Bar El Brillante

A cozy spot for a quick bite — perfect if you’re looking for something fast and satisfying. The place has a lively, fast-paced atmosphere with efficient service, making it ideal for a quick stop rather than a long, relaxed meal. Prices are also relatively affordable, which is a nice plus. I tried the patatas bravas and the calamari sandwich, and both were very good. The patatas bravas were flavorful and well-prepared, and the calamari sandwich was fresh and satisfying. Overall, a great casual spot with good food, reasonable prices, and quick service. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth stopping by for a quick bite.

Went in for lunch on a cool winter day. You have the option of eating inside at a counter, if you’re lucky enough to find an open spot or you can grab a table outside. Inside was full, so we decided to make the line outside for a table. Line was about 10 deep, so had to wait for about 15-20 minutes before we were sat. Food was worth the wait. The Calamari sandwich “El Brillante” is a must. It’s their staple and I can see why. Their chorizo sandwich and their pork belly was also very good. 😋 All in all, a great spot for a quick bite or if you have time to do some people watching while you eat you can do that as well.

Noisy but characteristic atmosphere. You should absolutely try the bocadillo de calamares. Super fast service. Great for a very quick break without spending too much in the museum area of Madrid.

An amazing experience at hear of madrid, a must go place for tourists. They seem to be super busy but worth experiencing. They have a wide range of affordable food and booze and serving you very fast. Try the calamari sandwich and jamon iberico sandwich with vermut if you are a tourist

Wouldn’t say its not a bit touristically-priced, but would say it’s delicious, convenient, fast and authentic. Spanish omelette with the Madrid-style side dish is highly recommended from my side.

A must in Madrid We've now been here twice during our stay in Madrid, and it's easy to see why it's always busy. This spot serves up a local favourite — a soft baguette filled with freshly cooked calamari — and they do it very well. Today we also tried the steak sandwich alongside a couple of local beers, and both hit the spot. They’ve got a queuing system for seating on either the front or back terrace. It may look long, but don’t let that put you off — the line moves quickly. Everything is fresh, tasty, and great value. If you go for the calamari baguette (which I highly recommend), make sure to grab the little sachet of aioli — it’s a game-changer. Honestly, best price and quality combo we’ve found in Madrid. We’ll definitely be back.

Great tapas bar you could try any Spanish tapas but the atmosphere was really noisy and a bit chaotic. It felt quite crowded and a bit disorganized, if you don’t mind the noise and bustle, it’s a great spot.

This restaurant was recommended to us as exceptional. I’m not sure if it is an anomaly, but our service and food were sub par. There was one waiter outside on the terrace and it took 15 min for him to come to the table. He was seating people, clearing tables, taking orders and serving - so he was very busy. When our food arrived the patatas were very cold - no warmth at all - the sauce was like a slightly spiced tomato sauce. The bacon con queso bocadillos was ok. My salad with tuna and olives took so long that the rest of the food was almost finished. It was ok. I would not return.