There’s no better place in the world to sit down and enjoy some tapas like Madrid. Fancy some tripe stew, bravas or deliciously crispy calamari? You can bet the city’s small plates spots will deliver, not just on the food but on the cosy, warm atmosphere, too.
That’s why it’s so exciting that one of the city’s most popular tapas crawls is back, this year celebrating its fifteenth anniversary – so here is everything you need to know.
When and where is the Lavapiés tapas crawl?
It’s called TapaPiés, and it’s held over several days (this year on October 16-26) in Lavapiés, a charming medieval neighbourhood in central Madrid.
While the crawl has been going since 2010, stalls from the San Fernando and Antón Martín markets will be getting involved this year, as well as more than 100 bars and restaurants – plus live music, street parades and even some free performances.
So, how does it work? Well, each participating venue will be offering up an exclusive tapa and a small beer, for just €3.50, but if you’re teetotal or don’t fancy drinking, just the snack will be €2.50. Oh, and don’t worry if you’re vegetarian or have a gluten-free diet – both those requirements are catered for.
Which tapa will win this year?
Did you think restaurants were participating just for the hell of it? No – while punters can get as involved and gorge on as many tapa as they like, a professional jury will also be assessing the best tapas of the festival, with a prize of up to €2,000 up for grabs, and a People’s Choice Awards.
The criteria for assessing tapas include presentation, preparation, ingredients, originality, level of difficulty, taste, serving temperature, creativity and consistency, and judging will take place officially out on the route. Winners will be announced on Monday October 27 at the San Fernando Market.
Last year, the champion was the Moroccan pastela finger by Souksou (Calle Salitre, 43), with second place going to Sr. Matambre (Calle Amparo, 12) with their caramelised coca with Sephardic aubergine, and the People’s Choice Award went to the Venezuelan patacón from La Alpargata Vegana, in the San Fernando Market.
Concerts and performances during Tapapiés
Hungry for some entertainment, too? Well, you’re in luck, as 30 outdoor performances will be taking place, from music and little parades to shows to keep the kids happy, across weekends October 17-19 and 24-26 at 1pm and 8.30pm respectively.
More than 15 national and international bands will fill the neighbourhood with folk, rock, blues, jazz, tango and boleros. Among them are Bossa Pra Vocé, Trío Amado Tango and The Lighthouse Keeper.
Concerts will be staged in Plaza Ana Diosdado (Centro Dramático Nacional), Plaza Arturo Barea, Plaza del Calvario with Ministriles, Plaza Cascorro, Plaza de Lavapiés and Plaza Nelson Mandela, while some parades will also set off from Plaza Antón Martín, Plaza Tirso de Molina and Calle Embajadores. Most of the family-friendly programme will be centred on Plaza de Lavapiés.
The best tapas to try on the crawl
One of Madrid’s must-dos is undoubtedly going on a tapas crawl. The city’s bars, restaurants and taverns serve up some of the very best bites – don’t miss the razor clams at Bar Cruz; the tripe stew at Taberna Delfín; the mussels at Hermanos Vinagre; the gildas at La Gildería; the chicken wings at TerZio; or, last but not least, the patatas bravas at Taberna y Media.
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