Pura Vida is definitely one of my favorite vegan spots in Madrid, and let me tell you why. Pura…read moreVida knows what they're doing when it comes to vegan food. Their menu is a great mix of classic Spanish eats (tortilla de patata, bocadillos) and crowd pleasers, like pizza and burgers.
My favorites:
-- Bocata de Calamares (8,50€) // This is a Spanish classic, and it's essentially a sandwich featuring calamari rings with a cream cheese-like spread on a baguette. Before you knock it, try it. It's literally so good, and the one at Pura Vida is easily the best vegan version I've had.
-- Lágrimas de Heura (6,95€) // So, these are basically chick'n nuggets made with the most popular vegan meat substitute in Spain, Heura. They're perfectly sized little morsels, kind of like popcorn chicken size, and fried to an ideal crisp. The agave-mustard dip on the side is also incredible and balances out the richness.
-- Pincho de Tortilla de Patata (3,50€) // If you haven't tried tortilla de patata in Spain, I'm not sure where you've been eating. It's a must. Out of all the vegan ones I've tried in Madrid, Pura Vida's is my favorite.
-- Alemana Pizza (12,95€) // My friend was craving a pizza, so we went for the Alemana which is pretty simple with tomato sauce, cheese and vegan sausage. The sauce has a surprising depth of flavor and the cheese is good, too. I wouldn't hesitate to share a pizza again if I were in the mood for one.
So, now that we've established that the food at Pura Vida is great, let's move on! Overall, I really like the vibe at Pura Vida because it's laidback but slightly above a true taberna, so it's a good spot if you want a solid dinner or just a bite and drink on the terraza.
The only reason I docked a star is because the service can definitely lack. The servers often get overwhelmed or simply don't come by for like, literally, 30 minutes at a time some days. Price-wise, some dishes are a little higher than others but for the most part, it's reasonable.
Pura Vida will continue to be one of our go-to places in Madrid, especially when we're craving some Spanish classics and a solid pour of vermut.