Madrid started off with a dodgy taxi driver who said his meter was broken and overcharged us - a good reminder that we're back in a typical big city. Enquiring after a good tapas area we were directed to Plaza Santa Ana which was all overpriced tourist cafes where a small beer cost 3.20euro when they could be had elsewhere for 80cents.
Traditional free tapas are hard to find in Madrid but they do exist. El Tigre in Calle de los Infantas, just behind Gran Via, has incredibly generous tapas – 3-4 items with each drink. I was so full after 3 beers that I had to go somewhere that didn’t give free food and that was Cerveceria Montaditos, on calle Mayor. This is where a tinto de verno became my Madrid drink of choice – a pint glass filled with ice, draft red wine and lemonade - fabulously refreshing for one euro.
Traditional free tapas are hard to find in Madrid but they do exist. El Tigre in Calle de los Infantas, just behind Gran Via, has incredibly generous tapas – 3-4 items with each drink. I was so full after 3 beers that I had to go somewhere that didn’t give free food and that was Cerveceria Montaditos, on calle Mayor. This is where a tinto de verno became my Madrid drink of choice – a pint glass filled with ice, draft red wine and lemonade - fabulously refreshing for one euro.