Where to Eat Cheap in Central Madrid

Madrid is a city where you can eat incredibly well without emptying your wallet. From full set lunch menus for under 12 euros to free tapas with your beer, the Spanish capital rewards travellers who know where to look. This guide covers the best tips and specific spots for eating cheap in central Madrid.

1. Menu del dia: Spain's greatest invention

The menu del dia (set lunch menu) is the most affordable way to have a full meal in Madrid. For between 10 and 14 euros (in the city centre) you get a first course, a second course, dessert or coffee, bread and a drink included. Many restaurants include house wine or beer in the price. It is usually served Monday to Friday between 13:00 and 16:00.

Some places with a good menu del dia near Opera and Sol:

• La Barraca (Calle de la Reina, 29) — Menu del dia for around 12 euros with generous homestyle dishes.
• Restaurante El Anciano Rey de los Vinos (Calle de Bailen, 19) — Next to the Royal Palace, menu del dia for around 13 euros with traditional Madrid cuisine.
• Casa Labra (Calle de Tetuan, 12) — Famous for its croquetas and salt cod fritters since 1860. Bar tapas cost between 1.50 and 3 euros.

2. Budget chains: eating for under 5 euros

When your budget is really tight, Spanish fast-food chains are your best ally. 100 Montaditos has branches all over the centre (there is one on Gran Via and another near Sol) and offers mini sandwiches from 1 euro each. On Wednesdays and Sundays they run the "Euromania" promotion with all montaditos at 1 euro. With 3 or 4 montaditos and a beer, you can eat for under 5 euros.

Other budget options include Telepizza and Domino's (pizzas from 5-6 euros for takeaway) and Popeyes, which has opened several branches in the centre with meals from 4-5 euros.

3. Kebabs and international food

The Lavapies neighbourhood, about 15 minutes on foot from Opera, is Madrid's most multicultural area and has the highest concentration of affordable international restaurants. You will find kebabs for 4-5 euros, Indian restaurants with menus for 7-8 euros, Chinese food for 5-6 euros and Senegalese restaurants with generous dishes for under 8 euros.

In the Gran Via and Sol area there are also good kebabs. Doner Kebab Istanbul on Calle de la Montera and several shops on Calle del Carmen offer doner kebab with chips and a drink for around 5-6 euros.

4. Food markets

Madrid's markets are an experience in themselves, although not all are equally cheap. It is important to distinguish between touristy markets and neighbourhood markets:

• Mercado de San Miguel (next to Plaza Mayor) — Beautiful but pricey. Tapas cost between 4 and 8 euros each. Worth a visit for a treat, but not the most budget-friendly option.
• Mercado de Anton Martin (Calle de Santa Isabel, 5) — Much more authentic and affordable than San Miguel. It has varied food stalls with portions from 4-5 euros. The sushi stand has pieces from 1 euro.
• Mercado de la Cebada (Plaza de la Cebada, La Latina) — A neighbourhood market with fresh produce at local prices and a couple of bars serving cheap tapas.
• Mercado de San Fernando (Lavapies) — Small and alternative, with stalls serving homemade international food for 5-7 euros a plate.

5. Sandwich shops and bakeries

The classic Spanish bocadillo remains one of the cheapest and most satisfying meals in Madrid. Bakeries in the centre offer ready-made sandwiches for 3-4 euros and empanadas for 2-3 euros.

Rodilla is a Madrid chain with over 50 years of history specialising in sandwiches and salads. It has branches in Sol, Gran Via and Callao, with sandwiches from 2 euros and full meals for around 6 euros. Granier is another bakery chain with sandwiches and pastries at very competitive prices, with branches throughout the centre.

6. Churros and chocolate: the Madrid breakfast

You cannot leave Madrid without having churros with hot chocolate for breakfast. Chocolateria San Gines (Pasadizo de San Gines, 5) has been open since 1894 and is a 3-minute walk from ROX Madrid. A serving of churros with chocolate costs around 4.50 euros. It is open 24 hours, so it also works as a late-night snack after a night out.

If you want a less touristy alternative, Los Artesanos 1902 (Calle de San Martin, 2) near Callao makes excellent filled churros for 3-4 euros. And many neighbourhood cafes offer a coffee and tomato toast combo for 2.50-3.50 euros, the quintessential Madrid breakfast.

7. Supermarkets: the cheapest option

If you have access to a kitchen (like the shared kitchen at ROX Madrid), the supermarkets in the centre are unbeatable on price. The main options near Opera and Sol:

• Mercadona — Spain's most popular supermarket. The closest ones to the centre are on Calle del Arenal and Calle de Atocha. Good prices on fresh produce, excellent own brand (Hacendado) and ready meals from 2-3 euros.
• Dia — There are several miniDia stores in the centre. Competitive prices and frequent promotions. Their own brand is very affordable.
• Carrefour Express — Small stores throughout the centre, open until 22:00 or later. Slightly more expensive than Mercadona, but very convenient.
• Ahorramas — A Madrid chain with good value for money and plenty of branches in the city centre.

8. Free tapas with your beer

In some parts of Madrid the tradition of serving a free tapa with every drink you order still survives. It is not as common as in Granada or Leon, but you can still find it, especially in the La Latina neighbourhood and in some traditional bars.

A small beer (cana) costs between 1.50 and 2.50 euros in most bars in the centre. In bars that serve free tapas, they are usually olives, patatas bravas, a croqueta or a slice of Spanish omelette. With 3 or 4 canas (6-8 euros) you can end up quite well fed.

Areas where free tapas are easier to find:

• La Latina — Especially on Calle de la Cava Baja and surrounding streets. Bars like El Tempranillo and La Chata offer good tapas with your drink.
• Huertas — Some bars in the Barrio de las Letras area keep the tradition alive.
• Malasana — Alternative bars on the streets around Plaza del Dos de Mayo often serve a tapa with your beer.

Summary: daily food budget for Madrid

Here is an example of what you can spend per day eating well in central Madrid:

• Breakfast: Coffee with toast at a neighbourhood cafe — 2.50-3.50 euros
• Lunch: Menu del dia — 10-13 euros
• Afternoon snack: Churros at San Gines — 4 euros
• Dinner: Kebab or montaditos — 5-6 euros
• Total: Between 20 and 27 euros per day eating out

If you cook at the hostel with supermarket groceries, you can bring that budget down to 10-15 euros per day easily.