{"id":11487,"date":"2019-11-04T10:00:07","date_gmt":"2019-11-04T09:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/madridfoodtour.com\/?p=11487"},"modified":"2023-09-28T16:26:50","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T16:26:50","slug":"eating-alone-madrid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/eating-alone-madrid\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips for Eating Alone in Madrid: The Best of Solo Dining"},"content":{"rendered":"

No one who visits the Spanish capital should leave without sampling its incredible cuisine\u2014solo travelers included. Check out our guide to eating alone in Madrid, and make the most of every meal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In Spain, meals are a social affair. There\u2019s nothing like sitting down for lunch with a big group of friends or family, and enjoying a feast in good company. But not everyone who visits Madrid brings their social circle with them\u2014and that\u2019s okay. Eating alone in Madrid can be just as delicious and rewarding as dining with other people, if you do it right.<\/p>\r\n

\"leg
You don\u2019t need a travel buddy to explore everything Madrid has to offer. Photo credit: Roman Odintsov<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n

Top 5 tips for solo dining in Madrid<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here\u2019s our best advice for solo travelers in Madrid<\/a> who don\u2019t want to miss out on a single bite. Read on for everything from restaurant recommendations to secrets for feeling a little less lonely\u2014based on plenty of personal experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Bars aren\u2019t just for drinking<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Spain is famous for having the most bars per square meter than any other country<\/a>\u2014and bars here offer much more than just alcohol. In fact, they can be some of the best places to eat, especially on your own. Walk into any neighborhood place, ideally populated with plenty of elderly locals, and grab a seat at the bar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Order a coffee<\/a> and a croissant or a tostada con tomate y aceite<\/em> for breakfast, or maybe a bocadillo<\/em> for lunch. The casual, social atmosphere of Madrid\u2019s traditional bars<\/a> means that no one will look twice at a solo diner. In fact, you\u2019ll probably be in the company of plenty of others like you. Let yourself blend into the background and enjoy this authentic aspect of Spanish culture.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Where to Go<\/strong>: Try Bar Benteveo<\/a> for breakfast, Bodega de la Ardosa<\/a> for tapas and Bar Santurce<\/a> for amazing sardines.<\/p>\r\n

\"Toasted<\/p>\r\n

Toast with excellent olive oil and fresh tomato: a Spanish breakfast classic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Lunch for one, please<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

During the week, many restaurants in Spain offer a fixed-price menu for lunch, known as the men\u00fa del d\u00eda<\/em>. You\u2019ll usually get two courses, dessert or coffee, bread and a drink for around \u20ac15. This is a popular option for people on their lunch break, and enjoying it alone isn\u2019t out of the ordinary. It\u2019s also a nice alternative to tapas culture, which is sometimes better suited to sharing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Lunch in Madrid<\/a> is a long and lazy affair\u2014take your time, relax and take in your surroundings. Plus, it\u2019s the perfect chance to people watch; try to find a spot on a terrace or by a window so you can watch the world go by as you eat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Where to Go<\/strong>: We recommend the men\u00fas del d\u00eda<\/em> at Taberna El Sur de Huertas<\/a>, La Musa Latina<\/a> and Restaurante Badila<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

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\"clear-footed-glass-beside-bowl\"
The first course of a men\u00fa del d\u00eda<\/em> is usually a seafood or veggie-based dish, like salmorejo<\/em>, while the second course is often a meat option. Photo credit: Creative Vix<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n
<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Markets are your new best friends<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In Spain, markets aren\u2019t just for grocery shopping. These meccas of culinary culture are also the perfect places to explore the many facets of Spanish cuisine, and to enjoy a makeshift meal on your own. There are many different kinds of Spanish food markets<\/a>, from trendy upscale options to authentic local spots.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Our advice? Pick any market, spend some time wandering around and then order something small from a few different places. You can eat at the stalls, standing up or while you walk\u2014no need to ask for a table for one.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Alternatively, grab some supplies (cured meats, cheese, homemade bread, fresh produce, etc.) and head outside for a picnic in the park.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Where to Go<\/strong>: Mercado de San Miguel<\/a> is the prettiest and most popular market for tourists. Mercado de San Fernando <\/a>and Mercado de Ant\u00f3n Mart\u00edn<\/a> have a chiller vibe, while Mercado de San Ant\u00f3n<\/a> is more modern and trendy. Try Mercado de la Cebada<\/a> for fresh seafood!<\/p>\r\n

\"A
Don’t be afraid to start up a conversation with a vendor. They can help point you to the best products and often have fascinating stories to tell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Treat yourself!<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019ve ever fallen into the trap of thinking that a fancy meal requires a special occasion\u2014and someone to celebrate it with\u2014think again. One of the best ways to make the most of solo dining is to treat yourself to a meal at an upscale restaurant, a fancy cocktail or dessert just for you.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Don\u2019t be afraid to book a table for yourself, wear the nicest outfit in your suitcase and order whatever your heart desires. Solo travel is all about you: wherever you want to go and whatever you feel like eating. And Madrid offers plenty of opportunities to indulge!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Where to Go<\/strong>: For a fancy lunch or dinner, try Fismuler<\/a> (and don\u2019t miss dessert). Get the city\u2019s coolest cocktails at 1862 Dry Bar<\/a> and Salmon Guru<\/a>, gourmet ice cream at Mistura<\/a> and classic churros and hot chocolate at Chocolater\u00eda San Gin\u00e9s<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

\"Overhead
Want to try something besides churros? Soletillas<\/em> are an equally delicious accompaniment for hot chocolate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Join other solo travelers on a food tour<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re ready to meet some other travelers who appreciate food as much as you do, this is the perfect choice. Here at Devour Tours, we offer some of the best food tours in Madrid<\/a>, taking you to all the top spots for tapas, wine and even flamenco. You\u2019ll get exclusive insider tips and visit all our favorite local places!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Sometimes there\u2019s nothing like enjoying great food in good company, and getting to know the people behind the counter or in the kitchen. Even solo travelers can experience this with Devour and the new friends you’ll meet along the way, elevating typical tourist activities to something truly unique.<\/p>\r\n

Update notice: This article was updated on September 28, 2023.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Solo travelers love joining our Tapas and Wine: Small Group Literary Quarter Tasting Tour<\/a>! Enjoy 8 tapas tastings paired with 5 Spanish wines and vermouths at three bars with your expert guide. You\u2019ll gain the knowledge and skills you’ll need to order tapas and wines like a pro during the rest of your time in Spain.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

No one who visits the Spanish capital should leave without sampling its incredible cuisine\u2014solo travelers included. Check out our guide to eating alone in Madrid, and make the most of every meal. In Spain, meals are a social affair. There\u2019s nothing like sitting down for lunch with a big group of friends or family, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":11493,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[75,53],"tags":[12,94,146,270],"ppma_author":[2312],"class_list":["post-11487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food-and-drink-in-madrid","category-madrid-blog","tag-food-tours","tag-markets","tag-restaurants","tag-solo-travel"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDevour Tours<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Eating alone in Madrid can seem intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. 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