Madrid: The Ultimate Madrid Food Tour
ID: GYG288825-502365
Category:
Country: Spain
Duration:
04:00 hours
Description
Enjoy a delicious initiation to Spanish cuisine at the family-owned eateries Madrid locals know and love best. Spend the morning tasting churros, buying bread, and enjoying a calamari sandwich.
First up on your Madrid morning food tour, you’ll unlearn everything you thought you knew about churros—and discover the real origins of chocolate—at a beloved neighborhood café serving up the best version of both in all of Madrid.
Next, you’ll set off on the next step in many madrileños’ morning routines: buying bread for the day. At a tiny storefront managed by a passionate young baker from northern Spain, you’ll learn why good bread in Madrid can be surprisingly hard to come by—and taste for yourself why this spot is the exception, in the form of their delicious homemade chorizo-stuffed rolls.
From there, it’s off to the market! You’ll explore the vibrant Mercado de Antón Martín as locals from all walks of life do their daily grocery shopping. Along the way, you’ll stop at a variety of stalls to taste their finest products: flavorsome olives, cured meats, locally sourced produce, and Spain’s very own liquid gold: extra virgin olive oil.
After tasting your way around the market, you’ll make your way to an unassuming neighborhood deli with a surprising past. It was here that the owner’s father held clandestine meetings to plot against Spain’s newly established dictatorship in the 1930s! Today, that same space is where you’ll sit down for a mini tasting of cheeses from around Spain paired with two different wines. As you snack and sip, you’ll discover the origins of each product and get insider tips for ordering wine in Spain.
The next stop on your Madrid morning food tour is located in the picturesque, historic city center. A favorite among locals, this spot is infamously hard to reserve—but luckily, your spot is already guaranteed! Here you’ll try freshly fried croquettes—a staple of tapas bar menus across Spain—and wash it down with an ice-cold beer while learning all about tapas culture.
The only thing you should eat around Plaza Mayor is your next bite: a calamari sandwich. You can find it almost anywhere in the surrounding area, but today you're trying the best one around, with calamari rings cooked to perfection in light, crunchy batter. Enjoy it standing outside the bar, just like the locals do.
Finally, you’ll finish your Madrid morning food tour on a sweet note at a pastry shop that’s been going strong since 1855. Opened by the Spanish queen’s own personal pastry chef, this incredible spot is seemingly hidden in plain sight. You might recognize this elegant shop from Spanish-American chef Jose Andrés' travel show, but we've known about this hidden gem for years! Here you’ll try a classic Spanish dessert with your choice of coffee or tea.
Highlights
- Enjoy 15+ delicious tastes at 6+ family-run spots.
- Try top-quality products from a typical local market.
- Taste the foods that make Madrid what it is.
- Eat among locals in central Madrid.
- Step into tapas bars, pastry shops, delis, and more.
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• 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 & Pregnant women. If you have a dietary requirement or food allergy, please note it when booking.
• Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided for children and teenagers 3–17 years old.
• 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
Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of fairness to punctual guests, we don’t wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
This tour meets at Plaza Santa Ana at the statue of Calderon de la Barca in front of the big, white hotel. Your guide will be waiting for you holding a Devour Tours tote bag or sign.
Those with dietary restrictions need to contact us at info@takewalks.com at the time of booking so we can arrange your food.
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.