If you are coming to a show at Off Latina, you are in luck. You are a few minutes’ walk from Calle de la Cava Baja, one of the most famous streets for tapas in Madrid, and surrounded by bars that have been feeding people since long before anyone thought of a comedy night in a cellar.
This guide is about timing and approach rather than a ranked list. Restaurants change, but the way La Latina eats does not.
Before or after the show?
Our shows start at 21:30, with doors at 21:00, and run for about an hour. That gives you two good options.
Option one: tapas before
Arrive in La Latina around 19:30 or 20:00 and do a short tapeo: two or three bars, one drink and one or two small plates at each. You will be pleasantly full, not stuffed, by the time doors open.
Option two: dinner after
Come out of the show at around 22:30 and sit down for a proper dinner. This is completely normal in Madrid, and many kitchens in the area are still busy at that time. If you prefer this, have a light snack before so you are not hungry during the show.
How tapas works in La Latina
- Stand at the bar. In busy places, the counter is where the action is. Tables may be reserved for full meals.
- Order small. A tapa is a small plate, a media ración is half a portion, a ración is a full plate for sharing.
- Move on. The point of a tapeo is to try several places.
- Pay at the end. Ask for la cuenta when you are ready to leave each bar.
Classic things to order
- Huevos rotos: fried eggs broken over chips, often with ham. Cava Baja is known for them.
- Tortilla de patatas: the Spanish omelette. Everyone has an opinion on how runny it should be.
- Croquetas: creamy croquettes, usually ham, cheese or mushroom.
- Patatas bravas: fried potatoes with a spicy sauce.
- Vermut: sweet red vermouth on tap, a Madrid favourite for the early evening.
Where to look
Cava Baja and Cava Alta: two parallel streets packed with bars and restaurants, from old-school taverns to modern places. Cava Baja is the more famous and the busier of the two.
Plaza de la Paja and around: quieter, with a few terraces and a more relaxed feel.
Plaza de la Cebada: by the Mercado de la Cebada and the Teatro La Latina, a lively spot for an early drink.
Towards Lavapiés: a short walk east takes you into one of the most international food areas of the city. Our Lavapiés evening guide covers it.
Practical tips
- Book ahead if you want a sit-down dinner on a busy night, especially for groups.
- Tell your table you have a show at 21:30 if you eat before. Kitchens in Madrid are used to theatre-goers.
- Bring a coat you can carry. Bars are warm and the walk to the venue is short.
- Off Latina has its own bar, so you can have a drink there before the show too.
Plan the whole evening
For a complete plan with timings, read our guide to a Thursday night in Madrid, or if this is a date, our date night guide. Then pick your show: No Offense, But... or The Arab and the Jew, both in English at Off Latina, Calle de los Mancebos 4.
