Madrid has an amazing food scene, but a lot of tourists get it wrong. And we get it, every country has its own customs and unwritten rules, and all we can do is try our best. We live in Madrid, but we were tourists here once too. We’re sharing the 9 mistakes tourists make when dining in Madrid, and exactly how to avoid them so you eat better and spend less.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Mistake #1: Falling for tourist traps
- Mistake #2: Not trying local food from Madrid
- Mistake #3: Tipping too much
- Mistake #4: Expecting fast service
- Mistake #5: Paying for water in restaurants
- Mistake #6: Dining too early
- Mistake #7: Skipping Vermouth Hour “La Hora del Vermut”
- Mistake #8: Assuming “independent” means good
- Mistake #9: Skipping the markets
- Where to stay in Madrid (highly rated hotels for every budget)
Mistakes to Avoid When Dining in Madrid Spain
Mistake #1: Falling for tourist traps (& How to avoid them)
- One way to spot a tourist trap in Madrid is if the restaurant has tons of pictures of food on boards or on the windows. These big photos are meant to catch your eye, especially if you don’t speak the language or aren’t familiar with the cuisine. It feels like a safe choice, but the food is usually mediocre and not freshly made.
- Another clue is a very long menu. If a restaurant tries to do too many dishes, chances are nothing is made fresh and nothing is truly exceptional. The best restaurants keep their menu smaller and focus on doing each dish really well.
- If someone is standing outside trying to get you to come in, it’s almost certainly a tourist trap. Good restaurants don’t need to beg. Their food and reputation speak for themselves. Honestly, for us, it even puts us off because it feels pushy and disrespectful.
- If you’re on a budget, avoid restaurants right next to major attractions. While you can find good spots nearby, like Café de Oriente by the Royal Palace of Madrid, they tend to be more expensive.
Mistake #2: Not trying local food from Madrid (Why you shouldn’t order paella)
When you’re in Madrid, it’s worth trying the city’s own local dishes instead of automatically going for paella. A lot of travelers think paella is a must in Spain. And we get it, it’s one of those classic “Spain trip bucket list” dishes. But paella actually comes from Valencia, not Madrid. While a few restaurants in Madrid might make it well, there are many that unfortunately serve frozen or microwaved paella.
Instead, try dishes that are truly local.
One of the most iconic is cocido madrileño, a traditional hearty stew made with chickpeas, meats, and vegetables. It’s usually served in courses: first you get the broth as a soup, and then the meats, vegetables, and chickpeas are served separately on a plate. Other local favorites include bocadillo de calamares (fried calamari sandwich) and callos a la madrileña (tripe stew).
Some other tapas that are very popular and done well, although not originally from Madrid, are patatas bravas (fried potato wedges covered in a mildly spicy red sauce. Tip: ask for bravioli if they have it, it comes with both the red sauce and aioli, and the combo is delicious), tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette with potatoes, an absolute must in Madrid if you don’t mind runny egg) or huevos rotos (fried potatoes with sunny side up eggs and jamón serrano pieces).
Mistake #3: Tipping too much
Tipping in Madrid is considered a mistake not because it is offensive, but because it goes against the local culture. It is neither mandatory nor expected in the same way it is in the US, for example. In Spain, service staff are paid a regular salary and do not rely on tips to make ends meet.
People generally don’t leave significant tips; they may leave small change or round up the bill if the service was exceptionally good, but it’s entirely optional. Don’t worry, not tipping is totally fine and not considered rude at all.
Mistake #4: Expecting fast service (Spanish culture ≠ fast pace)
In Spain, eating out is meant to be relaxed. It’s about taking your time and enjoying the moment, not rushing through a meal. Service isn’t usually fast, and restaurants won’t try to hurry you out to free up a table.
If a place is very busy, they might give you a time limit, but most of the time you’re free to sit, decide what you want, and stay as long as you like. Also, waiters won’t bring the bill automatically, you have to ask for it.
You can say “la cuenta, por favor,” or, if they’re far away, raise your hand and make a small writing motion to let them know you’d like the bill.
Mistake #5: Paying for water at restaurants (you could be getting it for free)
This is not a mistake per se, but you could be spending your travel budget on things you could get for free. Ordering water in Madrid can be surprisingly expensive because bottled water usually costs the same as a soft drink. If you just ask for water “agua”, they’ll automatically bring a bottle that you have to pay for.
If you want free tap water, ask for “un vaso de agua, por favor”, that means a glass of water. Madrid’s tap water is completely safe to drink and actually very good. Locals are very proud of it.
Some restaurants will bring a free pitcher for the table, but that’s not very common, so it’s better to ask for a glass if you don’t want to pay.
And keep in mind, in a restaurant setting where you sit down there are no free refills in Spain. If you want another soft drink, coffee, or bottle of water, you’ll need to order and pay for a new one. Only a few American styled restaurants or fast food chains have free refills.
Mistake #6: Going to restaurants too early (unless you want to dine alone)
People in Madrid eat late, much later than most visitors are used to. Breakfast can be anywhere up until 10 or 11 a.m. However, many cafés don’t open until 9 or 10 a.m. Brunch isn’t traditional, but it’s become popular in recent years because of social media and usually starts around 11, overlapping with lunch.
Lunch normally begins around 2 p.m., and dinner doesn’t really start until 9:30 or even 10 p.m. If you show up at 7, the restaurant might be open, but you’ll likely be the only one there and there won’t be much of a vibe, we have learned this the hard way.
Most kitchens close between lunch and dinner and reopen around 8 p.m. During that break, many places keep the bar open, so you can still get a drink or a small snack, just not the full menu.
If there’s a place you really want to eat at, make a reservation, tables fill up fast, especially in cities like Madrid. A quick tip: don’t assume a restaurant is full just because there are no tables. There might be space at the bar, and in Spain it’s completely normal to eat there. You can order from the full menu and take just as much time as you would at a regular table.
Mistake #7: Skipping Vermouth hour (“La Hora del Vermut”)
This is just a little bonus tip, not a mistake in itself, but definitely a crime against yourself if you don’t enjoy this tradition called “La hora del vermú” (the vermouth hour) at around 1 p.m.
In Spain, vermut or vermú is a herb-infused wine with spirits and botanicals like wormwood, caramel, and spices, that’s usually a dark reddish color. People drink it cold before meals as an aperitif and it’s delicious. It’s typically served on its own, with a slice of orange and sometimes an olive. Vermut goes really well with salty tapas like olives, anchovies, or cheese.
Mistake #8: Assuming it’s good because it’s “independent” (Chains vs independent businesses)
A lot of people say you should always choose independent cafés and restaurants over chains, but honestly, it’s not that black and white.
In Madrid, there are plenty of chain places that offer really good quality for a fair price. Places like Honest Greens or Bel Mondo are ones we genuinely love and go back to often. At the same time, there are also chains that fit the stereotype and aren’t great.
The same goes for independent spots. Some are amazing and cook everything from scratch, but many “bar cafetería” or “bar restaurante” places sell processed, mass-produced food and don’t make things from scratch. Others do it really well. For the most part, you have to pay a lot of money at a fancy restaurant to get high quality food.
So it’s kind of hit or miss on both sides. That’s why we always recommend doing a bit of research ahead of time instead of relying on labels. And just because locals rave about a place doesn’t automatically mean it’ll be great for everyone.
This is just our honest opinion based on our experience after living here for years, we by no means want to generalise or disrespect any establishment, we know that there are places that actually try and take pride in their business.
Mistake #9: Skipping the markets (or picnic lunches)
If you want to try great tapas in Madrid, food markets are one of the best ways to do it. There are lots of markets, like Mercado de San Antón or Mercado de San Ildefonso, but our favourite for the look and feel is Mercado de San Miguel. It’s a beautiful historic market near Plaza Mayor, with glass walls and architecture from 1916. Inside, you’ll find stalls serving tapas, fresh seafood, Spanish wines, and sweet treats. It’s very popular, so it can get busy, but it’s definitely worth visiting for both the food and the atmosphere.
If you’re on a budget, or want to do two things at once, a great idea is to grab food to go from one of the markets or bakeries and have a picnic in Retiro Park, which is a must-visit in Madrid.
Related reads you’ll love…
If you found this useful, you’ll love our post where we share our favorite cafés and restaurants in Madrid, from breakfast all the way to dinner and drinks. Plus, we include a pinned map with over 80 spots.
If you’re planning your first trip to Madrid, in our Madrid 101 post we’re giving you everything you need to know before your trip. From when to visit, where to eat, how to get around, where to stay, budget hacks, tips on local customs, and even a secret day trip at the end you might not have thought of!
Learn how to move around Madrid to travel confidently during your next trip by following our complete step-by-step guide to using public transport in Madrid.
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Where to stay in Madrid
If you’re feeling splurgy…
- The Ritz Mandarin Oriental Located next to the Museo del Prado. The closest metro station is Banco de España.
- The Four Seasons Madrid This hotel isright in the heart of Madrid. The closest metro stations are Sevilla and Sol.
- Gran Hotel Inglés Madrid Located in El Barrio de las Letras, just a 5-10 min walk from Sol metro station.
- Gran Meliá Fénix This hotel is right next to the Plaza de Colón Christmas Market. It is located very close to Retiro Park and Puerta de Alcalá (10 min walk away).
- Riu Plaza España Madrid This hotel is the iconic tall building towering over the Plaza de España. The closest metro stop is Plaza de España.
- Rosewood Villa Magna The closest metro stop is Serrano.
- Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid The closest metro stop is Retiro.
Some not so splurgy (medium budget options)…
- Only You Boutique Hotel Madrid Located between Plaza de Colón (Colón metro station), Chueca metro station and Fuente de Cibeles (Banco de España metro station).
- H10 Madrid Hotel. Closest metro station is Gran Vía.
- The Dear Hotel located on the corner of Gran Vía and Calle de los Reyes. The closest metro station is Plaza de España, or Santo Domingo which is 4 mins away by foot.
- NH Collection Hotels Madrid The closest metro station is Gran Vía.
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado The closest metro station is Estación del Arte.
- Barceló Torre de Madrid The closest metro station is Plaza de España.
- Hotel Atlántico The closest metro station are Callao or Gran Vía.
- Petit Palace Plaza del Carmen The closest metro station are Gran Vía, Sol or Callao.
- Emperador The closest metro station is Santo Domingo.
- Sercotel Gran Hotel Conde Duque The closest metro station is San Bernardo.
Budget-friendly hotels in Madrid
- Sercotel Alcalá 611 The closest metro station is Canillejas.
- Eurostars i-hotel Madrid The closest metro station is Colonia Jardín.
- Exe Getafe The closest metro station is Getafe Central.
- NH Alcorcón The closest metro station is Parque Oeste.
- Be Casa – San Sebastian de los Reyes The closest metro station is Hospital Infanta Sofía.
- Eurostars Madrid Foro The closest train station is the Tres Cantos Cercanías Renfe line. Keep in mind, this hotel is accessible, but not on the metro line, which can make a day trip quite inconvenient.
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