Taberna Antonio Sánchez

What to expect

The Taberna de Antonio Sánchez is at Calle del Mesón de Paredes 13 in Lavapiés. Its founding date is unknown, but it existed before 1787, and recent research dates it to that year, which makes it possibly the oldest tavern in Madrid. In 1884 Antonio Sánchez, a wine merchant, bought the premises and gave it his name; his son, a bullfighter, made it a well-known meeting place.

In the 19th century it became a gathering spot for writers, intellectuals and people from the bullfighting world. It has never been renovated, so it keeps its carved wooden friezes, original gas lamps, a manual lift for bottles, tilework, bulls' heads and paintings of famous bullfighters. The kitchen serves Madrid home cooking such as rabo de toro, cocido madrileño, olla gitana and callos.

Don't miss

• Carved wooden friezes and tilework
• Bulls' heads on the walls
• Paintings of bullfighters
• Original gas lamps
• Rabo de toro and cocido madrileño

Tips for your visit

• Go for a meal rather than a quick drink, as the kitchen is the point.
• Book ahead for busy times, since the dining room is small.
• La Latina and Tirso de Molina are the nearest metro stops.
• Combine it with a walk through Lavapiés and the Mercado de San Fernando.