Madrid eats late and eats well, and the city doesn't really wind down. Trying to work out where to book while you're in town? Here are ten places that were sitting near the top of TripAdvisor back in 2023, with a quick word on each.

  1. StreetXO — Asian-inspired street food that doesn't do quiet. Big, loud flavours. Most people turn up for the tacos al pastor everyone keeps banging on about.
  2. Casa Mono — A contemporary Spanish spot with a seasonal menu. Local ingredients, traditional recipes, but nudged in a more modern direction.
  3. Ramón Freixa Madrid — Two Michelin stars, and it earns them. Inventive Spanish cooking in a setting that's genuinely elegant, if a little on the formal side.
  4. Ramen Kagura — The go-to when you want ramen done properly. Plenty of authentic bowls, plus the usual suspects like gyoza and tempura done well.
  5. El Club Allard — Michelin-starred, and firmly in the contemporary Spanish camp. Seasonal ingredients, traditional techniques, no shortcuts.
  6. Taberna Tempranillo — A proper old-school Spanish tavern. Classic dishes, tapas, and a decent run of local wines to work through.
  7. Casa Santiago — Family-owned, and they've been at it for over 60 years. Traditional Spanish cooking: paella, suckling pig, that sort of thing.
  8. Botín — This one's basically history. It's been serving traditional Spanish food for more than 200 years, and the roast suckling pig is what made its name.
  9. La Vaca — A steakhouse, plain and simple. Good cuts of beef, brought out with a range of sides and sauces.
  10. Casa Cruz — Another contemporary Spanish kitchen leaning on a seasonal menu. Fresh, local produce, with a modern take on the old recipes.

That's everything from street food to two Michelin stars on one list. My advice? Read a few recent reviews before you commit — the right pick really comes down to what you fancy that night.