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This neighbourhood bar has a good choice of seafood tapas . Mahou beer originally came from the factory next door.

In the grounds of the Casa del Labrador. The house speciality is faisán a la cazadora (roast partridge).

French-influenced cooking and a relaxed ambience are what make this restaurant a continued hit. Make sure you save room for the wonderful desserts (see El Cenador del Prado).

Considered the best restaurant in town. If you’re here on Wednesdays, all the better because chef Manuel Miguez’s cocido madrileño (see Cocido Madrileño) is renowned. Summer terrace.

One of the most authentic tabernas in the city, offering simple home cooking (see El Comunista).

The sign says “wine shop” (Tienda de Vinos ) but this taberna has been known as “The Communist” since the postwar days when proprietor Vincent Gómez fed hard-up writers and artists. The prices are still good. The menu includes standards like garlic soup, washed down with house wine (see El Comunista).

The story of the founder of Spain’s premier department store, Ramón Areces Rodríguez, is a classic tale of rags-to-riches. Rodríguez emigrated to Cuba aged 15 and worked as a shop assistant before returning to Spain in 1934. The following year he opened a small tailor’s in Calle de Preciados and never looked back. Nowadays you’ll hardly leave your hotel without noticing the distinctive white shopping bags with the green logo. The store at Preciados No.1 sells CDs, No.2 stocks more than half a million books and No. 3 specializes in fashion. There are more than half a dozen other branches in the capital.

This branch of Madrid’s best-known department store also has a beauty parlour, restaurant and supermarket as well as the usual individual departments.

Shades of the Big Top in this small shop, founded by a former circus performer. Sells all the paraphernalia – stilts, jugglers clubs, diabolos, etc. Great for kids.