Madrid as the capital of Spain, the country that brought us tapas, has of course it fair share of fantastic tapas places to offer. In an earlier post I’ve listed some of my favorite places to enjoy some classic tapas in the city. However, even though I love the classics, after a while I started looking for something more. There is only so much tortilla, jamon and pulpo you can eat and sooner or later you crave something different. I was rather successful in this quest and I want to share my results with you. This post will list the best places I’ve found where you can enjoy creative tapas with a twist. Sometimes surprising variations on the classics but sometimes also completely new. Check it out!

Creative Tapas

What the hell does he mean with creative tapas, I hear you thinking. Well let me give you some examples: Gazpacho of Beet and Tomato with Fresh Fruit Topping, A Brick of Foie with Mango Yoghurt and a Drunk Sponge Cake, Truffled Egg with Potato and Jamon, Salmorejo with Parmesan Ice Cream, … I can go on for a long time! But let’s face it, after reading this you are getting hungry. So without further ado: my list of best creative tapas places from super tasty to freaking genius.

IMPORTANT NOTE: These places have built up a reputation over time and are extremely popular. This does not mean they turned into a tourist trap or that the experience started degrading. Quite the contrary most of these places (except number 5) do not have that big of a capacity. So RESERVE a table up front! I’ve listed their phones numbers if reservation is needed. The higher up the list, the more difficult it is to get a table, especially for bigger groups. I advise to call ahead at least 5 days before you want to visit. If you’re going in the weekends and you do not want to eat at midnight, I would suggest even calling a week or more up front.

5. El Mercado de San Ildefonso

Have you ever been to a food truck festival? Dozens of trucks each making their own delicious specialities, often from all over the world. If only there happened to be one in Madrid during your stay… Well there is, kind of… The Mercado de San Ildefonso is basically a permanent food truck festival. The old market hall has converted its stand selling fresh fruit and veggies with something even better: tiny restaurants.  Imagine a big hall with tables in the center (and on a little terrace) with all around you dozens of tiny restaurants, each with their own speciality. At certain hours a live DJ will spice up the place with some chill beats, good for digestion.

You can still grab some classics like jamon, cheese or paella or you can grab yourself some homemade croquettes or tacos or other creative tapas. A but further you have cheese fondue and next to it delicious risotto. Every member of your party will find something delicious here, you all just fan out and grab what looks most tasty. To convince you of their skills the owners will often let you have a little taste. So do yourself a favor and go around on a tasting trip.

You either each grab a big portions of your favorite or you order many small plates and share it like tapas are meant to. Grab yourself a beer or a delicious cocktail at the bar and find yourself a place to enjoy the bounty on one of the two floors. Definitely try out their delicious Tinto de Verano, made like a true Madrileño likes it.

You can find all information on their website, check out all the different puestos (stalls) they currently have! Check out some instashots from your co-foodies.

Location: Calle de Fuencarral, 57, 28004 Madrid
My favorite dish: Huevos Rotos con Patata y Jamón (Scrambled Eggs with Fried Potato and Iberian Ham)
My favorite drink: Tinto de Verano

Opens: Every Day from 12PM to 12AM (1AM on Thu-Fri-Sat)

4. Ojalá

This place is not so much on the list for the food, although it is of course delicious, but rather for the location. This super cozy, hipster restaurant has some great interior design and a beach. Yes, you read it correctly: a freaking beach! And here you were thinking the only thing Madrid was missing was some sandy warmth. Unfortunately you’re often not the only one that thinks this is an incredibly cool place. You will find this establishment often packed with youngster enjoying their meal and cocktail.

The ground floors is a very cozy restaurant and in their basement they spread out a ton of soft sand. It’s basically and indoor beach bar. No sun, but no rain ever either. On top of that the place is really nicely designed. You can lounge on some pillows and take of your shoes and enjoy the feeling of the sand between your toes. Meanwhile you can order your meal and some fantastic cocktails.

They serve great brunches but also lunch and dinner. Everyone will find his pick of creative tapas on the menu. They serve wraps, tacos, salads, burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips, soup,… and lots of tasty desserts. You can check out their entire menu on the website.

Check out some instashots to get an idea of what you are getting yourself into.

Location: Calle de San Andrés, 1, 28004 Madrid
My favorite dish: Perla Tapatía Sandwich 
My favorite drink: Sangría Blanca

Opens: Every Day from 10 AM to 1AM (2AM on Thu-Fri)
Call: +34 915 23 27 47

3. Maricastaña

This great restaurant in the hip neighbourhood of Malasaña. It’s a great place for a nice dinner with two, their main space on the ground floors is very nicely decorated and their menu is amazing. In their basement they have a bigger table for larger groups. But also cozy sofas to relax in between courses of creative tapas.

Just like every other place on this list, their menu is amazing, varied and creative. They have a list of about 13 starters and 14 main dishes. Lots to choose from, trust me, it’s hard. Because how the hell do you decide between 13 great sounding dishes. A tip: you don’t. If you go with a group just order yourself some starters and let everyone share.

Or if you’re having a romantic dinner, get a starter to share and each order a main dish. They have fantastic creative hamburgers but also Tatiki of Tuna, Tarte Flambé of Artichokes Wheat and Mushrooms, Lamb durum or Tacos with Tandoori Chicken. You can check out their complete menu on their website or their Daily Menu offer on their facebook page.

Location: Calle Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 12, 28004 Madrid
My favorite dish: Tomates verdes fritos con queso de cabra, mermelada de tomate casera y rúcula (Green Fried tomatoes with Goat Cheese, Homemade Tomato Marmalade and Rucola)
My favorite drink: Their entire wine menu

Opens: Every Day from 10AM to 2AM (3AM on Fri-Sat)
Call: +34 910 82 71 42

2. Ochenta Grados

Daisy and I have been to this place many times, it’s Daisy’s favorite and makes it very high up my list as well. The name is inspired on the maximum temperature you can cook food before it loses some of its nutritional qualities. Or at least that what their website says. The only thing that I know is that everything here is simply delicious. Check out their instafeed to get the hunger going.

I’ve tried to pick something new from the menu every time we go but I still haven’t tried everything. It’s a great place for a dinner with 2 or a group of max 6 people. If you want to make a reservation for anything more than that, you’ll need to call ahead two weeks. The place is just not made for big groups since they don’t have huge tables.

It is super cozy though and with smaller groups it’s a winner. You just order many of the either cold or hot tapas and start digging in. Each plate is a creation on its own and will surprise your taste buds. Everything is creative and fresh, they even have their own variation on the classic Tinto de Verano that involves lemon foam. Check out their entire menu on their website. They also have lunch deals for € 12 to € 14.

Location: Calle de Manuela Malasaña, 10, 28004 Madrid (they have second location here)
My favorite dish (so far): Mollete al vapor planchado, con relleno asiático de secreto ibérico (Steamed Mollete with Asian Filling based on Secreto Ibérico)
My favorite drink: Agua de Valencia

Opens: Every Day from 1PM to 4PM and 8:30PM to 12AM (2AM on Fri-Sat)
Call: +34 914 45 83 51

1. Inclan Brutal Bar

This place is my absolute favorite place in Madrid. The whole concept is based in this kind of old playwright. Even the menu is divided in scene instead of courses. Everything about this place breathes creativity. Unlike most of the other places listed above their menu is incredibly dynamic. Except for some home classics new dishes replace old ones each month.

The restaurant has a half-open kitchen, if you sit at the bar you can watch their team prepare the dishes for you. Everything is made from fresh ingredients and you can simply taste the result. Their dishes are even served creatively: bacon on a clothesline, or dehydrated tomatoes, or smoking plates with dry ice. Aside from the delicious food, they also have an amazing wine menu and make killer cocktails.

The staff is always very friendly. We once went with a group of 15 people and they handled it perfectly. If you go with big groups they do ask to all stick to the same set menu. Which is no issue, since they offer various options depending on your group’s budget. Checkout their ever-changing menu on their website and explore their instafeed to get an idea of what to expect.

Location: Calle Álvarez Gato, 4, 28012 Madrid
My favorite dish (so far): Burrata Injected with Basil and Cherry Bonbons
My favorite drink: Ask the waiter what drink goes with your food

Opens: Every Day from 12PM to 1:30AM
Call: +34 910 23 80 38

The Map

The map below does not only feature the places listed above but other of my favorite places in Madrid, including clubs, bars, Spanish and International restaurants.