Madrid is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks and is renowned for its stunning history and culture.
What many don't know is that Madrid is a foodie's dream! Madrid is full of delicious cuisine with something to suit everyone.
We're giving you the chance to win flights to Madrid from Cork Airport over on our Facebook Page.
It's been a struggle, but we've compiled a list of our top 10 dishes to try in Madrid!
Jamón ibérico
Madrid is known for its love of ham, and there are entire cafes and museums dedicated to ham! Don't be surprised when you see chunks of jamón hanging in bars, market and restaurants around the city. Slicing the ham into thin, edible slices is actually and art and you can even sign up for classes to learn how to slice it correctly!
Churros Con Chocolate
While us Irish are chomping down on kebabs at all hours, Churros are a staple of Madrid's after-hours nightlife. In Madrid, churros are commonly served with a cup of steaming hot, thick chocolate and is sometimes eaten for breakfast (we wouldn't say no)!
Cocido Madrileño
"Madrid's Stew" is a traditional chickpea-based stew from the Spanish capital. Definitely a comfort food, the dish is made with chick peas and various meats and vegetables, including lard, chorizo and morcilla (blood sausage). Cocido is best eaten in the winter when you’re starving and need to warm up, and make sure to allow time for a nap afterwards.
Patatas Bravas
Potatoes are a pillar of both Irish and Spanish cuisine, and who doesn't love their versatility? Patatas Bravas are a classic tapas dish and are simply potatoes cooked "home fries" style. They're then topped with a spicy 'brava' sauce of peppers and mayo and are perfect by themselves, or as an addition to a dish.
Bocadillos de calamares
This dish is a definite must try if you're a seafood fan. This sandwich of calamari on baguette bread is among the most typical of ‘fast’ foods in Madrid. Visiting Madrid and not trying one would be like going to Italy and not trying pizza!
Oreja a la Plancha
This dish translates directly to "pan-seared ear" and it's exactly what it says on the tin - fried pig's ear! This is an extremely popular dish and is only for the boldest of tourists to try. It is typically served as a ración, or large portion and eaten with toothpicks. The dish is commonly sprinkled with salt or paprika, and in some cases will come with fresh-squeezed lemon.
Zarajos
We think this is definitely a food you should try before knowing what it is! Although slightly off-putting, these lamb intestines are cleaned and braided around wooden sticks, before being fried to juicy, crispy perfection!
Huevos Rotos
Directly translating to "broken eggs", this typical Madrid dish is a plate of freshly fried potatoes, which are fried in Spanish olive oil and tossed with sea salt. The potatoes are topped with perfect over-easy eggs and some restaurants will include meat such as chorizo or delicious cured ham.
Tortilla de Patata
This is basically Spain's take on an omelette. The most basic recipes are just egg and potatoes, but variations can include onions, cheese, mushrooms, chorizo and spinach. They can be served hot or cold.
Callos a la Madrileña
If you're not a lover of tripe, do not turn this dish away just yet! Callos a la madrileña is an exotic dish with tripe being the main ingredient. The dish itself is cooked similarly to a stew, with a thick tomato sauce, potatoes, spices, chickpeas, ham, Spanish sausage, garlic, lots of onion and parsley.
