Madrid is a multi-cultural mixing pot and you will find food here from all over the country and the world. However it also has its own typical dishes, that are a must to try when in the capital. Below is a mix of meals, tapas and desserts. Many of the tapas mentioned will be found all over Spain, but going out for tapas in some of the traditional “taperías” near Puerta del Sol, is an experience in itself, not to be missed.

• Cocido Madrileño: (Madrileñan stew) The quintessential dish of Madrid and a popular meal by excellence, particularly in the colder months. The principal ingredient is chickpeas stewed with vegetables, beef or pork and some cold meats like chorizo.

• Callos a la Madrileña: this is not a dish you would typically find in the UK as the ingredients are not widely sold or used in British food. Its main components are tripe, pigs trotters and snouts. It might not sound appealing, but its very popular, so maybe give it a go?

• Sopa de Ajo (Garlic soup): another traditional dish that is full of flavour. Made with just four main ingredients – stale bread, garlic, paprika and ham and it is sometimes topped with a poached egg. It is a dish that has not evolved over the years – probably because it doesn’t need to. It is delicious as it is.

• Besugo al horno: (baked sea bream): this traditional dish is typically eaten on Christmas Eve in Madrid, despite the city being so far from the coast. The sea bream is lightly dusted with breadcrumbs and baked in the oven for around 10 minutes and served on a bed of potatoes.

• Bocadillo de calamares: (squid sándwich): think chip butty here. This is an iconic part of Madrid’s gastronomy. Deep fried squid rings, served hot in a baguette. Maybe not the lightest meal, but should not be missed on your trip to Madrid. The best ones can be found in the tapas bars.

• Huevos estrellados: this is basically ham, egg and chips, but cooked and presented in a different way. The potatoes are fried first, then you break the eggs over them and cook in the ham and it tastes very different to the traditional English dish.

• Rosquillas de San Isidro: one of the most famous sweets from Madrid, which is typically made and eaten for the fiesta de San Isidro (15^th May) for the patron saint of Madrid. They are either plain or covered in a flavoured and coloured topping, but either way they are sweet and delicious.

• Chocolate con churros: churros with chocolate are typically eaten for breakfast in Madrid, but has extended its reach way beyond Madrid and Spain. Churros are like deep fried doughnuts, but in strips rather than circular and you dip them in the really thick hot chocolate that Madrileños love. It is not like the hot chocolate you get at home, but more like a thick coating of dark chocolate that covers and sticks to your churros. You have probably seen or even tried churros before, but the best ones are definitely found in Madrid. Get up early and try them for breakfast, although these days you can often find them being sold throughout the day.