Madrid is one of our favourite cities in the world and, in our opinion, among the best in which to live. It is an upbeat metropolis where the sun shines pretty much every day of the year, with incredible gastronomic and cultural choices, one where people’s hospitality is incomparable. Although it is true that a good part of the population is not actually native, both Eduardo and I, like Redcast, were born in this wonderful city. We are madrileños :)

In our showroom each week we welcome customers from different parts of the world, and they often ask us for recommendations for cafes, restaurants and neighbourhoods to visit. This is why we thought it would be a great idea to create a guide with our favourite spots around the city and to share it here.

We hope you’ll find this guide useful if you decide to visit Madrid and it helps you to enjoy some unforgettable days in the city. Here we leave you with our indispensables!

 

How about a glass of wine?

Casa González

Founded in 1931, this is a cheese shop with local flavour specialising in wines, cheeses and cured sausages in the very heart of the Barrio de las Letras district.

Alimentación Quiroga

A few steps from the previous one is this traditional tavern with a wide range of wines and classic dishes.

Glop

If you feel like something a bit less traditional, we suggest this small bar with a great and inspired selection of natural Spanish wines.

Other recommendations: Proper Sound, La Alquimia, Bocanada, Fun Fun, Cuenllas

 

Sitting down for a meal

Vinoteca Moratín

Perfect for enjoying some Spanish cuisine in a peaceful setting. The canelones and steak tartar are a must.

La Primera

As well as offering a variety of spectacular traditional dishes from the north of Spain, if you’re looking to taste one of the best Spanish tortilla in the city, this is the place for you.

Marinero

Inside the traditional Anton Martin market there are lots of restaurants, among them this small bistro. It's one of our absolute favorites in the city!

Gofio

Perfect for enjoying haute cuisine in an informal ambience. They offer real, Michelin-starred cuisine from the Canary Islands.

Other recommendations: Casa Macareno, Desborre, Shibari Sushi & Grill, Kitchen 154, Playing Solo, Tampu, Hattori Hanzo, Bipolar, Casa Mùi

 

Coffee time

 If you love speciality coffee…

Toma Café

They pioneered the first speciality coffee in the city. With three locations, the one we prefer is the original one in the heart of the Malasaña neighbourhood (La Palma street).

Hola Coffee

Go with the flow along the narrow lanes of Madrid’s Lavapiés district to Dr. Fourquet street, where you will discover this shrine to good coffee.

Ruda Café

This small speciality coffee shop is perfect for enjoying their 100% arabica coffees before losing yourself in the streets and shops of the La Latina district.

Other recommendations: Acid Cafe, Feliz Coffee, Faraday, Hanso Cafe

 

A sweet moment

La Duquesita

A classic of Madrid’s pastry shops is the chocolate-covered, palm-shaped palmera, and here they have the best ones. Not to be missed!

Novo Mundo

This is the place for breakfast on a Sunday morning devoted to the Rastro flea market, but you must go early to avoid the lengthy queues. No question: our favourite is the Danish pastry.

Estela

The puff pastries in this establishment are truly spectacular.

Other recommendations: Motteau Bakery, Alma Nombad Bakery, Cuadra, Amasa

 

Out for drinks

Viva Madrid

A century-old tavern converted into one of the city’s best cocktail bars.

Marrufo

Just a few steps from our shop you’ll find this local cocktail bar where the thing to do is to come for a vermouth or to spend a weekend afternoon.

Satán

At 18 Calle de los Libreros, with no sign but the address itself, a double door (the second with a doorbell) hides the entrance to Satán. Inspired by Madrid's classic cocktail bars of the 1930s to 1950s, the menu reveals cocktails hour by hour, with the final hour unveiling “Satán,” the house’s signature creation.

Other recommendations: Salmon Gurú, Masaru, Savas Bar, Satán, Ficus, Mezcaloteca Corazón Agavero 

 

Looking for a cultural outing?

Museums and galleries you must go to without fail.

Círculo Bellas Artes

As well as offering some of the best views of the city from their rooftop, this beautiful building hosts some very interesting exhibitions.

Caixaforum

This vibrant culture centre is renowned for its temporary exhibitions and its stunning vertical garden.

Sorolla Museum

The museum-house of the painter Joaquín Sorolla, which he built in 1910, retains its original décor and exhibits his collections. A unique experience.

Other recommendations: Casa Museo Lope de Vega, Fundación Mapfre

 

You can't leave without a special souvenir 

Real Fábrica Española

From decoration to gastronomic products, you will discover traditional Spanish brands and iconic products of yesteryear, evoking our grandparents’ era.

Llop

A Mediterranean-style concept store in which to lose yourself among fashion creations and an incredible selection of handcrafted pieces.

La Pajarita

If you are a chocolate lover, this business, which is more than a century old, has been selling sweets and chocolates since 1852.

Of course we cannot fail to recommend a visit to our shop, Redcast Heritage, in central Madrid on calle Acuerdo 2. You can book your appointment here.

 

An extra 

El Rastro

Madrid’s most authentic flea market, an unmissable Sunday outing. Discover antiques, vintage clothing and heaps of street stalls. Start early and then enjoy a pre-lunch drink in one of the numerous bars around the area!

Salesas

Strolling around the streets of this vibrant neighbourhood with countless charming shops is one of our favourite plans. Don’t miss the streets of Fernando VI, Campoamor, Pelayo or Barquillo.

Palacio de Cristal

Located in the heart of El Retiro Park, the Crystal Palace is renowned as one of Spain's finest examples of metallic architecture. This stunning building is currently used for hosting temporary exhibitions, and is situated next to a small artificial pond with ducks, geese, and black swans.

For Kids

A good plan with children is to rent a boat in the Retiro Park pond and spend a pleasant time sailing, visit the Museum of Illusions and Light Art Museum, or go up to the rooftop of the Riu Hotel where there are wonderful views, and children usually like it because the floor is made of transparent glass (although there are long queues).

Madrid de Los Austrias

The squares and streets that make up this district are the oldest part of the city. Don’t leave without first trying a calamari sandwich in Plaza Mayor, buying sweets made by the nuns of the Monastery of Las Carboneras, or enjoying the pleasant walk that connects the Royal Palace and Plaza de España.

 

We hope this guide will encourage you to visit and discover our city if you’ve never been before 🙂