There is life far beyond San Isidro.
With 250,000 inhabitants, it is one of the most populated districts of Madrid: a small city within the big city , with its uses, customs, and its strong neighborhood identity . More people live here than in Pamplona or Logroño, for example. Immortalized by the cinema in great phrases like that of Santiago Segura (proud native) in El Día de la Bestia ("I am satanic... and from Carabanchel"), in neighborhood landscapes such as those of the recently awarded A Cambio de Nada (directed by another native, Daniel Guzmán), or in children's books (and movies) like the endearing Manolito Gafotas, Carabanchel (which starts just on the other side of Madrid Río and ends we don't even know where) he deserves a getaway.
come to the territory where things really happen , where grandparents live with children, where cosmopolitanism is a way of life, where schools are (really) a melting pot of cultures , and where is not that the seasonal cuisine has become fashionable... is that here they always knew that it was the only important one. But don't come, by the way, only to San Isidro: come all year round. And, if possible, with this list of names under the arm:
WHERE (MOSTLY) TO EAT
The House of Minutes
Fame passes by word of mouth. And what are the 'minutejos '? They are sandwiches in a very thin sliced bread, ear foil fillers , also very thinly sliced, accompanied by the hot sauce of the house
Calle de Antonio Leyva, 19 (near Marques de Vadillo)
t. 915 60 67 26
Gonmar Brewery
Here the thing is about getting into work and mashing your hands: we enter one of the breweries where, they say, some of the most famous ear rations in all of Madrid , with a worthy sauce, along with their spicy potatoes , to make you want to move here.
Munoz Grandes Walk, 47
t_ 91 466 00 32
Mrs. Potato
We continue with tapas in the considered General Headquarters of the potato. The issue here goes through a good cane and its cap of potatoes and sauce . There are sirloin toasts, brie cheese, peppers, tuna... and in general local products, accompanied by good wines, or their mythical trays of French fries with choice of sauces . The place is small and the prices, too. The bad? Sometimes it's so crowded you can't sit down . There must be a reason...
Juan Francisco Street, 5
91 472 75 32
All for some fries with salsa.
Don Antonio Steakhouse
The residents of Carabanchel do not need to go to the mountains of Madrid to eat in a typical Castilian roast: they have it in the neighborhood, and also, in the old town, next to the Carabanchel Alto metro. hearty dishes, roast kid, grilled scallops, grilled ribs, entrecote ... are some of their specialties. There are fish For those who do not like the carnivorous option (although here everyone comes to what comes), salads, good desserts and, very importantly, good wines . Of course, it is recommended to opt for one of the closed menus so that prices don't skyrocket.
Carabanchel Alto Avenue, 58. Madrid
t._ 91 508 48 04
** Inn El Gallo Pelon **
To stay in line restaurants to take your father , another grill: for four decades, this place has been committed to grilled meats and roasted in a wood oven as star dishes, although if you are not hungry you can keep their portions. From Galicia, they bring the octopus to the fair or the mussels au gratin. Of Andalusia they offer us the fried fish waves Shrimp Scampi with olive oil. not missing the Valencian paella , every Thursday. The site is a traditional grill where they exist, a typical inn, family , of which they begin to be scarce. Recommendation: its Paleto, a strip of marinated grilled bacon, rich and well priced.
C/ Espinar, 10. Madrid (next to the Gómez Ulla hospital and the Carabanchel metro)
t. 91 462 41 11
Meson Asador Avelino
Added to this list by strong popular acclaim , this emblematic inn boasts of serving one of the best roast suckling pigs in all of Madrid . In addition to its more classic version, it investigates with more contemporary proposals, such as Suckling pig and boletus roll in bacon with raspberry sauce or suggestions like Crispy oxtail stuffed with foie with red wine reduction and candied apple. famous for his exquisite treatment , we are also attracted by its complete wine list and its wide suggestion of gin and tonics. When word of mouth leads you to a relatively hidden site like this, it must be for a reason.
C/ Joaquin Turina 42, 28044 Madrid
t. 91 508 40 80
Melgar restaurant.
Melgar
After the morning walk through Madrid Río, we can go out until Antonio Lopez Street and give us a homage in this Galician seafood restaurant: some good ones oysters and razor clams to start, or an inevitable Octopus on the grill , which may be accompanied by Huelva white prawns grilled, or a D.O. Guijuelo that does not fail. Since we have a sweet tooth, cream filled pancakes or the green apple sorbet with cider They tempt us a lot. recently refurbished It is cozy, bright, and good value for money.
Calle Antonio López, 5. 28019 Madrid
t. 91 460 06 55
Oviedo
Very close to the previous one and to Madrid Rio, also in Anthony Lopez , a Asturian with very good value for money . The rice with lobster or the shrimp with clams are simply in-ol-vi-da-bles. From time to time, they mark j ornadas del cachopo with live performances that deserve the visit. There are special menu also on weekends, desserts of those of wanting to smack the plate -but it's ugly- (please, please the freixuelos stuffed with blueberries) and, in general, good prices . Does anyone give more?
Antonio Lopez, 55, 28019 Madrid
t. 915 69 47 36
Devinums
The wine cellars are also making their way in the southern zone, and the proof of this is Devinums: Lupe and Javi have been offering a varied menu for six years now with meats, vegetables, rice dishes, portions, spoon dishes traditional dishes and infallible specialties such as their crashed eggs ( farmyard , by the way, and with home fries , as necessary). though here what is truly infallible is its terrace: with stove in winter and sprinklers in summer. One hit.
Avda. Our Lady of Fatima, 86. 28047 Madrid
t. 91 462 88 28
The (long-awaited) terrace of Devinums.
astral cafe
They say that the best eggs with truffle in all of Madrid They put them in this cafe that you would never go into if you looked only at the outside. Here what takes is be advised by the waiters and, in summer, have breakfast or drink beers at nightfall on its terrace. to eat, the piggy is its star, although we must not stop trying its Iberian pate of own manufacture. And a curiosity: to be from the neighborhood, its surprising extensive menu of gins and tonics , with an explanation of its origin and possible combinations by the staff. A kick.
Old Way of Leganes, 82. 28025 Madrid. t. 91 469 25 77
Where to eat eggs with truffle? In Carabanchel!
**WHERE TO DRINK (AND DANCE AND SING) **
Logically, in all the above places you can drink a good wine, a beer (or great gin and tonics, like in the Astral cafe), but in Carabanchel there is much more night to discover . This is a neighborhood rock tradition (not in vain, from here they come Rosendo either The Langi ) and with a multitude of night rooms where to go to listen to a good concert (beyond Vistalegre) and, incidentally, have a drink in the heat of Carabanchel La Nuit. At one time, there were even curious tango milongas in industrial premises (the extinct The Navigatory ) that gave another touch to this Madrid beyond the M-30, but unfortunately these have disappeared. we have left rooms of the usual (we select only a few, although the list is extensive, and good): Grotto 77
Underground and rock , offers a Daily programming of live music. It is tiny , but it is well equipped, cozy and reasonable prices . They also organize theme parties. Its rehearsal rooms are very good and, for many, it is the best concert hall in all of Madrid. We like.
Cuckoo, 6, 28019 Madrid (Porto)
t. 91 471 23 70
The venture
One of the best-known and most charming cocktail bars of Carabanchel. With a quirky decor (you will see from a small plane to the hood of a Cadillac or the head of a rhinoceros), it is a local neighborhood , with all the mystique that this entails. with great variety of cocktails , it is usually full every day of the week, and during the week you can sit on its comfortable sofas.
Porto Avenue, 80. Madrid
t. 91 466 71 84
live room
until this two-story nightclub with exposed brick walls you can go to dance, listen to concerts or monologues (like those of the carabancheleros Faemino and Tired ), and to drink, of course. It is one of the few places that closes late in the neighborhood, so it is usually full. Good atmosphere, little posturing, and good prices.
Av of Our Lady of Fatima, 42, 28047 Madrid
t. 91 525 54 44
Cafe Theater La Chocita del Loro
A classic living room to listen monologues , watch magic shows and take something at the same time. La Chocita has several rooms in the capital, but this may be the one more neighborhood essence, with its particular charm (and better prices).
Dr. Urquiola, 23, 28025 Madrid
t. 91 4 66 75 04
We must not forget the rock essence of the neighborhood.
THE PLUS
Pizzeria Novecento
It is not Carabanchel, but his neighbor Aluche , strictly speaking. But while we prepare the next installment of Eating and Drinking in the neighborhoods of Madrid , we cannot stop recommending this essential pizzeria of the south . Their Italian-Argentine food menu completely homemade (with fresh pasta and grandma's desserts included) and its decoration help us transport ourselves to those latitudes. Good music and good conversation. Charming.
Camarena, 107, 28047 Madrid
t. 91 719 06 30
Pizzeria Novecento: a must-see in the South.
*** You may also be interested in...**
- Vallecas: where to eat and drink in the fashionable neighborhood of Madrid - Chamberímanía: ten tracks to enjoy the most desired district of Madrid
- Neighborhoods that are going to become fashionable in Madrid: Legazpi
- Tell me how you are and I will tell you in which neighborhood of Madrid to live
- 35 films that will make you fall in love (even more) with Madrid
- 100 things about Madrid you should know
- How to behave in Malasaña
- How to behave in the Salamanca neighborhood
- How to behave in La Latina
- Playing hopscotch with Madrid: a curious route
- Madrid sunsets