Traditional Spanish food tends to be very hearty and most of the dishes have mainly meat so, for a vegetarian, traveling to Madrid can become a nightmare unless you know exactly where to go.
In a few weeks I’m meeting an old friend. We’ve made all the arrangements and we’re spending a few days in Madrid. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. I was already dreaming about Madrid’s taverns and its delicious beers and tapas (a lot more varied than the ones in Barcelona): the ham, the chorizo, the chicken croquettes… Yummy! But suddenly my friend says: “Marta, didn’t I tell you that I’m a vegetarian now?”
Mmmm, NO… I’m sure I would have remembered THAT…
So I tried not to panic and started looking for a solution that would make both of us happy: nice places where you can enjoy Madrid’s ambiance while eating veggie food. And I found them!
To be honest, vegetarian restaurants are not as popular in Spain as in other places around the world but it turns out that in the few last years they are getting increasingly popular, so it’s not as hard as it used to be to have a veggie meal in the capital of Spain. So if you are a vegetarian or have a veggie friend like me, I would like to share my findings with you. Here you go!
La Isla del Tesoro
This vegetarian restaurant has two venues, both offering creative, high-quality and internationally-inspired dishes including seitan, quail eggs, bulgur, algae and yucca. They have a daily menu, an eco-menu for just 9€, natural beers and ecologic wine. And the restaurant located in Atocha also offers tapas! I couldn’t ask for more. [Address: C. Manuela Malasaña, 3 /C. Atocha, 12]
El Estragón
With a typical Spanish décor, this tavern-restaurant serves up substantial, down-home vegetarian food, including soya meatballs, couscous with roasted vegetables and curry, and even paella with brown rice! [Address: Plaza de la Paja, 10]
Yerbabuena
This vegetarian restaurant offers an incredibly varied menu including lasagne, soya burgers, nachos with cheese, salads, pizzas, crepes, etc. They even have a Daily Menu and a children’s menu. But they don’t only serve lunches and dinners, they also serve breakfasts and snacks, including yogurts, juices, fruit, coffees and sandwiches. It really looks a lot of fun! [Address: C. Bordadores 3]
El Granero de Lavapiés
Photo credit: cmgdviaje
One of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in Madrid, El Granero de Lavapiés, offers a simple, home-made menu with options like lasagne, vegan paella, couscous or salads. If you fancy a dessert you can enjoy their tiramisu or their banana smoothies. It can get quite busy, so they recommend you to arrive early. [Address: C. Argumosa, 10 (near Reina Sofia Museum)]
La Biotika
La Biotika is a macrobiotic vegetarian restaurant located in the centre of Madrid. A nice and quite restaurant where to enjoy not only vegetarian food, but also lots of events and talks about healthy life. On the daily menu they have soups, salads and both vegetarian and macrobiotic options. They even have an eco-shop where to buy high quality and healthy products. A good option if we want to prepare our own vegetarian meal in Madrid.
Well, after finding these vegetarian options it doesn’t look that bad for me to enjoy Madrid at the veggie style.
Thanks Marta!
About the author
Marta Mir has a degree in Journalism. But tired of listening to the stories of politicians in power she decided to flee to distant lands to, like the ancient troubadours, come back and tell her own stories. Now she has less money but is much happier.
How about you? Have you ever tried any of these vegetarian restaurants in Madrid?
Love Madrid, thanks!
omg, the photos are enough to wish i was there!
They all sound absolutely delicious!
@Andi, don’t they? I ate in a great vegetarian restaurant here in San Francisco and it was fantastic! The restos are getting better and better.
I’m not vegetarian but if I lived in Madrid I would visit a veg. restaurant to see what they can offer!
thanks for sharing!
These places look and sound awesome. Definitely will be on my list when I visit Madrid.
Awesome place! thanks for the post.
I hope to visit these cool places soon.’cross fingers’!
great post! I’m a vegan & someday will travel the world and go to Madrid!
great places! I would love to visit one of them once!
these resturaunts sound great, however ewww veggies
I’ve never been out of the country, let alone Madrid, but it’s nice to know I’d be able to find vegetarian fare out there. I’ve been to Spanish restaurants around town, but usually can’t find anything meatless on the menu.
I’ve never even been to Madrid – but I’d love to try these restaurants if (when!) I get the chance to visit!
Never knew there was such a choice, thanks for the info, as usual your pictures are fantastic!
Hope to make it there someday.
I came very close to going to Spain in high school, but the trip was canceled due to a government take over. These photos are lovely. I’m still hoping to get there some day