🍷 At The Sun Places, we know that luxury is also found in tradition, in timeless flavours, in places where time seems to have stood still.
That's why we invite you to discover Madrid's century-old taverns, authentic temples of the most traditional gastronomy that have managed to maintain their essence over the centuries.
These establishments, some with more than 150 years of history, are living witnesses to the city's history and have served generations of Madrileños and illustrious visitors, from writers and artists to kings and presidents.
Madrid's century-old taverns offer a unique experience that combines the best traditional cuisine with an unmistakable atmosphere. The Sun Places invites you to explore them, staying in our Luxury Apartments in Madrid.
Madrid's century-old taverns are much more than places to eat; they are living institutions that form part of the city's cultural and intangible heritage.
Behind their wooden bars, Sevillian tiles and bullfighter portraits lies the most authentic essence of Madrid.
Strolling through the Barrio de las Letras, the Habsburg Madrid or Cava Baja and stepping into one of these taverns is like travelling to the past, to a Madrid of chulapos, castizos and bullfighters.
The Sun Places wants this experience to be part of your stay.
The history of Madrid's century-old taverns is linked to the development of the city. Many of them began as simple inns or roadside restaurants on the outskirts of the city walls, and over time became meeting places for bohemians, writers and bullfighters.
Below, we present the most emblematic ones that you cannot miss on your visit to Madrid.
🍽️ Essential century-old taverns in Madrid
These are the establishments with the most tradition in Madrid, where time stands still and tradition is savoured:
- Taberna de Antonio Sánchez (1830): Located at Calle del Mesón de Paredes, 13, in the Barrio de las Letras, it is one of the oldest taverns in Madrid. Its fame is due to its torreznos (crispy pork belly), tripe and cocido (chickpea stew). The venue, decorated with bullfighting tiles and old photographs, retains its 19th-century essence. It was a meeting place for the Generation of '98 and bullfighters such as Belmonte and Joselito. Its restaurant, La Posada, offers a more elaborate menu in a private dining room.
- Casa Ciriaco (1925): At Calle Mayor, 84, very close to the Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace of Madrid, this restaurant is famous for its torreznos, its cocido madrileño and its broken eggs. House speciality: the torrezno, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The venue is small and cosy, and retains its neighbourhood tavern essence. It is said to have been one of writer Camilo José Cela's favourite places.
- Restaurante Botín (1725): Although known as a restaurant, Botín originated as a tavern. Located at Calle Cuchilleros, 17, in Habsburg Madrid, it is the oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness World Records. Its speciality is suckling pig and lamb roasted in a wood-fired oven. The three-storey venue retains its original 18th-century structure. It was a meeting place for Goya, who worked nearby, and Hemingway, who mentions it in his novel "The Sun Also Rises".
- Los Gabrieles (1907): Located on the central Calle Echegaray, 17, in the heart of the Barrio de las Letras, this iconic venue reopened its doors in 2026 after more than two decades closed. Originally founded in 1907 on Calle Visitación, it soon moved to its current location, becoming a "café cantante" and reference flamenco tablao. Personalities such as Alfonso XIII, Manolete, Ava Gardner and Pedro Almodóvar have passed through its tables. It is world-famous for housing nearly 400 square metres of historic tiles, a true ceramic museum depicting scenes from Don Quixote, mythology and advertising for Sherry wines. Today, its cuisine, led by chef Ander Galdeano, reinterprets Madrid-Andalusian tradition with dishes such as oxtail stew or its Sunday cocido.
- Taberna de la Daniela (c. 1900): At Calle de las Huertas, 2, in the Barrio de las Letras, it is famous for its broken eggs, croquettes and generous portions. The venue, renovated but charming, is very popular among actors from the nearby Teatro Español.
- La Cruz Blanca (1930): At Calle de la Paz, 4, very close to the Plaza Mayor, it is one of the most traditional taverns in Madrid. Its speciality is tripe and snails. The venue retains its wooden bar and ceramic display cases.
🍲 Signature dishes of Madrid's Century-Old Taverns
The cuisine of Madrid's century-old taverns is a tribute to timeless flavours, made with top-quality products and recipes passed down from generation to generation. Among the most emblematic dishes are:
- Cocido madrileño: A stew of chickpeas, meats and vegetables served in three courses (soup, chickpeas with vegetables and meats). The best cocido in Madrid is savoured at Casa Ciriaco, Botín or La Bola (although the latter is not on the list).
- Torreznos: Strips of pork belly fried until crispy. Those from Casa Ciriaco and Taberna de Antonio Sánchez are famous throughout the city.
- Callos a la madrileña: A stew of beef tripe with chorizo, blood sausage and ham. Those from Taberna de Antonio Sánchez and La Cruz Blanca are among the best.
- Huevos rotos (broken eggs): Fried potatoes with egg and ham. A classic at Taberna de la Daniela.
- Snails: A seasonal dish (spring-summer) served at La Cruz Blanca and other traditional taverns.
- Roast suckling pig and lamb: Botín's speciality, cooked in its original 18th-century wood-fired oven.
🎭 The atmosphere of Madrid's Century-Old Taverns: tiles, bullfighters and literature
The atmosphere of Madrid's century-old taverns is unique and unmistakable. Their walls are decorated with Talavera or Triana tiles, old bullfighting posters, photographs of bullfighters and artists, and mirrors with vintage advertising.
At Taberna de Antonio Sánchez, for example, the original tiles with bullfighting scenes are preserved.
At Casa Ciriaco, the walls are covered with photographs of bullfighters and actors.
Many of these taverns have been meeting places for Madrid's intelligentsia and bohemia. Hemingway, Ortega y Gasset, Cela, bullfighters Belmonte and Joselito, and other illustrious figures have been regular customers.
Sitting at one of their wooden bars or tables is to immerse yourself in the history of Madrid.
🎭What Madrid's Century-Old Taverns represent for the city and The Sun Places
Madrid's century-old taverns are a symbol of the capital's culinary and cultural identity. They are spaces where tradition, history and gastronomy come together, and where visitors can experience the most authentic Madrid.
They are a top tourist attraction that draws thousands of visitors every year.
For The Sun Places, discovering Madrid's century-old taverns is a natural extension of our philosophy of offering authentic luxury experiences.
That's why our Luxury Apartments in Madrid are located in the most central areas, close to many of these establishments.
In addition, these taverns are connected to other major attractions of the capital that we have explored in other articles: the Barrio de las Letras, Habsburg Madrid, the Plaza Mayor and the Mercado de San Miguel. All this makes Madrid a unique destination in the world, and its century-old taverns are a must-see stop.
✨ The perfect plan with The Sun Places to discover Madrid's century-old taverns
Friday: Arrival and first stop
- In the afternoon, stroll through the Barrio de las Letras and the Plaza Mayor
- Dinner at Taberna de Antonio Sánchez, tasting their torreznos and tripe
Saturday: Tavern route day
- Lunch at Botín (the oldest restaurant in the world). In the afternoon, explore Cava Baja and try the snails at La Cruz Blanca
Sunday: Farewell with traditional flavour
- Enjoy a vermouth and tapas at Los Gabrieles, admiring its spectacular tile collection and the legendary atmosphere of the Movida Madrileña
Ready to discover Madrid's century-old taverns with The Sun Places?
📞 Contact us and let us organise your perfect gastronomic getaway.
But if you prefer other destinations, The Sun Places also has ready for you: Luxury Apartments in Barcelona, Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava, Luxury Apartments in Seville, Luxury Apartments in Cádiz, Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, Luxury Accommodation in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Luxury Apartments in Córdoba.