Tapas in La Latina: A Guide to the Best Bars

La Latina is the spiritual home of tapas culture in Madrid. On any given Sunday, the streets around Cava Baja fill with locals moving from bar to bar, glass in hand. This is the guide to doing it properly.

What are tapas?

Tapas are small portions of food served alongside a drink — a tradition rooted in Spanish bar culture. In Madrid, tapas don't usually come free with every drink (as they do in some other Spanish cities), but the prices are fair and the variety is exceptional.

In La Latina, the tapas culture is elevated: bars compete on quality, and locals know exactly which places do the best croquetas, the best patatas bravas, or the best anchovies in vinegar.

What to order

The classics: croquetas caseras (homemade croquettes, usually with jamón ibérico or bacalao), patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce), boquerones en vinagre (anchovies in vinegar), jamón ibérico, tortilla española and pimientos de Padrón.

In Basque-style bars like Txakolina, pintxos — small bites on bread — take centre stage. Try the gildas (olive, anchovy and pepper skewer), the txakolí-marinated fish or the bacalao toasts.

The Sunday tapas ritual

Sunday in La Latina follows a delicious ritual: El Rastro flea market in the morning, then tapas and vermouth from around midday. Locals call this the vermut hour — a long, leisurely session of drinks and bites that stretches well into the afternoon.

The streets around Cava Baja, Calle Almendro and Plaza del Humilladero are packed by 1pm on Sundays. Arrive slightly early to get a spot at the bar, or embrace the standing crowd.

Best tapas bars in La Latina

Cava Baja has the highest concentration of tapas bars. Among the standouts: Txakolina for Basque pintxos and natural wines, El Bombín de Sabina for traditional vermouth and anchovy-style tapas, Taberna La Concha for classic Madrid staples.

Don't overlook the smaller streets — Calle Almendro and Calle de la Cava Alta have quieter bars with equally good food and a more local feel.