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Matador

4.5 (84 reviews)
Open 12:00 pm - 2:30 am (Next day)

Matador Photos

MATADOR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Dogs allowed
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Matador

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Reviews With Photos

Jamon, and Sangria
Mauricio A.

We absolutely loved this spot! Tucked away on Calle de la Cruz in the heart of Madrid, it's truly a hidden gem. The menu is fantastic--we tried several dishes, starting with tapas like jamón and queso de cabra, along with the Matador's Toast, which was unbelievably good. The queso fundido was so rich and flavorful, we actually came back two days in a row just for that! We also had the sangria, and it was just as amazing--refreshing and perfectly balanced. Definitely make a point to check this place out!

Yummy veal meatballs
Debbie J.

The food was awesome, much larger than what we expected so we left feeling so full. My favorite was the Veal Albóndigas, the sauce was awesome when you used it to dip the rustic bread in. We also had the Matador, egg tortilla, and beef empanada. Each one was so good. If we ever get back to Madrid we stop in for some Tapas.

Best Sangria we had in España was at the Matador!
Bill M.

This is a very cool place. Neighborhood restaurant. Very small. These guys work really hard in a really small space to deliver your drinks and meals. Food is very good. Small platters-like. Sangria was excellent - my girlfriend's fav during our trip to Espana. Went twice! That's how much we liked it. Only Americans in the place and we felt welcome - despite mi espanol es muy malo! Go there! Beware though it's very popular especially with the locals so it can be crowded.

Yolanda M.

This place is a solid 4.5 hole in the wall. Hubby had the Ribera del Duero Roble Vina Mayor, which came with a little bit of a lovely cheese and bread, but didn't love it. I had the sangria and loved mine (but honestly, I've never had bad sangria...maybe I'm just lucky). We ordered the pincho de tortilla espanola (sorry I don't know how to access the accents on my keyboard), albondigas de ternera caseras (ooh, the sauce was so good w/the bread), and the Matador, which was delicious! Service was VERY relaxed, but the tables very tiny and the entire room quite cramped, especially as it got more crowded as the evening went on. It was a great first night in Spain and an intro to tapas.

Alex M.

My partner and I stopped into Matador after catching an energetic flamenco show nearby, and it was the perfect spot to catch a bite to eat with a side of vermut. They do half portions on many of the tapas, so we decided to try the blood sausage, veal Meatballs, and then got the matador sando (which was incredible). They also gave us a complimentary salami with our drinks - which was very kind! The vibe is also a lot of fun and can definitely be a scene as it gets later on in the evening.

Arielle M.

Hands down, THE best food we had in Spain during our trip. We stumbled in right after our flight since it was right next to where we were staying and were completely blown away. Such a great welcome to the country. The tables are small and intimate and the portions are quite large. We got a bunch of tapas for such a cheap price! The smoked salmon was so fresh and definitely one of the best dishes there. We also had the iberico ham, espanola and the matador dish itself. Staff was also very friendly and quick. Our meal also came with a complimentary meat and breadstick crackers. These five tapas were definitely filling enough for a group of four!

Pimientos Asados y Rulo de Cabra (roasted peppers and goat cheese on Toast)
Grace L.

The tapas that we tried from the menu were both delicious. We ordered two rounds of Sangria, so we were given Jamon Iberico both times. Even if we wanted to order more, we couldn't because we were so full by the end of our meal. The server was very attentive and helpful. The place is small with tables limited. It is always busy and packed. They close in the afternoon and reopen in the evening, so walking in between 2 and 3 pm might be the best time to go.

Cheese, salad of tomatoes and peppers, ham, marinated anchovies.

Atmosphere was what I expected from a tapas bar in Spain. We also had the meatballs, and they were very good. Service was great as well. Seemed like locals were there at a few of the tables and at the bar. I think that is a good sign.

Linus L.

This tiny bar/tapas place is the perfect after-dinner stop point for socializing and a nightcap. Very narrow, very old-world, and with an extensive menu, it is situated within walking distance to almost every tourist must-see, including Torero (Flamenco Dancing spot) and Restaurante Botín. Drinks are very cheap and the staff is very friendly. Definitely add this to your list.

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2 years ago

Nice hospitality and vibe. Drinks were good. Too packed to eat dinner. We would have had dinner if there was room

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

Really good tapas, the anchovies were so good!!! It was very lively even very late on a Tuesday! Great location as well, would def recommend

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Food, Service and Ambiance excellent. Excellent prices and menu selection. Unique non-pretentious restaurant in an authentic building,

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2 years ago

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

Excellent food and wine. Great service and so friendly!! A little loud, but so much fun!

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4 years ago

A great place, great staff and food. I would highly recommend. A not miss when in the area

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3 years ago

Excelente servicio y comida! Muy recomendable para disfrutar los sabores de España! Volveremos sin duda!

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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5 years ago

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8 years ago

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9 years ago

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7 years ago

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13 years ago

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9 years ago

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11 years ago

I love this place! What a great hole in the wall!! The staff was incredibly friendly. Good wine and tapas.

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14 years ago

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Matador Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - Matador

Came here looking for some tapas and had the vermut, half a ration of Iberico jamon, and tomato salad.

Mentioned in 4 reviews

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Casa Lucas - Free tapas to start

Casa Lucas

4.6(182 reviews)
0.6 kmLa Latina
€€

I absolutely adore this restaurant! I have visited it twice, and definitely next time I go to…read moreMadrid, I will visit it again. The restaurant is located in the heart of Madrid on a very cute street, and it is easy to find and walk there if you stay in the city center. The place is not very big - both times I went there for lunch, there were no tables available, so I had to sit at the bar; once I even had to wait about 7 minutes until one bar spot became free. The restaurant's design is simple, but pretty and lovely. Overall, the restaurant is in very good condition and was perfectly clean both times I visited. The only small downside is that the place is quite noisy, but it did not bother me. One of the best things about this place is the people who work there - both a guy and a lady at the bar were extremely nice and friendly to me; plus, both spoke very good English. They gave me recommendations on what to try, and I followed their advice. The restaurant's menu is not big, but it has all the most popular traditional Spanish dishes. Both times I ordered Rabo de Toro (a traditional Spanish stew), Fardos (squid rolls with bacon and squid ink mousse); and once I also tried croquetas de jamón (ham croquettes). The croquettes were tasty - I loved their flavor and soft texture. One portion includes 6 pieces, and they are quite big and filling. It was my first time trying Fardos (I ordered a 1/3 portion), and it was a great experience - the dish turned very delicious after the bartender mixed it for me. The squid was cooked very nicely, and combined with the fresh bacon and ink mousse, it tasted fantastic. Rabo de Toro (I ordered a 1/2 portion) was also my first time trying this dish, and I loved it - the stew was perfectly cooked, very soft and moist, with rich flavors, and it melted in my mouth. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of drinks, especially wines. I do not drink alcohol, so I was recommended to try grape juice - Mosto, which was extremely flavorful and tasted like fresh pressed grape juice, even though it came from a glass bottle. I loved that drink! Price-wise, all items on the menu seemed reasonable. I paid €8 for 6 ham croquettes, €12 for a half portion of Rabo de Toro, €8 for a 1/3 portion of Fardos, and €3 for one glass of grape juice. It is possible to have a nice full lunch here for around €22, which is reasonable for a restaurant in the heart of Madrid. The place accepts all major credit cards and Apple Pay, which is a big plus. If you visit this restaurant, I strongly recommend trying 1/3 or 2/3 portion of Fardos, a half portion of Rabo de Toro, and their grape juice Mosto - it's enough food to feel full and experience traditional Spanish flavors.

Casa Lucas is a MUST on the La Latina tapas tour! Casa Lucas serves tapas with a creative twist,…read moreand if I'd had more time (and wasn't a party of one), I would've tried so much more! I ordered the Oxtail (Rabo de Toro) and wooooow... easily one of the most tender and delicate pieces of meat I've EVER had. They serve it boneless, but I'm pretty sure if they would have provided a bone, it would've fallen right off. The whole place gives cozy tavern vibes with a rustic interior that feels perfectly Madrid. NOTE: the portions are a bit heavier than most spots. I hate to waste food, especially when it's as immaculate as the Oxtail, but if you're a party of one, you got to do what you go to do.

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Casa Lucas
Casa Lucas - Squid with ink mousse

Squid with ink mousse

Casa Lucas - Ribera Tempranillo

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Ribera Tempranillo

Malaspina - Tarta de chocolate

Malaspina

4.2(229 reviews)
0.1 kmSol

I've been visiting Malaespina for over a decade -- from my time living in Madrid to every trip back…read more-- and one thing has never changed: it's easily one of the best spots in Madrid for a no-frills, delicious tapas meal and amazing sangria. The quality of the food has remained consistent for the 10 years I've been visiting! Tucked away just off Sol, Malaespina is the epitome of a classic Madrid taverna. The inviting, unpretentious atmosphere, the cozy charm, the prices, the energy -- it's hard to capture it all in words. There's a certain magic at Malaespina. The tavern has been around for hundreds of years, and I often wonder what it was like a century ago. I'm always amazed that such a gem exists in the heart of Madrid, a city center filled with tourist traps. Malaespina draws both locals and tourists -- and for good reason. The food quality to price ratio is unbeatable. On our most recent visit, we had huevos estrellados, tortilla tapas, sangria, and espressos, and spent about $20 for the two of us. You really can't beat that! Here's hoping they stick around for many more years to come.

Came here for lunch and had a decent experience. Staff were super friendly and restaurant was nice…read more We sat outside and ate our meal and it was quite pleasant. When we first sat down they gave us a welcome bruschetta and bread for free which were pretty decent portions. We then ordered our food and it was pretty good as well. We ordered their half chicken (pollo asado con patatas), sirloin steak, and Malaspina tosta. The portions were huge and we definitely over ordered. We thought they were more the size of tapas but each dish was a huge portion itself which definitely isn't a bad thing. The food tasted pretty good but I think it just lacked flavor occasionally. All the meat was cooked well and was very juicy, just could use a little more flavor. Otherwise everything was good. Solid 4 stars

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Malaspina
Malaspina - Patatas bravas

Patatas bravas

Malaspina - Drinks and tapas

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Drinks and tapas

Plaza España 9 - Una delicatese

Plaza España 9

4.4(52 reviews)
1.2 kmArgüelles, Moncloa
€€

After sightseeing all day we came in for a very late lunch. From reviews I read I wanted to try the…read moremix paella since it's one of the best in Madrid. We were seated by the table near the window and ordered right away since we knew what we wanted. My friend and I split the mixed paella which comes with shrimp, calamari, crawfish, chicken and sausage. We also ordered two big glasses of the sangria. The paella took about 45 mins to make since all the paellas are made to order. While we were waiting we were sipping on our sangrias which were delicious! The only thing was that it was a bit too sweet for me and I could taste the grains of sugar at the bottom of my glass. The paella finally came and it was a beautiful site to see ! So colorful with the different elements in the dish. The rice was cooked perfectly and everything was seasoned well. It was a bit oily though when you scrape the bottom of the pan to get all the rice but it was delicious!!! During out meal the owner and our waiter has a disagreement about something and were yelling at each other across the restaurant. Kind of disrupted our dining atmosphere but overall the food was good and our service was good. Def. Recommend this place to anyone who wants a good plate of paella and glass of sangria!

The staff were incredibly friendly to our family. They made good suggestions for food choices the…read morekids would like. The food came out hot and quickly. I appreciated their use of ripe veggies- avocado in particular- for many of their starters. The seafood paella had a generous portion of shrimp/langostino and calamari. For dessert they offered natural ice cream served inside its own fruit. Wonderful place!

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Plaza España 9 - Ensalada de aguacate y gambas con tomate kumato exquisita

Ensalada de aguacate y gambas con tomate kumato exquisita

Plaza España 9
Plaza España 9

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Matador - tapasmallplates - Updated May 2026

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