PaiPaí has one of the better wine lists in town, with options that go beyond the typical Rioja/Ribera circle to feature small and family-owned wineries from lesser-known regions—this is the spot to order a bottle from the Canary Islands, Madrid’s very own Sierra de Gredos, or even a Palomino Fino vermouth by the glass. Pair your vino with Spanish dishes that have some Asian and Peruvian flavors, like the crunchy egg set in a bed of potatoes parmentier and truffles and the slow-cooked short rib.

Upscale tasting menus are all over Madrid, but we turn to Kuoco 360 whenever we want in-your-face flavors and spices—and don’t want to feel out of place wearing jeans and sneakers. The informal, modern Chueca restaurant is the place for couples, groups, and step-above-casual get-togethers over seafood-centric dishes, best described as what happens when a chef takes out a map and randomly points to spots around the world for inspiration.

Sala de Despiece’s colorful tiled ceiling has massive dangling silver hooks, which may seem a little strange at first, but once you realize the space was a former butcher shop, it all starts to make sense. These days, SDD is one of the hottest places in town for dinner, where each dish is a full-on event. There’s eel with foie gras and apple that’s doused with the restaurant’s secret sauce, which the staff will caramelize directly in front of you with a torch.

Emma is one of the few places near the tourist-heavy Plaza Mayor where you’ll find actual locals having a leisurely lunch or some quick tapas and vino with friends. Order a glass of wine from whatever’s offered on the daily chalkboard and pair it with some meatballs, stewed beef cheek, heaping plates of cured lomo and chorizo, and platters of Spanish cheeses.

Even though it’s been around for what feels like forever, this Chamberí spot has all the trappings of a trendy it-kid joint (it was launched by two former El Bulli chefs in 2016). In a city that’s now overrun with small-plate tasting menus, Fismuler’s huge servings of Spanish fusion dishes surprise us every time. Their claim to fame, the perfectly breaded veal cutlet topped with truffle and egg, is enormous, so bring an appetite or plan to share.

Nunuka makes the strong case that Madrid needs more Georgian restaurants. Just devour their adjaruli khachapuri, packed with flawless melted cheese that you can sop up with the crisped bread surrounding it if you need convincing. Dishes at this inviting spot in Chueca look like jewels—the delicately rolled beet carpaccio’s ruby red color against a white radish sauce is so stunning you almost don’t want to eat it. But do so, because the crunchy, sweet, and spicy flavors are explosive.

One of the most famous stalls at Madrid’s Mercado de la Paz is Casa Dani, a spot that serves up generous portions of croquetas, oxtail, and their famous tortilla de patata. What makes this version so great is that they fry the potatoes in sunflower oil—this helps them retain their original, sour flavor, which is then complemented by the sweetness of the onion. This tortilla can be anything you want it to be—breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, or a really epic hangover cure.

As a tasting menu spot in the Mercado de Vallehermoso, Tripea is one of the most unique dining experiences on this list. The six-dish menu is €45, though adding on some of the day’s additional specials is worth the extra €5-15. Enjoy spice-infused sauces and marinades used in dishes like leek skewers and quail stewed in a saffron-heavy massaman curry.

This woman-owned Iranian and Persian spot is only open for breakfast and lunch, and although you can pop in for a quick coffee in the morning, you should make a reservation for their set lunch service, which includes your choice of three dishes and a drink. Banibanoo cooks up about 15-20 different dishes, all of which you can look over in their glass case while you listen to the staff give you a quick rundown of the choices. We love the sweet and savory rice and the velvety sweet potatoes.

Cozy sofas, vintage chairs, and warm lighting that makes you feel like you're in your favorite minimalist friend's home—welcome to Farah, an intimate restaurant, and the spot for date night. You’ll surround yourself with hip La Latina locals and enjoy the fresh Mediterranean small plates. If you spot massive Albesa tomatoes, low-acidic varieties that grow in the Catalonian countryside, on Farah’s bar counter you absolutely have to order one.

Little Dragon is where you go when you’re craving comfort food, whether you’re tired of tortilla de patata, spent a long day walking around the city, or just need a food hug (we’ve all been there). Its sheng jian bao, spicy chicken, and nutty noodles offer all the comfort you want—with speedy service, too. The flavors of the Sichuan pepper chicken and pan-fried pork dumplings are so fiery and bold that you won’t ever need to travel to Shanghai.

Saddle is a tasting menu spot that’s versatile enough for any special occasion. The bar area is sleek and sexy, perfect for a romantic anniversary drink, but the dining room is the highlight, with geometric light fixtures hanging over the tables from wall-to-wall skylights. The dishes, like the garlic-topped Mediterranean red prawns, Caspian pearl caviar with blinis and crème fraîche, spider crab marinated in sherry, and aged beef shank always deliver.

Start your evening with a dinner reservation at Angelita, a spot that serves up Mediterranean dishes like pisto, made with olive oil, fresh vegetables, and herbs that come from the restaurant’s very own garden just outside of the city. They have 70 wines by the glass and 600 by the bottle, and most of the food is a combination of Spanish and Mediterranean dishes, like scallops topped with bone marrow, artichoke, and chimichurri, and a really strong selection of local cheeses.

Cilindro is the only place in Madrid where can you feel the peppery punch of Peruvian coconut chicken with aji, drink a glass of wine for less than €3, and experience the warmth of a Spanish tavern, all in one place. This two-story former bar-turned-Spanish/Peruvian-restaurant in Salamanca is all about value—elevated food and good wine at prices straight out of 2019. The ceviche and tiradito are a triumph thanks to their freshness and spice.

Tablaos are bars and restaurants where you can see flamenco musicians and dancers, yet most of them in Madrid are more about the performance than the food. But Corral de la Morería features a show with some of the most famous flamenco dancers and musicians in Spain alongside some really excellent dishes, like wild sea bass and watermelon gazpacho. When buying tickets online, select the Cena + Espectáculo option, then order the Menú Alegrías. But the real secret? Corral’s sherry menu.

In a city where ham, seafood, and potatoes rule, Mune’s Lebanese food is a fantastic change-up, one that makes vegetables and beans as exciting as realizing an afternoon nap is socially acceptable (even encouraged) here. Their fatush salad topped with pomegranate seeds and crisped bread is tangy and bright from the lemon dressing. If you can’t decide between the regular, beetroot, or truffle hummus (we never can), taste all three with the sampler.