Madrid: Historic Centre Food Tour & 10 Tastings Walk

Summary

Pastries at sunrise, squid sandwiches in plazas, laughter over vermouth

You’ll start your Madrid food tour nibbling pastries in a historic bakery before tasting Iberian ham, Manchego cheese, and sipping vermouth near Plaza Mayor. Expect laughter with locals over cider and patatas bravas, plus a surprise secret dish to end things on a high note — all wrapped up in stories only someone from Madrid could tell.

What’s the experience like?

I barely had time to check my phone before we were inside this old pastry shop — the kind with foggy glass and locals already elbow-to-elbow at the counter. Our guide (Javier? Or maybe Javi — everyone called him that) handed me something flaky and warm. I don’t even remember the name, but the cinnamon hit first, then this buttery sweetness that lingered while he pointed out how the tiles on the floor had been there since his grandmother’s time. It was early but Madrid felt wide awake; you could hear deliveries clattering down side streets and smell coffee drifting out into the cool air.

We wandered through narrow lanes past Puerta del Sol (Javi joked about it being “the center of the universe for taxi drivers”) and ducked into a deli older than anyone in our group. He sliced Iberian ham so thin it almost melted on my tongue — I tried to say “salchichón” right but got laughed at (fair). Manchego cheese came next, nutty and sharp, then olives so briny they made my mouth pucker. The Madrid food tour just kept moving — deep fried squid sandwiches eaten standing up by Plaza Mayor while pigeons eyed our crumbs. I’d never thought of squid as street food before.

By midday we were sharing cider in a noisy bar where locals were arguing (loudly but somehow friendly) over football scores. The vermouth was cold and herbal; Javi taught us to toast “¡Salud!” before passing around patatas bravas with spicy sauce that left my lips tingling. There was a secret dish too — I promised not to spoil it, but I still think about that bite when I walk past tapas bars back home. Somewhere along the way, someone spilled their sangria and nobody cared much; it just became part of the story.

The last stop was inside an old restaurant with heavy wooden beams overhead and walls full of faded photos. We finished with Spanish tortilla — creamy in the middle, nothing like what I’d tried elsewhere — and sat for a moment just listening to forks clink against plates. The whole thing felt less like a tour and more like being invited along for lunch by friends who know all the shortcuts through Madrid’s historic centre. Honestly, I left full in every sense.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Madrid historic centre food and sights

• Start at historic pastry shop
• Sample Iberian ham, manchego, olive oil
• Eat deep fried squid sandwich
• Enjoy tapa and Spanish cider
• Taste vermouth with tapa of the day
• Visit Plaza Mayor
• Pass by Puerta del Sol
• Walk through San Miguel Market
• Finish with Spanish omelette and Secret Dish

Top questions

How long is the Madrid historic centre food tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and thirty minutes.

What foods are included on this Madrid food tour?

You’ll try Iberian ham, chorizo, manchego cheese, olives, squid sandwich, Spanish tortilla, patatas bravas, pastries, chef’s daily tapa, Padrón peppers, cider, vermouth, wine or sangria, orujo liqueur and a secret dish.

Does this Madrid food tour include Plaza Mayor?

Yes, you’ll pass by Plaza Mayor during the walking tour.

Is there alcohol served on this food tour?

Yes—vermouth, Spanish cider, red or white wine or sangria are included.

Are dietary requirements accommodated?

You should contact the organizers in advance about any dietary needs so they can try to accommodate you.

How much walking is involved in this Madrid food tour?

The tour involves a fair amount of walking through central Madrid; comfortable shoes are recommended.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet at the starting point in central Madrid.

What’s included

Your day includes more than ten authentic tastings: from fresh pastries at a historic bakery to slices of Iberian ham and manchego cheese at an old deli; deep fried squid sandwiches near Plaza Mayor; local drinks like vermouth or cider; chef’s daily tapa; patatas bravas; Spanish tortilla; Padrón peppers; marinated olives; chorizo and lomo; plus one secret dish revealed only on your Madrid food tour with your local guide leading each step between bites.