Ultimate Spanish Cuisine
About this activity
Highlights
- 15+ bites across 8 legendary stops—from churros and calamari to cheese, jamón, and vermouth
- Step inside a local market to meet vendors and taste olives, seasonal fruit, and extra virgin olive oil
- Sip vermouth like a local during “la hora de vermut” and learn how this aperitif fuels Madrid’s food culture
- Visit a historic deli where Civil War secrets once whispered through the walls—and where cheese rules today
- Try Madrid’s most iconic sandwich, the crispy bocadillo de calamares, at a Plaza Mayor bar still packed with locals
Full description
What’s made it the most popular food tour in Madrid for over a decade? A passionately planned route through 8 beloved, family-run spots across two iconic neighborhoods—where every stop tells a story. Think calamari sandwiches, hand-carved jamón, churros, cheeses, and vermouth, all while connecting with the people behind the counter and learning the traditions behind every bite.
Want to eat like a local and discover the real Madrid? Join us on the food tour that started it all.
Wake Up Hungry
Start your day with fresh churros and thick hot chocolate in a tucked-away café run by Alfonso—or, if it’s evening, say cheers with a cold caña and traditional tapas at a bar that’s always full (in the best way).
Bread, Reimagined
Next up: a hole-in-the-wall bakery that’s rewriting the rules of Madrid bread. You’ll try a warm, chorizo-stuffed roll, made with slow fermentation and Galician baking traditions.
Inside the Market
Step into a buzzing neighborhood market—no tourist traps here. Your guide will introduce you to vendors we’ve known for years as you snack your way through olives, jamón, fruit, and a glass of red vermouth. This is where locals actually shop—and today, so will you.
A Taste of Resistance
At a tiny deli with a big history, enjoy cheese in the very room where political meetings were once held in secret. Today, it’s still a place of passion—just with more Manchego.
Calamari, the Madrid Way
At a local favorite near Plaza Mayor, skip the line and bite into Madrid’s most iconic street food: the crispy, golden calamari sandwich. No frills. No condiments. Just pure, fried perfection. Say goodbye to your guide in the lively Plaza Mayor with recommendations from your guide to keep devouring Madrid during the rest of your trip.
Please note: Every tour features a variety of unique, family-run stops, carefully curated to showcase the best of Madrid's food and drink culture. While exact stops and tastes may vary, you’re always guaranteed a delicious, immersive, and truly local experience.
Included / Excluded
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- 8 tasting stops with 15+ tastes and 1 drink
- Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
- Gratuities
Meeting point
Start Location
Plaza de Sta. Ana, Madrid, ES
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Monument+Calderon+de+la+Barca/@40.4144467,-3.7008256,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x67c18710a718d70!8m2!3d40.4146591!4d-3.7012333
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is in English.
- Guests with serious food allergies will need to sign an allergy waiver at the start of the tour
- This tour is not recommended for vegans.
- This tour is adaptable for: Vegetarians, Pescatarians, Gluten free (not celiacs), Dairy free, Non-alcoholic options & Pregnant women. If you have a dietary requirement or food allergy, please note it when booking.
- Our group tour utilizes multiple areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Those with wheelchairs should contact us so we can arrange your visit.
- Due to the risk of gluten cross-contamination, this tour is not adaptable for those with celiac disease
Know before you go
- Meeting time is 10min before the tour star time to check in. If a guest is more than 5min late, they should go to first stop (stated in confirmation email).
- Comfortable shows recommended
- This tour covers breakfast and lunch
Cancellation policy
Cancellations received greater than 24 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 24 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no-shows are non-refundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive or arrives after tour departure.
Reviews
If you’re reading this, book it now! You’ll be one of the first on the boat and get the best spot before anyone else. Daniela (aka “Daniel”) treated us exceptionally well from start to finish. Her knowledge of the falls and the stories behind them was the perfect balance of informative and entertaining. She keeps you laughing throughout the tour and enjoys the experience right alongside you as if it were her first time seeing it. 10/10 — I would recommend this tour to anyone. As an added bonus, our group had only four people, which made the experience absolutely incredible and much more personal. Thanks again, Daniel! 😉
The tour was great and having priority on the boat was excellent
The tour was great and having priority on the boat was excellent
Additional information
This tour is adaptable for: • Vegetarians • Pescatarians • Gluten free (not celiacs) • Dairy free • Non-alcoholic options • Pregnant women We love providing delicious options for those with dietary needs. If you have a dietary requirement or food allergy, please note it when booking. This tour is not recommended for vegans and, due to the risk of gluten cross-contamination, this tour is not recommended for those with celiac disease.
Please note that this description is an example and stops or tastes may vary depending on the season, day of the week, and group size. Regardless of where your tour goes, you always have a delicious experience.