Eating In Chamberí: A Traditional Tapas Route Near Hotel Gran Versalles of Hotel Gran Versalles in Madrid. Official Website.
Eating in Chamberí: a traditional tapas route near Hotel Gran Versalles
Discover where to eat in Chamberí with this tapas route near Hotel Gran Versalles. Classic and modern bars to enjoy great tapas in Madrid.
Why eat in Chamberí
If you want to eat well in Madrid without ending up somewhere designed only for tourists, Chamberí is a safe bet. Here, soulful bars still rule, along with neighbourhood taverns and those places where a caña and a tapa still feel like a genuinely local plan.
From Hotel Gran Versalles, you can follow a tapas route around Chamberí on foot, without making life too complicated. Alonso Martínez, Trafalgar and the Fernando el Católico area are all within easy reach.
Tapas in Chamberí: between classic and contemporary
One of the best things about tapas in Chamberí is that you can mix styles. There are old-school bars serving croquettes, Spanish omelette and vermouth, as well as more contemporary places where tapas naturally turn into a full evening out.
That is what makes going out for tapas here work so well. You do not have to choose between tradition and modernity. Chamberí has both.
Hermanos Vinagre: a light start full of flavour
If you begin your route near Alonso Martínez, a very good first stop is Hermanos Vinagre. Just a 10-minute walk from the hotel, it is one of those places that has managed to update the tapas experience without losing its Madrid soul altogether. The focus here is on well-treated produce, with particular attention to pickles, gildas, tinned delicacies and small bites that pair especially well with a well-chilled caña.
The atmosphere usually mixes local residents with people who clearly know exactly what they are looking for, so it keeps a certain authenticity without feeling stiff. It works especially well as a first stop because it offers something light, tasty and slightly different. If you want a specific recommendation, the obvious thing to order here is a gilda, some anchovies or a few preserves to share.
No Va Más: the most traditional side of Chamberí
If what you are after is a stop with more of a neighbourhood feel, No Va Más, about half an hour away on foot, offers a far more recognisable version of Madrid-style tapas. The atmosphere shifts here. The place has that familiar old-bar feel that does not need much explanation: a proper bar counter, well-made portions and regulars who come back because they know the basics are in good hands.
It is one of those places that helps you understand what eating in Chamberí really means. The Russian salad, the croquettes or the calamari are usually a safe bet, and the atmosphere has that local touch that is so welcome when you want to step away from the standard tourist guide. If you are looking for authentic tapas in Madrid, this kind of stop sets the tone very well.
Perrachica: a more contemporary stop to stretch out the evening
To end the route on a different note, Perrachica, around 15 minutes from the hotel, brings in a more contemporary angle that is also part of today’s Chamberí. Here, the space matters more, the atmosphere gets livelier as the afternoon moves on, and the menu is designed for sharing. It is not the traditional castizo tavern of old, but it is still an interesting option if you fancy combining tapas with a more polished setting.
Its charm lies in that balance between an evolved neighbourhood venue and a lively restaurant. You can start with a Russian salad, order several dishes for the table and let the evening gradually unfold without needing to move elsewhere. Within a tapas route around Chamberí, it works very well as the final stop, especially if you want to round off the night with a slightly more sophisticated touch.
Sala de Despiece: produce, bar counter and plenty of energy
If you feel like adding a stop with a bit more character, Sala de Despiece is one of those addresses that does not go unnoticed. The whole concept revolves around produce and a different kind of staging, with a high bar, a fast rhythm and dishes served almost as if you were in a modern market. It is not a classic bar, but it still keeps that spirit of sharing and trying several things. It tends to be quite busy, so it is worth going with time on your side or simply accepting that you may have to wait a bit. If you do get in, keep it simple: let them recommend a few things and order several dishes for the table. It is the perfect stop to give your Chamberí tapas route a different twist, just 20 minutes from the hotel.
A tapas route in Chamberí that really appeals
The best thing about putting together a tapas route in Chamberí is that you do not need to organise it too much. You leave the hotel, keep walking and link one place to the next as the mood takes you. In the end, that is the most Madrilenian way to go out.
And that is exactly what is good about this neighbourhood. Tapas in Chamberí are not a tourist attraction, but a natural part of everyday life. There are bars with personality, pleasant streets to walk through and enough variety to make every route feel a little different.
Where to eat in Chamberí and get it right
If you are staying at Hotel Gran Versalles and fancy discovering an area that is tasty, convenient and unmistakably Madrilenian, Chamberí makes it easy. You can get around on foot, try different kinds of places and return to the hotel without any hassle.
Because sometimes Madrid is best understood like this: a bar counter, a caña and enough time to stay a little longer.