Mercado de la Reina

The Mercado de la Reina is a well-known Madrid tapas institution located right at the beginning of Gran Via in downtown Madrid. The order of the day are classic low-brow tapas like croquettes, patatas bravas (thick-cut potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce), and fried calamari made with great ingredients and a modern attitude. The result? Great classic tapas which, while occasionally bland and greasy in lesser establishments, are clean and tasty here. To our foreign taste-buds, some of Spain's classic tapas can seem a bit...underwhelming (the famous Spanish omelet is, after all, just eggs and potatoes). The Mercado de la Reina's fresh touch is a good way to understand these Spanish comfort-food staples.

El Mercado de la Reina is probably one of the best tapas places in the Chueca neighborhood. The restaurant is nice and spacious, with doors opening onto La Reina St. (this is the restaurant side) and onto Gran Vía (the tapas side). The tapas are stupendous and the place is usually pretty packed, proof of the great price/quality relationship. One important detail is that the kitchen is always open and this makes it a great choice for a meal or a quick snack at any hour.
By the way, you can’t miss the sensational Spanish potato omelet, especially when they’re fresh out of the kitchen. They melt

Excellent location right on Gran Vía. There’s a bar where you can try tapas and raciones (large, platter-sized tapas). If you’re in the mood for a sit-down meal, I recommend reserving a place ahead of time because it can get pretty full on weekends. The price/quality ratio here is excellent. I recommend trying the tuna belly and tomato salad, the fried eggs with Spanish ham, the grilled tuna, the grilled octopus, or the beef sirloin. On the lower lever, you’ll find the Gin & Club where you taste a selection of their finest gin and tonics.