One think I’ve always missed in Madrid is a decent place to buy sandwiches. Most bars sell bocatas which sort of substitute but I’m really talking about custom hand made sandwiches where you chose the breed, filling, toppings, spread etc. Magasand which recently opened in Alonso Martinez/Chueca offers just that. You chose from a variety of breads, buns or bagels and add from a good selection of cut meats, cheeses, spreads, sauces and other garnishing. They also promise soups in winter.

You can eat in or take away. If you eat in you head upstairs to the very pleasant magazine area. There’s good selection to chose from and you can either sit at the long wooden table or on one of the couches. This area begs for (free) wifi, but as far as I can tell its not currently available - don’t be mislead by the picture, that fellow is using 3G networks.

I had a bagel with pastrami, sweet mustard, sun dried tomatoes and cheese for 4 euros.

Magasand
Travesia de San Mateo

Madrid , Madrid , 28004 Spain


GEO: 40.42476, -3.697447
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This shop has an eclectic mix of gourmet foods from all over the world, wine, liquors and food related books, with a French tilt. Its nicely laid out, and fun just to wander around just looking at the large variety of things. Nothing in this shop is partucularly cheap, but prices are reasonable for what they’re selling. If you’re looking to take something nicely packaged and original to a party this would be a good place to look. The people that work there (I imagine the owners, but I’m not sure) are generally helpful and seem to know the stuff they’re selling.

Plaisir Gourmet
info@plaisirgourmet.com
calle Gravina 1, Bajo

Madrid , Madrid , 28004 Spain
(+34) 91 702 55 01


GEO: 40.423447, -3.698579
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The La Carte des Vins is a nice little wine shop on the Vasquez de Mella Square, with a good selection of Spanish wines, and a few imported ones. I nice alternative to shopping at El Corte Ingles.

La Carte des Vins
madrid-infantas@lacartedesvins.com
Calle Infantas 16

Madrid , Madrid , 28004 Spain
+34 91 522 85 17


GEO: 40.420643, -3.699785
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I strolled by Tepic today, saw the menu which looked good, and the atmosphere looked very chueca-modern. I didn’t get a chance to try it, but if you have, I’d be interested to hear what you thought about it.

Update: I finally managed to go to this place and here’s my verdict: the food was pretty good, closer to real mexican food that most of it competitors, including decent real corn tortillas, friendly service and a pretty extensice tequila menu. My main gripe is the price. Sure its a step up from the usual mexican joint, and a more elegant etc, but its also more than twice as expensive.

Tepic: urban mex restaurant
calle Pelayo 4

Madrid , Madrid , 28004 Spain
+34 91 522 08 50


GEO: 40.421803, -3.699034
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I went for lunch today to the SushiOle in Chueca, and for 10 euros, incluing beer and desert, what a pleasant surprise! There’s a choice of 4 starters and 4 main courses all of which fall into the category of Japanese-fusion. I don’t think I’m going to try and describe the food, since the website (http://sushiole.com/) has a full menu with great pictures and all the prices (the 10 euro lunch menu only seems to be provided on the Spanish version of the website). This restaurant is a chain and there are currently 4 locations for it, all provided on their website.

SushiOle
info@sushiole.com
C/ Valgame Dios 4

Madrid , Madrid , 28004 Spain
+34 902 022 592


GEO: 40.422252, -3.696535
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Take aways aren’t that common in madrid, so I was pleasantly surprised by La Vita e Bella. There are 5-6 different pre-cooked pasta dishes which change from week to week, pizza by the slice or whole and salads, all for take away.

I’ve only tried the pasta, but like virtually all the dishes I’ve tried. Al-dente paste served with simple tasty sauces.

La Vita e Bella
Calle Pelayo, 22

Madrid , Madrid , 28004 Spain
+34 91 532 17 41


GEO: 40.422685, -3.698498
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Trendy new tapas bar, full of young, good looking and trendy people. In spite of that it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. We had cañas (small beers), cheap but drinkable red wine, a plate of tasty shrimp with lemon. The background music was well chosen.Basic menu with dishes like: Egg with Foie, Boletus Risotto, Hamburger, Cous-cous… All dishes were between 10-20 euros. Its very near calle Luna, home to prostitutes and junkies. 

Larita
Corredera baja de San Pablo, 19

Madrid , Madrid , Spain
+34 91 522 80 70


GEO: 40.422277, -3.704302
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Decoración muy cuidada, como en los otros restaurantes que también poseen este grupo que se conoce como los Zaras de la Restauración (La Gloria de Montera, Public y La Finca de Susana, hasta el momento en Madrid).
Lo mejor, la relación calidad-precio, más que por la comida, por el menú del día con mantel de hilo almidonado, platos de diseño y servicio agradable. En estos momentos el menú con 2 platos, bebida y postre o café está a menos de 10 euros.
Lo peor, las colas, que no admiten reserva y se pone hasta los topes.
Mira su página para ver todos los establecimientos que tienen también en Barcelona.
www: Restaurante Bazaar