A boutique bar, a renovated tavern, a traditional bar and a place to have a drink are all the concepts that this establishment combines.
Casa Macareno: The noble art of daily menu
Traditional nostalgia in the most sought-after tavern in Malasaña
Casa Macareno: The noble art of the menu of the day
There is a marvellous heritage in Madrid in the form of the tavernas ilustradas. The almost century-old façade of Casa Macareno alone takes us back to another era, to the time when chulapos and chulapas used to meet at aperitif time to have a vermouth. Located in the heart of the Malasaña neighbourhood, Casa Macareno opened its doors in 1920. The tiles that cover the walls throughout the premises remind us of this. Since then it has passed through the regency of several owners until it closed its doors in 2015. A year later, the restaurateur Pepe Roch, Julián Lara and Sergio Ochoa joined forces to retake that spirit. The three of them, with plenty of experience in the sector, took the reins of the business and reopened it under its current name.
Although its best-kept secret is undoubtedly its menu of the day, which already has a legion of followers, including ourselves. This temple to the life we love so much is a must.
Located in the heart of the Malasaña neighbourhood, Casa Macareno opened its doors in 1920. We are reminded of this by the tiles that cover the walls throughout the premises.
It is a living history of the most traditional Madrid that is still preserved in a menu based on renovated classics that have made this tavern a reference point in the neighbourhood. Inside we find a bar, marble floors, strings of garlic, peppers and chorizo hanging, a blackboard mirror announcing the specialities and dishes on the walls painted by the ceramist Nuria Blanco. The interior is divided into three spaces: the entrance with the counter, a small room for snacking on the right and a dining room inside with twelve small tables that fill up at the speed of light.
Inside we find a bar, marble floors, strings of garlic, peppers and chorizo hanging, a blackboard mirror announcing the specialities and dishes on the walls painted by the ceramist Nuria Blanco.
On the menu we find bar essentials such as cured meats, cheese boards, top of the range preserves, and other typical vermouth time delicacies such as boquerones en vinagre with homemade potato chips, anchovies or sardines with tomato feo. There is also no shortage of tavern classics, such as creamy Iberian ham croquettes with truffle, Macareno salad with tuna, scrambled eggs with garlic prawns and patatas bravas. The masterful twist comes in their Gourmet, Oven and Grill sections, where we find false prawn risotto with tuna shavings, baby squid with shallots, vermouth and pumpkin, and Iberian cheeks with Pedro Ximénez. Everything can be washed down with beer, vermouth on tap and delicious wines.
Although its best-kept secret is undoubtedly its menu of the day, which already has a legion of followers, including ourselves. With a choice of two starters, two mains and two desserts (or coffee) plus bread and drink, it’s impossible to resist their commitment to seasonal, quality produce. When we went we tried a delicious white tuna tataki accompanied by vegetables with a touch of soy and ginger, and an excellent beef tenderloin with potatoes. To finish off, what better way to end the meal than a homemade cheesecake with biscuit ice cream, rice pudding and chocolate cake. It is normal that Casa Macareno is a success. This is a temple to the life we love so much.
San Vicente Ferrer 44
911 66 09 21
From Monday to Thursday they serve a menu of the day for 12,90€