Where to eat late at night in Madrid
What to order, where to go and the little things worth knowing.
- 01
Chocolatería San Ginés
Chocolate con churros in a green-and-mirrors parlour that has fed Madrid's night owls since 1894.
OrderChocolate con churros, or porras (the fat cousin) if the night was long. Dunk, don't sip.
- 02
Teatro Eslava
The former Joy Eslava is now Teatro Eslava: a historic theatre with concerts and ticketed club nights.
OrderA cerveza at the bar between the concert and the dance floor.
- 03
Sala El Sol
A live-music room off Gran Vía since 1979, with gigs and late club sessions on the same calendar.
OrderA cerveza or a copa at the bar during the gig or club session.
- 04
Medias Puri
Underground club beneath the Nuevo Apolo theatre: three rooms, drag, cabaret and chaos until dawn.
OrderA cerveza at the bar, then a place with a view of the performers on a show night.
- 05
Teatro Kapital
A multi-floor nightclub in a former theatre by Atocha, with different rooms and a dress-conscious door.
OrderA cerveza at the bar, then explore the different dance floors.
- 06
El Penta
La Movida-era rock bar where Malasaña still ends its night: cheap copas, a tiny floor, great songs.
OrderA cubata, with Spanish pop and rock on the sound system.
- 07
Siroco
Concerts and club nights near Conde Duque since 1989, with a basement dance floor and changing line-ups.
OrderA beer at the bar; check whether your event ticket includes a drink.
- 08
Taquería Mi Ciudad
The original tiny Fuentes taquería makes a strong case for another round of tacos.
OrderTacos al pastor, taco de huitlacoche and a michelada.
- 09
La Fontana de Oro
An exuberantly decorated Irish pub where live bands, football and very late nights meet beside Sol.
OrderA pinta de Guinness and alitas de pollo con patatas fritas.
- 10
La Negra Tomasa
Cuban cooking and live salsa turn a dinner just behind Sol into a considerably longer evening.
OrderRopa vieja tradicional, lechón asado and a mojito.
- 11
Churrería Pepita
A dawn stop for churros to take home and homemade crisps that may not survive the walk.
OrderChurros and patatas fritas caseras.
- 12
La Gintonería de Candilón
A neighbourhood cocktail bar for generous measures and an unhurried drink after dinner.
OrderPassion Shake or Manhattan.
- 13
The Irish Rover
A huge Irish pub for Guinness, live bands and the useful ability to feed you after a late finish.
OrderSalchichas irlandesas con patatas, alitas con salsa Irish Rover and a pinta de Guinness.
- 14
Churrería Márquez
Ventilla does breakfast properly here: freshly fried porras, churros and chocolate with no brunch ceremony.
OrderPorras, churros and chocolate a la taza.
- 15
Churrería La Mejor
Six in the morning in Adelfas, and someone has already put the chocolate on.
OrderPorras, churros and chocolate a la taza; the porras deserve first dibs.
- 16
Churrería Bernabé
A Vallecas takeaway churrería for porras at six, before most breakfast counters have stirred.
OrderPorras, churros and chocolate a la taza.
- 17
Churrería La Olla del Chocolate
This tiny Opañel churrería starts frying at five, when breakfast still feels like part of the night.
OrderPorras, churros and chocolate a la taza.
- 18
Entre Santos
Chueca cocktails with a kitchen that still takes your dinner seriously after midnight.
OrderCroquetas de ropa vieja, portobello relleno de queso de cabra and an Entre Santos sin alcohol.
- 19
Taberna La Buha
Huge stuffed tortillas on Plaza de la Cebada when your La Latina bar crawl suddenly needs dinner.
OrderTortilla de queso de cabra y cebolla caramelizada, or tortilla de jamón york y queso.
- 20
Churrería Siglo XIX
Long churros and hefty porras on the Albufera, ready when a night out runs into breakfast.
OrderChurros alargados, porras and chocolate a la taza.
- 21
Patuchurro
Proper porras beside Méndez Álvaro's coach station, for departures too early to be civilised.
OrderPorras, churros and café con leche.
- 22
Churrería Quinta Generación
Antonio de Leyva's early chocolate stop, where the morning revolves around churros and porras.
OrderChurros, porras and chocolate a la taza.