Cafe Madrid

The ambiance here is great and the service was friendly, and professional. Unfortunately, that’s where the positives end. The food was a big disappointment. The paella was warm at best and completely bland. It honestly felt like it wasn’t made to order but reheated instead, especially considering I was dining there about two hours before closing. For a Spanish restaurant, that’s pretty unacceptable. Overall, this place is fine if you’re just looking for a nice atmosphere to drink wine and socialize, but if you’re coming for the food, I’d suggest looking elsewhere.

Just WOW! What a phenomenal experience! Food was fantastic, the ambiance was perfect and the staff was unbelievably kind! Meeting the owner was a surprise bonus! Thank you for your outstanding everything!! We will definitely be back! ❤️

Absolutely incredible experience at Cafe Madrid! The flamenco dancers and performers were breathtaking — full of energy, passion, and authenticity that made the night unforgettable. Our waitress Carolina was beyond amazing — truly 1000% magnificent! Her service was flawless from start to finish. She was warm, attentive, and spot-on with her tapas recommendations — every dish she suggested was delicious. My wife was glowing with happiness the entire evening, and that alone made the night perfect. We’ll definitely be coming back — this will be our go-to date night spot from now on. Love Cafe Madrid! ❤️💃

The tapas were the best I’ve had so far! Diego M, our recently hired server, took excellent care of us. We trusted his recommendations, and every choice was spot on. Thanks to his service, we loved the whole experience.”

We had Caroline as a waitress and she made the experience (which was already wonderful) 10x better! Food and drinks were fabulous and the ambiance was wonderful. Will definitely be coming back for the happy hour!

we loved our dinner here! it was easy to make a reservation with Cafe Madrid for my friend’s 30th birthday dinner. the food was delicious. our group ordered plates in trios of protein, carb, & veg, & every plate was delicious. the shrimp, lamb meatballs, & fried feta in honey were group favorites. the service was excellent. our waiter took great care of us, kept our glasses full of sangria, & added a little extra flair to the birthday dessert. the ambiance was charming & comfortable. it was friday night so they had live musicians playing well-balanced instrumentals. absolutely will be back soon!

Food is delicious but small portions and expensive. The staff is knowledgeable Andhra accommodating but if it's busy could be waiting for them to ask for something. The band was excellent and played over the allotted time.

Such a wonderful find! Authentic, hidden gem. Marinated anchovies which we couldn't find anywhere else in Dallas. Best honey, almond and nougat ice cream. And the absolute best was Caroline who was such a delight and so lovely to chat to!

Delicious Spanish tapas! We had the paella, calamares fritos/fried calamari, patatas bravas/fried potatoes (not pictured), and morcilla de arroz y cebolla/fried blood sausage served with toasted bread. I loved the paella and fried calamari and we really enjoyed the nice ambience eating on the patio!

This place had some really tasty tapas. We had a large group of about 10 people and made a reservation earlier that week. We went on a Saturday night and they had a large table ready for us. We got many different tapas and sampled a lot of the menu. Everyone really enjoyed the food and overall thought it was pretty tasty. The only down side was that it was a little pricier than it should've been in my opinion. They do have a decent amount of vegetarian options but it is a little difficult to get full from them.

Came here on a Saturday night and absolutely loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. They had live music and it really made you feel like you were right in the middle of Madrid. The waiter was very nice and attentive and I have 0 complaints about the service. Wonderful staff all around. Now to the food... the tapas were good but didn't blow my mind away. Compared to other tapa restaurants it was a little lack luster. In addition the paella was lacking a lot of flavor and seasoning. I would recommend coming here for drinks and maybe a few tapas with friends to enjoy the vibes but not to get a high quality meal.

Coming out of my review-writing hiatus just to rave about how much I love Cafe Madrid. My friends and I came here for girls night -- 2 pitchers of sangria and many tapas later... we left with our hearts happy and bellies full. Caroline was really attentive to us and provided 5-star service. She really elevated our visit and we loved her so much. We are no strangers to Spanish tapas and have tried a couple similar restaurants in the metroplex but Cafe Madrid ranks #1 for us. The atmosphere is more home-y and cozy. Us gals in our mid-30s appreciate the more intimate setting Cafe Madrid offers. The house paella, calamari, patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo, and pulpo y gambas a la vinagreta were all delicious. I am no expert on Spanish food...but Cafe Madrid is home to my favorite paella. Honestly, before dining at Cafe Madrid I thought paella was alright... but now I am a fan. I definitely cannot wait to come back and try more dishes.

This was some seriously delicious tapas, good service and nice ambience. It was the first time I'd had Sangria since my college days. What a fun evening. There's amble parking in the garage across the street and North just half a block. Try the Calamari, Spanish Tortilla Omelet, and the Roasted Brussel Sprouts.

Delightful! Fun! Entertaining! Our service was just wonderful as our adorable server clearly loves her job. She made excellent suggestions, was knowledgeable about every menu item and helped me avoid my allergens. (Sometimes I really wish I could eat shellfish. ‍) The food was outstanding, and if you order enough tapas, even a meat and potatoes man will feel full. Bubbly cava was a great compliment to all the plates. Outstanding tapas were the Spanish tortilla (wow), Aceituans Mixtas O Sabor De Anchoas (anchovy stuffed olives which I wasn't sure about but will order again), Bruselas (Brussels with crispy Iberian ham and garlic which I accidentally had a bite of and the server reminded me it was cooked in the same fryer as shellfish - luckily I got away with it), and the pollo con ajo a la plancha (garlic marinated chicken). We happened to go the first Friday of December (yes, life happened between then and now, but it was memorable) which is when they have flamenco! How talented the dancers were. It was so much fun and contributed to a playful atmosphere! If you want to catch the flamenco, might I suggest you do what we did and make a reservation a week or so in advance for a fairly early time (6:30 or 7) and plan to camp at your table for the evening.

My husband and I went around 5:30 to Cafe Madrid before going to the theater. We really liked the tapas, especially the croquetas and paella, the atmosphere was calm at that time and we enjoyed our drinks and conversation. Around 6:15 ish it became crowded and quite loud. The restaurant has about three spaces with tables and chairs for customers and a place outside. I liked the decorations and the tapas especially. I will return but in between lunch and dinner.

Such a cute spot! Feels super authentic too. I learned it's a gem in Dallas and has some of the best Spanish food. I stopped by for happy hour to get something to snack on. The staff was pretty friendly, I love the outside seating, and the happy hour has great selections. I ordered a white sangria which was tasty. I really enjoyed the croquettas which had cheese and spinach. The shrimp was good too. Overall I have to go back to try more and if you happen to be by the area, I definitely recommend.

Have not been here in a while and was super excited to bring my wife to get some good tapas. Food was so off.. it was just sad. a ghost of what they used to make. Customer service was excellent; they brought our check super fast.

'It's like Aperol-spritz...but wine' Spending this stay-cation pretending I'm in Spain Enjoying some tapas and sparkling sangria!

Cafe Madrid was one of the first tapas restaurants and they still hold their own. Old school Spanish tapas in a comfortable space. Can you get a satisfying meal here? Yes, you can. Does it feel like a special experience? For me, not really. I did love the eggplant chips, but the bread service was sad. Charcuterie was uninspired and the limited beverage options was disappointing.

The place is very popular! We forgot to make a reservation and had to wait for about 30min, but the place was actually very charming. They have a good selection of drinks and food, very fast service, but the food was just OK. They have seating for parties of two and four, if you have a bigger party make sure to make a reservation since they have few larger tables. The ambiance in the restaurant was very warm and enjoyable.

It is an absolute travesty that Cafe Madrid is rated so poorly on Yelp. I may be biased because I love Spanish food and culture but this place is fantastic and has been for decades. The food is simple but authentic and so saboroso! I live in Tarrant county but I gladly travel to Dallas to eat here whenever I can. When the weather is nice, sitting outside eating tapas, drinking sangria and enjoying Spanish relaxation is what it's all about.

Service and food were wonderful! Great time celebrating moms birthday. Plates are nice for sharing with your party. Restaurant atmosphere is very cozy

Excellent! The food was delicious and our server Rebecca was wonderful. She made excellent recommendations. The ambiance was perfect!

This restaurant always a treat for my wife and I. Having lived in Spain in 2004-5 grew fond of their foods. When in Dallas we alway visit for tapas lunch

Service is exceptional - I like warm, earthy, cozy spots. This place is just that, add in ambient lighting, open doors where dining feeds into charming outside seating and you have a magical evening filled the vibing sounds, sprinkled with chatter, the occasional glimpse of pups and owners in outside seating. This is the perfect place to close out the day, especially on a Friday. Melts away all the stress and tensions of the week. The food was equally fantastic. Tapas by name and nature are small - but don't be confused the flavors are absolutely explosive! If you like garlic try the sautéed garlicky spinach and pine nuts; vinegary Anchovies in Olive oil and chunks of garlic - decorated with pitted olives - it makes for a sanguine flavor combination with a subtle bite - pair with beer or seltzer and it enhances the experience even more. The saffron rice was simply spot on - nuf said. Lastly had the muscles in an amazing French creamy saffron sauce - hey they're neighbors - so it was a perfect fit - south of France meets Catalina. In short, the services, atmosphere and food made for an exceptional evening - this was a dine alone experience - made, like I said earlier, for a magical evening. Last thing ask about Manuel he's an amazing chef thats graced this establishment for 29-30 of the 33 years that it's been here. His signature ingredient - ... Love Holla -Acha-Boy! ~Anthony

We had a wonderful dinner outside on their patio, as we watched the world go by in the Knox/Henderson area. Our service was outstanding. Cafe Madrid has an excellent wine and cocktail menu, along with a full bar. There is an expansive menu of share plates that make for a fun dining experience. We tried quite a few, and all were excellent. We will be back soon to try more!

Best croquetas in town... hands down! I love the chill vibes and happy hour. I always get the croquetas but some of my favorites include the albóndigas, tortilla (Spanish not Mexican... if you know, you know), and patatas bravas.

I love this spot. Been coming for years. I always know I'm going to get a good meal in a great atmosphere. Our server, Eduardo, made sure we had a great night. The wine list has a wonderful selection, many at a very reasonable price. You don't have to go crazy to get a great Rioja. You can't miss with the tortilla, croquettes, Brussels sprouts and shrimp. So glad this place is still around and still so good.

Most authentic Spanish food. My wife is from Madrid and loves it. Not sure why the restaurant adds alioli to the tortilla de patata. That is not authentic to Spain and is the only reason for the 4 stars.

Amazing tapas bar! Got this recommendation from a friend. I did make a reservation earlier in the week via email. When you walk in this place has an awesome family feel. We had a variety of tapas and everything was great! I recommend the albondigas! I also highly recommend the sangria. Thanks Cafe Madrid for being awesome! Oh, and the service was top notch!!

SUPER RUDE MALE WAITER !!!! RECEIVED HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE !!!! Came up to me after I payed my bill demanding more in tips ( my in laws tipped out ) . If he would have asked nicely I would have gave him more but he called me out in-front of everyone & then pointed at me while talking with other waiters while I was unaware of the situation. ( I didn't know how much my in laws had tipped him , which wasn't horrible $20 ) but the way he approached me was appalling!

The question is, where do I start? It was our first time there today to celebrate my birthday. When we arrive, the staff in the front gave us this weird look and they were speaking in English, so spoke to them back in English even though I'm a proud bilingual professional. We asked him to set us by the harp presenter and they just turn around and set us on the other side where we didn't ask to be seated. It was OK I let it go then it's a server came to order we told them that it was our first time there and he's like he didn't care and didn't make any suggestions and ask me do you speak Spanish, ? And then he came back to take our order with this really grunting face didn't made any suggestions for the menu and he very rudely said "this is a tapas restauranteverything is in small pieces "so we did order And I've been to Spain, lived there for a whole year studying abroad, and I do remember the flavors of authentic tapas but we order 4 differently plates, and none of them met the standards of Spanish tapas, including the cheap sangria served in a regular glass, not a wine glass. When the first plate arrived, it was potatoes, bland flavor. The tomato sauce had no flavor. I make better tomato sauce from scratch. I asked the server if you could bring me some salt and he rudely responded "can you please wait" If I want to enjoy a good plate of food, I don't look at the price but for four tapas and two cheap sangrias it was more than $100. I would not come back here even if they pay me. Staff here needs to be respectful and welcoming. As soon as any client that is not blonde or light skin should all be respected and treated the same. And please be respectful of the people investing in your food and get yourself a real Spanish chef. we ended up heading to the restaurant in front where they sell delicious steaks. Thank you.

First time! Sat outside. Server was attentive and well versed in the menu. List of items tried is too long to post! Suffice it to say, everything was delicious!

When I first dined at Cafe Madrid back in January, food was delicious tapas were a decent size and service attentive. Our experience on the first Friday night in June (their flamenco night) was completely different we had to flag our server to remind him about the food ordered, water glasses refilled. Paella for two was barely enough for one and asparagus tapa came literally with 7 skinny tiny spears. We left hungry.

Great food, great people and awesome Sangre de Toro!! Obviously tapas are small so you may need to plan ahead if you're really hungry.

EXTREMELY OVERPRICED!!! The garlic shrimp (gambas al ajillo) was really good, but apart from that nothing special. I left the restaurant with no money in my wallet and still hungry...

Such a beautiful restaurant that immediately transports you to Spain! The tapas are just so spectacular! They have a great selection of sangria! My personal favorite was the traditional red sangria. The service here is just so fabulous! Big thank you to Cafe Madrid for the wonderful experience!

This is my favorite tapas restaurant in Dallas! You won't find better service anywhere from the manager to our favorite waiter Santiago. He is very down to earth has the best suggestions and will always make you feel like your at home. The food is amazing and they have an excellent wine list! Highly recommend it to everyone!

Went for an evening of appetizers and drinks. We were treated to Spanish dancing. This place has an electric atmosphere. Great service, delish food and great sangria!

The red sangria was great. Not too sweet, and I could taste the infused fruits. I was disappointed that they no longer do happy hour here, as that is what our group came for. We weren't able to try as many dishes due to this. Nonetheless, service was good. Our waitress gave good recommendations. The fried goat cheese balls were my favorite thing we ordered. Sitting outside was nice. I'd like to come back when there's live music on the weekend.

Had dinner here one night with a group and we had a good experience!! The food was tasty and well-made, more so than the 3.5 star overall rating lets on. Although the piquillo peppers with goat cheese were all I remembered to take a picture of, we also enjoyed the croquettes, garlic shrimp, and patatas bravas. The flan was not the best we've had, however; it could have used more syrup, though the strawberry slice on top was a nice touch! I would consider returning when in the mood for tapas.

Great atmosphere and the tapas were delicious. Service was also outstanding. Will go back when I'm back in town.

OK shout out to Olga the hostess and the manager of beautiful dark haired lady who's name I didn't get , Santiago and Sara, our server. We ordered seven things on the menu we ordered the charcuterie board, we ordered the roasted peppers with feta, the almonds, the asparagus, and the potatoes. We also ordered a bottle of the sparkling rosé which was perfect on a Saturday afternoon on the patio. It was a glorious day the food was glorious and the service was impeccable. We will definitely be back. You should definitely go check it out. Be sure to make a reservation or if there are five or less they can sometimes accommodate a walk in. Be kind and tip well!

Last night I tasted a little piece of Spain in Dallas. Cafe Madrid offers a cozy, intimate dining setting reminiscent of the little cafes found on the streets of Madrid. Their wide selection of Tapas are popular amongst patrons but their wine selection steals the show. * * Restaurant- It was absolutely beautiful.Most of the decorations came from Madrid and it gave the restaurant an authentic feel. I met the owner, Donica, and she told us that she decorated and came up with the concept of the restaurant. Just imagine stepping into a completely different country. From the paintings, to the rich culture; it truly was an amazing experience. She talked about opening the restaurant, the wine selection (fun fact: they only started with 8 wines and now they have an entire wall full. All wines are from Spain)and how the concept of Cafe Madrid came to be. Donica had a beautiful vision that came to life. PS. Both Eduardo and Donica were super sweet and they took great care of us!!! * * Food -Tortilla española | The most popular of all tapas: Classic Spanish omelette with potatoes and onions -Calamares fritos | Classic fried calamare, served with choice of alioli or brava sauce - Croquetas de manchego y espinacas | Cheese and spinach croquettes - Albondigas andaluzas | Andalucian meatballs in almond-piquillo sauce - Pollo marroquí | Moroccan chicken skewer with 35 spices - Piquillo relleno con queso de cabra | Imported piquillo peppers filled with goat cheese

Stumbled upon this hidden gem last night. What a perfect little spot for a date night. The food and the service was on point. We had initially stoped in for a quick bite and drink but we quickly decided to stay. Live music and the dancers put on a really good show. The entire staff was just so incredible. Definitely putting this down as a go to spot in Dallas.

Great food and great time!! We had the best time ever. Nice Spanish guitar music, open doors with fresh air! I even tried a few dishes I would not normally eat and loved it. The goat cheese in a red pepper was not something I would eat. They import a special red pepper from Spain that made the dish perfect. Spinach is something I always avoid, but had with pine nuts and really enjoyed. Would highly recommend, not your everyday restaurant experience.

the best Spanish meal I have ever had. The food is healthy, clean, and so delicious. I will be back, and telling everyone! thank you for being apart of the Dallas community for 34 years

My husband and I used to go to this restaurant when we were dating over 20 years ago and have fond memories. So eventhough we no longer live close, I made reservations several weeks in advance of our 20th anniversary and made sure the restaurant knew it was a special occasion. When we went, the server ignored us. He spent more time on a table of college girls. Our anniversary was not acknowledged. Some of our food was great some was cold. It was not worth the trip. We ended up going to another restaurant near our house that gave us a special desert with happy anniversary and a sparkler. We had just walked in, no reservation! Could have been better Cafe Madrid.... Won't likely be back

It was ok, I was hoping for something better. The sangria had a generic taste like store bought. The paella it was alright, I had better. A little bit too expensive for the amount of food ( the paella) Good service.

Never disappoints. It would be perfect if it had the baby eels tapas. The house wine complemented the best tapas in town

I have spine surgery scheduled for this Wednesday. L4/L5 microdiscectomy, shave the bulging disk between the bones. I have been in extreme pain and walking and standing is ok but sitting does not happen and getting out of car takes a few minutes to loosen up and walk semi normal. The owner saw me enter and decided to refuse me service.

Café Madrid is for Americans who have never lived in Spain. There Tortilla Española was terrible, the rest of their tapas were marginally better. The only thing worth mentioning was there Carne al ajillo. Their Sangria consisted of red wine with half a slice of orange. If you've ever lived or spent some real time in Spain, don't bother going to Café Madrid. You will be greatly disappointed.

Food was delicious. Service was good. Nice atmosphere and enjoyed the flamenco show. Tapas plates were pretty small for the price but I still recommend.

The service was great, but the food was kind of dull... the patatas bravas were not spicy at all:(

I LOVE cafe Madrid! The sangria, food, and staff is incredible every time. If I could eat the tortilla española every day for the rest of my life, I would. Last night there was some unexpected rain so the manager and our server, Jorge, did everything they could to make sure we were comfortable. We didn't even have a reservation! We tried to sit outside under an awning in the rain and when that didn't work out, they found a spot for us inside! They were so sweet and I am officially coming back to this place any chance I get!!

Although I've lived in the neighborhood for 3 years, this was my first time visiting Cafe Madrid! I had a great time and really enjoyed the atmosphere. The tapas came out quickly and were all very fresh. It was fun to explore the menu and try new things. I'll be back for more!

No bueno! Food was the worst tapas I've had in my lifetime. Service is just okay. So many amazing restaurants in Dallas forget this one.

Cafe Madrid is consistently fantastic. Their wine list is intriguing with selections I haven't found elsewhere. The waiters' suggestions/recommendations are spot on every time. Friday nights are very busy with lots of fun and activity from the flamenco dancers, Saturday evenings are a bit more sedate. We like to go later in the evening because the atmosphere is just perfect. Favorite tapas include the spinach croquettes, Brussels sprouts, fried goat cheese with honey, the ham...the Spanish hams are to die for. And the gazpacho - smooth and refreshing! When in doubt of what to order, ask your waitstaff! They are still incredibly knowledgeable and attentive!