Next Tuesday, 16 June, we’re celebrating Tapas Day at one of these venues with some classic tapas dishes. Make a note!
And the ones you’ll always find, at least in Madrid – which is where this tour takes us – are: the Spanish omelette (the most popular dish in bars), patatas bravas – with both classic and more gourmet versions – croquettes – the queen of tapas, ham-filled ones – tripe – a resurgent classic – gildas – which are here to stay – Russian salad – in both bars and restaurants – squid – yes, even outside of a sandwich – and torreznos – an essential part of traditional tapas.
From tapa to tapa
Casa Toro. Overlooking Las Ventas, it couldn’t be more traditional.
Julio Camba, 5. Madrid. Tel. 676 74 52 93.
Located opposite Las Ventas, Casa Toro is the traditional Andalusian tavern you wouldn’t expect. And like any good tavern, tapas are guaranteed. Among the must-try dishes are their Russian salad with garlic prawns and the torreznos, which have won awards in Madrid for a reason. Their croquettes are as creamy as they promise, and the tripe is the sticky sort, just as it should be. Following the success of the April Fair and the Bullfighting Fair, the fried squid remains on the menu, and although it isn’t served on bread, the olive oil fritters are absolutely spot on. Of course, for some time now, gildas have been a must. To enjoy these more casual dishes, there’s nothing like sitting at the bar area with its high tables and washing them down with a well-poured glass of Águila or their La Dolores vermouth. The average price for a snack is around €25–30.
Gilda (€3.50)
Russian salad with garlic prawns (€10.50 / €17)
‘Campeones de Madrid 2025’ pork crackling (€11 / €17)
Creamy ham croquettes (€9.50 / €17)
Madrid-style tripe (€23)
Fried squid (€28)
El Jardín de Arturo Soria. Tapas in a chill-out setting.
Arturo Soria, 207. Madrid. Tel. 918 965 925.
Having just celebrated its 6th anniversary, the chill-out area of this garden is the perfect place to mark the occasion, as its exclusive menu consists entirely of tapas. Located near the entrance to this spacious venue, it features high and low tables in the shade of the trees, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the short yet tempting menu, where every dish adheres to the establishment’s principles of fresh produce, quality and tradition. What’s more, those with a sweet tooth can also indulge in any of the restaurant’s desserts. The average price is €25–30, and it’s an ideal spot for after-work drinks as, from 15 June, it operates non-stop from 13:00 to 23:30. It offers valet parking, a lift and is also pet-friendly.
Chill-out menu
Gildas (5 pieces/€16)
Creamy Iberian ham croquettes (5 pieces/€12)
Russian salad: homemade Russian salad with piparra vinaigrette, sliced piparra, black olive powder, tuna belly and crystal bread (€12)
Andalusian-style squid with mayolima (€15)
Inhala Terrace. Tapas and cocktails with a view of the Madrid skyline.
Inhala Hotel Garden – 7th floor – Calle San Bernardo, 1. Madrid. Tel. 91 559 49 31 / 618 670 046. Public car park next to the hotel.
With a perfect location, just a few metres from Gran Vía, and stunning views over Madrid de los Austrias, this sky bar offers three classic tapas dishes – as well as an extensive menu with countless options available seven days a week – making it well worth the trip up. The ideal plan is to pair one of these tapas with one of their cocktails whilst enjoying the beautiful sunset and soaking up the tranquillity that emanates from their spectacular hanging garden, featuring over 2,500 plants and a 20-metre waterfall that acts as a green lung as well as cooling the atmosphere. The must-haves for this day:
Prawn salad with wakame, pickled onion, tobiko and ling roe: (€18.50)
Baby squid croquettes (8 pcs/€19)
Iberian ham croquettes (8 pcs/€18)
Fried fresh squid noodles with yuzu aioli (€22.50)
El Lince. Here, tripe features among the starters.
289 Príncipe de Vergara. Tel. 91 137 26 58. Madrid.
El Lince showcases Javi Estevez’s cuisine, which even those who aren’t usually fans of offal fall in love with—the very dishes that earned him a Michelin star at La Tasquería. Here, the chef blends authenticity and tradition with a family recipe book that appeals to everyone. Stews, hearty dishes, and finger food—including croquettes, original gildas, and a paloma that’s unique in Madrid… perfect appetisers whether you’re at the bar—where we’re staying today to mark the occasion—or on the terrace or in the dining room.
Cecina croquettes (€3.50)
Our Gilda (€4.50)
Russian salad ‘paloma’ (€4.50)
Russian salad (€12.50)
Tripe, trotters and snout stew (€13.50 / €19.50)
Lola 09. Late-night snack bar in Justicia.
San Mateo, 28. Madrid. Tel. 91 310 66 95.
After 10 years – which they have just celebrated – of parties, language exchanges and brunches amidst bingo cards and drag queens, Lola 09, the successor to Olé Lola from the Moby Dick group, is strengthening its offering to complement its unbeatable cocktail menu with a more substantial and ambitious cuisine. They have addictive ‘Caprichos Loleros’ and, to whet your appetite or simply enjoy a bite to eat as the evening draws in, plenty of options to share and eat with your hands, including some of the day’s highlights:
Iberian croquettes with truffle sauce (€10.50)
Russian salad with lime/lemon mayonnaise and crispy ham crumbs (€11)
Our patatas bravas with a fried egg (€9.50)
Ponzano and its bar
Ponzano, 12. Madrid. Tel. 91 448 68 80.
Located on one of the liveliest streets in the Chamberí neighbourhood, it is a real go-to spot for traditional home-style cooking. This year, 2026, marks a double anniversary: 40 years since his father transformed it from a grocery shop into a bar-delicatessen-ham shop; and 25 years since Paco García – known to everyone as “Paco Ponzano” – took the reins of the venture, turning it into one of Madrid’s most honest and beloved eateries. Here, every day is a celebration of tapas – Tapas magazine has just named it Madrid’s Best Classic Bar – and the capital’s gastronomy, a cuisine that showcases market produce and tradition with dishes that never go out of fashion. A visit to its bar on 16 June is almost a must…
Russian salad (€12)
Potato omelette (€10)
Potato omelette with salsa brava / aioli / or Padrón peppers (€12)
Patatas bravas / aioli (€8)
Homemade ham croquettes (€12)
Grilled or battered squid (€24)
Madrid-style tripe (€24)
Featured image: Croquettes and gildas. El Jardín de Arturo Soria
Source: AIRES NEWS Comunicación