Going for tapas in Madrid
Although lots of people don’t realise it, Madrid is one of the best cities in Spain to go out for tapas. From the humble little plate of olives, to portions of manchego cheese, classic potatoes with spicy “brava” sauce and croquettes, in the majority of bars in Madrid you’ll find a good variety of tapas to go with your glass of wine, pint or vermouth.
Typical tapas dishes to eat in Madrid
Huevos estrellados – These are fried eggs, which are served with the yolk broken on a base of fried potatoes and chunks of Iberian ham. It’s said that the huevos estrellados of the Casa Lucio restaurant are the finest in all Madrid, and that you can’t say you’ve truly been to the city unless you’ve tried them.
Soldaditos de Pavía – These are strips of tenderized cod, battered with a safron mix and served with red pepper. Although they’re also eaten in Andalusia, they originate from Madrid. Their name (“Little Pavia Soldiers”) is said to be from the colour of the uniforms of the Spanish regiments who fought in the battle of Pavia in 1525.
Callos a la madrileña –“Callos” (tripe) is another typical dish from Madrid, and it’s not unusual for it to be served in small portions as tapas. Madrilenian-style callos are made in a beef stew with chorizo, Iberian ham and a mixture of tomato, paprika and other spices. You should definitely try it when you go out for tapas in Madrid. 
Bocadillo de calamares – This isn’t, strictly speaking, “tapas”, but squid sándwiches are one of the great classics of Madrid, and we couldn’t leave them out of the list. It just contains fried squid rings in French bread, seasoned with a tickle of lemon or mayonnaise. You’ll find this in almost every bar, but the most typical place to try a squid sandwich in Madrid is the Plaza Mayor. If, by any chance, you fancy comparing regional gastronomy by going out for tapas in other Spanish cities, here’s some other articles which might interest you.
