Where to Find the Very Best Seafood in Madrid

With the second biggest seafood market in the world after Tokyo, Madrid really is your *cough* oyster. The capital receives daily deliveries from bountiful coastal regions such as Galicia, Andalucia and Asturias and being within reach of both the Atlantic and Mediterranean Coasts of Spain, this landlocked city in the heart of Spain is afforded an abundant variety of delicious produce!

It would take what feels like a lifetime to taste ones way around this privileged city’s seafood offerings. From traditional hole-in-the-wall tapas hotspots buzzing with locals late into the night, to uber-contemporary molecular gastronomy wizards, here is something of a short-list to get you going!

#MarketLife

MercadoSanMiguel

The first stop on any foodie’s culinary journey in Madrid has to be the stunning wrought iron structure of the Mercado de San Miguel. Dozens and dozens of types of shellfish piled high on glistening beds of crushed ice, stallholders barking (Madrid’s answer to the old east end fishmongers selling jellied eels in pure cockney) – a feast for the senses in every sense! The market holds treats from every echelon of Spanish cuisine and an impromptu feast inevitably ensues upon entering.

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If you find the sprawling market too touristy for your liking (unfortunately, it’s close proximity to plaza mayor has swept many of the locals further afield for their groceries), head to the Mercado de Anton Martin. This vast space still attracts much of the local community from up-and-coming Lavapiés and boasts a more bohemian vibe. The oyster bar Ostrerías del Mercado (on the first floor) is a sight to behold – go early and you’ll have much of the place to yourself.*

Mercado de San Miguel
Plaza de San Miguel s/n
28005 Madrid
+34 91 542 49 36

www.mercadodesanmiguel.es

Mercado de Anton Martin
Calle de Santa Isabel 5
28012 Madrid
+34 91 369 06 20

www.mercadoantonmartin.com

*The incredible market culture in Madrid deserves an entire article unto itself – such is the scale of the city’s mercados!

Alabaster

alabaster

A chic all-white gastro-bar serving up traditional Galician influenced cuisine in a contemporary setting. Little sister of Coruña-based Alborada (the glowing recipient of a coveted Michelin star), Alabaster is divided into two parallel spaces. The first is devoted to informal dining with clusters of high tables, whereas the second is a serene, formal space for foodies to flex their taste buds and hanker down for a lengthy luncheon. The 5-course 48 euro tasting menu is great value for money, and a great way to explore the gamut of dishes on offer – neatly split into marineros and campesinos sections.  The lobster croquetas are to die for!

The food is beautifully presented, and tastes even better – a real must, and a firm favourite of Lucas Fox Madrid Director Rod Jamieson!

Calle de Montalbán 9
28014 Madrid
+34 91 512 11 31

www.restaurantealabaster.com

Marisquería La Paloma

vermouth

Unsuspecting passers by frequently walk past this no-frills Marisquería in La Latina, oblivious to the tasty treats therein. This is the perfect locale in which to rest weary feet after wandering the streets of this fantastically quirky neighbourhood. Order like a local and enjoy a tumbler of vermut with one of their tinned delicacies – trust me, whilst most people run a mile from anything canned, this is not your average tin of John West tuna chunks in brine! Flavoursome mollusks or tiny fish are caught and immediately encased in perfectly seasoned olive oil – dip warm crusty pieces of freshly baked bread and find yourself transported to a Chiringuito by the sea!

C/Toledo 85
28005 Madrid
+34 91 365 31 31

Bar Santurce

Santurce

On any given Sunday morning in the city, the Rastro flea market is in full swing, with anything from ancient furniture to intricate hand-made goods on offer.  Bar Santurce is a great pitstop in between bargain-hunting, with a great fast-paced vibe and contagious energy – perfectly reinvigorating for a second wind of marketstall browsing! Order a quintessentially Madrileno calamari sandwich and prop yourself up to observe the comings and goings unfold.

Plaza General Vara del Rey 14
+34 646 238 303
www.barsanturce.com

La Caleta

caleta

Head to La Caleta in Lavapiés and be transported to Cadiz with scrumptious Andalusian fare. Frequented by locals hailing from Cadiz (always a good sign), the pescaíto frito (a tasty mix of small fried fish and seafood) is heaven, and the cazón al adobo, or marinated and fried dogfish is highly recommended. It’s usually packed, with a great buzzy atmosphere and fast, friendly service.

Calle Tres Peces 21
28012 Madrid
+34 645 388 077

www.lacaletagaditana.es

La Casa del Pulpo

CasaPulpo

“The Octopus House” has been dedicated to serving up juicy purple Galician octopus in a variety of ways for over half a century and are the self-titled specialists. Super affordable with a small list of non-octopi tapas for those less tentacly inclined.

Calle de los Almendrales 17
28026 Madrid
+34 91 476 00 48

www.facebook.com/lacasadelpulpo

O’Pazo

Opazo

A seafood heavyweight renowned for its overwhelming selection of maritime specimens! Culinary highlights include zamborinas – small scallops from Galicia which may be among the very best in the world, cooked in a garlic puree, red prawns from Palamós, raw almejas (a type of clam) from Caril, Huelva white shrimps (boiled whole), and meaty cigalas (langoustines from Galicia, again among the very best in the world). The wine list is an interesting mix of bottles with several in particular from (you guessed it), Galicia. Chef David Munoz (of Diver-Xo fame) regularly eats here and has publicly recommended the “turbot head” – a dish that sounds most intriguing!

C/ Reina Mercedes 20
+34 91 553 23 33

www.opazo.es

Casa Labra

casalabra

A stone’s throw from bustling Puerta del Sol, the house speciality here is bacalao rebozado – succulent bites of meaty cod in a light, crisp batter. Team with an ice cold caña or a teeny glass of crispy white wine.

Calle Tetuán 12
+34 91 531 00 81

www.casalabra.com

Casa Revuelta

Revuelta

Another spot renowned for its bacalao rebozado is Casa Revuelta, a hop, skip and a jump from Plaza Mayor. The debate over who is the frontrunner for this Madrileño favourite wages on…

Calle Latoneros 3
28005 Madrid
+34 91 366 33 32

Puerta 57

57

This opulent eatery takes its name from Gate 57 of the city’s iconic Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, and perfectly marries the city’s long-standing love affairs with both food and football. Set within the stadium itself, this novel eatery boasts floor to ceiling windows overlooking the pitch. Slickly preened waiters waft past in dickie bows bearing polished metal platters of arroz a banda (seafood rice – much like paella to the uninitiated palate, but I am assured it is not). Bar Cibeles has been dubbed Madrid’s best bar too, so your tipple is guaranteed to be on-point.

The lavish décor is dubbed “mock-Versailles”, and the adorned clientele tends to be an eclectic mix of beautifully coiffed WAGS enjoying a pre-match a tete-a-tete, business lunches and elegant older couples. If Real Madrid are playing, this cavernous 1000m2 space hosts the VIP hospitality ¡claro!

Estadio Santiago Bernabéu,
Calle de Padre Damián s/n
Puerta 57
28036 Madrid
+34 91 457 33 61

www.puerta57.es

Marisqueria Norte-Sur

Norte Sur

Well off the beaten track, this neighbourhood bar is a typical example of a local seafood hangout, without the hefty price tag of certain more upmarket establishments. Norte-Sur not only serves up grilled mariscos, but also does several great grilled vegetable side dishes. Reserve a table at the back or make like a native and stand up at the bar with your rather sinister lobster cracker in hand.

Calle Bravo Murillo 97

www.marisquerianortesur.com

Ribeira Do Miño

platter

This unassuming establishment tucked just off Fuencarral more than makes up for its humble interior with mountains of mariscos. Perfect for a raucous meal with the gang; dig into an enormous sharing platter piled high with crabs, grilled gambas and the elusive holy grail of seafood – Pedunculata.

Harvested on what is affectionately known as Spain’s Costa del Muerte, these alien claw-like creatures are the most dangerous shellfish to capture. Fishermen precariously dangle off the jagged rocky cliff face, timing the waves with precision before plunging down to pluck the delicacy from the craggy surface – the lower below the waterline, the tastier they are! With such a perilous back-story, these critters don’t come cheap but they are very special (tasting like a combination of crab, tiger prawns and oysters all rolled into one).

A post-dinner drink of Galiaican queimada is a must – a boozy coffee set alight to erm, aid digestion (look out for your eyebrows!).

Calle Santa Brigida 1
+34 91 521 98 54

www.marisqueriaribeiradomino.com

El Ferry

El Ferry Madrid

Decked out like a 1920s cruise ship (complete with Art Deco portholes), El Ferry is the city’s coolest retro style brunch option. While they most definitely don’t specialise in seafood, I couldn’t resist including this terribly nautical bistro in my selection! This vibrant local institution hosts fantastic live jazz concerts by Pepe Nieto (who also happens to be the talented head chef – rumour has it he can play and cook at the same time but we’ve yet to see it), bringing a cool ocean breeze to sizzling Chamberí!

C/Sandoval 12
28010 Madrid
+34 91 447 28 88

www.facebook.com/ElFerryMadrid