Eating Vegetarian & Vegan in Madrid: Best Tapas & Restaurants

Fear not: Spain may love its meat, but eating vegetarian or vegan in Madrid is surprisingly easy. The trick lies in knowing where to go and what to order!

Small fried green peppers on a white plate beside a bottle of wine
Padrón peppers are one of our all-time favorite vegan tapas.

At first glance, Spain may not seem like the most herbivore-friendly of destinations. With giant legs of ham hanging from the ceilings of traditional bars, and market stalls overflowing with fresh seafood, it can seem like meat-based products are the way to go here.

But look a little closer, and you’ll soon find that eating vegetarian and even vegan in Madrid can be surprisingly simple. From traditional dishes that are naturally plant-based to a growing scene of contemporary vegan restaurants, here’s where to go and what to order while you’re there.

Best Vegan Restaurants in Madrid

B13

Tortilla de patatas without the eggs? Yes, it’s possible—and you’ll find it at B13 (Calle de la Ballesta, 13).

This casual spot in Malasaña is the go-to place for vegan versions of delicious, traditional Spanish food like croquetas and the aforementioned tortilla. Because nobody should have to miss out on some of the most typical foods in Madrid.

A person using a fork to take a fried croquette off a white plate.
Some of the best croquettes out there don’t have a hint of meat or bechamel!

VEGA

This is asily one of the best spots for those eating vegan in Madrid. VEGA has an extensive menu of vegan dishes made with love! From a plant-based twist on traditional arroz negro to dishes with international flair (jackfruit al pastor tacos, anyone?), there’s something for all tastes at this cozy cafe.

La Encomienda

If you’re looking for a trendy, vegan brunch spot, La Encomienda is it! But no worries if you can’t make it first thing in the morning. Stop by later for a drink and enjoy the free tapa that comes with it.

Slice of blueberry cheesecake on a white plate, with a handful of individual blueberries for decoration

You don’t have to be a vegan to know that the plant-based cheesecake at La Encomienda is to die for. Photo credit: Anne

Santa y Pura Vegan

Need to refuel after a morning at one of Madrid’s amazing art museums? Then the super-central Santa y Pura Vegan (located by the Reina Sofia and Prado Museums, is a great bet. They serve vegan pizzas, sandwiches, and bites for sharing, along with a drink menu that includes everything from craft beers to kombucha to hard cider.

 

Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Madrid

Reineta Vegetariano

Reineta has achieved the seemingly impossible. It’s a vegetarian restaurant so delicious that many of its regulars aren’t even vegetarians!

You can’t go wrong with anything you order here, but definitely try the spiced lentil “meatballs.” Just be sure to save room for dessert: their rich chocolate cake with bitter orange marmalade is the stuff dreams are made of.

Overhead shot of meatballs and two metal spoons in a reddish-brown oval dish.
Albóndigas don’t need meat to be delicious!

Yerbabuena

Yerbabuena offers hearty plates of healthy comfort food. Our favorites include the seitan al ajillo sandwich with vegan cheese and tomato, vegan nachos and the eggplant moussaka. Bring your appetite; the portions here are very generous!

Local tip: Order their veggie-friendly menú del día for a delicious and filling lunch that won’t break the bank.

Vegetarian dish garnished with flowers on a white plate
Yerbabuena’s healthy and colorful dishes are guaranteed to make your taste buds happy. Photo credit: julianaka

Viva Burger

If you find yourself in the artsy La Latina neighborhood, stop by Viva Burger for lunch. Here, you’ll find goodies such as veggie paella and meatballs in addition to delicious vegan burgers. For something different, don’t miss their fresh-pressed juices and vegan desserts.

Vegetarian hamburger with avocado, lettuce, and black beans
Viva’s hamburgers are so good that even carnivores won’t miss the meat. Photo credit: Deryn Macey

Shi-Shang

Falling into the “off-the-beaten-path” category is this all-you-can-eat veggie buffet just off of Gran Vía (Calle de Concepcion Arenal, 3). They specialize in vegan and vegetarian Asian dishes, so if you’re looking for something besides typical Spanish tapas, this is the place to be!

Person's hand pulling the lid off a wooden container of Chinese dumplings with steam rising out
Traditional dumplings that are completely vegetarian? Yes, please. Photo credit: Pooja Chaudhary

La Hummusería

Specializing in vegetarian Middle Eastern slow food, La Hummusería is a gem of a restaurant in Chueca. Their five hummuses (from “the Classic” to “the Irresistible”) are the stars of the show, but they also serve salads and veggie tapas on their regularly changing menu.

Plate of hummus garnished with olive oil, chickpeas, and spices.
Classic Middle Eastern hummus. Photo credit: Christopher Alvarenga

Vegetarian and Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Madrid

While the following places don’t offer an entirely vegan or vegetarian menu, they do have plenty of options for plant-based or meat-free dishes!

Abonavida

This vegetarian-friendly café and store is a true oasis smack dab in the middle of central Madrid. Both the terrace and eclectic seating inside Abonavida offer a tranquil escape from the massive crowds of tourists in bustling Callao just around the corner.

Taberna La Chilostra

Taberna La Chilostra is your typical Spanish bar that just happens to have a few vegan options! This is a good choice if you’re looking for something traditional, not trendy.

Toasted bread with fresh pureed tomato
Toast with excellent olive oil and fresh tomato. A Spanish breakfast classic that happens to be 100% vegan!

Spanish Vocabulary for Eating Vegetarian and Vegan in Madrid

When you have dietary restrictions, we understand how important it is to communicate your needs when ordering food. In an unfamiliar language, it can seem like an overwhelming task!

To help make your life a little easier, we’ve put together a handy list of Spanish words and phrases that you can use to communicate with bar and restaurant staff.

  • Soy vegano/a. I am vegan.
  • Soy vegetariano/a. I am vegetarian.
  • No como ni carne, ni pescado, ni huevos, ni productos lacteos. I don’t eat meat, fish, eggs or dairy products.
  •  ¿Me recomiendas algo rico por favor? Can you recommend me something tasty please?
  • Yo no puedo comer… I can’t eat…
  • Carne: Meat 
  • Cerdo: Pork
  • Jamón: Ham
  • Pollo: Chicken
  • Pescado: Fish
  • Atún: Tuna
  • Mariscos: Seafood 
  • Leche: Milk 
  • Queso: Cheese 
  • Mantequilla: Butter  
  • Nata: Cream 
  • Huevo: Egg  
  • Miel: Honey 
  • Yo puedo comer… I can eat…
  • Verduras: Vegetables 
  • EnsaladaSalad 
  • Judías/Habichuelas/Alubias: Beans 
  • Lentejas: Lentils
  • Soja: Soy 
  • Leche de soja: Soy milk 
  • Almendras: Almonds 
  • Nueces: Nuts 
  • Arroz: Rice 
  • Aceite: Oil 
  • Pan: Bread 
  • Champiñones/Setas: Mushrooms 
  • Espinacas: Spinach 
  • Fruta: Fruit  

7 Vegetarian Tapas in Madrid

In the city center, you can almost always find a vegetarian tapa (or several) on menus. These are our some of our favorites.

Pisto

Spain’s version of ratatouille is a medley of delicious veggies. It often comes served with an egg on top, so vegans just need to ask for it sin huevo.

Black pot of simmered vegetable stew.
Pisto manchego: healthy, hearty, delicious, and vegan! Photo credit: Trevor Huxham

Croquetas de queso, espinacas, o boletus

Croquettes are made with béchamel, breaded and fried. They often include meat or fish, but look out for cheese, spinach, or mushroom ones for a delicious vegetarian option.

Tempura de verdura

Batter-fried vegetables are usually a delicious bet for vegetarians, but those eating vegan in Madrid should double check that the batter is egg-free (¿la masa lleva huevo?).

Often, tempura veggies will be served with a yogurt sauce. However, vegans can ask to substitute it with salmorejo sin huevo y jamón for dipping.

Salmorejo

Speaking of gazpacho’s richer cousin, salmorejo is a cold tomato soup, thickened with bread and made smooth and silky with lots of olive oil. It often comes topped with ham and egg, so vegetarians should specify sin jamón, and vegans, sin jamón y huevo.

Salmorejo is a delicious vegetarian tapa if you get it without the jamón, and it's perfect for those eating vegan in Madrid if ordered without the egg too!
Just ask for salmorejo sin jamón and you have a refreshing vegetarian soup!

Berenjenas

We’re sure you’ll love berejenas con miel, or lightly fried eggplant with honey. If you’re a vegan in Madrid, you can always ask for the traditionally North African plate sin miel, or con salmorejo vegetariano for dipping.

Huevos rotos

If you needed another reason to fall in love with Spain, allow us to introduce you to huevos rotosAny country where olive-oil fried eggs and potatoes is a traditional dish has to be a keeper, right? Just make sure it comes without ham or sausage (often chorizo or chistorra).

Plate of an egg and potato dish at a Madrid tapas bar.
The famous “broken eggs” from Los Huevos de Lucio in La Latina. Photo credit: Kirk K.

Tortilla de patatas

Step aside, paella—this is Spain’s real national dish! It doesn’t get better than a slightly runny tortilla. We prefer ours with onion, but you’re free to order yours without!

Two slices of Spanish potato omelet on separate white plates with a brown bread basket in the background.
Cooked to perfection on the outside and gooey on the inside: just how we like our tortilla!

7 Vegan Tapas in Madrid

It might surprise you to learn that some typical tapas in Madrid are already vegan-friendly! Dishes like these make eating vegan in Madrid a breeze.

Patatas bravas

Found just about everywhere, patatas bravas consists of flash-fried potatoes with a spicy tomato and paprika sauce that is unbelievably delicious.

Traditional Madrid-style bravas will be mayonnaise-free, but vegans in Madrid should double check that yours are sin mayonesa before digging in. Some places also include a bit of beef stock in their bravas sauce. While not common, we suggest asking just in case!

Pimientos de Padrón

A favorite among all our vegan friends, these fried green peppers are a real treat and can be found in most tapas bars in the center. They come out of the kitchen with a slightly crispy skin, tender inside and a dusting of sea salt, making for a succulent start to dinner.  

Two square white plates of small green peppers
Just remember the golden rule of pimientos de padrón: “some are hot and some are not!”

Pan con tomate

Always a safe bet for breakfast or tapas, pan con tomate takes toast to a whole new level. Perfectly toasted bread is rubbed with garlic, drizzled with good olive oil and slathered in fresh tomato, making for a belly-filling and very tasty bite.

Slices of toasted bread rubbed with tomato on a white plate
Simple and delicious pan con tomate.

Gazpacho and ajo blanco

Two of Spain’s classic cold soups are great options for vegans in Madrid. Gazpacho is the tomato-based soup you’re probably familiar with, and ajo blanco is its almond-filled, tomato-free predecessor.

A small clear dish of chilled garlic soup garnished with grapes, with a metal spoon leaning against it.
Creamy ajo blanco soup is 100% vegan!

Salteada de verduras

Vegetable stir-fry is a go-to dish for all vegans, and vegans in Madrid are no different. Here, chefs use amazing local olive oil and garlic to make the plate extra special and will sometimes even use a little flour to thicken the sauce.

It’s a little harder to find veggie stir-fry in tapas bars, but any sit-down restaurant will happily serve it to you if you ask nicely.

Parrillada de verduras

A more common tapas option while eating vegan in Madrid is the parrillada de verduras. Make sure to order this at least once and tuck into a classic assortment of grilled veggies!

Setas al ajillo

It’s easy to be vegan in Madrid with mouth-watering veggie dishes like garlic-sauteed mushrooms.

Made with mushrooms, a healthy amount of olive oil, white wine and lots of garlic, setas al ajillo is one of the most hearty dishes vegans can order at a tapas bar. This plate will often come with jamón, so make sure your waiter you know you want a plato vegetariano and you won’t have a problem.

Plate of grilled mushrooms served with a lemon wedge.
Grilled mushrooms: proof that tapas don’t have to be fancy to be delicious.

Vegan and Vegetarian Shops in Madrid

As madrileños become more health conscious, even the corner stores are filling up with fresh plant-based options! For all the rest of your needs, you can stop by one of the following specialty shops in Madrid.

  • Planeta Vegano: A haven for vegans in Madrid, Planeta Vegano has everything you need to create your own vegan version of any traditional Spanish dish.
  • Nanyea Market: This secret spot has vegan Asian food to go. Nanyea also stocks vegan ice cream, healthy snacks and a great craft beer selection.
  • El Corte Inglés: No matter where you are in Madrid, you’re never far from a Corte Inglés. The trusty Madrid department store offers an expansive health food section. Consequently, the massive store can be overwhelming, so ask an attendant to help you to find the tofu (¿Me ayudas a encontrar el tofu por favor?).

This article was updated on January 26, 2023.

0 Comment

  1. Franca says
    June 30, 2014 at 9:48 am

    Some good tips here for vegan and vegetarians, thanks! Whilst in Madrid we went to some of the restaurants mentioned here and enjoyed the food indeed, this shows that vegan and vegetarian food can be found in Spain too where meat and fish are the king in the kitchen 🙂

  2. Alice says
    July 7, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    So many delicious looking vegetarian dishes, there’s no need for meat!

  3. July 23, 2014 at 11:21 am

    When I was a vegetarian, I’d always say “No puedo comer carne” and the answer was usually something like “No tiene carne, sólo cerdo.”

    In English we use “meat” in a general sense, but in Spanish it’s usually just used for “beef” which means “no tiene carne” could still have some other animal in it.

    1. Gargoris says
      October 5, 2020 at 2:12 pm

      I do not want to mean they were pulling your leg, but “carne” refeers to any kind o meat. I might admit the possibility that someone could consider chicken as not meat, but pork or beef… they are really carne for all of us (“chicha” for little kids)

  4. Sophia says
    July 31, 2014 at 2:23 am

    Can you find tofu or soy and oat/rice ecc. milk in a big store too?

    1. Lauren Aloise says
      August 5, 2014 at 9:01 am

      Hi Sophia, generally yes! Most supermarkets have at least soy milk (UHT). Oat and rice are a bit more complicated and a heath store generally has much better brands! Hope this helps!

    2. Lauren Aloise says
      August 24, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      Hi Sophia, you generally can, although the are generally UHT (the milks).

  5. Jimena says
    March 12, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    Hi!

    I’d like to add a couple more places to the list.

    B13 bar vegano, in Calle Ballesta 13 and Punto Vegano are both close to the centre and fully vegan and affordable places to eat.

    El Vergel, near Príncipe Pío, es an organic vegeteran restaurant that serves a number of vegan options.

    I don’t remember all of the addresses, but they can be easily found in goigle maps!

    1. Lauren Aloise says
      March 13, 2015 at 2:43 pm

      Thank you for the tips, we’ll check them out soon!

  6. JENNIFER says
    September 9, 2016 at 6:29 pm

    Can anyone tell me where to find kale in Madrid? Thanks!

    1. Urban Orchard says
      January 4, 2017 at 9:27 pm

      Hi Jennifer, If you request in advice we can order you some 😀 We are an new Organic Juice & Snacks Bar based in the Mercado de Antón Martín.

      Find us on Facebook:
      https://www.facebook.com/urbanorchardmadrid/

  7. Kris says
    September 29, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    Hi, we stumbled across this amazing little restaurant near the Museo National Del Prado in Calle Alameda 4 called El Fogon Verde, offering a menu including starter, main, desert, water, bread and wine for 11€… wonderful food!

  8. Eva Cosials Ruiz says
    March 9, 2017 at 9:02 pm

    Hi!
    I’d like to add a new place to the list, called REINETA VEGETARIANO, en 5 Infante St.
    A new vegetarian restaurant in Madrid, very close to Plaza Sol. Warm place with homemade food, very tasty and healthy.

    1. Brianne Garrett says
      March 12, 2017 at 2:59 pm

      Hi Eva! Thanks so much for your suggestion!

  9. Edna Morgan says
    September 3, 2017 at 6:21 pm

    It’s wonderful that there are going to be vegetarian places for me to visit when I come to Madrid in December. I will be staying in the city centre at the Hotel Catalonia Las Cortes, Del Prado 6. Which are the nearest Vegetarian eating places to that location please?

    1. Devour Madrid says
      September 22, 2017 at 3:48 pm

      Definitely, Edna, lots of great options! That hotel is in the Literary Quarter, so looks like Rayen Vegano would be a good option!

  10. Ally says
    September 4, 2017 at 6:38 pm

    Some good suggestions here especially for traditional tapas. Though I’m a bit surprised to see this labeled as a complete vegan and vegetarian guide..there is a lot of inaccurate information here and it’s clear that this was not written by even a vegetarian. There are also a ton of places missing for it to be a complete guide – there are 24 all vegan restaurants in Madrid and here you only have 2. I get that maybe these are the only ones the author has tried but it’s hardly comprehensive or all-inclusive. Also, Viva Burger is not a buffet restaurant anymore (and hasn’t been for a long time) and AbonoVida is not an all vegetarian place, it just has veggie options. Cheers!

    1. Devour Madrid says
      September 22, 2017 at 3:47 pm

      Great tips, Ally, thanks! We’ll get the post updated ASAP 🙂

    2. Lauren says
      October 1, 2017 at 9:00 pm

      What are the 24 vegan places Ally?

    3. Jade says
      September 24, 2018 at 6:00 am

      Can you please send me a list of the 20 all vegan places. Thanks

  11. Katie says
    October 30, 2017 at 6:55 pm

    Useful list of recommendations, although I’d also like to add El Perro Gamberro to the list, a vegan tapas restaurant on calle Segovia, it’s our favourite restaurant in Madrid….the food is incredibly tasty!!! Go and see for yourself!

    1. Devour Madrid says
      November 24, 2017 at 5:02 pm

      Great tip, Katie—thanks!

  12. Ayla Petras says
    May 8, 2018 at 6:12 pm

    Hi Guys,

    we are from Germany and bist Madrid legt Werk for a Bachelorette-Party. The Bride and two Girls of the group are vegan. Do you think it is possible, that we book a foodie tour that visits vegan places oder vegan friendly places? Tia !

    1. Devour Tours says
      May 9, 2018 at 1:31 pm

      Hey Ayla! Thanks for getting in touch. We’ll send you an email!

  13. Alain Turgeon says
    October 11, 2018 at 6:39 pm

    Are they vegan hotels in Madrid?
    Thank you

    1. Devour Tours says
      October 15, 2018 at 3:03 pm

      Hi there! The only one we know of is outside the city center. http://lafuentedelgato.com/blog/

      1. William says
        December 31, 2018 at 11:14 am

        Hi. Can you suggest vegan-friendly lodging for our family coming to Madrid on vacation? Thank you!

        1. Katie Stearns says
          December 31, 2018 at 3:47 pm

          Hi William,
          While we’re not familiar with any vegan-friendly lodging options, you’ll see in this post there are lots of vegan-friendly options in the city. Let us know where you end up staying!

  14. V b says
    February 16, 2019 at 7:31 pm

    The Rayen Vegano is permanently closed.

    1. Devour Tours says
      February 18, 2019 at 11:27 am

      Thanks for letting us know! We’ve updated the post

  15. tk says
    April 16, 2019 at 10:09 pm

    The B13 link you have links to a sex site.

    1. Katie Stearns says
      April 17, 2019 at 11:38 am

      Thanks for letting us know, we’ve just updated it!

  16. LeFunks says
    April 18, 2019 at 8:12 pm

    I’m afraid the original recipe for “salsa brava” which comes with “patatas bravas” includes beef stock among its ingredients . Sorry to say it’s not suitable for vegetarians nor vegans.

    1. Devour Tours says
      April 22, 2019 at 12:05 am

      Since that depends on the recipe, we’d ask at the bar you’re visiting before writing off all bravas everywhere 🙂

      1. Antman says
        June 19, 2019 at 8:37 am

        I’m from Madrid born and raised, my family owned two restaurants and I’ve never even heard of patatas bravas with beef stock-based sauce. Maybe some restaurant makes it like that, but it sounds quite rare.

  17. Kristen MOyer says
    June 30, 2019 at 4:32 am

    This was so helpful! Can’t wait for our trip to try many of these. Thank you so much for compiling this list and doing all of the work for us!

    1. Devour Tours says
      July 1, 2019 at 10:24 am

      Our pleasure!! Enjoy!

  18. Chelsea says
    August 4, 2019 at 6:55 pm

    This is amazing thank you for all the lovely ideas! I’m visiting Madrid for the first time with my partner. He does eat meat, so it is useful to have ideas of places to go which cater for both!

    1. Devour Tours says
      August 5, 2019 at 3:56 pm

      So happy to hear it, Chelsea! Enjoy your time here!

  19. Jake says
    December 29, 2019 at 12:20 pm

    Hey, just visited Madrid, these are some great recommendations. some places that are definitely missing are Bite Me Café, that’s currently number one on happy cow for Madrid,
    and Thunder Vegan Food which is more for takeaway, but has the best vegan burgers

    1. Devour Tours says
      December 30, 2019 at 7:53 am

      Thanks for the tips, Jake! We’ll check them out 😀

  20. jayino says
    March 23, 2020 at 10:37 am

    Thanks for your good website and information !

    1. Devour Tours says
      March 23, 2020 at 11:31 am

      Thanks so much for reading!

  21. December 6, 2020 at 8:14 am

    Great!! Thanks for your good information. Can anyone tell me where to find kale in Madrid? Thanks!

    1. Devour Tours says
      December 9, 2020 at 9:22 am

      Hi Elouise, you can find kale at some fruterías (ask for col rizada) and many Carrefour stores also carry it. We hope this helps, thanks for reading!

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