Hello, we will be in Madrid for two days before joining a Rick Steves Tour. Any suggestions for cafes/restaurants/tapas bars on the first day that are off the beaten path? We will be staying near the Plaza del Sol. Thank you.
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Mid-Atlantic area
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It’s the Puerta del Sol and nothing near it will be off the beaten path. It’s one of the busiest areas in Madrid.
Right at the Puerta Del Sol is La Mallorquina. It’s a cafe pastry shop. A block from it is El Riojano. It too is a cafe and pastry shop. If you don’t mind walking for about 15 minutes there’s Mercado San Antón by the Chueca metro stop. It is less crowded than the popular Mercado San Miguel by the Plaza Mayor, but it too has some restaurants.
Between the Puerta Del Sol and Callao metro stop are a number of restaurants. An ice cream shop in the area is Chocolatería Valor. There are also a couple churros y chocolate shops, Churrería Chocolateria 1902, Chocolatería San Ginés, and the already mentioned El Riojano.