A Tapas Cheatsheet: What to Eat - Adventurous Appetites Madrid Tapas Tours

What are the best tapas in Madrid?

Generally speaking, Spanish tapas are all about simple, fresh, great quality ingredients cooked in a simple way, really letting the flavours explode in your mouth.

The lovely thing about tapassing in a group is you get to try such a wide variety of different dishes in one night.

The best tapas in Spanish cuisine go way beyond your standard patatas bravas and paella… On our tours we tend to stick to the traditional, hearty tapas whilst encouraging you to expand your culinary boundaries to try new and amazing things.

Here are some of our favourite tapas to keep your eyes open for and get you salivating! Some of these you will be able to experience on one of Adventurous Appetites’ Madrid Tapas Tours, so if you fancy joining us for a fun and social night of great food and drink, just get in touch!

1) Zamburiñas a la plancha – Scallops seared on the hot plate for a couple of minutes with a bit of garlic and parsley.

A plate of cooked scallops served in their shells with herbs and a lemon wedge on the side, just as you might enjoy on Madrid culinary tours.

2) Alcachofas en flor a la parilla – Melt-in-your-mouth artichoke hearts cooked on the grill to give a toasted crunchy outside. With or without alioli.

Two cooked artichokes are sliced and arranged in a flower shape on a white plate—a beautiful dish often featured in Spanish cookery classes Madrid for authentic food experiences in Madrid.

3) Berenjenas con miel y salmorejo – Battered aubergine (eggplant) served with honey and a cold tomatoey soup, a dish from the south of Spain.

Crispy fried aubergine slices with two dipping sauces on a white plate—a must-try for anyone seeking authentic food experiences in Madrid.

4) Rabo de toro – bull’s tail stew, slow cooked until it falls off the bone and melts in your mouth.

Chunks of braised meat in a rich, brown sauce, garnished with chopped green herbs and served in an earthenware dish—a must-try highlight on many Madrid food tours.

5) Gambas al ajillo – Garlic shrimp sizzling in olive oil, sprinkled with a touch of parsley and with a bit of a kick from a cayenne pepper or two. Dip that bread in!!!!

A clay dish filled with cooked prawns in garlic oil, garnished with chopped parsley—a classic bite you’ll savour on Madrid food tours.

6) Tortilla española – the ubiquitous Spanish omelette. With or without onion, with different fillings – the possibilities are endless! We like it with and “poco cuajado” (runny in the middle). Make sure you try it freshly cooked!

A Spanish omelette (tortilla de patatas) on a white plate, photographed from the side in a dimly lit setting—a classic dish you’ll savour on Madrid food tours.

7) Pimientos de Padrón (unos pican, otros no!!!) – Little green peppers from Padrón in Galicia (some are spicy, some are not!!)Like a sort of Russian roulette with peppers. Delicious with the crunch of sea salt and that added risk!

Close-up of roasted green peppers with coarse salt sprinkled on top, a flavourful highlight often enjoyed on Madrid culinary tours.

8) Croquetas – Bechemel nuggets filled with ham/fish/mushroom etc, rolled through flour, egg and breadcrumbs and fried. If they look too perfect, don’t order them, they’ll be frozen!!!

Three breaded and fried croquettes are served on a bed of thin, crispy potato sticks—a tasty highlight often enjoyed on Madrid food tours for authentic food experiences in Madrid.

9) Pulpo a la gallega – Don’t think rubbery…! This octopus is really tender with the smokiness of paprika and the crunch of sea salt.

A plate of octopus slices topped with paprika and olive oil, served on a wooden dish—perfect for those seeking authentic food experiences in Madrid.

10) Gambones a la plancha – Madrid actually has the 2nd biggest seafood market in the world so seafood is great. Watch out for great big king prawns cooked on the griddle. Messy but so worth it!!!