Madrid Travel Forum

We are vegetarians, and looking for good places to get. What should we order with respect to tapas or if we go to any restaurant. Any suggestions for any good places in Madrid and Barcelona?

learn to say "sin carne, por favor" (without meat, please) and "somos vegetarianos" (we are vegetarians). But be aware than, especially in central and south of Spain, many do not consider ham as meat... ;)

Many tapas should not have any meat or fish:
- spanish tortilla (omelette, with potato, sometimes onion and less frequently other vegetables as green pepper....) but ask because it may contain ham
- champiñones (mushrooms)
- pimientos de Padrón (a kind of small green hot peppers)
- the huge variety of Spanish cheeses not only Manchego)
- olives
- papas bravas (fried potatoes with hot sauce)
just to say a few!

However, it will be quite sad if you survive on basic tapas (something that most Spaniards only eat now and then, not as common as most foreigners think we do)

Get a god phrasebook and do not be afraid to ask

In Madrid may be a bit more difficult to find vegetable dishes in non-vegetarian restaurants. I'm not vegetarian, but I like eating more veggies than meat.... so I know what I'm saying. Incidentally, my favorite restaurant when I was living in Madrid was vegetarian, La Isla del Tesoro. You'll find its details in my Madrid VT page. Reservation required for dinner (not exclusive, but tiny place)

In Brcelona you may find more vegetable dishes in local restaurants, as Catalan cuisine uses more vegetables. You should try escalivada (roasted vegetables), spinachs "a la Catalana" (with pinenuts and raisins)... etc. The cahin of restaurants El Mussol (many around town, is not vegetarian, but it has quite a few dishes based on vegetables. The same will happen in many others. Regarding strictly vegetarian places, Orgánic in Raval is a good option. And Govinda, a lovely Indian restaurant.... (again, details on my Barcelona VT page, I'm too lazy now to search these)

In both Barcelona and Madrid you'll find the FresCo chain of restaurants. These are a great budget option, as they are "all you can eat" buffet for about 8 €. Mainly salads, pasta, soups and pizza.... not everything is vegetarian, but as you take what you want, not a problem

enjoy your trip!