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Patatas bravas is one among Spain’s most beloved tapas and a private favourite of mine each time I’m in Madrid. It’s a dish deeply embedded within the metropolis’s vibrant meals tradition, created from crispy, golden potatoes paired with a daring, flavorful spicy tomato-based bravas sauce or smoky or tangy twists on aioli.

As a traditional tapa loved with a glass of vermouth, beer, or Rioja wine, discovering the right plate of patatas bravas is a necessary culinary journey value together with in any Madrid meals tour. 

Finest Locations for Patatas Bravas in Madrid

You’ll discover patatas bravas on the menu of most tapas bars and a few of the finest eating places in Madrid. 

Casa Labra

Picture credit score: Casa Labra

With historic roots again to 1860, Casa Labra close to Puerta del Sol is one among Madrid’s most beloved tapas bars for patatas bravas. It’s additionally famend for being the previous clandestine assembly place of the Spanish Socialist Staff’ Get together.

Whereas Casa Labra is famed for its fried cod bacalao tapas, its patatas bravas are a lot beloved by locals. They’ve a crispy texture complemented by a flavorful, traditional tomato-based bravas sauce.

Given its recognition, it’s finest to go to Casa Labra throughout off-peak hours to keep away from crowds. Pair your tapas with a glass of their home vermouth or a chilly beer for an genuine expertise.

Casa Labra (€5–10) – C. de Tetuán, 12, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain.

Mercado de San Miguel

Picture credit score: Mercado de San Miguel

Mercado de San Miguel close to Plaza Mayor is a historic lined market that has reworked right into a connoisseur tapas vacation spot. Initially inbuilt 1916, it was renovated and at present boasts a variety of distributors providing their very own luxurious takes on patatas bravas.

It’s an incredible place to pattern totally different takes on this traditional dish. Particularly if you wish to strive patatas bravas with one thing aside from the traditional spicy tomato-based bravas sauce. Many distributors provide the traditional sauce, vibrant Spanish takes on aioli and different varieties of tangy sauces.

In fact, the Mercado de San Miguel can be an incredible place to discover a wide selection of different tapas. You’ll be able to experiment with how patatas bravas pairs with Iberian ham, recent seafood, and different traditional Madrileño tapas.

On a meals tour, it is likely to be finest to go to on weekdays when the market is much less crowded. This provides you with extra time to pair your patatas bravas with a glass of Rioja wine or a refreshing vermouth.

Mercado de San Miguel (€5–10) – Pl. de San Miguel, s/n, Centro, 28005 Madrid, Spain.

Bar Docamar

You’ll discover Bar Docamar in Madrid’s Quintana neighborhood the place they’ve been serving locals and vacationers since 1963. Their patatas bravas are legendary for his or her completely fried potatoes and a secret spicy sauce that has remained unchanged for many years.

Their croquettes and callos a la Madrileña tripe are additionally extremely really useful. It’s an incredible place to pattern a number of traditional tapas with buddies whereas having fun with Spanish beer, vermouth or a refreshing glass of Rioja wine.

If you wish to keep away from the crowds, strive visiting throughout weekday afternoons. If potential, attempt to get a seat on their terrace the place you possibly can soak up a few of the metropolis’s vitality.

Docamar (10–20) – C. de Alcalá, 337, Cdad. Lineal, 28027 Madrid, Spain.

BiBo Dani García

Picture credit score: BiBo Dani García

This trendy restaurant by famend Andalusian chef Dani García provides an modern tackle conventional Spanish dishes. Together with patatas bravas and different traditional tapas which might be influenced by international flavors in a chic setting

The patatas bravas at BiBo are served in a novel spiral-cut presentation, which makes them exceptionally crispy. Their in-house bravas sauce has a daring, smoky paprika kick, and so they additionally provide an aioli infused with black garlic for a wealthy umami taste.

That is additionally the place to strive different elevated tapas. Their oxtail brioche is known, and the foie gras mille-feuille is a decadent deal with. They even provide a king crab salad with avocado that could be a must-try choice in the event you’re a seafood lover.

In order for you an informal expertise, lunchtime might be the most effective time to go to BiBo. Whereas dinner provides a vibrant ambiance.

Bibo Madrid (€15–30) – P.º de la Castellana, 52, Salamanca, 28046 Madrid, Spain.

What Makes the Excellent Patatas Bravas?

The proper patatas bravas begin with golden, crispy potatoes that stay mushy and fluffy inside. Lots of Madrid’s finest tapas bars and eating places will use a double-frying or blanching technique to realize this good mix.

Conventional bravas sauce is daring and flavorful, with a tomato base and a spicy, smoky kick, that tells you it’s not simply fancy ketchup. Many tapas bars in Madrid will add daring spices like paprika and vinegar to take the bravas sauce to the subsequent degree.

Nonetheless, tomato-based bravas sauce isn’t at all times the one choice. Some Madrid tapas bars serve patatas bravas with sauces from different areas, like Barcelona, which makes use of a creamy garlic aioli for further richness.

How one can Eat Patatas Bravas Like a Native

I like to eat the patatas bravas in Madrid with a chilly beer or Rioja wine. Nonetheless, the traditional Spanish expertise is to drink vermouth, which has a flippantly spiced aperitif that enhances the dish’s smoky warmth.

As a social dish, I feel patatas bravas are finest shared alongside different tapas, making them a staple of Spain’s vibrant eating tradition. Whether or not they’re loved at noon or as a night snack with drinks, they create folks collectively over daring flavors and good dialog.

Sources:

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Madrid meals excursions. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/madrid/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Finest eating places in Madrid. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/best-restaurants-in-madrid/

Mercado de San Miguel. (n.d.). Mercado de San Miguel. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://mercadodesanmiguel.es/en/

Casa Labra. (n.d.). Casa Labra. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from http://www.casalabra.es/

Docamar. (n.d.). Docamar. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from http://www.docamar.com/

Grupo Dani García. (n.d.). BiBo Madrid. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://grupodanigarcia.com/bibo/en/madrid/