The million dollar question after our alternative walking tour is 95% of the times related to the following ones:
- Where should we go for lunch?
- Which bars would you recommend us?
- Is there any restaurant around here that we cannot miss?
Spanish culture relies a lot on the Bar figure. The typical place is a poly faceted venue where you can go to grab a drink, eat a snack , or have a proper meal.
We decided to gather the whole team’s recommendations to offer you a unique perspective of Lavapiés district.
The alternative walking tour is over, where can we grab a drink?
Luckily for newcomers, our alternative walking tour ends in Plaza Cascorro, an iconic place very well known by most madrileños.
It is the start point of Sunday’s open air flea market El Rastro. This area is centrally located and it connects three different neighborhoods.
The best bars in the area are less than 10 minutes walking distance from our ending point.
1-. Craft Against the Machine
Where: Calle Embajadores, 31
A small bar which kept the former barbershop’s tile decoration in the faccade. This place is perfect for those who are big fans of craft beer, since they local breweries feature different flavours in the menu.
Order some tapas (vegan options available) while enjoying these artisan beers!
2-. La Lata de Cascorro
Location: Calle Embajadores, 1
This bar is very popular among local neighbors not only because its size & music taste, but also because of their cultural activities.
Besides having on display temporary exhibitions of local artists, they host poetry events. They have good local beers and also a side menu in case you get hungry. Do not miss this spot on Sunday mornings!
3-. Tapas y fotos
Where to find it? Calle Doctor Piga, 7
Our alternative walking tour guide may also recommend you one of the artsiest places around La Latina where to grab a drink. Tapas y fotos is a bar with movie posters, cool decorations of portrait-styled photographies and overtall, great vibes!
It’s hidden in Lavapiés neighborhood, but that doesn’t avoid this small bar to get really crowded on weekend nights. That’s why we’d recommend you to go early in the afternoon.
What if you tried high cuisine on a regular price after the alternative walking tour?
Javier, our street art leader, will recommend you his favourite places where to sit down in a local atmosphere around La Latina metro station.
4-. La Malanga, Master chef & Le Cordon Bleu all in one spot
Location: Mercado de la Cebada (Plaza de la Cebada s/n)
What if you brought a former student of Le Cordon Bleu school and a participant of the most famous Spanish cooking TV show ‘Master Chef’ together?
The overcome is delicious food, with an incredible presentation at a local style food market. Does it sound appealing? Well, you should then check their weekdays’ pricing.
We wouldn’t like to go far beyond in details because it would sound as if we were getting commission from them, but as it’s not the case, just try it!
Probably the best sloppy food restaurant in the whole city!
5-. El Brote, fresh products from the wet forest
Where? Calle de la Ruda, 14
Imagine a restaurant which special dish will always have wild mushrooms in it.
El Brote is a fine end restaurant where the staff will take care of you individually, from your allergic conditions to your wine tastes. Plus you will have the opportunity to try hand-picked mushrooms from different Spanish regions.
What’s common to have on the menu?
- Boletus & Gurumelos
- Trompetas negras & Niscalos
- Tirabeques & Rebozuelos
6-. Malacatín and its famous ‘cocido madrileño’ right after the alternative walking tour
Where? Calle de la Ruda, 5
Travellers participating in our alternative walking tour not only ask us right after the experience for places where to eat. Some customers plan ahead of time, even with months in advance, in order to make sure they have a table available in our favourite restaurants.
If you are willing to try the regional gastronomy, then you should ask for the full version of the ‘Cocido Madrileño’, which among other ingredients include:
- Chick peas & meat broth
- Noodles, chicken and bacon
- Spanish chorizo
Vegans and vegetarians! We’ve got your back!
Part of Cooltourspain team members are vegans, and these are the recommendations from Patricia, an animal lover who would like to share with our audience the following spots:
7-. La Oveja Negra, the black sheep
Location: Calle Buenavista, 42
A queer/vegan bar where you can order delicious hearty and filling food.
This bar is a good way to explain to non vegans how delicious vegan food can be, and you should not skip dessert! The cakes will make you want to go back!
It’s during weekdays when they have a “Menú del día” (lunch menu). The menu includes a starter, a main course, dessert or coffee for a fixed price.
It will definitely fill you up and leave you ready for siesta!
8-. B13. Typical Spanish food, vegan version.
Location: Calle Ballesta, 13
Spanish food could be a real nightmare for vegans since most of its cuisine is egg and dairy based. Here is when B13, a small vegan bar in Malasaña, comes to the rescue.
They have the typical dishes you’d find in any local bar such as a combined dish, known as “combinado”, but in a vegan way!
The student friendly prices and its central location make this place a must for vegetable lovers!
9-. El atrakón. Is your stomach full already?
Location: Calle Sebastián Elcano, 7
One of the places you must check out after the alternative walking tour is located five minutes walking distance from a former tobacco factory called La Tabacalera.
It is one of those places that might go unnoticed if you’ve decided to stay in the margins of the centre of Madrid.
El Atrakón serves typical Meditarrean food, with local products and has a permanent vegan menu with burgers, spring rolls & alioli crisps.
A plus for this place is the atmosphere as the bartenders treat everybody with a smile!
Our opinion about the bars suggested after the alternative walking tour in Madrid
The recommendations offered in this article have not been sponsored but they are trusted by Cooltourspain team members.
We have received several offers from bars and restaurants in the area to recommend our 3,000 guests/year their spots, but we prefer to offer a quality service rather than just making money.
Leave a Reply