Exterior view of a restaurant called 'Deliite,' showing the entrance with a sign, two windows, and some outdoor furniture including a small barrel, a plant, and a table with two stools.
Table set for six with white tablecloth, plates, green utensils, glasses, and small plants, in a room with brick walls and a colorful fish painting.
Interior of a cozy restaurant with rustic wooden chairs, wine bottles on shelves, and a fish-themed painting on the wall.

If and when you fly into the Madrid airport, or even if you don’t, there’s a hidden gem that I’m gonna give you for no charge. Yep, freebee… It’s called Deleite restaurant located near the airport in a quaint little suburb. It is simply amazing for its ambiance, innovative cuisine and personal service beyond compare. Make sure to reserve a table in advance and come hungry, and thirsty because the wine list is off the hook! Shut up and Just Do It…

With a refined yet casual ambience, Donde Julian restaurant discreetly located in the upscale Salamanca neighborhood of Madrid is a wonderful way to treat yourself. Reservations are a must at this epicurean wonder where meat and seafood are priced way below their quality level. For a memorable experience, don’t miss this one.

Exterior of a restaurant called 'Donde Julián' with black signs displaying its name and menu descriptions in Spanish.
A dining table set with a white tablecloth, plates, napkins, and glasses in a restaurant with exposed brick wall and modern lighting.
Interior of a modern bar with hanging wine glasses, bottles, and illuminated pendant lights over a wooden counter.
Front of a restaurant named Pastamore with a black and white sign, open entrance, and two potted plants outside.
Empty dining area in a restaurant with wooden tables, colorful chairs, and exposed brick wall on the left.

I try to stick to traditional and leading edge Spanish food when visiting but in this case, it’s the best pizza at Pastamore Alcala, OMG! I’ll even eat yours if you’re not perfectly delighted… Stone kiln fired with a crust that makes me cry and an upscale cool Salamanca neighborhood vide that puts it all together. Add low prices and I’m in Italian heaven. Just go and enjoy the dough.

In the heart of downtown Madrid, close to town square and just around the corner from the Royal House of the Post Office is Rosi La Loca restaurant. If you’re looking for a fun good time and aren’t afraid of the color pink, you gotta go! The food is edgy traditional and the drinks are offered in fun mugs of modernity. (Don’t look it up, cause I don’t know what it means) Low cost, high times and great fun. It’s got it all, ya’ll.

Decorated storefront with pink, yellow, and floral accents for a restaurant or cafe called 'Rosi La Loca'. Outdoor seating with pink chairs, a small green and pink table, and pink barrel tables. Colorful flowers and plants surround the entrance, with a neon sign and interior lights visible inside.
Colorful interior with yellow floral-patterned wallpaper, pink tufted seating, and bright multicolored hanging lamps.
Colorful interior decorated with large artificial flowers on the ceiling, pink and yellow walls, ornate lampshades, and pink neon lighting. A person is seen standing at a counter in the background.
Exterior of a restaurant with glass windows showing customers dining inside, and signage indicating the restaurant is an ale house. The sign above reads 'Alma en de cervezas.' There are menus listing days of the week and a large poster on the left side with the restaurant's logo and name.
Interior of a bar with a white brick counter, barstools, hanging pendant lights, and shelves with bottles and decorative plants behind the bar. There are patrons sitting and standing near the counter, and a door with an exit sign on it.
Three tiki-style mugs with drinks, garnished with mint, lemon, and other citrus slices, placed on ice. The mugs have unique carved faces and are set against a blurred bar background.

Another perineal winner is Entre Santos Cocktail Bar and Food, located in the neighborhood behind that weird tall Telefonica Building and in front of the Salamanca district. With groovy decor (yeah, groovy) and music, the service and creative tapas made of farm fresh stuff is awesome. And so is the price! I would post some photos of the food but I don’t want you drooling on your computer, or phone, or whatever…