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    El Brillante

    3.0 (121 reviews)
    Open 6:30 am - 12:30 AM (Next day)

    El Brillante Photos

    EL BRILLANTE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - El Brillante

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    Calamari sandwich and beer.
    Steve D.

    Very good place. A bit of a tourist trap bc they're right on a main street. Known for their calamari sandwich, which I ordered with a beer. My wife ordered the tripe stew also with a beer. We were seated outside and although it was a bit cold it was very nice to people watch. Lots of birds looking for food (which of course I shared) and lots of homeless looking for money. Service was super quick, I believe they're a bit understaffed. My sandwich was great, tender and tasty w/ a hint of lemon. I added some of my wife's red sauce which made it even better. My wife didn't love the tripe. The paprika was a very strong flavor and some of the tripe was tough. All in I'd eat there again.

    Octopus
    Jeanny Y.

    The only food that is good is calamari and calamari sandwiches. Their Octopus is under cooked. It is a busy place for quick meals. Service is ok and environmentally friendly but kind of noisy.

    Kwame S.

    This is pretty much a staple with locals and visitors in Madrid. Because of its proximity to Atocha train station, El Brillante has been either our first or last stop in Madrid on s couple of occasions. While the place is very popular, the food is just ooooook. That said, it is a nice introduction into (or farewell from) the city. The restaurant has a variety menu options from meat, to seafood, to pastries, to coffees. Maybe there is not so much of a variety when it comes to the veggie options. The service is kind of intense. For example, it's not really a place where you'd ask the waiters for opinions on menu items. You pretty much order and go and the service is pretty fast-paced. The food pretty much comes out whenever it's ready without any rhyme of reason. The prices are in line with what would be expected in Madrid. I'd recommend dropping by if the wait for a table or a spot at the bar is no longer than 10 minutes.

    Menu

    Get the house specialty- the fried calamari sandwich on homemade bread! You will not be disappointed. This place is loud and bustling and they know what they are doing with this sandwich.

    Torreznos
    Rachelle R.

    Looking for local cafe during your senior in Madrid? Or just place to people watch after your time at the Reina Sofia museum? This is just around the corner close Reina Museum and the grand central station (Atocha). It has fast service (esp for Madrid) and friendly staff. The cold beer is refreshing and tapas a must. I opted for the torreznos (fried pork akin to chicarrones) and a beer. I suggest you ask for Aoili to compliment the torreznos. The plate was enormous to share for two or three. My husband opted for the jamon sandwich. The bread was freshly baked.

    Sam S.

    It's a Madrid institution and one of the places for Madrid style tapas. It was chock a block when we arrived and the outdoor area was packed as was the inside. There are multiple bar counters on the inside with bar tenders screaming orders to the open kitchen opposite and the food keeps coming out by the tray loads. They have many of the local delicacies like morcilla (Spanish black pudding), lambs brains, mushrooms cooked in pork fat and so on. You will really struggle here as a vegetarian. Almost nothing available for vegetarian or vegan here. There are troughs to throw your napkins and so on right below the bar seats and they were overflowing :-( not a nice atmosphere to be in. It's basic, cheap and noisy. If you like that kind or place you will love it here. Food is ok and the service is quick and efficient. Expect nothing more :-) an ok place to experience the old style Madrid tapas. The locals love it, I am not sure I did.

    Mini calamari sandwich and spicy papas fritas. Nothing special
    Ryan M.

    I usually like to wonder around and find things away from the tourist attractions, so while walking around i wondered into this large open bar and thought cool i found some cool local spot. I took a spot at one of the many bars and took a minute to look over the menu. I somehow got the impression that they were known for their fried calamari sandwich, its must have said that somewhere. I ordered the mini fried calamari sandwich and some papas fritas (french fries) he asked if i liked spicy. Si i replied. In a few minutes the mini sandwich and cubed potatoes with some sort of red orange sauce on it. The sandwich was pretty plain, just fried calamari rings on bread, the calamari itself is tender but lacked any kind of seasoning. I wish there was some sort of sauce or maybe even lettuce and tomato or something? The spicy papas fritas pretty boring too. They were just fried cubes of potatoes with a bland mildly spicy sauce, again Spanish don't really do much heat, which wouldn't be too bad if it was just more tasty. Both the sandwich and fries were both filling, i dont think i finished everything, I'm glad i only got the mini. When i was done i walked out what i though was the back door, only to find the Reina Sophia Museum right in front of me! Darn, so much for trying to get away from the tourist attractions! On the bright side i found the Reina Sophia Museum, which houses lots of abstract art from Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. It's a pretty rustic looking place that looks and feels like maybe its just where locals go but i think it just gets most of its traffic from museum goers.

    Menu
    Roberto Y.

    This place was recommended by someone at the hotel I was staying. This is an iconic place across from the Atocha train station. The locals go to this place. It is an old fashion type of place. It is very noisy and the servers yelled the orders. It took me a while to figure out the place. I did not know where to sit or how to order. I had to approach one of the employees. It is not a place to have a pleasant time. But to get something to eat and leave. Service is quick. We had a baguette with Manchego Cheese, tortilla española and coffee with Milk. I really enjoyed the food. Once I get used to the vibe of the place everything was fine.

    Eddie U.

    I never tried bocadillo de calamares or calamari sandwich. You claim that it's the best in Spain. I can say that its delicious and fresh. I would never think that this simple recipe would work, but it sure does. I love the vibe - old cafeteria style inside filled with locals buzzing with energy and the scents of good food and drinks. We sat al fresco outside looking towards the plaza and the Museo de Reina Sofia. Such a treat. I know that around main street is so crowded since you are centrally located (Estacion del Arte metro #1) and Paseo or huge boulevards the Real Jardin Botanico or Royal Botanical gardens, but this was a retreat moment. Thank you!

    Tyler T.

    They said they are famous for their Bocadillo de calamares, which is basically a sandwich with long pieces of fried calamari. It was kind of boring to be honest, in the sense that it really did just taste like a sandwich with calamari, with no other seasoning or dressing to spice up the flavor or make it taste better. It ended up just tasting kind of plain, and salty, which are neither of my favorite things.

    Melissa M.

    This place is what is must be like to walk into chaos itself. We wandered in here for lunch on our first day in Madrid, since our hotel was literally next door. When you eat in Spain, you get charged more when you sit outside at the tables with umbrellas, so we opted to sit inside. Ok, so there is only bar (long table) seating. We were fine with that but we just kept getting shoved around. Thank Goodness we had several people with us who were fluent in Spanish, but even with that help we were still shoved around and ignored. Each person had to order at this little window and then just stand there and wait for their food. I have no idea if we were doing it the right way, but we were hungry and we couldn't figure another way to order. My chicken burger with peppers on it was totally fine, but it was a serious mess to get the food. As I stood and waited my turn to order, I could watch them make the food. Wow, I know this isn't the US where we have sometimes obsessive levels of cleanliness, but the food prep area was pretty gross. Come here with CASH. I tried using my credit card to pay for several people's meals (so it wasn't some tiny charge) and it was like a totally new concept to them. They finally worked it out, but it took some persistence on my part. Everyone ate their food, so they get 2 stars, but don't expect decent service here. Good Luck!

    Bocadillo calamares fritos

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    El Brillante Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - El Brillante

    I ordered a calamari sandwich which was delicious, and which I totally recommend.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    El Sur - Chipirones a la Plancha... ¡Muy fantastico! =)

    El Sur

    4.5(970 reviews)
    0.6 kmLavapiés y Embajadores
    €€

    This was the first dinner meal my mom and I had in Madrid and let's just say it completely exceeded…read moremy expectations. When we walked in we were welcomed by such warm service! I truly have to highlight Pepe, Franco, and Grace for taking the time to speak to us and get to know us. The food was FANTASTIC. We ordered the seafood paella, jamon iberico, garlic shrimp, and sangria. The paella was filled with a ton of flavor which was DELICIOUS. Everything was fantastic, but the Sangria was spectacular, (probably one of the best sangrias I've ever had). At the end of our meal, Pepe brought us two liquor de Limon shots, which made our whole night!! Definitely recommend this place in the La Latina neighborhood. You won't regret it!

    El Sur is a charming little spot in Madrid, tucked right into the wall of a narrow street. The…read morespace is very small and they manage to fit a surprising number of people inside, so you immediately notice how tight the squeeze is. It has that classic bustling tapas bar energy where everyone is close enough to feel like part of one big conversation. The food was the highlight. The clams were flavorful and fresh, the octopus was cooked beautifully and the paella was delicious. It is a great place to stop in for a drink and a quick bite, especially if you want something authentic and lively. When we visited, it was packed to the point where you were shoulder to shoulder with other guests and close enough to easily hear the party next to you. It adds to the charm if you enjoy that classic crowded European dining atmosphere, but it is something to keep in mind if you prefer more space.

    Photos
    El Sur - Cool Old Movie Posters

    Cool Old Movie Posters

    El Sur - Paella de Mariscos...

    Paella de Mariscos...

    El Sur - Sangria...

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    Sangria...

    Entre Santos - Grilled octopus

    Entre Santos

    4.8(75 reviews)
    1.5 kmChueca

    My mom and I found this gem on TripAdvisor and decided to give it a try, and wow, we are so glad we…read moredid! From the moment we walked in, the staff was beyond friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere was vibrant, lively, and fun. I ordered the sangria, which was honestly the best I had in Madrid, while my mom enjoyed a lovely glass of wine. We started with the padrón peppers, burrata with tomato salsa, and patatas bravas -- every single dish was packed with flavor and absolutely delicious. For the main course, we had the beef with chimichurri and butter, and OMG... it was phenomenal. Everything was cooked perfectly, and all the flavors complemented each other so well. To finish the night, we shared the chocolate dessert and the "Love Chueca" cocktail, which was incredible and the perfect ending to an amazing meal. Couldn't recommend this restaurant enough. Amazing food, fantastic drinks, wonderful staff, and such a great atmosphere. We'll definitely be back next time we're in Madrid!

    My favorite meal/experience during our visit to the wonderful city of Madrid. Many reviews highly…read morepraised the tapas so we decided to see if we could get in. As foreigners, we arrived earlier than the locals which worked out well. By the time we finished there was a crowd waiting outside. We loved the casual atmosphere and the elevated flavors of the tapas. The wine was perfect and we chose just the right amount of dishes that complimented one another. We felt like this was someplace special and were happy to have experience it.

    Photos
    Entre Santos - Bartender makes killer drinks

    Bartender makes killer drinks

    Entre Santos - Stuffed portobello mushrooms with goat cheese and crusted with coconut with a mango purée

    Stuffed portobello mushrooms with goat cheese and crusted with coconut with a mango purée

    Entre Santos - Rose and verajo

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    Rose and verajo

    Angelita

    Angelita

    4.8(63 reviews)
    1.5 kmChueca
    €€€

    Angelita Madrid, tucked into the city's cozy Chueca neighborhood, is the shared invention of…read morevisionary restaurateurs David and Mario Villalón. Its cocktail venue is one of Madrid's most subtly invigorating places to drink. In a restaurant scene that is constantly reinventing itself, 'Angelita' doesn't chase trends. It defines its own universe. Finding the bar is part of the experience. Entering through the dining area upstairs, one is guided down an almost secret staircase to what might be called, Center Stage. This is where cocktail magic unfolds in a profound yet personal way. Instantly the house lights soften. A cacophony of curiously muddled voices rises and falls in palpable anticipation of what comes next. In a comfy blend of separate yet united, the bar and restaurant deserve their own spotlights. The menus evolve constantly. Angelita's wine list can reach five hundred bottles. The motif is as thoughtful, expansive, and provocative as the impeccable dishes with which it is paired. Oh, the food! So worthy of distinction, yet we will save it for another review. In the meantime, cherish a seat at the bar. It offers the most captivating view in the house: front-row access to the choreography behind the counter. For it is here where libation artists distill genius from wildly enchanting ingredients. Rather than relying on commercial bottles, Angelita cures and concocts its own spirits and infusions. Many elements are harvested from the family farm. They are rendered, blended, mixed, and tuned in exacting ways as much akin to science labs as gourmet kitchens. Fresh-milled breadworks, savory almonds, fragrant herbs, just-pulled vegetables, and hypnotic botanicals are part of the alchemy. Nothing is off limits if it adds texture, depth, or aroma. The room reinforces this point. Angelita's bar is assembled with a mad scientist's mindset: shelves lined with labeled jars of organic infusions; stainless-steel work surfaces burnished to a mirror-sheen; precision tools that appear to be of surgical grade; and beakers with rubber tubing. And then there is the centerpiece: a rotary evaporator, or "Rotovap", replete with condenser and flask. It is a serious instrument of culinary crafting that signals exactly what Angelita intends: Precision Perfection. The device allows distillation under vacuum at very low temperatures. In practice, this means Angelita can capture and condense fragile aromatics. Citrus peel. Basil. Rustic spices. Floral notes. All without cooking them into acidic bitterness or diluted dullness. What ends up in the glass is absolutely clean, vivid, and true to the original ingredients. Think: flavor in hi-def. Such standards carry through to presentation. The bar serves no ice in any of its drinks. Rather, cocktails arrive in exquisitely chilled glassware to avoid watering-down their preciously procured ingredients. Everything is measured on a digital scale, not rushed through casual pours and bar jiggers. Each offering is intentional. Deliberate. Repeatable. Yet nothing feels clinical because the result is raw and primal pleasure. After the first sip an all-sensory message is received loud and clear: 'This isn't an ordinary cocktail bar.' Angelita's drinks are born on the family farm, expertly developed in a working lab, and refined out in the open for all to witness and savor. Come ready to be mesmerized. Techniques will marvel. Flavors will enchant. Senses will exalt. At Angelita, craft meets captivation as mixologists explain the science that elevates liquid to Life.

    Such a wonderful experience! Great food, great cocktails and great service. I have to give them a…read moreshout out as it's the first time I've truly had craft cocktails and I've been in Europe since 9/5, bouncing between countries. Now ,for the facts. There's a stuffy restaurant upstairs and an awesome speakeasy downstairs where you can get great cocktails and food. Granted it's a smaller menu than what's offered upstairs, but was fine on my solo visit. They also have a private dining room called the Hibiki that can be booked for parties of 6-10 and offer the full menu, including a chef's menu with wine or cocktail pairings. Wowed!!! Shout out to Victor and his crew for the 411 and a great experience.

    Photos
    Angelita - Wine bar

    Wine bar

    Angelita - Rice (I am not sure of the name it wasn't on the menu)

    Rice (I am not sure of the name it wasn't on the menu)

    Angelita

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    Botín - suckling pig

    Botín

    4.0(881 reviews)
    1.4 kmSol
    €€€

    Sobrino de Botín is the oldest recorded restaurant in the world according the Guiness Book of World…read moreRecords at over 300 years old. What foodie would pass up the opportunity to dine here? When I found out I was coming to Madrid I had to book a table. First things first, my suggestion is book way in advance. This place fills up fast. My friend and I waited too long and the only seating we could get was at 11:15 PM. No big deal though there's plenty of places you can get a light snack in the surrounding area while exploring the city. Walking in, the architecture immediately hits you. Low ceilings, gorgeous old brick, tight dining rooms, it really feels like you stepped back in time. The whole atmosphere is elevated without being stiff. Staff was super friendly and made the experience feel smooth from start to finish. There's also apprently a really nice wine cellar at the bottom I overheard other patrons bragging about. Food wise, I will keep it real, it was good, just not my favorite meal in Madrid. The sangria was solid, definitely one of my highlights. The croquettes were fire. Crispy, creamy, exactly what you want. My friend's seafood casserole was actually really good too, I lowkey wish I went that route. Now the misses. The sautéed vegetables with Iberian ham didn't do it for me. The veggies needed seasoning bad, and the ham leaned a little too salty, so together it just felt off. The suckling pig, the signature dish, was good, but I was not blown away. If I find myself returning here, I would explore other options. After dinner, there was a little show and they let you keep a souvenir menu, which was a nice touch and made the night feel more memorable. Overall I had a solid 3.5 star experience rounded up to 4. Sobrino de Botín is history, it is iconic, and it is worth saying you have been. Just do not expect it to be the best meal of your trip. Hit Botín, soak it in, then go explore the rest of Madrid's food scene, because that is where things really start to shine.

    This was more about the experience of dining in the oldest restaurant (established 1725) according…read moreto the Guinness book of World Record. The restaurant itself has a lot of character, dark woods and brick. The place is known for its suckling roasted pig and lamb. We also ordered this soup that was being brought to other tables. History aside, the food was underwhelming. It's the type of place you try once when visiting Madrid.

    Photos
    Botín - We got to wait right in the meat prep area

    We got to wait right in the meat prep area

    Botín - Roasted Suckling Pig

    Roasted Suckling Pig

    Botín - Bottom level

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    Bottom level

    La Mi Venta - Black Pudding

    La Mi Venta

    4.7(165 reviews)
    2.1 kmPalacio
    €€€

    Came here for a delicious and leisurely lunch. The grilled squid with caramelized onions and squid…read moreink was a fantastic starter; the squid was not too chewy, and the saltines paired very well with the sweet onions. The grilled Iberian "secreto" was tender and juicy and flavorful. The paella had plenty of squid, prawn, clams, and mussels, and the rice itself had a very strong (in a good way) seafood aroma. The waiters are friendly, and you are not rushed through the meal. Highly recommend.

    La Mi Venta is a small, warm family restaurant tucked away on a quiet side street in Madrid, and it…read moreturned out to be a wonderful surprise. We hadn't planned on eating there but decided to drop in. The interior is cozy and inviting, while outdoor seating is available if you prefer to dine al fresco (though it can get a bit windy outside). In fact, our water glass toppled over with one gust of wind. Reservations are recommended, as the place seems popular. The menu features a wide variety of traditional Spanish dishes, and everything we tried was delicious. Our T-bone steak arrived perfectly cooked, served with grilled peppers and sliced golden potatoes, it was simple, flavorful, and satisfying. The squid was also very good, but the standout dish was the asparagus in tempura with almond mayonnaise. Perfectly fried and incredibly light, it was absolutely outstanding. Another highlight was the homemade Iberian ham croquettes served with candied pepper sauce which were creamy and rich on the inside with a delicate crisp on the outside and a wonderful balance of flavor. To accompany the meal, we enjoyed a few glasses of Rioja Azpilicueta Crianza (Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo, 12 months aging, 2021). It was a bit on the dry side, but helped take the edge off the chilly wind while we sat outside enjoying a late lunch. The staff were friendly and accommodating, even indulging my enthusiasm for photographing the slicing of the Iberian ham. All in all, La Mi Venta delivered a fantastic, authentic Spanish dining experience with great food, good wine, and welcoming service in a charming setting. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Madrid.

    Photos
    La Mi Venta
    La Mi Venta - Hake

    Hake

    La Mi Venta - Spanish wine rivals Santa Barbara County

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    Spanish wine rivals Santa Barbara County

    El Brillante - spanish - Updated May 2026

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