The Real Madrid: Markets, Tapas & Tradition

Madrid has always defined itself through a certain irony. As the local saying goes, there is nothing more madrileño than not being from Madrid. Over centuries, the capital has absorbed people, ingredients, and traditions from across Spain and far beyond, yet it still holds onto a distinctive local identity expressed through its food and everyday rituals. That identity is often described as castizo: the flavors, products, and social spaces that feel unmistakably of Madrid. In Chamberí, a neighborhood long associated with traditional city life, that culture still thrives in old cafés, markets, old school groceries, and neighborhood taverns. On this full-day food tour we’ll trace how Madrid’s food culture took shape through simple but essential pleasures: churros and chocolate, olive oil, honey, aperitivo snacks, and the lively social rituals that bring people together around the table. Along the way we’ll meet the people who keep these traditions alive, from multigenerational shopkeepers to newer businesses giving classic products a fresh perspective. Together they reveal a Madrid that is both deeply rooted and constantly evolving. As we walk through Chamberí, we’ll explore the foods and places that shape everyday life in Madrid. We begin with one of the city’s most beloved rituals, churros and chocolate, before diving into the ingredients that form the backbone of Spanish cooking: extra virgin olive oil, regional honey, olives, cured meats, and classic market snacks. Diving deeper into the neighborhood, we’ll step inside the kinds of establishments that define Madrid’s food culture: historic cafés, century-old taverns, traditional ultramarinos, and neighborhood markets where vendors still know their customers by name. These spaces reveal how food and social life intertwine in the capital, whether over a quick morning coffee, a midday aperitif, or a plate shared at the bar. As the route unfolds, the story widens. Contemporary chefs and specialty producers show how Madrid continues to reinterpret its traditions, building on castizo foundations while bringing new ideas and techniques into the city’s culinary landscape. The result is a tour that captures both the flavors that made Madrid famous and the creativity that keeps its food culture moving forward. This tour includes seafood, meat, dairy, and gluten. Substitutions may be possible for pescatarians and vegetarians at some stops, but cannot accommodate vegan or gluten-free diets. Alcohol is served. Note: This tour is best for lovers of bread and pastries. Mostly flat terrain with good sidewalks. The route includes a fair amount of walking, with about 2 miles in total. In addition to your Culinary Backstreets guide, all food consumed on the walk – more than a dozen different edible specialties – are included in the price. A limited selection of alcohol is served on the walks and is included in the price. Why is the Culinary Backstreets tour more expensive than some other walking tours? Our approach is different than most tour companies. Each of our culinary walks is the outcome of considerable research. We work with academics in the field and our own team of experienced professionals – both guides and local journalists. Our ongoing publishing of articles, from restaurant reviews to features about the intersection of food and culture, constantly feeds new material into the culinary walks, so they evolve and constantly improve. Though costly, we believe that this is how to create the quality experiences we strive for. We practice honest tourism and would never accept a free lunch or any sort of commission. On the contrary, we are proud to know that the money spent during the culinary walk goes to support businesses that we believe in, helping to preserve the social and cultural fabric of the cities we love so dearly. How does the payment process work? Once you have made a reservation, we require the full fee to be paid in order to complete the online booking. Our online booking system uses Stripe to process secure payments. What is your cancellation policy? 90% will be refunded if given 1 week notice prior to walk and 50% will be refunded if given 72 hours notice or more. Less than 72 hours is non-refundable. Are your walks public or private? How many people are on them? Our walks are 2-7 people and are open to the public. If you would like to do a private walk, you can book it for a supplement by selecting book entire excursion. If it is not available on booking, we may be able to arrange one for an additional fee. Please contact us at walks@culinarybackstreets.com for more information. Can I get a discount if I join more than one walk? Yes, we offer a 10% discount to those who join more than one walk. Please email us at walks@culinarybackstreets.com if you’d like to join multiple walks. Are your tours suitable for people with allergies? This can vary based on a number of factors, including the food item in question. Please email us at walks@culinarybackstreets.com to discuss your situation before booking. Are your walks suitable for vegetarians and pescatarians? We can accommodate pescatarians and vegetarians on this walk at most stops. Please note all dietary restrictions during booking so that your guide can prepare accordingly. Are your walks suitable for a gluten-free diet? This walk is difficult to alter for gluten-free diets. Please note all dietary restrictions during booking so that your guide can prepare accordingly. How physically demanding are the walks? The walk covers a few kilometers of fairly flat terrain, broken up into almost a dozen stops over almost 5 hours. Of course! We offer a 50% discount to children ages 12 and under, and we charge $25 for children 6 and younger. Can you pick me up from my hotel? How will I return, once the tour is over? Our tour prices don’t include transportation. If you book a tour, you’re responsible for arriving to the pre-arranged meeting spot on your own. The end point is a 10-minute car ride from the meeting point. Once the tour is over, we will help you get an authorized, safe taxi to your hotel, or provide directions on public transportation, if you’re interested in that. How much food will I get to try? This is really up to you. We generally make between 7 and 10 eating stops on our walk and try to include some breaks from eating along the way. The price includes as much food as you’re open to trying. We offer a suggested portion size at each stop and you can take our recommendation if you’d like. Our walks often involve street food and sharing food. How are you dealing with health and safety on your walks? We have reinforced our commitment to safety with new guidelines and have altered our routes to assure the maximum safety of our guests, guides and community while maintaining the quality of the experience. For more details on our precautions, read here.