Eating out in Carabanchel

If you have planned a cultural visit around Carabanchel, an area that has become the focal point of a creative and bohemian movement, here are our top restaurant recommendations. Once you have explored its magnificent architecture, along with its arts and crafts studios and workshops, it’s time to hit the bars and restaurants to sample some traditional local tapas that retain the area’s strong culinary traditions.

TRADITIONAL LOCAL CUISINE

Casa de los Minutejos (Calle de Antonio de Leyva, 19)

Founded in 1967, this restaurant serves one of Madrid’s most authentic tapas, minutejos, a kind of sandwich filled with sliced pig’s ear and seasoned with a spicy sauce. This small place in Carabanchel located very close to the Marqués de Vadillo metro has become an essential stop for lovers of roast pig's ears, which is also served seasoned with garlic and parsley.

A place that is packed with tradition and decorated with posters on the walls and ceiling, with phrases that motivate you to try their famous minutejos.

Casa Enriqueta (Calle del General Ricardos, 19)

This informal restaurant serves traditional Spanish food and wines, with dishes based on offal, maintaining Madrid’s traditional cuisine for more than 60 years. Its history goes back to the great-great-grandmother of Berta Gutiérrez, who had a stall on the Puente de Toledo bridge in 1909. In 1958 they opened a taberna in Carabanchel, which is now run by the third generation of this family. Their star dishes are gallinejas and entresijos, made using different parts of lamb offal, a culinary delicacy in Madrid.

Cervecería Gonmar (Paseo de Marcelino Camacho, 47)

Located in the traditional neighbourhood of Vistalegre, this brewery has been around for more than 60 years and enjoys a good reputation that extends beyond the neighbourhood. Their speciality is grilled pig’s ear, which is prepared fresh to order, crispy with an unmistakable flavour, but let’s not forget their patatas bravas fried potatoes with a spicy homemade sauce. They also have other classic dishes such as pork snout, mollejas (tripe) and battered squid rings.

Restaurante La Prensa (Calle de Federico Grases, 40)

After visiting one of Carabanchel’s emblematic sights, such as La Colonia de la Prensa, very nearby you’ll find La Prensa, a restaurant that first opened in 1962 and which specialises in home cooking. They serve a daily set menu and a more elaborate one for the weekends with homemade dishes such as butter bean stew, pork trotters, stews, braised cheeks and garlic soup, among others. They also have delicious tapas.

Asador Avelino (Calle de Joaquín Turina, 42)

This unique space in Carabanchel offers grilled meats, wood-fired roasts, gourmet burgers and homemade desserts. And its wine list includes the best D.O. wines to accompany its dishes. The terrace is a cosy space where you can enjoy a meal or a drink with friends and family.

Astral Café (Camino Viejo de Leganés, 82)

Since 1989, this café-restaurant has been serving quality cuisine to diners, including its famous pre-roasted suckling pig with the Cochinillo de Segovia quality guarantee. This dish is not its only speciality, however, which also includes huevos rotos (fried eggs with fried potatoes and ham) with truffle and homemade croquettes. They combine a casual dining experience with the authenticity of good homemade food. From Monday to Friday, they also offer a different dish of the day, simple but full of flavour.

Devinums (Avda. Nuestra Señora de Fátima, 86)

Opposite the Polideportivo La Mina sports centre is this prestigious wine bar and restaurant in the south of Madrid, a haven for foodies. It has a comfortable and spacious dining area that can accommodate up to 60 people, with a bar where you can savour fine wines, as well as a large terrace area. The star dishes on the menu include rice with lobster, mushroom empanadas, fried eggs, and tostas (slices of toasted bread with different toppings). They also offer a full set menu from Monday to Friday. In addition, you can allow yourself to be guided by their expert sommelier Lupe, who will help to find the perfect wine to pair with your meal.

DISCOVER NEW FLAVOURS

Vegania Veggie Bar (Calle de Ntra. Sra. de la Luz, 62)

If you are looking for vegan cuisine, in the area of Vistalegre, you’ll find the perfect restaurant with dishes created using plenty of imagination and all natural ingredients. It was launched in 2018 by chefs Nico and Daniel, with extensive experience in and love for vegan food. Try their veggie burgers, ‘squid’ sandwich and homemade seitan kebab, as well as their craft beers.

They have received the Solete Award from the Repsol Guide, as the best vegan restaurant in the neighbourhood of Carabanchel; and in 2022 they were named the best vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Spain by Just Eat.

Burger D'Neto (Calle de Valle de Oro, 24)

In the heart of Carabanchel, you can visit this burger restaurant with a hint of Brazil, considered by many to make the “best burger” in the neighbourhood. Their star dish is the hamburger, where the bun is a fundamental component, delicious artisan brioche buns made fresh every day.

Original recipes such as the D´Neto Hamburger made with 100% beef, frankfurter sausages and Philadelphia cheese; or the Hawaiian option with 100% beef, pineapple and cheese. You will also find plenty of typical Brazilian sauces such as catupiry (cheese sauce made using Parmesan) as well as calabresa, a typical Brazilian chorizo with a smoky flavour. They also offer sharing platters, dishes from Rio de Janeiro such as coxinhas (similar to croquettes) or fried yucca, and delicious desserts and smoothies for the perfect finish to your meal.

Los Mandilones (Lonja de la Seda, 25)

An authentic Mexican restaurant with cocktails and live music. Well-presented, original dishes that focus on traditional flavours. Try their guacamole with torreznos (crispy fried bacon), red pozole (a consommé made from cacahuazintle corn), green tamales or patacones (fried green plantains) with suckling pork or beef.

Restaurante Oportuno (Avenida. de Oporto, 13)

This bar/restaurant offers diners authentic Spanish food and specialises in the preparation of premium quality grilled meats. From succulent chops to tender steaks, the grill is the secret to their dishes. Sitting up to the bar, you can enjoy a variety of authentic tapas, perfect to whet your appetite before your main meal.

La Grifería (Antonio de Leyva, 2)

Where Carabanchel meets Madrid Río, you will find this groundbreaking Neotaberna, serving six different craft beers on tap and a selection of authentic wines, as well as artisan cheese boards and an array of snacks and light bites designed to share and pair.  Try their pickled aubergine salad, smoked sardine loin on focaccia or their rillette made according to the recipe of chef Carlos Campillo.

IN THE AREA OF VISTALEGRE

El Secreto de Dora (Avenida de la Plaza de Toros, 17)

Next to the Palacio Vistalegre Arena is one of the largest restaurants in Carabanchel. It has a large outdoor terrace, a dining area and a bar with tables. A traditional restaurant that serves generous portions and homemade dishes, such as a traditional tripe stew, garlic lamb gizzards, battered squid rings, and Galician style pork shoulder. Its specialities also include rice dishes, tostas (slices of toasted bread with different toppings) and huevos rotos (fried eggs with potatoes and ham).

La Chata Churrería Cervecería (Avenida de la Plaza de Toros, 10)

Restaurant that specialises in hot chocolate with churros (made freshly on site). It also offers delicious tapas, larger sharing dishes and a daily set menu, where you can enjoy either lunch or dinner, and order anything from a steak to a dish of pig’s ear. It is also a great place to take the kids since they have a children's menu that they can round off with a delicious thick hot chocolate and churros for dessert.

La Taberna de Domínguez (Calle de Castrojeriz, 14)

This typical Madrid style taberna offers authentic Spanish food, with tapas and larger sharing dishes. Enjoy its traditional atmosphere and selection of wines.

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