Spain is delicious! That is, it has some of the best food in the world. From the archetypal paellas, gazpachos, and croquettes to the more regional dishes like the Cocido Madrileño stew of Madrid and the cute, loaded bread pinchos of the Basque Country. The capital city, Madrid, encapsulates this fine Spanish cuisine and offers a rich culinary scene filled with restaurants serving a wide variety of Spanish dishes, as well as a diverse mix of international restaurants to bolster its repertoire.

Chueca, the unapologetically gay area of the city, is home to a large majority of these eclectic restaurants. Let’s look at the best of the bunch—all the better to line the stomach before a heavy night of drinking in the bars and clubs of Chueca.

El Buo and La Buha

Actually, two restaurants opposite each other, both with names translating to “the owl” in the masculine or feminine respectively. This is especially apt because the walls of El Buo proudly display pictures of gay icons, whereas La Buha features iconic lesbians—a welcome nod to diversity and an interesting contrast to the tavern-like interior. Both have the same menu and boast one of the absolute best tortillas in Chueca, if not all of Madrid, with a delicious array of stuffing options and sauces. Choose between goat cheese and caramelized onion, ham and cheese, or mixed vegetables, to name but a few.

Not to mention, there is little more Spanish than tucking into a huge tortilla with a circle of friends. Other options on their menu include traditional Spanish favorites like patatas bravas (fried potatoes in a spicy paprika sauce) and padrón peppers.

Mercado San Anton

Perhaps not officially a “restaurant,” but nonetheless a great place to eat, drink, and truly feel like you are part of Spanish culture. This multi-level gourmet food market features several different stalls and vendors serving freshly prepared tapas—alongside a few international options like sushi and burritos. You are free to mix and match for a diverse culinary experience with your wine; there’s also a great selection of wineries. After you get your fill, head upstairs to the rooftop terrace for a drink in a sophisticated setting, people-watch, and enjoy a clear view over Chueca.

Mercado de la Reina

Not an actual market, despite the name, but a traditional restaurant located on Gran Vía on the outskirts of Chueca. It is one of the best places in all of Madrid to sample food from all corners of Spain—all cooked with fresh ingredients from nearby markets. Highlights on the menu include the homemade croquettes of Iberian ham, Galician blond beef loin carpaccio with pistachio, and the “Bienmesabe” marinated fried white fish from Cádiz—but really, anything and everything on the menu is mouth-wateringly luscious. The interior is classically sassy with a modern twist and an open kitchen. Due to its location and reputation, it gets very busy—especially on weekends—so be sure to book your table in advance.

Restaurante La Barraca

Like many places, La Barraca makes the bold claim of having the best paella in the city. However, in their case, there may well be some weight behind the boast. Originally opened by a family from the Spanish region of Valencia—the home of paella—there is a wealth of paella types on their menu, from popular seafood options to those including chicken, rabbit, and duck. The style of the restaurant is true to its Valencian roots, and its several dining rooms are adorned with pictures and artifacts representing the region, along with its signature blue and white tiles.

Borax

For something a bit different, Chueca has the best Cuban restaurant in Madrid, located in its center on Calle Pelayo. The food is a veritable mix of Cuban meat, seafood, and vegetables—a firm favorite being “ropa vieja,” a stewed beef and tomato dish. The interior has an arty yet homely vibe—filled with plants and pictures of Cuba to transport guests there in their imaginations. Not to mention, the Cuban waiters are as easy on the eye as the decor.

Barrutia Y El 9

“Hidden gem” is an overused phrase, but this intimate little neighborhood restaurant is worthy of the label, as it is famous with locals for having some of the most original takes on traditional homemade Spanish food. If you’re bored of seeing similar menus in Spanish restaurants, then this is the ideal place to enjoy some creative cuisine options like meatballs with pasta and truffle or ham with hummus and eggs. Not to mention, the croquettes are indisputably the best in Madrid. Not sure what to have? No problem! The chef himself comes to every table to offer advice. They also offer a take-out option should you wish to sit in one of Chueca’s plazas, enjoying your food while absorbing some vitamin D.

Diurno

A sophisticated restaurant and cocktail bar serving a mixed cosmopolitan-style cuisine with both Spanish character and a modern flair. You’ll find everything from “Galician” quesadillas to gyozas with sweet sauce. The food menu is meant to be shared with friends or a partner, so don’t do a Joey and order just for yourself. Diurno is big and spacious, with windows looking out onto the busy Chueca streets near one of its main plazas, making you feel right in the heart of the action. It opens early, so you can eat dinner at 7 p.m. if you’re not used to the usual late-night Spanish dinner time. They also have a fabulous brunch menu full of yummy cheeses, meats, and smoothies—not to mention a mean cheesecake.

Ribeira de Miño

Seafood is Spain’s specialty, and just because Madrid is about as far from the coast as you can get in Spain doesn’t mean you can’t find quality seafood there too. Ribeira de Miño is a Galician restaurant—the region of Spain perhaps most famous for its seafood—serving the freshest fish dishes from the coast, from hake and tuna to clams and prawns. Its specialty, however, is the Galician delicacy of octopus, which might sound a tad adventurous for some but is cooked to perfection and a must-try. If you’re not a fan of fish, fear not, as there are also dishes like bone steak, pork shoulder, and padrón peppers on the menu. Furthermore, the restaurant very much has a small Spanish town-in-Galicia vibe to it, which further adds to the authenticity of the dining experience.

Tasca Celso y Manolo

This quirky vintage bar and restaurant is the place to go to sip a traditional tinto de verano or Spanish vermouth while tucking into tapas with friends. The interior is uniquely chic, featuring oddities like straw-headed bulls on the walls and menus styled as newspapers. The tapas are eclectic, ranging from squid rings to cheese tasting boards, as are the larger dishes like scrambled organic eggs with raisins and pine nuts. The salads are reputed to be the best in Madrid, making it a perfect option for vegetarians and vegans.

Entre Santos Madrid

Atmosphere can be just as important as food in any restaurant experience, and Entre Santos has the lively atmosphere of a tavern. It is also a definitive gourmet Mediterranean tapas bar—one of the best in Madrid—with a wide selection of cocktails to wash them down. (This has been a running theme on this list, but what can we say? We like cocktails.) Both the drinks and tapas come on creatively styled plates and mugs, and the service is a winning combination of fast and friendly. Unlike many restaurants previously mentioned on this list, you cannot book in advance, as it works on a first-come, first-serve basis—so get there early-ish to guarantee a table.

General Eating Out in Madrid Advice

Spain is different! At least from the perspective of the eating times that many English-speaking countries are accustomed to. Everything runs a little late: lunch is typically between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and dinner is between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. However, restaurants in Chueca get busy and often can’t be booked in advance, so you’ll need to find a delicate balance between arriving early but not too early. Usually, arriving exactly at 2 p.m. or 9 p.m. will guarantee you a table, but come slightly earlier if you’re in a big group.

As for the language, in Chueca you’ll find that most places have menus in English, and the waiters tend to know enough English to take your order. However, it helps to know a few phrases in Spanish, as it often makes servers warm to you more. Failing that, simple gestures—like the universal hand motion for “the bill”—are pretty much international.

Finally, the blunt truth is that service in Spain is often slow, especially when waiting for the bill. There’s a laid-back attitude to eating—they even have the phrase sobremesa, which means relaxing and chatting at the table after a big meal—so be patient. Try to lie back, enjoy the slower pace of life, and take in the vibrant energy (not to mention the hot guys) that make up Chueca.