of tapas to go with it. You’ll find anything from croquetas to patatas bravas to paella on your plate, some of Spain’s most essential dishes. This is one of the most popular places to eat in Madrid if you want to fill up without breaking your wallet.
Address: Calle de las Infantas, 34
La Petisqueira
La Petisqueira is a Spanish tavern in the traditional style that prides itself on generous tapas portions for very reasonable prices. You get one tapa with each drink you order, which is mouth-wateringly delicious, but also decent in size. It’s lively, loud, and stays open late, so it’s an excellent place to fill up before a night out exploring Madrid.
Address: Calle Churruca, 6
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