Vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Madrid
Gone are the days when the word ‘vegetarian’ brought to mind plates piled high with lettuce, a great big tomato and (if you were lucky) a few sorry cubes of tofu. Both vegetarian and vegan food have come on leaps and bounds in recent years and are increasingly popular. New specialist restaurants have sprung up across the city and, together with the early pioneers, now offer increasingly well prepared dishes, with a wide variety of textures, colours and flavours that can whet the appetite of even the most inveterate carnivore.
Madrid is home to some of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Spain. Here’s a sample.
Top vegetarian restaurants in Madrid
ARTEMISA HUERTAS (Calle de Ventura de la Vega, 4). This trailblazing vegetarian restaurant in Madrid has been open for over 25 years. They now have a second restaurant in Calle de las Tres Cruces and are high on many vegetarians’ list of top places to eat. They also run cooking courses.
EL RESTAURANTE VEGETARIANO (Calle del Marqués de Santa Ana, 34). This cosy restaurant in the Malasaña neighbourhood, right in the centre of Madrid, has been serving up vegetarian fare since 1981, including spinach quiche, tasty vegetable soups, vegetable lasagnes, stuffed aubergines, etc. Simple food at affordable prices.
ECOCENTRO (Calle de Esquilache, 2-12). Ecocentro isn’t just a vegetarian restaurant; it’s a multifunctional space selling organic products with its own restaurant and buffet. Every week they bring out a new menu offering healthy seasonal food in a relaxed atmosphere.
AL NATURAL (Calle de Zorrilla, 11). This vegetarian restaurant in the city centre serves up great-quality, easy-to-digest produce, most of it from biological vegetable gardens, in relaxed, rustic surroundings. We recommend the croquettes, featuring such tasty combinations such as spinach and pear.
YERBABUENA (Calle de Bordadores, 3). Yerbabuena is famed for its generous portions of homemade vegetarian fare. They also offer lots of options for vegans and coeliacs. We recommend the galettes, gazpacho and homemade desserts.
Top vegan restaurants in Madrid
RAYÉN VEGANO (Calle de Lope de Vega, 7). This vegan restaurant in Las Letras neighbourhood, in the city centre, stands out not only because of the strikingly stylish yellow triangle at the entrance, but also because of its original food and daily set menus. Rayén Vegano is a small restaurant with only a few tables. Each and every organic dish is freshly made. You’re best booking ahead. We recommend the crispy seitan and the lemon tart.
CRUCINA (Calle del Divino Pastor, 30). This was the first raw vegan restaurant in Spain and their motto is “Here we cook without a stove”. This restaurant in the Malasaña neighbourhood is at the cutting edge of new cooking technologies and all their dishes are made using techniques that keeps them below 41 ºC, so they lose none of their goodness. Healthy food made from nuts, vegetables, seeds and bean sprouts in a sophisticated minimalist atmosphere. Their most interesting dishes include their tricolour lasagne and nori rolls. They also serve a wide range of dairy- and sugar-free juices and smoothies.
Laura – Marketing Team
