Mejores entrantes de restaurantes de Madrid

Discover a selection of the most delicious and popular appetizers offered by restaurants in Madrid. From classic Spanish tapas to innovative culinary proposals, this guide will help you explore the rich gastronomic offer of the capital. Find perfect options to start any meal, whether in traditional venues or modern establishments. Ideal for foodies and visitors looking for authentic culinary experiences in Madrid.

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  1. 1

    Huevos Rotos (Casa Lucio, Madrid)

    169 Global Votes
    • Famous throughout Madrid

      (+4)

    This dish is a culinary benchmark in Madrid, renowned for its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients, especially the fresh eggs and perfectly fried potatoes. Its popularity has transcended borders, becoming a symbol of traditional Spanish cuisine and an unmissable gastronomic attraction in the capital.

  2. 2

    Cod Fritters (El Quinto Vino, Madrid)

    111 Global Votes
    • Incredibly juicy and delicious

      (+4)

    These cod fritters stand out for their combination of choux pastry with beer, cod, garlic, and parsley, resulting in a dish that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Their unparalleled roasted garlic aioli elevates the dish, offering a memorable gastronomic experience.

  3. 3

    Gambas al Ajillo (La Casa del Abuelo, Centro, Madrid)

    80 Global Votes
    • Perfect snack when visiting Madrid

      (+4)

    This dish is a culinary benchmark in Madrid, renowned for its traditional preparation and authentic flavor. La Casa del Abuelo has perfected the recipe over decades, offering a gastronomic experience that attracts both locals and visitors. Its popularity and the consistent quality of its gambas al ajillo establish it as an essential appetizer in the capital.

  4. 4

    Patatas Bravas (Los Chicos, Madrid)

    52 Global Votes
    • Very well-fried potatoes

      (+4)

    This dish stands out for its unique and secret recipe, crafted since 1945, which has left a flavorful mark in Madrid. Its perfectly fried potatoes and spicy homemade sauce are the result of decades of tradition and refinement, offering an authentic and highly appreciated culinary experience.

  5. 5

    Ensalada de la Huerta (Celso y Manolo, Madrid)

    43 Global Votes
    • Absolutely fantastic dish

      (+3)

    Celso y Manolo's salmorejo stands out for its preparation with high-quality tomatoes and extra virgin olive oils with individual flavors, accompanied by homemade bread. This dish offers a fantastic culinary experience, reflecting the restaurant's dedication to seasonal ingredients and excellent preparation.

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  7. 6

    Tortilla de Betanzos (Taberna Pedraza)

    37 Global Votes
    • Award-winning tortilla

      (+3)

    Taberna Pedraza's Tortilla de Betanzos is an iconic dish that has popularized this style of omelette in Madrid, serving as a benchmark for traditional cuisine. Its preparation follows a very specific canon, resulting in an exceptionally creamy texture and authentic flavor that sets it apart.

  8. 7

    Red Tuna Tartare (Cardumen, Madrid)

    11 Global Votes
    • Smoky, juicy, and rustic yet carefully done

      (+3)

    This starter is renowned for its almadraba red tuna, a superior quality product expertly prepared by El Campero, a restaurant holding two Repsol Suns. It offers a culinary experience that highlights the tuna's freshness and versatility, presented in innovative preparations like the red tuna tostada, which gives a delightful, informal twist to classic tartare.

  9. 8

    Confit Artichokes (La Manduca de Azagra)

    11 Global Votes
    • Incredibly tasty

      (+4)

    This dish features exceptional artichokes, simply cooked to highlight their flavor and crispy texture. La Manduca de Azagra is a Madrid temple for vegetables, where the raw ingredients from the family garden in Navarra are the undisputed stars.

  10. 9

    Iberian Ham Croquettes from Santerra

    2 Global Votes
    • Perfectly crunchy on the outside

      (+4)

    Santerra's Iberian ham croquettes are celebrated for their perfect combination of a crunchy exterior and a creamy interior, made with high-quality Iberian ham. They have been recommended by Carlos Maribona and other food critics, and are an award-winning dish noted for their unparalleled flavor and texture.

  11. 10

    Calamari Sandwich (La Campana)

    0 Global Votes
    • Features perfectly tender squid

      (+4)

    This sandwich is a culinary benchmark in Madrid, standing out for the quality of its tender calamari and crispy batter, served in fresh bread. Its popularity and the constant flow of customers at La Campana guarantee an authentic experience and an unbeatable flavor, making it an essential starter.

  12. 11

    Ensaladilla rusa (Viavélez, Madrid)

    0 Global Votes
    • Recognized as the second best in Madrid

      (+3)

    Viavélez's Ensaladilla rusa is a classic starter that stands out for its traditional preparation and the quality of its ingredients. It offers a combination of textures and flavors that make it a highly appreciated option for diners in Madrid.

  13. 12

    Caesar Salad (La Maruca)

    0 Global Votes

    La Maruca's Caesar Salad stands out due to its dressing, which has been described with fine dining credentials and is a key factor in its popularity. The quality of the fresh, crisp lettuce contributes to a balanced and satisfying taste experience, making this starter a consistent choice for diners.

  14. 13

    Oxtail Gyozas

    0 Global Votes
    • Slow-cooked until tender and full of flavor

      (+2)

    This dish stands out for its innovative fusion of Asian and Spanish cuisine, transforming a traditional ingredient like oxtail into a sophisticated gyoza. Its concentrated flavor and combination of textures, enhanced with Comté and quail egg yolk, offer a memorable and unique culinary experience.

  15. 14

    Callos a la madrileña

    0 Global Votes
    • One of Madrid's most traditional dishes

      (+3)

    This dish embodies the essence of traditional Madrid cuisine, with a history directly linking it to the city's fine dining through Lhardy. Its preparation at this iconic restaurant has solidified its reputation as a classic, high-quality starter, valued for its authentic flavor and cultural legacy.

  16. 15

    Pulpo a la Gallega (Flor de Galicia)

    0 Global Votes
    • High-quality octopus cooked to perfection

      (+4)

    This dish stands out for its exceptionally tender octopus and authentic flavor, evoking the essence of Galician cuisine. The preparation at Los Montes de Galicia has been praised for its sublime quality and for offering a culinary experience that transports diners directly to the Galician coast.

Frequently asked questions

This list includes a variety of popular and traditional appetizers from Madrid, such as patatas bravas, fried squid, croquettes, Spanish omelet, garlic shrimp, and mushrooms, among others.
You can participate by voting for your favorite appetizers or by suggesting new restaurants you believe should be included in the list. Your input helps keep the list current and relevant.
The results reflect community popularity and recommendations, as well as editorial quality. Keep in mind that personal preferences may vary, and this list serves as a guide to explore Madrid's culinary offerings.
We focus on including a mix of options, from affordable tapas bars with reasonable portion sizes to restaurants with unique dishes, largely avoiding Michelin fine dining spots to provide a more accessible guide.

How we built this ranking and what to consider when choosing

Our methodology for ranking the best restaurant appetizers in Madrid combines popular wisdom with editorial analysis, ensuring a comprehensive and reliable guide for food lovers.

  • We consider the relevance of traditional and popular Madrid appetizers, such as patatas bravas, fried squid, and croquettes, which are essential to Madrid's culinary culture.
  • We evaluate the quality and uniqueness of the dishes offered by restaurants, highlighting those that present an innovative twist or exceptional execution of classics.
  • Community opinion and recommendations from local experts and visitors are taken into account, thus reflecting a diverse and authentic perspective.
  • We prioritize restaurants that offer good value for money and reasonable portion sizes, making the experience accessible to a wider audience.
  • Restaurants must offer appetizers that are representative of Madrid's gastronomy, whether they are reinvented classics or traditional dishes with impeccable execution.
  • We value the freshness of ingredients and quality in preparation, ensuring a memorable culinary experience.
  • Both iconic and historic establishments, as well as new proposals gaining recognition for their innovative appetizers, are considered.
  • The restaurant's reputation and the consistency in the quality of its appetizers are key factors for its inclusion in our list.