Welcome back to the Madrid series agin and I am trying the Spain's signature – tapas!
A quick tapas tutorial: Tapas are essentially small, savoury dishes, designed for sharing (or, if you're like me, for pretending to share while secretly hogging the best bits). They're meant to be enjoyed with a drink and good company, hopping from bar to bar as many as your belly can handle.
From my highly scientific, one-person research, I certainly felt that the tapas game is different in Madrid vs. Barcelona. Barcelona, with its undeniable tourist magnet vibes, seemed to offer more "refined" and perhaps "fancy" tapas – the kind that look great on Instagram but sometimes leave your wallet feeling a bit light. Madrid, on the other hand, felt more… rustic? Traditional? I'm not saying one is better than the other and you can still definitely find lots of great tapas in Madrid but just a bit less.
Anyway, I dove headfirst into Madrid's tapas scene, and two spots made enough of an impression (for better or worse) to earn a coveted spot here.
Right, down to the grub. The tortilla arrived, looking all sleek and modern. It was... okay. A bit cold, a bit bland, and definitely not your typical Spanish tortilla (maybe different region of cooking method). It felt like it needed a hug and some salt. The shrimp on toast also suffered from the cold curse – flavour just dissipates when it's not warm. The ham croquette? Crispy exterior, but the ham filling is just average but the squid one does taste good.
The tuna carpaccio? Oh, this was good. A symphony of textures with nuts and crispy rice, and a dressing that zinged my palate back to life. It was a quality dish, though I did wish the tuna was consistently top-tier across all slices. The corvina tiradito (white fish sashimi with a wasabi sauce on toast) was another highlight. The sauce was perfectly balanced, a subtle kick that elevated the delicate fish.
But then, we come to the villain of the night: the Katsu Sando. My most anticipated dish, and also my biggest heartbreak. I mean, Iberico pork katsu sando? Sounds like a dream, right? Wrong. So, so wrong. The pork was bland, like it had forgotten its passport to Iberico. The sauce was overpowering too, and the bread? More pancake than fluffy sando goodness. It was a really a complete let down to me.
Verdict: Some flashes of brilliance, but the katsu sando catastrophe was a tough pill to swallow. I probably wouldn't rush back, but if you're in the area, can give it a go
Ratings:
But the absolute showstopper? The baby squid. Cooked to perfection, slightly crispy, and packed with flavour. Eating squid can be a minefield of rubbery, tasteless disappointments, but this was a triumph. The ink sauce was also beautifully seasoned, a perfect partner for the squid. And finally, the pig ears – apparently a Madrid specialty? Crispy, flavourful, but be prepared for some post-meal tooth-picking!
Verdict: Highly recommend! Restaurant Varra delivered on all fronts – great food, good service, and reasonable prices. I'm already planning my return visit for my next Madrid adventure.
Ratings:
A quick tapas tutorial: Tapas are essentially small, savoury dishes, designed for sharing (or, if you're like me, for pretending to share while secretly hogging the best bits). They're meant to be enjoyed with a drink and good company, hopping from bar to bar as many as your belly can handle.
From my highly scientific, one-person research, I certainly felt that the tapas game is different in Madrid vs. Barcelona. Barcelona, with its undeniable tourist magnet vibes, seemed to offer more "refined" and perhaps "fancy" tapas – the kind that look great on Instagram but sometimes leave your wallet feeling a bit light. Madrid, on the other hand, felt more… rustic? Traditional? I'm not saying one is better than the other and you can still definitely find lots of great tapas in Madrid but just a bit less.
Anyway, I dove headfirst into Madrid's tapas scene, and two spots made enough of an impression (for better or worse) to earn a coveted spot here.
Alto Bardero: The Fusion Fiasco
Google image
My first stop was Alto Bardero. Now, the Google Maps score was looking mighty promising, and as a self-proclaimed Japanese food fan, the "tapas with a Japanese twist (plus Mediterranean and latin American )” concept had me drooling before I even stepped foot inside. It was buzzing, it was beautiful, and the staff were on point – all good signs! I even managed to snag a table despite no booking.
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| Nice decor and vibe |
Right, down to the grub. The tortilla arrived, looking all sleek and modern. It was... okay. A bit cold, a bit bland, and definitely not your typical Spanish tortilla (maybe different region of cooking method). It felt like it needed a hug and some salt. The shrimp on toast also suffered from the cold curse – flavour just dissipates when it's not warm. The ham croquette? Crispy exterior, but the ham filling is just average but the squid one does taste good.
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| Not bad shrimp toast and tortilla |
The tuna carpaccio? Oh, this was good. A symphony of textures with nuts and crispy rice, and a dressing that zinged my palate back to life. It was a quality dish, though I did wish the tuna was consistently top-tier across all slices. The corvina tiradito (white fish sashimi with a wasabi sauce on toast) was another highlight. The sauce was perfectly balanced, a subtle kick that elevated the delicate fish.
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| Nice tuna carpaccio, love the nuts and crispy rice |
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| Refreshing corvina tiradito with wasabi sauce |
But then, we come to the villain of the night: the Katsu Sando. My most anticipated dish, and also my biggest heartbreak. I mean, Iberico pork katsu sando? Sounds like a dream, right? Wrong. So, so wrong. The pork was bland, like it had forgotten its passport to Iberico. The sauce was overpowering too, and the bread? More pancake than fluffy sando goodness. It was a really a complete let down to me.
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| Disappointing Katsu Sando |
Verdict: Some flashes of brilliance, but the katsu sando catastrophe was a tough pill to swallow. I probably wouldn't rush back, but if you're in the area, can give it a go
Ratings:
Food: 4/5 - (Some real gems, but the low points dragged it down.
Service: 4.5/5 - (Professional and friendly, no complaints there!
Decor: 4.5/5 - Stylish and buzzing, a great atmosphere.
Value: 3.5/5 - A bit on the pricier side for the inconsistent quality.
Overall: 4/5 - A decent experience, but left me wanting more.
The decor was inviting, the vibe was buzzing, and the service, while perhaps not as good as Alto Bardero, was still solid.
Now, for the food! The ham croquettes here were divine. Full of flavour, perfectly salty – the ideal companion for a cold beer. The oyster was decent for off-season, but let's be honest, oysters are always a gamble outside of their prime. The shrimp? Spanish shrimp never disappoints, and this one was no exception. Great seasoning, and the cheese on top was a masterstroke. The beef tartare was fantastic – rich, beefy flavour (thanks, Picanha!), though it did get a tad oily towards the end.
Service: 4.5/5 - (Professional and friendly, no complaints there!
Decor: 4.5/5 - Stylish and buzzing, a great atmosphere.
Value: 3.5/5 - A bit on the pricier side for the inconsistent quality.
Overall: 4/5 - A decent experience, but left me wanting more.
Restaurant Varra: The Unexpected Delight!
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| Google image |
Now, for the food! The ham croquettes here were divine. Full of flavour, perfectly salty – the ideal companion for a cold beer. The oyster was decent for off-season, but let's be honest, oysters are always a gamble outside of their prime. The shrimp? Spanish shrimp never disappoints, and this one was no exception. Great seasoning, and the cheese on top was a masterstroke. The beef tartare was fantastic – rich, beefy flavour (thanks, Picanha!), though it did get a tad oily towards the end.
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| Spanish shrimp is just so good |
But the absolute showstopper? The baby squid. Cooked to perfection, slightly crispy, and packed with flavour. Eating squid can be a minefield of rubbery, tasteless disappointments, but this was a triumph. The ink sauce was also beautifully seasoned, a perfect partner for the squid. And finally, the pig ears – apparently a Madrid specialty? Crispy, flavourful, but be prepared for some post-meal tooth-picking!
 | ||
A must try baby squid
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Verdict: Highly recommend! Restaurant Varra delivered on all fronts – great food, good service, and reasonable prices. I'm already planning my return visit for my next Madrid adventure.
Ratings:
Food: 4.5-5/5 - (Consistently excellent, with some real standout dishes.)
Service: 4/5 - (Good, if a little less prompt due to the busy atmosphere.)
Decor: 4.5/5 - (Chic and lively, a fantastic place to dine.)
Value: 4/5 - (Great quality for a fair price.)
Overall: 4.5/5 - (A definite winner in my book!)
Restaurant Information:
Alto BarderoAddress: Calle del MarquΓ©s de Cubas, 27, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Telephone: +34 918 33 53 10
Website: https://altobardero.es/
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3VvM6J6z5vH4b1w89
Restaurant VarraAddress: Calle de Jorge Juan, 8, Salamanca, 28001 Madrid, Spain
Telephone: +34 911 39 46 80
Website: https://varra.es/
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kX3cM1S9R3k6uWd9A
Service: 4/5 - (Good, if a little less prompt due to the busy atmosphere.)
Decor: 4.5/5 - (Chic and lively, a fantastic place to dine.)
Value: 4/5 - (Great quality for a fair price.)
Overall: 4.5/5 - (A definite winner in my book!)
Restaurant Information:
Alto BarderoAddress: Calle del MarquΓ©s de Cubas, 27, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Telephone: +34 918 33 53 10
Website: https://altobardero.es/
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3VvM6J6z5vH4b1w89
Restaurant VarraAddress: Calle de Jorge Juan, 8, Salamanca, 28001 Madrid, Spain
Telephone: +34 911 39 46 80
Website: https://varra.es/
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kX3cM1S9R3k6uWd9A
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