This is for me the best basque restaurant in Madrid. Lived there for 16 years and you can't find a…read morebetter leg of lam than here!!!

Yum! Fancy quiet place in a quiet part of town. I'm just a tourist and know nothing about Spanish…read morefoods, but my impression is that their menu is of classic authentic dishes and their kitchen does them well -- as opposed to restaurants that feels the need to innovate. My 2 friends and I had a great time. We spent a lot because we ordered wine and a lot of food. The wait staff were great with their recommendations for dishes from the Basque region.

Popped in for a quick standing tapas lunch at around noon. It happened to be Spanish mother's day…read moreand they hooked me up with a red carnation, swoon. A nice sized bar and plenty of tables in the front and back area. Tapas all are 2.5 euro. We sampled a bunch and they were all great. Pretty simple, but fresh and delicious. A high five to the thinly pounded, breaded and fried mushroom that was delectable. Their spanish tortilla was mainly egg based vs potato and was a little runny, I was into it. Small beers happened to be 2.5 euros as well, so it was a cheap, filling, delicious and quick lunch! I'd 100% come again and def recommend!

Spectacular food and service! Will return! This was a nice surprise after having walked for hors…read moretrying to find a place that was on my list to try.

Sagardi has fantastic croquetas and other typical Spanish staples. The dish that ultimately won me…read moreover was the cheesecake which was very different from Japanese or American cheesecake. You could tell that the cheese being used in this was not cream cheese based, the burnt top and edges were mouthwatering and the consistency was amazing. I still dream about this cheesecake sometimes and I have yet to find a basque cheesecake anywhere else outside of Spain that can compare. The restaurant also offered an impressive selection meats that were to be char-grilled. It looked absolutely delicious but the serving was just too big for me and my family to try considering how many tapas we ordered.

Okay food, but in Madrid there's so many better options. Our hotel concierge sent us here, as soon…read moreas we arrived the place was fairly empty (bad sign) and they gave us wine "as guests of the hotel" (another sign of commission/incentives to send people here vs. recommend actually great local spots). The food was fine, ordered half the menu. Nothing stood out, bread was okay. Do yourself a favor and find some better local spots, it's not worth the price nor the meal. This city has some amazing food nearby.

One of many branches, El Pimiento Verde on Calle de Castelló is a nicer restaurant for which you'll…read morewant to make a reservation ahead of time. With a decently sized menu, there will be no shortage of dishes to try. We elected to go for some Spanish classics and their featured dishes, which included their Creamy Rice with Lobster, Traditional Tripe Stew, and Aged Beer Rib-eye. The creamy rice with lobster is essentially a risotto, with the rice being cooked al dente. While the texture is nice, because of the smaller portion of lobster and the lack of flavor, by the end it feels like you're just left with a bowl of undercooked rice. The traditional tripe stew was quite good, with the beef being extremely tender and chewy. The rib-eye itself was a large cut, however, a good portion of the meat is fat. Additionally, it's only seasoned with a light touch of salt, so at the end of the day also lacking a bit. If you want to come to El Pimiento Verde, it's primarily for the ambience. The food itself is fine, though nothing to call home about. If you're short on time and looking for places to experience Spanish cuisine, this is probably one restaurant that can be skipped.

Great place for dinner! We had a reservation, which I would recommend. This place wasn't too loud…read moreand our server had great recommendations on the wine and around the food on the menu. Highly recommend the calamari and my cod was so light and flaky.

Mesón Txistu (pronounced, meh-zan CHEE-stoo) is a Basque-inspired restaurant and Real Madrid…read morehangout of legends, past and present. On any given night you might find yourself rubbing shoulders with both sporting and pop-culture icons. Opening its doors in 1972, the restaurant's see-and-be-seen scene has become Madrid lore. It has become an institution revered for delectable kitchen offerings, a prolific collection of wines, and impeccable service. One of Mesón Txistu's hallowed passageways is lined with a photo galaxy of Real Madrid stars, including: Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Luca Modrić, Roberto Carlos, Hugo Sánchez, and Raúl. Scattered amongst these portraits are those of other global sports heroes such as, Diego Maradona, Pele, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Pau Gasol. Yet alongside those are even more: A-Listers of cinema like, Tom Cruise, Nicolas Cage, and Salma Hayek. It's immediately clear that Mesón Txistu holds a special status in Madrid. There are few places capable of attracting such an illustrious crowd from both sporting and entertain- ment worlds. This restaurant is a Spanish treasure, tucked just beyond the shadows of the Santiago Bernabéu. Through still another passage, one is greeted by a bar adorned with legs of jamón ibérico, hanging from hooks around its entire perimeter. It serves as a visual invitation to savor something exceptional-- tempting you to sample the cured delicacy if so inclined. My wife and I chose seats at the bar to begin the evening's delights. She ordered a sensational glass of the House red. Being a lover of exceptional whiskies, I started with Lagavulin 16. Both selections proved foundational to the savory joys that would follow. Our expert bartender presented us with an intimate plate of complimentary tapas, including locally sourced and just-right-brined olives. The tapas brilliantly punctuated the start of an unforgettable meal. Exceptionally generous pours soon arrived. Hers in an exquisite crystal stem and mine, properly neat. After a few sips, our host arrived to join us for a cocktail. We were warmly welcomed by the Manager, who then personally escorted us to our table. Seated, we were then greeted with a double amuse-bouche. One presentation held guindillas-- tangy green peppers from the Basque region. Immaculately pickled, they gave us a curious "kick". The second featured chistorra, a Basque-cured sausage fried to perfection with a gentle measure of smoked paprika. Each was precisely on-point. So good in fact, I could have savored a platter without hesitation. The first appetizer to arrive was a hearty salad meant to be shared among the four of us. It was accompanied by beautiful cuts of fresh tuna paired with large slices of farm-fresh tomatoes. Simple. Delicious. Magnificently executed. Our host ordered bottles of Alión 2021 Ribera del Duero for the table. A refreshing, tantalizing red, it opened with a fruity aroma, yet carried with cleanly balanced spiced wood notes. It was an outstanding selection. (Later that night, curiosity got the better of me and I looked it up. Not surprisingly, the wine achieved mid-to-upper 90s ratings across multiple publications.) Next came the Gambas al Ajillo. These plump, finely garlicked shrimp are served sizzling in a traditional clay dish. Rich, aromatic, and deeply satisfying, they immediately reminded me of the signature dish at La Casa del Abuelo, located between the Sol and Barrio de las Letras neighborhoods. Our third appetizer, substantial enough to be a main course on its own, was the Pulpo a la Brasa: fresh-grilled octopus served atop hearty papas. The octopus was wonderfully rustic, expertly seasoned, and succulent. When I see octopus on a menu, I order it. This, because the dish tests any chef's command of instincts and technique. Mesón Txistu passed with aplomb. The highlight of the evening was the main course: Chuletón Txistu. These rich, buttery-tender ribeye strips arrive thinly-sliced, seasoned only with large, glistening flakes of imported sea salt. Doing so allows the meat to take center stage, as it should. A table-top flat grill plate allows guests to custom cook the protein to their liking. Thusly, the experience becomes interactive as each finishes his or her strips to varying degrees of doneness. It takes only moments, especially if one enjoys ribeye medium-rare, as I do. The strips were astonishingly tender. Each bite, phenomenal. Chuletón Txistu rivals the full-bodied richness of Japanese Wagyu. Even at this stage of our meal we savored every morsel. Smiles crossed our faces out of equal parts appreciation for the dinner, and gratitude for the shared moment. The wine, the company, and conversation-- all entwined with an atmosphere of country elegance-- assured an unforgettable experience. Recalling it now feels distinctly Madrileño. We look forward to our return someday. Until then...

Loved my dining experience here. It's such a cozy restaurant and is perfect for a dinner with…read morefamily, a date, or a fancy dinner with colleagues. Reservations are recommended because they tend to get busy. We were a party of three. We got the ensaladilla rusa, carabineros ajillo, and the chuleton. Everything was delicious. I especially enjoyed the meat. It was seared to perfection on the hot cast iron plate on our table. Minimally seasoned, it tasted really delicious and we could tell the meat was high quality. I also liked the other dishes we ordered. We got bread at the table and at the end of the meal, we got small desserts and glasses of what tasted like frozen lemonade. The waiter told us those were good for digestion. Loved my experience here and I recommend this place!

Another Madrid gem to be discovered. Bask country style in Madrid financial and business area…read more Great Menu. Nice and generous portions Excellent for business lunch

Stayed in Madrid for 8 days. Must have tried 15 different restaurants. NOTHING I MEAN NOTHING…read morecompares to A Donoatria. The service, the food THE FOOD!!!! Daniel took care of like we were family. Can't wait to go back.

A long layover meant I got to swing by Calle Ponzano on a quiet weekday. I'd read that Arima had…read moregood pintxos and that was enough to get me in the door. Ordered a glass of txakoli, plus several small plates. The croquetas de chorizo were perfectly smokey crispy-creamy bites. The buñuelo, a sweet piquillo pepper stuffed with a ground beef sauce then battered and fried, would've been great even without the dough which dulled the flavors a bit. The lechuga batavia, giant bowl of lettuce and sliced onions in a vinaigrette, was nothing out of this world but the acidity was a welcome shift from the fried foods. The briotxe de pastrami was delicious---the toasted brioche and pull-apart pastrami were an excellent match. I only wish there had been less tartar sauce drizzled on top since the pastrami and buttery brioche were rich enough on their own. Overall, the pintxos were great and I'm looking forward to trying more of the menu next time I'm in the city.

If you're a regular vermouth connoisseur you'll love the variety. If you've never had one, this…read morewould be a great place to start. Food was ridiculously good. Basque style menu, excellent raw materials and simple preparation that allows the food to shine for itself. Waiting staff helped us to navigate with regards to portion sizes in order to avert a disaster.

Came without a reservation and the staff was welcoming! Tried the prawns, breaded cod, and quail…read moredrumettes with a glass of cava. All excellent. Service was excellent and the ambience was moderately noisy with what you would expect in a typical restaurant environment. Highly recommend.

I'm now a fan of lean cut steak, medium rare. Being an American I always think you have order…read moreribeye or some fat marbled derivation. Not so, if you order the sirloin offering at Zerain. Everything was delicious from the white asparagus to the Cardenal brandy, served after dessert. White tablecloths and impeccable service made the visit a high point of our stay in Madrid.

Famtastic, since the first time I stepped into this place in 2019. Decorated very chic, and the…read morestaff are dressed like architects almost. Veggies are flawless, and so is the meat. We had artichokes, asparagus, leeks, green beens, anchovies, tomatoes, txistorra, solomillo, chuleta, cochinillo, alubias, torrija, arroz con leche and tarta de queso. All of it impeccable.

Delicious food! The best torreja in all Madrid! Excellent service, we felt like home. The owners…read moreare welcoming people, and it was the most amazing experience! Do you a favor, and visit this place! If you found yourself exploring Madrid, this is the place you can't miss!

This is a spot that feels like a little bar but is actually more like a casa with some food items…read more Here, they are big on pig and there are Iberico hams located on and around the bar for easy access. If you are vegan, coming here will only piss you off. In fact, a vegan in Madrid in general is ill-advised. The setting feels historic and rustic with exposed brick and stone that appears to be centuries old. They seem to make everything (both food and drink) behind that cramped bar which explains why most of their menu items are cold, pre-made, or easy to assemble from short lists of raw ingredients. This does not mean that anything is bad. It just means it is like producing charcuterie in a dorm room bar. A large number of items involve Iberico Ham and one of the barmen is constantly shaving off thin pieces for service. In fact the freebie snack they send out from the kitchen had some Iberico ham and Manchego cheese on it which was a really nice warm up of what to expect. Over the noonish lunch hour, I was the only tourist in the place surrounded by many locals that clearly know about this spot. I liked those odds for assuring me of a genuine authentic experience. It was an accurate predictor. I'm not the most experienced when it comes to true Spanish tapas but this seemed to be a very genuine depiction of what the locals look for in a rustic Iberico ham experience. And frankly, even if it wasn't I can't find anything to really complain about. It was a cool historic setting, there was ice-cold vermouth from a tap, and I spent an hour shoving local Morcilla (blood sausage) and Iberico pig parts into my pie hole for the better part of an hour. It was a great experience any way you choose to look at it.

While visiting my daughter in Madrid, she took us to this little quaint tapas bar for lunch. A very…read moresmall and cozy place. Server was friendly and efficient. Took our order within 5 minutes. We had the jamon platter, veal meatballs, and tortilla. Food was good overall. I highly recommend the meatballs.