tapas tours in madrid

For Madrid, Devour Tours is well respected. They have a variety of tours available.

Highly recommend Devour Tours, we used them for both Madrid and Seville and loved both tours. Guides were great, small tour, great food, and we really enjoyed the other people on the tour as well. There is quite a bit of walking in case you have any mobility issues.

A tour company simplifies the process, but you can easily do your own tapas tour.

Do some research and find a more residential neighbourhood and search for tapas bars. In my opinion you will have a more authentic experience.

However, it involves more risk, but we found that locals will warm quickly to you. We spoke basically no Spanish, but with gestures and an open attitude we had a great time.

Do what works for you and have a great time

Thanks everyone!

I had to miss my tour but I would recommend the WalksofSpain.com Tapas Tour they were wonderful to work and very attentive.

Dive into Lavapies on your own for the edgy experience right there in the hustle bustle,

for the somewhat more tamed but still good overall experience go to c. de La Cava Baja and surroundings.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/C.+de+la+Cava+Baja,+Centro,+28005+Madrid,+Spain/@40.4122174,-3.7099933,19z/data=!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0xd42262b630ef5c5:0x719eabe8f5f085d0!2sLavapiés,+Centro,+28012+Madrid,+Spain!3b1!8m2!3d40.4084422!4d-3.7007926!16s%2Fm%2F02r8b3b!3m5!1s0xd4227d620613c77:0xfa4f03e2f4864f07!8m2!3d40.4125294!4d-3.7090106!16s%2Fg%2F155qw8vz?entry=ttu

https://www.dunhilltraveldeals.com/blog/under-the-radar-madrid#google_vignette

Edited to add: google maps shows more than 24 bars within a 5 minute walk from that pin on La Cava Baja, almost all with highest ratings.

I guess to comment on the "do-it-yourself" route, that is what I usually do.

As a good resource, on Youtube, James Blick has a channel, Spain Revealed. James is one of the founders of Devour Tours, and has multiple videos on tapas in Madrid, loaded with great recommendations. The only drawback as a solo person, is that tapas in Madrid are really Raciones, an appetizer size platter, so a lot of food if you want to try several things at a stop. One "Pro-Tip" though, most all places will do a half-racione, even though it may not be shown on the menu, so worth asking.

I suppose a tour might offer a better variety of things to try, and some company. Of course, not knowing availability of tours, having a few places to do on your own as backup makes sense.

I attempted to dive into this solo and I found a little intimidating and I speak decent Spanish. I did take a tapas tour. I think it was one with the devour. (It’s been a while ). I would highly recommend it because it helps you get into the swing of things, they’re probably going to take you some places you probably wouldn’t find on your own and get you to try some dishes you might not have been brave enough to try on your own.

We've used Viator for our food tours all over Western Europe and have been very pleased with them. They are an umbrella booking for the various local food tour operators but are reasonably priced and we've had no issues. The tours have been simply amazing, and I highly recommend taking a tour vs. your own itinerary. That is easier, you get to meet other travelers, and the guides will give you a mini-overview of the history and culinary scene there.

In regards to Viator, many use it to browse for various tours and tour guides and then book directly with the tour guide as opposed to booking with a third party.

Full raciones are typical for certain items that take up a bin in the fryer or a pan on the stove; assembled items are usually available in tapa size; a half ration is simply shortened to 'un media'. (Note that it is also possible that if you are obviously part of a tour group the server might be trying to milk you a bit if he says only by the racion.)

If you do have to order a full racion, that's another easy way to make friends with the people around you in the bar.

I recognize that most customers are not going alone whether they are locals or visitors, but it is not too hard to join a threesome or to strike up a chat with the odd single without seeming like you're on the make.

Much like a pub in rural England, if you stand at the bar you are kind of signaling that you are open to conversation.