Madrid Tapas Tour: Huertas Neighborhood

Tapas are synonymous with Spanish gastronomy, but looking beyond the well-known dishes—patatas bravas and croquetas—what do tapas really entail? Decoding a typical tapas menu can be a challenge. Our 3-hour Madrid tapas tour, led by a local food writer or chef, defines the concept of tapas through ample tastings at various tavernas in central Madrid. We’ll focus on madrileño customs, traditions, and specialties on this food tour, realizing there is no better city than Madrid, one of Spain's true cultural centers, in which to launch an exploration of the Spanish culinary phenomenon. 

You will begin your discovery of tapas culture at a historic taverna where you will delve into the history of tapas and the folklore surrounding its origins. Over a caña (glass) of beer—a madrileño's favorite for accompanying tapas—and boquerones (anchovies marinated in vinegar, a very typical tapa for which this taverna is known), you'll learn about the basics of tapas and other typical madrileño dishes, how they are prepared, and why they’ve become local specialties. Following your introduction to this exciting culinary form, you will move on to another of Madrid’s oldest tavernas, which dates to the early 19th century. Weathering the decades, this taverna still retains a distinctly castizo (genuine) atmosphere, making it an exceptional location to sample another type of tapa. Here, you'll taste this taverna's house specialty, another local favorite, along with a few other typical tapas (and their accompanying libations) from Madrid. Additionally, you will examine the menu together, learning how to decipher and order some of Spain's most exciting delicacies.

With a solid understanding of the foundations of tapas under your belt, you will branch out beyond Madrid to examine country-wide customs. Looking at other Spanish tapas varieties, you will discuss how they differ from those of capital, which is, after all, a cultural center that through modernization has become representative of Spain’s many cultures. Perhaps you’ll visit a taverna specializing in pintxos (tapas from the Basque region), or you may sample one of southwestern Spain’s best-known exports, jamón ibérico. Your last stops will also introduce you to new trends in tapas, such as the current fashion of “miniature cuisine,” and showcase how tapas are evolving in the 21st century.

As you move from taverna to taverna, you will become acquainted with Madrid's distinct atmosphere. Through tasting a variety of Spanish tapas, you will learn about the evolution of this cuisine and the regional influences that contributed to differences throughout Spain. As our time on our best Madrid food & tapas tour comes to a close, you will leave with an understanding of both traditional tapas and modern takes on this typically Spanish fare, the ability to navigate a menu independently, and a taste of Madrid's authentic Spanish tavernas. 

I have dietary restrictions. Can I take this tour?
We will do our best to accommodate you. Please note that if you have severe allergies, we cannot guarantee that the foods prepared in restaurant kitchens will not be subject to cross-contamination. Please note any food allergies or intolerances when booking.

This walk takes place around dinner time. Will the tastings be enough for dinner? The various tastings on the tour are significant and can be considered a replacement for a meal.