Our 3-hour guided Madrid food tours, led by culinary experts, define the concept of tapas through ample tastings at various tavernas in central Madrid. We’ll focus on madrileño customs, traditions, and specialties, realizing there is no better city than Madrid, one of Spain's true cultural centers, in which to launch an exploration of the Spanish culinary phenomenon of tapas. 

• Learn about Tapas in Madrid.
• Led by a culinary expert or chef.
• Ample tastings. 

¡Salud!

We’ll begin our discovery of tapas at a historic taverna where we’ll delve into the history of tapas and the folklore surrounding its origins. Over a caña (glass) of beer—a madrileños favorite for accompanying tapas—and bocarones (anchovies marinated in vinegar, a very typical tapa for which this taverna is known), we’ll learn about the basics of tapas and other typical Madrileño dishes, how they are prepared, and why they’ve become local specialties. Following our introduction to this exciting culinary form, we will move on to another of Madrid’s oldest tavernas which date to the early 19th century. Weathering the decades, this taverna still retains a distinct castizo (genuine) atmosphere, making it an exceptional location to sample another type of tapa. Here, we'll taste this taverna's house specialty, another local favorite, along with a few other typical tapas (and their accompanying libations) from Madrid. Additionally, we will examine the menu together, learning how to decipher and order some of Spain's most exciting delicacies.

Tapas Trends

With a solid understanding of the foundations of tapas under our belts, we will branch out beyond Madrid to examine country-wide customs. Looking at other Spanish tapas varieties, we will discuss how they differ from those of capital, which is, after all, a cultural center that through modernization has become representative of Spain’s many cultures. Perhaps we’ll visit a taverna specializing in pintxos (tapas from the Basque region), or we may sample one of southwestern Spain’s best known “export”, jamón ibérico. Our last stops will also introduce us to new trends in tapas, such as the current fashion of “miniature cuisine,” and showcase how tapas are evolving in the 21st century.