Savoring Madrid: A Feast of Flavor and Timeless Charm

Madrid is a city that doesn’t just welcome you–it seduces you. A strong storm had just ripped through the streets only hours before my arrival. The forecast called for days of additional rain but I didn’t let it dampen my spirits. I had never been before, and the rain wasn’t going to stop me from exploring this beautiful city. I was excited about the food and couldn’t wait to hit my first tapa bar. My biggest surprise was it exceeded my highest of expectations. Savoring Madrid, this city isn’t just beautiful–it feeds your soul, one bite at a time.

One of the first thigs that caught me off guard was the timing of dinner–or rather ‘the lack of it’ before 8pm. For me, 8pm is a late dinner. I’m ready to eat at that hour. On two different occasions, we showed up in the first few mins. after 8pm only to find a metal door covering the entrance like it’s been closed for years. These are local spots just open for dinner. Twice, we left and found another restaurant because the one we mapped out hadn’t opened and we weren’t even sure if it existed. On both occasions, we walked by the original place to find it bustling with food, wine and activity later in the evening. It was a culture shock–but one I quickly learned to love.

Casa Botin

The world’s oldest continuously operating restaurant is Casa Botin. Guinness Book of Records dates the service back to 1725. Though undeniably touristy, with tables booked weeks in advance, Botin remains a cultural landmark you don’t want to miss. We were able to get a table for 2 during off peak hours booking a day in advance. One of the most fascinating details is its legendary oven–a centuries-old wood-fired furnace that has never been turned off since the restaurant opened its doors in 1725. That’s over 300 years of continuous heat roasting its famous cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig). As you walk through the low-ceilinged corridors and down the stairs you feel connected to the past. It’s history, a taste of Madrid for all times. It makes me wonder just how many suckling pigs they have cooked up in that oven!

Museo del Prado

Visiting the Museo del Prado is nothing short of a breathtaking and deeply unsettling journey–a place where profound beauty, history and existential battles to the death collide in equal measure. One moment, you’re overwhelmed by the sheer mastery of Velazquez’s Las Meninas or Bosch’s surreal Garden of Earthly Delights and suddenly you’re face-to-face with Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son. Aside from the numerous Goya’s disturbing works you revisit a history of this land where so often killing each other was the only way they moved forward. It’s haunting. It’s intense. Photography is not allowed. Intensely emotional images will hold your attention nonstop. I’ll be honest, I highly recommend visiting. I couldn’t last more than an hour and a half though. I needed wine and fast. It was way too early for dinner, so wine and tapas helped me decompress!

Secret Food Tours

My first time trying Secret Food Tours was in Madrid. It was very memorable, thanks in large part to our incredible guide, Jorge. https://www.secretfoodtours.com/madrid It was like walking the city with a local friend who knows exactly where all the best bites are hidden, and he’s already booked you a table! He was equal parts tour guide and foodie. He told us stories behind the food with a deep dive into the local hot spots. If you are new to a city and want to get a good introduction it’s a great way to begin to learn a new city. If you haven’t taken a food tour yet, give it a try. We booked another secret food tour in Seville for the next week because of this great experience. You’ll feel like a local on day 1 and there’s no planning required!

I’ll be the first one to admit, it took me too long to get to Madrid. It’s a city that pulses with life–where every street corner hums with history, art, and irresistible energy. Adjust your hours to sleeping in late, having dinner after 8pm and get comfortable walking the city at night. Madrid seduces you with world-class museums, late-night tapas, ridiculously inexpensive wine and sunsets that drench the city in gold. You’ll be Savoring Madrid and planning your next trip before you ever leave the first time.

Inspired by our travels throughout Spain and our Spanish style restaurant we are excited to begin Virtual Spanish Wine Tastings and Cooking classes in October. Check it out and if you find something you’d like to book shoot us an email. https://foodwinetravelguys.com/