I want to tell you about Malsaña, Malasaña is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods and, undoubtedly, one of the most iconic of contemporary Madrid. Always finding a way to be noticed. I go here often with my daughter because it is also where you will find all the cool vintage and second hand shops. I love a bargain, and being from London I am used to seeing charity shops on every corner, so I was really happy to find a place in Madrid with vintage stores.
There are so many cool little squares in Malasaña, like La Plaza Del Dos de Mayo, a very popular square in the daytime when all the bars are open and alive with the sound of all the chatter, and there is usually an artisan market on the square where you can find some pretty unique items. There´s a guy there that makes models out of cans and sells them, and a young lady that paints and sells some really nice looking art.
There are just so many things to do in Malasaña, pockets of individual trends that serve the tastes of so many. I want to give you a bit more information so that if you are ever in Madrid, you get the most out of spending some time in Malasaña.
So why is it called Malasaña?
The open spaces of Malasaña
People over here really do like being outside, and wherever there is a square or an open space you can be sure there will be a bar or a little park where people with gather. No matter the time of the day, there are always people out in the streets enjoying something Malasaña has to offer. Here are a few of the main open spaces in Malasaña Madrid if you need to take a load off and just sit and relax for a while.
La Plaza del Dos de Mayo
This is probably the most popular and well known square in Malasaña. It is the heart of the neighborhood, and is surrounded by a number of bars and restaurants. During the day you will see a lot of families with children and many people who work in the area relaxing and catching some of the sun. The weekends are the same with many more people coming out to sit at the bars that stay full well into the evening. The crafts market in Malasaña that takes place over the weekend also draws a lot of people, and you can find a lot of the vintage shops in Madrid along the streets coming off the square.
The evenings in Plaza Dos De Mayo can also get lively, well into the early hours. It has become quite normal for many people to gather here after all the bars close and continue their fun. There will be people walking around selling beers out of little trolleys, and I have bought a few more than once ! So no matter the time of the day, if you pay a visit to Plaza Dos De Mayo in Malasaña at any time of the day, you won´t be alone.
La Calle Manuela Malasaña
this street stretches from Fuencarral all the way to San bernando, and like all streets in Madrid is full of life, there are bars and restaurants left and right, but this street is most well known for El Teatro Maravillas that has over a hundred years of history, and continue to showcase musicals, plays, comedy nights and much more. Then there is La Cerveceria Casa Maravillas, a really popular bar for people visiting Madrid. The décor is really cool, it is a traditional Spanish bar decorated with old Spanish adverts and makes you feel like you are taking a journey into the past.
La Plaza de la Luna
Another popular area to hang out in Malasaña, Madrid. The actual name of the square is ´Plaza de Santa María Soledad Torres Acosta´, but is locally known as Plaza de la Luna. As you would expect, it is surrounded by bars and restaurants and is very popular among tourists and locals.
A really popular spot here is Gymage Malasaña, where you will find a gym, a theatre, and a rooftop bar with a swimming pool! In the summer they put up a temporary bar in the middle of the square with a terrace and water spraying down on you to keep you cool, and in the winter there is an Ice skating ring so something for everyone here.
The square is just off Gran Via, the closest station is Callao and you can walk there in just a few minutes. Oh and if you want to buy board games, there are a couple of toy stores on the square that specialise in board games, worth a visit.
La Plaza San Ildefonso
Another square in Malasaña that’s is always full of life. A mix of bars with terraces always with a group of friends or a lone person like myself just enjoying the open air. A couple of points of interest in the square are the San Ildefonso Church that was constructed in 1827, but built on the grounds of the original building that had stood since 1619! so there is a lot of history here.
Then you have the Farmacia Malasaña, known as the Puerto Pharmacy. The buildings in the San Ildefonso square of Malasaña were reformed by the architect Manuel Bradi back in 1798, and there was actually a chemist previously known to be at this address, again a lot of history. Even if you just have to go in to buy some mints or a pack of plasters, it is fascinating to go in and see the old décor with all the wood panelling and old medicine jars lining the tops of the shelves.
La Calle del Pez
This narrow street in Malasaña runs from Corredera Baja to San Bernando. A small street with a lot of history. From films being made to the possession and exorcism of a number of nuns at a local convent, a lot has happened here.
The street gets its name from some events that happened here a long time ago. Legend is that the land was previously owned by a priest in the 18th century, and after the land was given and divide up by royalty, there was a lake that housed a lot of fish that died due to the water being polluted during the construction of the new buildings being erected, so as a tribute and a reminder, a fish was carved on the entrance to the original “Casa del Pez”.
Although it no longer stands you will still find a fish carved into the entrance of door number 24 in La Calle Del pez as a reminder.
As far as the more sinister, in 1628 it was reported that 25 nuns from the local convent had been possessed and had to be exorcised, including the founder of the convent Teresa Valla de la Cerda. Juan Francisco García Calderón was eventually held responsible, perpetually confined to the convent by the inquisition.
The Best Bars In Malasaña
When talking about bars, there is no one place you can point out in Madrid, as there is a bar almost everywhere you go, people really value their leisure time here and it almost seems like there are more bars than people. There are some historic bars in Malasaña, Madrid with some cool stories, but most bars you wander into will be a pleasant experience, so let us list a few of the better known ones.
El Penta Bar In Malasaña
The name of the bar is short for Pentagram, not sure if there are any devious reasons for this or just a catchy name, but it has been open to the public since 1976 and was one of the main meeting points for the members of the ´Movida´. The group that spawned the shift in the culture and arts of Spanish culture as a whole in its time.
In it´s day, it was the hip place to be and introduced the concept of a nightclub/cocktail bar to the locals. It was often frequented by the famous and became a hub for those wanting to come and listen to popular international music. It still is one of the coolest bars in Malasaña, and its cool to be in a place that changed so much of the culture in one of the most diverse cities in the world, Madrid.
Open every day from 9.00am, it´s located at c/ Palma nº4, Madrid.
La Vía Láctea or The Milky Way Bar Malasaña
This place reminds me of an old movie, or when I used to do security at live music lounges in my younger days living in London. The walls and ceilings are covered in stickers and posters, really cool artwork of old and new bands, and there is a pool table! which is a game winner for me.
The food is also pretty good here, and the crowd is a mixture of people from all walks of life just out to have some fun in one of the coolest bars in Malasaña. They also have a Dj on certain nights but there is always music playing. So if you are looking for a bar in Malasaña where you can get some really cool pictures for the Gram, this is a great choice, and you will also have a great time so a win win.
Diplodocus – Rock Bar en Malasaña
Two litres of beer for 9 euros during happy hour, that´s a good enough reason right. But no, we don´t just come here because the beer is good an cheap. This is a well known bar in Malasaña that plays good rock music, has a really friendly atmosphere, and best known for serving their giant cocktails aptly named after Dinosaurs.
The bar isn´t very big, but this adds to the charm, the bartenders are super nice and the owner is also usually there serving up drinks and having a chat with the patrons. So if you are looking for a small bar where you can listen to some great rock music and enjoy a great environment, then put this bar in the places to visit in Malasaña when in Madrid.
El Mandil bar In Malasaña
The atmosphere like most of the bars you will enter in Madrid is very relaxed, friendly and everyone is very welcoming. I can be pretty anxious about entering places I don’t know, but over the years of living here, I have become much more comfortable knowing the bar culture is much the same all over Madrid, and you are sure to receive a warm welcome everywhere you go.
If you want to grab a drink, but also try some of the best tapas in Malasaña, add El Mandil to your list. I really like the décor in this place, with the exposed brickwork and beams and the classic look all the wood gives the place. It is not quite a restaurant, but the food is of that quality and you can watch it all being prepared behind a large glass window.
La Catrina Bar In Malasaña
If you like a little more color, a bit more salsa! to your bar, then come and pay a visit to this Mexican themed bar in Malasaña.
From the outside it may look like just any other tapas bar, once you enter you are faced with an explosion of color. You can also eat really great Mexican food here during the day, then in the night be ready for the margaritas and cocktails to start flowing.
La Ardosa winery in Malasaña
Looking for a bar in Malasaña, but you are more into wine, don´t worry, there is a place for you in Malasaña too. They don´t just serve wine though, they also have a selection of award winning beers.
In Bodega de Ardos, you will also get to taste some of the most delicious tapas and deserts in Malasaña. It’s visited by locals and tourists alike, and they even used to run a competition of the most pints someone could drink in four hours with the rules being no falling and no vomiting, and it’s safe to say the visitors from the United Kingdom made a statement or two, though many other nations have a go at this also, we just need a good excuse really.
Ok so I could just keep going on and on because there are so many bars in Malasaña worth visiting, so here is a little list of the best of the rest, but by no means limiting you to bars that are not on this list:
- Maravillas Factory bar in Malasaña (Valverde Street, 29)
- Madklyn bar in Malasaña (San Andrés street, 12)
- Casa Camacho bar in Malasaña (San Andrés street, 4)
- Caffeine bar in Malasaña (Calle del Pez, 18)
- In dreams Café bar in Malasaña (San Mateo street, 4)
Any one of these bars in Malasaña is a great choice and I would love to hear of your experiences if you would like to drop a comment
So what are the best restaurants in Malasaña Madrid
The Malasaña neighbourhood has a pretty good density of bars and restaurants. There are pastry shops, tapas bars, gourmet restaurants, street food markets, I mean you can find a little bit of everything here, so you will not go hungry and there is a choice for everyone in Malasaña. I will do my best to give you a hand in making a choice when it comes to eating out in Malasaña.
San Ildefonso Market – Street Food In Malasaña
One of the best places to visit when in Malasaña has to be the San Ildefonso Market. A lot of these old indoor markets around Madrid have been changing into gastronomic spaces, and we already know how good the food in Spain is, so to have so many options in one place, you cannot really fail to fill your belly
The market is spread over three floors, and among the food being prepared and sold here you will find arepas from Venezuela (a cornmeal bread filled with your choice of many flavors), food specific to the Cadiz region, Ceviche and a lot more. If you just want to grab a quick bite and be on your way, and not sit in at a restaurant, be sure to visit the San Ildefonso Food Market in Malasaña.
The market opens every day at 12 noon and closes at 1am Thur-Sat, and 12am every other day.
Casa Macareno Restaurant In Malasaña
Second on the list of restaurants in Madrid is Casa Macareno, and I dont know what is more amazing here, the food, or the traditional decor each room has. The floors are decked out with the classical parquet look and all around you can see the amazing Spanish styled tiles decorating the tables and walls, it’s just such a pretty restaurant.
If you go here, I would definitely advise you try one of the best Spanish omelettes you can buy in Madrid, and the vermouth is also something you want to try here. The rest of the menu is choc full of classic Spanish dishes like ham croquettes, platters of cheese and ham, steaks, fish, and each one is as tasty as the next. Oh don’t forget the bread they make there that comes to the table still warm from the oven.
C/ San Vicente Ferrer, 44.
Avocado Love Restaurant in Malasaña
So as you can guess from the name, they sell a lot of Avocado and healthy food here, and its a Vegan option on the list. But I didn’t choose it because it’s a vegan restaurant in Malasaña, I chose it because of the ingenuity of everything they can do with an avocado, and the amount of flavor their dishes pack! I am a big meat eater myself, but I also love a good green plate, so there doesn’t have to be meat on the plate for me to enjoy a good meal.
The first thing you want to try are the grilled avocados smoked with Jack Daniels. Yeah, they did that, and the last time I felt such a strong bond with food was when I found out about the Jack Daniels glaze in TGI Fridays. They also have a really nice cashew and avocado cheesecake which may not sound like something sweet, but it’s pretty good. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but I enjoyed this because it wasn’t too sweet at all.
So looking for a vegan restaurant in Malasaña? make Avocado Love your first choice.
C/ Espíritu Santo, 15.
The Potxola
This place reminds me of the old fish and chip shops I went to as a kid in London. The decoration is really classic with lots of greens and whites and it takes me right back. But the food here is a lot better, you will have the chance to taste some authentic Basque cuisine. Normally you have to pay quite the premium for this type of food, so The Potxola really needs to be on the itinerary.
I’ll start from the dessert because the cheesecake is to die for! You can sit down for a full meal and have Freshly Cooked Tuna covered in an onion sauce, and a side of caramelised Artichokes and Asparagus. Or the Pintxo Huevo, the star dish on the menu, a crispy potato crepe with an egg yolk in the middle with your choice of chistorra or truffle. What I would advise though is to go there hungry, grab a few drinks and order an assortment of tapas and half rations to get a taste of as much as possible.
These three are my top picks for the best restaurants in Malasaña, but as there are still so many restaurants in the area that are all just as good as the ones I am more familiar with, I want to give you a few more options.
Also check out these restaurants in Malasaña
- The Corner – A charming little restaurant that has an amazing spanish omelette, and a really good carrot cake too. Everything about the look of this place just says Madrid! – C/ Espíritu Santo, 26
- La Colmada – This place just reminds me of the sea, it’s so blue! but in a good way. The set up is really cool, they have a meat and cheese counter where you can go and make a selection to go with your drink. – C/ Espíritu Santo, 19.
Churches and Convents in Malasaña
Walking around Madrid, you will realize there are religious buildings scattered all over the city. There are big churches, small churches, monasteries, cathedrals, and there are a good number of them right here in Malasaña.
- The Iglesia de la Buena Dicha – You can find this church on silva street, really close to Gran Via. It is a small building, but important. During the Dos De Mayo movement, they cared for some of the wounded, and some that didn´t survive were also buried here.
- The Church of San Martín – You´ll find this one on Calle Desengaño just near the entrance to the Plaza De La Luna. The original structure dated back to the 12th century! but the current was constructed in 1836.
- The Church of San Ildefonso – Another really old church that was rebuilt. The previous church here was built in 1619 and rebuilt in 1827. The inside is much prettier than the outside.
- Church of San Antonio de los Alemanes – This is possibly one of if not the prettiest church in Madrid. The walls on the interior are covered in priceless paintings. It is the title image of this section, though not very big, just go in and take a seat on one of the benches, spend a few minutes looking at all the detail.
- The Iglesia de las Religiosas de María Inmaculada – This one has a neo-gothic style (I had to look that one up), and is at 97 Fuencarral St. I just like all the intricate stone work you can see on the façade of the building, and I really like all the arches when you go inside, and the way the walls meet at the ceiling.
- The Church of Santos Justo y Pastor – I have only seen this one from the outside, but if you get there before me, I would love to hear your thoughts, C. del Dos de Mayo, 11.
Final Thought On What To See And Do In Malasaña
Now this is by no means everything you can do in Malasaña. I have been here for years and still feel like I have only scratched the surface. Though I have been to Malasaña hundreds of times by now, I still find days where what is there to do in Malasaña, but I guess I am just a little spoilt with choice now.
With so much to do in just this little are in Madrid, imagine how much more there is to do around the city. I will continue to share any tips I have if you ware visiting Madrid, I love the city and enjoy letting others know how to navigate Madrid to get the best out of it.
If and when you do find yourself in Malasaña and you discover something cool, please drop a comment in below and let me know how it went.
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