10 Hidden Street Foods to Try in Madrid on Your Next Visit
Madrid is not only Spain’s political and cultural capital—it’s a city where culinary secrets unfold around every street corner. Beyond the bustling tapas bars and upscale restaurants lies a world of flavour hidden in plain sight: Madrid’s street food culture. From convent kitchens to bustling plazas, these edible gems tell a story of heritage, tradition, and innovation. If you’re ready to explore Madrid on foot (and with an appetite), here are 10 street food finds that locals love—but few tourists ever stumble upon.
1. Bocadillo de Calamares (Fried Calamari Sandwich)
Where: Around Plaza Mayor
Madrid’s most iconic street food. A crunchy pile of golden calamari rings stuffed inside a crusty baguette—simple, delicious, and deeply satisfying. You’ll find locals queued up at century-old bars like La Campana or Bar La Ideal. The best part? It’s under €5.
2. Galletas de Convento (Nun-Made Cookies)
Where: Hidden convents like Monasterio del Corpus Christi
Knock discreetly, pass your coins through a lazy Susan, and receive a box of heavenly almond or lemon cookies. The recipe is a dearly guarded secret passed down for generations. A divine indulgence—literally.
3. Tortilla de Patatas in a Cup
Where: Food stalls at El Rastro or Lavapiés
Tortilla de Patatas, Spain’s iconic potato omelette, gets a portable twist when served in a paper cup. Often topped with aioli or brava sauce, it’s a perfect snack for flea market wanderers.
4. Churros with Chocolate on the Go
Where: Chocolatería San Ginés or mobile food trucks
Everyone knows churros, but few know you can get them in takeaway cones with a dipping cup of rich chocolate. Sweet, warm, and ideal for a walk along Gran Vía.
5. Empanadas Gallegas
Where: Corner bakeries and local deli counters
These thick-crusted empanadas are usually stuffed with tuna, peppers, or pork. Unlike their Latin American cousins, they’re flatter and more savoury—an underrated Madrid staple perfect for lunch on the go.
6. Banderillas (Pickled Tapas on a Stick)
Where: Traditional tabernas in La Latina
Named after the bullfighter’s dart, these skewered snacks combine olives, pickles, anchovies, and peppers—tangy, salty, and bold. Grab one with a caña (small beer) and you’ll feel like a local.
7. Porras (Thick Fried Dough)
Where: Morning street carts and cafés
Bigger and doughier than churros, porras are deep-fried perfection. Commonly found in early-morning bakeries and cafés, they’re less sweet and more rustic—best dunked in café con leche.
8. Tostas de Jamón y Queso de Cabra
Where: Small bistros around Malasaña
An open-faced delight featuring crusty bread, cured Iberian ham, and creamy goat cheese. Drizzled with local honey or fig jam, it’s an artisanal treat perfect for a street-side picnic.
9. Pimientos del Padrón in a Cone
Where: Mercado de San Miguel
Tiny green peppers flash-fried in olive oil and sprinkled with flaky salt. Packed into paper cones, they’re addictively smoky. One in ten is fiery—are you lucky?
10. Rosquillas de San Isidro
Where: Found during May festivals or in traditional bakeries
These doughnut-like pastries—either glazed, sugared, or plain—are a tribute to Madrid’s patron saint. While traditionally eaten in May, some bakeries offer them year-round. Soft, sweet, and full of charm.
Tips for Street Food Exploration in Madrid:
Walk, don’t rush. Many of these delights pop up in unexpected places: church doorways, local festivals, even inside traditional bookstores.
Bring cash. Some stalls, convents, and street vendors still don’t accept cards.
Visit in the morning for fresh porras and convent cookies. Evenings are great for banderillas and calamari.
Explore neighbourhoods like Lavapiés, La Latina, and Malasaña—each hides its own flavour secrets.
Final Bite
Madrid’s street food is not loud. It doesn’t scream with neon signs or elaborate food trucks. It hides behind convent walls, under the tiled bars of old tabernas, and in the hand of a market vendor. These open secrets make eating in Madrid feel less like dining and more like discovering.
