A culinary tour of the Salesas neighborhood: a day to savor Madrid

Salesas is one of those neighborhoods best enjoyed on foot. Its streets invite you to take your time, admire the pretty shop windows, and come across arcades and terraces that seem strategically placed for taking a break.

This route invites you to explore the neighborhood bite by bite, letting the day unfold through its flavors. From the first coffee to the final toast, Salesas is best savored on foot: a stop here, another street over, a shared table, an unexpected drink, and that quintessentially Madrilenian feeling that the best plan is the one that goes on longer than expected.

Breakfast at Bruto: coffee, calm, and a great start

The morning begins at Bruto, the perfect spot to ease into the rhythm of Salesas. Here, the first cup of coffee sets the tone for the day: an intense aroma, a hot cup in your hands, and that feeling of having made the right choice for where to start. The murmur of the room, the clatter of dishes, and the smell of freshly toasted bread create a simple, inviting atmosphere that’s quintessentially a Madrid morning.

It’s the kind of place where you feel like ordering something delicious, sitting down without watching the clock too much, and letting breakfast linger just long enough: a sweet or savory bite, a second cup, a quiet conversation, and the neighborhood starting to stir on the other side of the window.

13 San Lucas St., 28004 – Justicia

Average price: €20

Aperitif at Hermanos Vinagre: vermouth and bar snacks

The journey continues to Hermanos Vinagre, a must-visit spot to indulge in the ritual of the aperitif. Here, vibrant flavors reign supreme: pickles, gildas, preserves, vinegar, salt, oil, and that touch of mischief that whets the appetite.

Everything invites you to eat with your hands, order another round, and share small plates and quick banter. It’s an easy and very appealing stop to whet your appetite, order something savory to share, and stretch out the conversation a bit before continuing on your way.

17 Gravina St., 28004 – Justicia

Average price: €25

Dining at Roostiq: charcoal-grilled dishes, quality ingredients, and plenty of flavor

After the appetizer, Roostiq serves as the centerpiece of the itinerary: a restaurant where you can order a variety of dishes, share them, raise a toast, and let the afternoon stretch out.

It smells of the oven, of the grill, of warm dough, of ingredients treated with respect. The cuisine is flavorful, distinctive, and has that touch of heat that makes everything appetizing from the very first bite. It’s the most elegant and indulgent version of the restaurant that excels at pork cracklings.

Roostiq is a restaurant with the soul of a grill house, and to achieve this, it relies on the most powerful tool of all: fire. Everything revolves around it, and to master it and make the most of it—in addition to their famous grill—they have the best tool available: a Neapolitan wood-fired oven built from stone by a family of Neapolitan artisans who have been crafting them for generations.

40 Barquillo St., 28004 – Justicia

Average price: €70

Afternoon wine at Gabo’s: the restaurant that captures the spirit of New York

Gabo’s unassuming façade gives little hint of what lies within: no sign, no flashy neon, just two small, dimly lit lanterns that seem to hint that something special is happening on the other side of the door.

Gabo’s is a bar & grill with a New York soul. It doesn’t aim to be a typical restaurant or just any old bar. What it strives to be is a gathering place: a spot where you come for a drink or a good dinner, but end up staying because it’s so comfortable, the music is great, and the atmosphere invites you to extend the night without watching the clock. The idea is simple: good food, good drinks, a place where there’s always something going on and where you want to come back again and again.

The cuisine is New York-style—unpretentious, but made with care and nods to the Big Apple’s best recipes. They focus on those classics you always crave: from a cheeseburger to a lobster roll that you can enjoy at the bar with a cocktail, a thin and crispy pizza, nuggets with caviar, or a dessert that takes you back to your childhood. It’s cuisine designed to be enjoyed—comforting and perfect for complementing the restaurant experience.

5 C/Prim, 28004 – Justicia

Average price: €45

Dinner at Charrúa: a paradise for meat lovers

Charrúa is a project by a duo—a Galician and a Uruguayan—who have found in meat the new champion of gastronomy.

This is the place to come for top-quality meat. The best approach is to order a couple of different cuts to try two things and try something different on your next visit.

It’s time to lower your voice, order a good wine, and let yourself be carried away by a cuisine that embraces the essentials: ingredients, technique, and passion.

4 Conde de Xiquena St., 28004 – Madrid

Average price: €80

Cocktails at Ficus Bar: signature cocktails

Its warm atmosphere, enriched with exotic elements, stimulates and soothes the senses. Fabrics from Mali, masks from Senegal, vases from Kenya, furniture from Mumbai, and sculptures from the Ivory Coast…

The menu plays with botanical themes and is organized into sour, sweet, and dry cocktails, making it easy to find a drink for any occasion. This exotic oasis where drinking is like traveling.

On this route, Ficus Bar serves as the perfect stop between dinner and the nightcap. A place to sit down, order well, and let the night wind down a bit before moving on.

8 Santo Tomé St., 28004 – Justicia

Average price: €15