Madrid's Hottest Hamburger Havens

[Iberia Airlines]

by Isaac Gutiérrez

You probably wouldn't associate coming to Spain with chowing down on a big juicyhamburguesa, but the fact is that it's all the rage these days, especially in the country's capital - and even visitors from the birthplace of the burger, the U.S. of A., have noted that there are now some pretty authentic and just downright tasty offerings to be had in Madrid. Here are several of the top patty palaces. Have you been to any others not on this list? 

Home Burger Bar   This is one of the first in Madrid's recent gourmet burger revolution, with three locations. Designed like a hipper version of an American diner, it features subtle lighting, organic beef raised in the mountains around Ávila, fries made from unfrozen potatoes, and artesanally baked bread.  You can opt for a classic burger, add bacon and cheddar, or get even more creative (cream cheese and nuts; goat cheese and pimentos, sundried tomatoes, veggie burgers, and more). Good-sized potions, too. During lunch hours all three locations are packed. (Calle de San Marcos 26; Calle de Espíritu Santo 12 and Calle de Silva 25).

Don Oso   North of downtown, in Madrid's university area, this is a real classic, patronized by generations of students. Chances are it'll be so packed you'll see folks eating out on the sidewalk;  if you manage to find a few square inches inside, you'll probably have to shout your order to the server. But many say it's well worth it, that these are the best hamburgers in town, and the prices are unbeatable. Can't go wrong with the original, and the bacon mushroom burger also gets a thumbs up.  (Calle de Donoso Cortés 90).  

Alfredo’s Barbacoa  "Al's BBQ" has one of the oldest burger-joint pedigrees in the city, opened in 1981 by a New Yorker and still going strong today with its American flags, cowboy statues, and tightly packed tables (gives new meaning to the phrase "rubbing elbows with"), and overall intriguingly retro vibe. If you're in a hurry or simply don't like to wait, you might want to take a pass, because orders can take 20 minutes or more. But Alfredo's aficionados rave about the tender, juicy beef, flame grilled and nice and rare inside. Barbecue is also a star here, as the name implies, and don't skip the cole slaw. If you have room for dessert, a must is the giant cookie with vanilla ice cream - you'll be rubbing your eyes at the size of this puppy.  (Calle de Lagasca 5 and Calle de Juan de Hurtado de Mendoza 22).

Meeting Point by Raza Nostra   Just east of Plaza Mayor amid the tourist hordes, the beer counters and the tapas bars of the San Miguel Markeplace is a little secret: one of the most central locations to enjoy the highly acclaimed Hamburguesa Nostra. Using fine Galician beef, chef Juan Pozuelo has stylishly updated the traditional hamburger and come up with new versions, too, involving a rackful of spices along with ingredients like tomatoes, olives, nine kinds of sauces, five types of artisanal bread (the tomato-and-sesame is to die for), all accompanied by elegant little salads and tempting wines. Really, who could resist? (in the Mercado de San Miguel on Plaza San Miguel, the Mercado San Antón on Calle Augusto Figueroa in Chueca, 8 other locations).

 

Photo | Javier Lastras