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This picturesque inn is more than 150 years old, and is still known for its traditional madrileño cooking, although it’s the sophisticated Basque dishes that grab the headlines (see Carmencita).

Attractive tapas bar in the heart of Chueca with wonderful bar interior, dating from around 1900. Vermouth on tap. House speciality is escabeche de atún (pickled tuna).

This Lavapiés hostelry dates from 1830. The wooden furniture and bullfighting memorabilia are as authentic as the menu of tortilla and stews (see Taberna de Antonio Sánchez).

The ambience is reason enough for visiting this traditional inn. Tapas include black pudding with raisins (see Taberna de Antonio Sánchez).

As the name implies, this authentic restaurant is known for its selection of Spanish wines. The menu mainly comprises snacks.

Like all genuine Madrid tascas , this pub on the edge of Salamanca serves its customers a tasty appetizer with each drink, to give them an idea of what’s on offer. Bacalao croquettes – béchamel paste deep fried with nuggets of cod – are the house speciality (see Tasca La Farmacia).

The famous Spanish omelette is far thicker than other cuisines and is made with potatoes. It is often served as an appetizer.

Villa Rosa has been going for more than 40 years, originally as a Flamenco club, more recently as a disco. Visitors can admire the tiled Andalusian-style interior, shown to good effect in Pedro Almodóvar’s Movida-period movie High Heels . Very crowded by 1am, more so as the night wears on (see Villa Rosa).

No longer the renowned Flamenco bar of old, this lively disco, on a corner of buzzing Plaza de Santa Ana, is generally packed to the rafters at weekends (see Villa Rosa).

Worth seeing for the decorative tiles alone, this tapas bar near Huertas really gets going after 10pm and is a popular hang-out with the young crowd. In the summer you may need to cool off on the terrace. Full to bursting at weekends.