Al Dente. Fernando VI 2 (Metro: Alonso Martínez. Bus: 3, 7, 21, 40, or 147), Phone: 91-650-39-43
Rich sauces and a fine selection of Italian wines and grappas are available in this delicious restaurant, and the stylish shelves are lined with hand ware with famous names like Fiordelisi, Fattorie, and Umbre. Pasta rules are also available in a rich variety of forms: toconi, cavatelli, orecchiette, and togliolini among them.

Hespen & Suárez. Barceló 15 (Metro: Chueca. Bus: 3, 40, or 149), Phone: 91-445-39-03
Products on its shelves range from Lebanese coffee and tandoori pasta to Japanese noodles. Their own products include bagels and take-away minestrone. You can also sample their menu (up to 7€/$8.05) or just enjoy a coffee and cake at the bar.

Lavinia. Ortega y Gasset 16 (Metro: Núñez de Balboa. Bus: 1 or 74), Phone: 91-426-06-04
Web site: www.lavinia.es
Smart, bright, and ultramodern, it's light-years away from the traditional concept of musty-barrel-lined bodegas, and the switched-on, multilingual staff complement it perfectly. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm.

Mallorca. Velázquez 59 (Metro: Velázquez. Bus: 1, 9, 19, 51, 74, or 89), Phone: 91-431-99-09
A stand-up tapas bar here is always clogged with clients three deep, sampling the wares before they buy larger portions to take home. Tapas cost from .90€ to 2.40€ ($1.05-$2.75) per ración (portion). Open daily from 9:30am to 9:30pm.

Taste of America. Serrano 149 (Metro: República Argentina. Bus: 16, 19, or 51), Phone: 91-562-02-78
"Taste of America" offers a wealth of Stateside specialties including pretzels, fudge brownies, candy, and Newman's Own sauces. Additional Anglo-Saxon goodies on sale include marmite, Coleman's mustard, and cheddar cheese. Opens Monday to Saturday 10am to 2pm and 4 to 8pm.

Chiacchere. Libertad 9 (Metro: Chueca. Bus: 3, 40, or 149), Phone: 91-521-26-90
Chiacchere allows you to select from a wide range of native produce, including pastas from Bari and rich tomato sauces flavored with basil and Gorgonzola. A typical combination would be carpaccio di Bresaola, penne al pesto, and tiramisu, all made from produce sold in the shop.

González. León 12 (Metro: Antón Martín. Bus: 6, 26, or 32), Phone: 91-429-56-18
Quietly concealed in a character-filled Huertas street, this charming bar sells top rate cheeses and hams at the counter by the entrance and vintage wines by the glass or bottle at the bar. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10:30am to 3pm, 7pm to midnight.

Deli Deluxe. San Marcos 33 (Metro: Chueca. Bus: 3, 40, or 149), Phone: 91-22-42-04
While deciding which of many international food products on display you want to buy relax over a coffee or one of the Romeros's marvelous cocktails. The restaurant section offers colorful salads and Cuban sandwiches as well as a 9€ ($10) menu. A catering service is also available. Open 11am to 11pm.

Back to:
« Shopping in Madrid