Although Spaniards seem to feed themselves only with meat and dairy products, Madrid has a wide range of vegetarian and vegan restaurants. Being a vegan is something quite difficult to understand by a people who think a vegetarian sandwich include eggs and tuna. Yes! Spaniards think being vegetarian means not eating beef or chicken… but times change. The increasing number of vegans and vegetarians in the country have create an important demand and now there are plenty of options to eat, especially in Madrid and Barcelona.
El Granero de Lavapiés
This vegetarian and vegan restaurant look much like any other traditional tavern in Madrid. Its decoration is simple, but contrasts with the large number of people queuing at the door. Unfortunately, they don’t accept reservation. Don’t worry! The services goes really fast and lines are not longer than 25 to 20 minutes wait.
The menu changes every day regarding the season veggies available in the market. For lunch, they have a set menu at a fixed price that includes a starter, a main course and a dessert with several options to choose from in each case. At dinner, they have a short menu but with several interesting options. For both lunch and dinner there are vegan courses on the menu. Our recommendation are: seitan stew with mushrooms and chestnuts, crumbs and fried egg, millet meatballs and carrot cake.
Address
Calle de Argumosa, 10. Lavapies, Madrid.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday open for dinner from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Getting Here
Take the MetroMadrid line 3 to Lavapies or the M1 bud. Then walk 3 blocks east on Argumosa St.
Yerbabuena
Yerbabuena also combines vegetarian and vegan courses on its menu. They are really flexible and the vegetarian meal can be turn easily into vegan if you like it to. The portions are very generous even in the fixed price menu for lunch. Our recommendations: tofu and pumpkin pie, potato salad, beet and mango, chickpea burger and the vegetarian paella.
This is probably one of the nicest vegan restaurants in Madrid; the decoration is cozy and the plates are really are presented in a very creative way. Friendly and fast service makes this place a must-to for any vegan who are visiting downtown Madrid, since it is on a walking distance from Puerta del Sol.
Address
Calle de los Bordadores, 3. Madrid.
Opening Hours
Every day from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.
Getting Here
Take the bus number 3 to San Amaro stop, then walk two block to the corner of Bordadores and Calle Mayor. The restaurant is just some steps away. If you prefer to take the subway, you can choose lines 2, 5 and R to Opera Station. The restaurant is 10 minutes’ walk from it.
Gau & Café
Gau & Café is a family restaurant, with vegan and vegetarian options on its menu. Our recommendations: gazpacho, hummus with pita bread, nachos with guacamole, Italian burrata with dried tomatoes, vegetable couscous and tabbouleh Lavapies.
It’s a great place to dine with friends while enjoying the magnificent views of Madrid. The restaurant is located in an 18th-century building in the center of Madrid and its terrace has excellent views over the city. The service is a bit slow due to big dimensions of the place, but the atmosphere is so pleasant that waiting is not an issue.
Address
Calle Tribulete 14, 4ª floor. Edificio Escuelas Pias (UNED). 28012- Madrid
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to midnight. Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to midnight. Sundays is closed.
Getting Here
The restaurant is between two main Metro Madrid stations, Lavapies and Embajadores.
Al Natural
Al Natural is the place to eat in the Golden Triangle, in a short walking distance from Prado Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum. This is one of the most famous vegetarian restaurants in town, given its central location.
Opened in 1994, this place like almost every vegetarian restaurant in Madrid offers vegan options on its menu and allows customers to customize their dishes to suit their tastes. Our recommendations: mushroom risotto and chestnut soup with spinach and algae, pumpkin gnocchi and mouse quince.
Address
Calle de Zorrilla, 11. Madrid
Opening Hours
Sunday closed. Lunch from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Dinner from 8:30 p.m. to midnight.
Getting Here
The restaurant is three blocks away from Puerta del Sol subway station, walking by the Carrera de San Jerónimo.
Rayén Vegano
Rayén Vegano is the story of love and success of three vegans, Noemi, Paulo and Marcela. This restaurant is 100% vegan, but also local, free of preservatives and home cooking. Impressive! The restaurant offers a daily menu from Monday to Friday with a fix price of 12 € including starter, main course, dessert, homemade bread and organic coffee. For dinner offer a menu that changes seasonally with very reasonable prices. Most of the local vegan come to Rayén Vegano looking for the starter called “vegan chesses” –a selection of organic breads, vegetable pates, vegies and olives. The desserts are also famous, we recommend you try the lemon cake. Another specialty of the house is the artisan and organic beer, bought to a local provider.
Address
Calle Lope de Vega 7, 28014 Madrid.
Opening Hours
Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday closed. Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Dinners only available in Friday and Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Getting Here
Take Metro Madrid line 1 to Antón Martín station, then walk two blocks to the north.