A tiny tavern that is very local and very authentic off Plaza Mayor

With 350,000 bars in Madrid, Bodegas Ricla certainly stands out. Across from the famous Botin restaurant, just off Plaza Mayor, Ricla is one of the city’s local treasures. Look for the green doors and a crowd of happy Madrileños spilling out of the tiny tavern.

For drinking, have a beer, wine, or the red vermouth straight from the tap. That’s it as far as beverages go here. Though each round of drinks merits a complimentary plate of bread and sausage, or you can order more elaborate and traditional tapas such as cecina (delicious slices of air-dried and smoked beef drizzled in olive oil) or boquerones (marinated white anchovies).