Madrid Tapas Tour: Chef-Led Cellar Dinner & Bottomless Wine

Summary

Chef-led tapas walk through Madrid’s old bars ending in a 120-year-old cellar for dinner

You’ll slip into Madrid’s lively evenings alongside local chefs: tasting croquetas in an old hardware shop, sampling jamón ibérico with new friends, and learning about vermouth culture before settling in for a private cellar dinner with bottomless wine. Expect laughter over pintxos, honest stories from your guide, and flavors you’ll want to chase long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I was late. Not by much — just enough to rush past Calle Atocha’s traffic and nearly trip over my own shoelaces. The group was already sipping cava at the cooking school when I arrived, cheeks a little pink from the cold outside. Our guide, Marta, didn’t seem bothered. She handed me a glass and grinned, “You made it — now you’re on Madrid time.” I liked her instantly. We left our bags in the corner (felt weirdly trusting but everyone else did it), then set off into the city’s evening hum.

The first stop was this old hardware store-turned-restaurant that still smelled faintly of oil and wood shavings under all the new paint. I tried a croqueta that nearly burned my tongue (worth it) and listened as Marta explained how Calle Atocha splits two sides of Madrid — she waved her arms so much she almost knocked over someone’s wine. Next up was jamón heaven: three kinds of Iberian ham laid out like little ribbons, paired with a red wine that tasted earthy, almost smoky. I tried to pronounce “bellota” properly; Marta laughed and corrected me, but honestly, I think I’ll always say it wrong.

We wandered through Lavapiés where the air felt different — more music from open windows, people calling out greetings across narrow streets. There was this bar buzzing with locals where we had smoky charcuterie from León and a white wine from the Basque country that cut right through the saltiness. At some point we stopped for vermouth and pintxos; I didn’t expect to like the Gilda (anchovy + olive + pepper) but it’s still stuck in my mind — sweet, sharp, salty all at once. It’s funny how something so small can surprise you like that.

Back at the school, they led us down into this candle-lit cellar that felt older than anything back home. Dinner was simple but rich — I picked fish for my main (no regrets), and there was bread with olive oil so good I wanted to pocket some for later (I didn’t). The bottomless wine flowed; we swapped stories with strangers who somehow felt like friends by dessert. When we left, Marta handed us a PDF full of recipes and places to eat next time. Walking out into Madrid night with all that warmth inside — yeah, I’ll remember that feeling awhile.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tapas tour and private dinner in Madrid

• Gather at Calle de Atocha 76 cooking school
• Enjoy bottomless cava and meet group
• Visit historic hardware store restaurant
• Taste world famous Croqueta with wine
• Learn about neighborhood by Calle Atocha
• Stop at Iberian products restaurant
• Taste three types of Jamon Iberico
• Pair ham tasting with recommended wine
• Experience vermouth culture with Gilda pintxo
• Visit Lavapies bar for charcuterie and Basque wine
• Return to cooking school for private dinner
• Choose meat, fish, or vegetarian main dish
• Enjoy seasonal dessert and bottomless wine
• Socialize and receive PDF with tour info

Top questions

How many stops are included on this Madrid tapas tour?

The tour includes four different local restaurant stops plus a final sit-down dinner in a historic cellar.

Is there vegetarian or vegan food available on this tour?

Yes, vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request; just let them know your dietary needs when booking.

Does this tapas tour include drinks?

Yes, each stop includes either wine or beer (or soft drinks), plus bottomless cava at the start and unlimited wine during dinner.

Where does the Madrid tapas tour start and end?

The tour begins and ends at Calle de Atocha 76 at Madrid’s renowned cooking school.

How long is the walking distance on this food tour?

You’ll walk about 3km (1.8 miles) throughout central Madrid during the experience.

Can people with allergies join this tapas tour?

Dishes can be adapted for allergies like gluten-free or nut-free diets but cross-contamination cannot be fully guaranteed.

Is public transportation nearby after the tour?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to both starting and ending points of the tour.

What’s included

Your evening includes four local restaurant visits for traditional tapas—think croquetas, jamón ibérico tastings, Basque pintxos—and drinks at each stop as recommended by your guide. Afterward you’ll return for a private sit-down dinner in a 120-year-old cellar with your choice of main dish (meat or fish), seasonal dessert, bread with olive oil, plus bottomless white, red or sparkling wine—all led by an expert chef-guide before heading back out into central Madrid.