What to Eat in Madrid as a Vegan (Traditional Dishes Explained)
One of the biggest questions vegan travelers ask before coming to Spain is:
What am I actually going to eat?
Madrid has an incredible food culture, but it’s traditionally built around meat, eggs, and dairy. That can sound intimidating at first.
The good news is that you won’t be surviving on side salads. You just need to know what to look for, and when to double-check.
Here’s a realistic look at what you can eat in Madrid as a vegan.
Patatas Bravas
If you eat one thing in Madrid, make it patatas bravas.
They’re crispy fried potatoes topped with a (mildly) spicy tomato-based sauce. In many places, they’re naturally vegan. In others, the sauce may contain mayo or an aioli-style topping.
Always ask.
When they’re done right, they’re simple and addictive. And they’re everywhere.
Gazpacho
In warmer months, gazpacho is your friend.
This chilled tomato soup is traditionally made with tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, vinegar, and bread. In most cases, it’s fully plant-based.
It’s refreshing, very Spanish, and widely available during spring and summer.
Pimientos de Padrón
Small green peppers blistered in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt.
They’re naturally vegan and usually served as a tapa. Most are mild, but occasionally you’ll get one that’s unexpectedly spicy. That’s part of the fun :-).
Pan con Tomate
Simple, but classic. You can find this dish almost anywhere at any time of day. Eat it for breakfast for as an afternoon snack, it’s what the Spanish do.
Toasted bread rubbed with tomato and drizzled with olive oil. Sometimes garlic is added. Just make sure it’s not served with jamón on top, as is often the case.
It’s one of those dishes that proves how good Spanish ingredients can be without much fuss – the high quality of the local ingredients just makes it so darn delicious.
Croquetas (Sometimes)
Traditional croquetas are made with béchamel, which means dairy. Many also contain ham or chicken.
But in more modern neighborhoods, you’ll find vegan versions made with mushroom, spinach, or other fillings using plant-based béchamel.
They’re not everywhere yet, but they’re becoming more common, especially in certain neighborhoods, such as Lavapiés. When you join us on our Vegan Tapas Tour, you’ll enjoy some fantastic mushroom croquetas.
Tortilla Española (Rare, But Possible)
You will see this dish everywhere in Spain. People enjoy it out as well as make it at home.
The classic Spanish tortilla is made with eggs and potatoes, however some vegan – and in some cases, even traditional! – restaurants now make plant-based versions using chickpea flour or other substitutes.
If you’re curious about traditional flavors in vegan form, this is one to seek out.
Stews and Modern Reinterpretations
This is where Madrid gets interesting.
You’ll find creative chefs reworking traditional Spanish dishes into fully plant-based versions. Lentil stews without chorizo. Rice dishes without seafood. Seasonal vegetable plates that feel rooted in Spanish cooking, not imported trends.
These dishes aren’t always obvious from the outside. They’re usually in specific neighborhoods and independent spots.
What’s Harder to Navigate
Some dishes are almost always off-limits unless you’re in a fully vegan restaurant:
- Classic croquetas in traditional taverns
- Tortilla in old-school bars
- Many “vegetarian” options that still contain egg or dairy
- Sauces that may include anchovy or meat stock
The challenge in Madrid isn’t finding food, it’s understanding what’s actually in it.
Menus aren’t always clearly labeled, and even when they are, “vegetarian” doesn’t mean vegan.
A little Spanish helps. So does local knowledge. That’s why we offer this guided tour.
The Smart Way to Start Your Trip
If you’re only in Madrid for a few days, your time matters.
You could spend the first two days researching restaurants, reading reviews, and trying to decode menus. It’s possible that you’ll trek from one end of the city to the other to go to a specific vegan place only to find that they don’t have any tables available.
Or you could start your trip with a curated introduction to the city’s plant-based food scene.
Our Vegan Food & Culture Walking Tour in Lavapiés was designed to give visitors exactly that.
Over the 3 1/2 hour tour, you’ll visit three carefully chosen stops (carefully chosen by our vegan tour guide, that is), enjoy tapas and a drink at each one, and learn how traditional Spanish food is evolving in modern Madrid.
It’s not about reinventing Spain. It’s about understanding it, and seeing how vegan cuisine fits naturally into the city’s ever-evolving story.
After that, navigating menus on your own feels much easier.
If you’d like to begin your Madrid trip with confidence (and a full stomach), you can reserve your spot here.
Final Thoughts
Madrid may not market itself as a vegan destination, but that’s part of its appeal. The old (traditional cuisine with animal products) and the new (vegan options) live side by side.
You’re exploring a historic European capital that’s slowly and creatively adapting.
If you know what to order and where to go, you’ll eat very well here. And you might leave surprised by how seamlessly plant-based food fits into modern Spanish culture.