Culinary delights in La Castellana

26 September 2024

Considered by many to be Madrid’s financial district, La Castellana is also an area where you can enjoy an array of culinary delights, international cuisine and Michelin starred restaurants. After spending the day exploring all the great attractions in the area, including the towering skyscrapers of the Cuatro Torres Business Area or the renovated Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the best way to end the day is with one of the following options:

Tatel

Paseo de la Castellana, 36. Metro: Núñez de Balboa (L5, L9), Rubén Darío (L5)

This chic but cosy restaurant offers a unique experience of Spanish haute cuisine, exceptional customer service and live music. Juan Antonio Medina is its international executive chef who is following in the footsteps of previous chefs, crafting dishes that showcase organic, locally sourced ingredients.

Zalacaín

Calle de Álvarez de Baena, 4. Metro: Gregorio Marañon (L7, L10)

Setting the gold standard for fine dining in Madrid since 1973. It is part of Spain’s culinary history as the first restaurant to earn three Michelin stars. After closing its doors due to the pandemic, it reopened in July 2021 thanks to the Urrechu group, with the Basque chef Íñigo Urrechu as culinary director.

Although it does not retain its stars at present, the renovated Zalacaín is still operating with practically the same team as before, offering a modern take on fine dining with sustainable, healthy and socially conscientious cuisine.

La MaMá Restaurante

Avenida de Brasil, 6. Metro: Santiago Bernabéu (L10)

This inviting restaurant presents a modern take on traditional cuisine, receiving its first Bib Gourmand distinction in 2019 in recognition of its value for money. It is headed up by Marcos Turanzo and sommelier María Brufau, presenting flavours reminiscent of traditional home cooking with an innovative twist.

La MaMá excels in offering dishes made with care and love, using good quality, seasonal, market produce. They also work very hard to ensure everyone receives exceptional customer service. In addition, they have two tasting menus: Seasonal and Classic, featuring the restaurant’s most outstanding dishes, as well as a tasting menu for groups.

Luzi Bombón

Paseo de la Castellana, 35. Metro: Rubén Darío (L5)

Paseo de la Castellana is home to this modern brasserie run by the restaurant group Tragaluz. Their menu includes grilled meats, fish and rice dishes, along with a variety of sharing platters and side dishes. And from Thursday to Saturday, you can enjoy live music performances here.

La Maruca

Paseo de la Castellana, 212. Metro: Cuzco (L10), Plaza de Castilla (L1, L9, L10)

This restaurant owned by Grupo Cañadío and headed up by Paco Quirós and Carlos Crespo serves Cantabrian cuisine with a modern twist in an innovative setting with outdoor seating. It is also the recipient of a Bib Gourmand distinction from the Michelin Guide, which recognises the best value for money.

The restaurant is decorated in a minimalist way with pleasant white and wood tones. It has two rooms, a heated terrace and a more informal bar area by the entrance.

Ichiban

Avenida de Alberto Alcocer, 22 bis. Metro: Colombia (L8, L9), Cuzco (L10)

Lovers of Japanese cuisine can visit this bright, airy restaurant serving Japanese haute cuisine, which opened in 2001. It has four tables with teppanyaki hot plates in view of the customer, a large sushi-bar and outdoor seating.

Its menu includes traditional dishes, such as miso soup, and fusion dishes that combine Japanese with Western culture. All made using the best ingredients.

Leña Madrid

Paseo de la Castellana, 57. Metro: Gregorio Marañon (L7, L10)

Inside the Hyatt Regency Hesperia Madrid hotel you will find this restaurant led by Malaga chef Dani García, recipient of three Michelin stars for his now defunct Dani García Restaurant. Here, he runs his successful steakhouse, which breaks away from stereotypes and combines innovation, tradition and exceptional ingredients.

The culinary proposal at Leña is based on the theme of fire, flame-grilling, and a smoky flavour, with a balance between technique and respect for the product. The dishes served focus on quality ingredients and their versatility cooked over an open flame, but with a personal touch and international influences.

La Guisandera de Piñera

Calle Rosario Pino, 12. Metro: Cuzco (L10), Plaza de Castilla (L1, L9, L10)

This restaurant is an ambassador for Asturian cuisine, showcasing the region’s delicate stews given a modern twist. ‘Las Guisanderas’ are seen as the guardians of traditional recipes. A tribute to mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers, cooking stews over a low heat to create simple, healthy and tasty dishes. The menu also includes dishes such as minced chorizo croquettes, lobster salad or cream of crab soup, among others.

Pabblo

Plaza Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 1 (Torre Picasso). Metro: Nuevos Ministerios (L6, L8, L10), Santiago Bernabéu (L10)

Located at the foot of the Torre Picasso skyscraper, this restaurant is owned by Grupo Carbón and offers an ambitious fusion of wonderful food, signature cocktails and impressive live shows in a space over 2000 m2 in size.

Chef Oscar Horcajo presents a menu that pays tribute to classic international and Mediterranean dishes, such as salmon and caviar blini, meunière sole, ratatouille, and veal schnitzel. They also have homemade desserts and exclusive cocktails made by Carlos Moreno.

Mesón Txistu

Plaza Ángel Carbajo, 6. Metro: Tetuán (L1), Valdeacederas (L1)

This restaurant, run by the restaurateur Pedro Abrego, who also owns Asador Donostiarra, serves the most traditional Basque cuisine. Open since the 1970s, it is the perfect place for those who like to eat good, traditional fare.

It specialises in meat and fish, dishes that the Maître D’ recommends to accompany a good wine from the well-stocked cellar. Their homemade desserts are the best way to round off a delicious evening.

MAD13

Paseo de la Habana, 13. Metro: Nuevos Ministerios (L6, L8, L10), Santiago Bernabéu (L10)

This small restaurant located very close to the  Santiago Bernabéu Stadium has a New York vibe and London inspiration, serving all the way through from breakfast to nights out on the town, always with premium quality ingredients.

The menu has dishes designed to share, such as crispy duck drumsticks or nigiris from Havana, mains such as beef burgers, tataki tuna and lamb chops as well as desserts.

Marieta

Paseo de la Castellana, 44. Metro: Núñez de Balboa (L5, L9), Rubén Darío (L5)

Restaurant run by Grupo Larrumba that has a modern and contemporary feel, various different spaces and international cuisine. There are also DJ sessions to liven up your evening, and you can enjoy a drink into the early hours of the morning.

The menu is contemporary and varied, with dishes to share, salads, meat, fish, rice, light bites, and elaborate desserts.

Sabor Gaucho

Calle Orense, 83. Metro: Tetuán (L1)

This restaurant invites you on a gourmet journey to the roots of Brazilian cuisine, where each dish tells a story of tradition and culinary excellence. From the welcoming and vibrant atmosphere to the warm and attentive service, Sabor Gaucho strives to offer an experience that takes you all the way to Brazil.

The star dish is the churrasco gaúcho steak. Inspired by the gaucho traditions of southern Brazil, they prepare premium cuts of meat with great skill and dedication. 

STARRED RESTAURANTS

DiverXO

Calle del Padre Damián, 23. Metro: Cuzco (L10)

The area of Castellana boasts the only restaurant in Madrid with three Michelin stars, which the guide re-awards year after year. It is headed up by Spanish chef Dabiz Muñoz who specialises in avant-garde cuisine and has been recognised as the Best Chef in The World at The Best Chef Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Since 2014, it has been located inside the NH Collection Eurobuilding hotel and, although it is hard to classify the astonishing cuisine served, its tasting menu consists of dishes that are genuine works of art. In the words of the chef himself, it is “total, direct cuisine, without distractions. A little like the Cirque du Soleil.”

Ugo Chan

Calle Félix Boix, 6. Metro: Cuzco (L10), Plaza de Castilla (L1, L9, L10)

Located near the Plaza de Castilla, this restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in the 2023 Guide, which was re-awarded in 2024, and a Repsol Sun. It is headed up by chef Hugo Muñoz who has a unique vision of Japanese cuisine, fused with touches of local and national Spanish cuisine.

The menu focuses above all on seasonal produce, and you can choose between the a la carte menu or the Omakase tasting menu devised by the chef, evaluating “in situ” the tastes, preferences, quirks and appetite of each diner. The food is complemented by an exquisite selection of wines.

RavioXO

Plaza de Manuel Gómez-Moreno, 5ª (Espacio Gourmet Experience, El Corte Inglés Castellana). Metro: Nuevos Ministerios (L6, L8, L10)

Within the Gourmet Experience area of El Corte Inglés de Castellana is the other project led by the Madrid chef Dabiz Muñoz. This restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in the 2023 edition of the distinguished guide.

Pasta and dough are the unifying thread that ties together the gourmet proposals, not bound by any cultural references. The menu pays tribute to the work the chef has been doing in the creation of dumplings since he first launched his other restaurant, DiverXO.

A´Barra

Calle del Pinar, 15. Metro: Gregorio Marañon (L7, L10)

Located right on the edge of Castellana, this restaurant received its first Michelin star in 2017, just a few months after it first opened, and has been revalidated by the 2024 edition of the guide. Among other awards, it has also received two Repsol suns.

It serves technical dishes made using premium ingredients, devised by head chef Sergio Manzano. It includes a Gourmet Restaurant that serves traditional cuisine, respectful of the seasonality of ingredients, and the exclusive Kitchen Table experience where you can watch the chefs in action as they prepare your tasting menu.

Smoked Room

Paseo de la Castellana, 57. Metro: Gregorio Marañon (L7, L10)

Chef Dani García has another restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Hesperia Madrid hotel, as well as Leña Madrid. A unique and exclusive space that showcases the art and technique of smoking and grilling in its dishes. This restaurant has two Michelin stars since 2022 and one Repsol sun.

The Smoked Room Fire omakase is a 15-course menu with innovative creations that vary according to the seasonal ingredients available. The dishes are made using smoking, charcoal, and ageing techniques, inspired by Japan both in the concept and the design of the dish.

EXPLORE THE CUATRO TORRES BUSINESS AREA

Volvoreta

Paseo de la Castellana, 259 – B (Eurostars Madrid Tower). Metro: Begoña (L10), Chamartín (L1, L10)

Within the Eurostars Madrid Tower hotel, in the PwC Tower of the Cuatro Torres Business Area complex, this restaurant serves the best Mediterranean dishes with a touch of signature cuisine and spectacular views of the mountains surrounding Madrid.

The décor is classic, elegant and stylish, and you can enjoy stunning views out over the city. Here they serve traditional recipes adapted to each season, and dishes always presented in an incredible and innovative way. There is a tasting menu available that consists of six dishes plus dessert.

Élkar

Paseo de la Castellana, 259 D (Torre Emperador Castellana). Metro: Begoña (L10), Chamartín (L1, L10)

Considered the highest restaurant in Spain, it is located 160 metres above the ground on the 33rd floor of the Torre Emperador Castellana skyscraper. It has the best views of Madrid in an exclusive setting perfect for lovers of fine food looking for a truly memorable experience.

Élkar fuses traditional dishes with avant-garde cuisine, and its menu is inspired by Mediterranean market cuisine, combining traditional flavours with modern culinary techniques. Each dish has been devised following the expertise of chef Fran Vicente to be a unique culinary experience.

Torre Caleido

Paseo de la Castellana, 259. Metro: Begoña (L10), Chamartín (L1, L10)

Standing a staggering 181 metres tall with 36 floors, the Torre Caleido also has a shopping and dining area with a wide array of restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world, spread over an area of 16,000 m2.

This innovative new culinary space features the biggest names in the restaurant trade as well as spaces for lovers of healthy food and culinary novelties for those seeking new experiences and flavours. These include: Makan Saj, serving traditional authentic Lebanese food; Kanbun with flavours from Asia and the West; Honest Greens focused on real food and natural products; and Grosso Napoletano, recognised as the top artisan pizza chain in the world by the prestigious magazine 50 Top Pizza.