Cafe Madrid Reviews

Ok folks, remember, you can't duplicate a Barcelona or Madrid experience in Dallas so don't whine about the fact that it was "not the same." (Also remember that prices in Spain overall are much lower than in the US) You can however reflect back on that experience while at Cafe Madrid and get as close as you can to that day in Barcelona. And for you folks that complain about small portions - well, where did you think you were going? This is not Golden Corral all-you-can eat buffet. If you want big portions go to a big beef house like Pappas or Bob's, etc. and eat until you explode. Tapas are meant to be served in small quantities and shared. Which means that if everyone in your party ordered a "few" of their favorites and then passed them, everyone would have plenty to eat and have tried many different items. Who knows, maybe if you tasted a small piece of grilled octopus you may like it? If you want to have some fun, organize a group of no less than 6, preferably more to go to Cafe Madrid. Order up at least 3 different plates per person and have a good time. Try some of the Cavas, Sangrias, or Spanish wines - explore what is new and different. Nothing on the food menu is expensive. The beef tenderloin was the tenderest I've every eaten and was about $16. Our party of six must have ordered 20 items including desserts, plenty of beer and wine and left with a bill of about $100 per couple. Not a bad price at all for the quality we received. Also, our waiter timed the delivery of the items, he brought out 4-5 at a time which enhanced the experience. One small quirk though, on 2 occasions a new server brought our food and had no idea what each item was, we figured it out for her, management needs to train newbies better or figure out a way for the kitchen staff to instruct the newbies. We were not rushed at all and had a D-lightful dinner. Give it a try.

This place may have been a place to go to.... 15 years ago. Now the tapas menu looks predictable and pretty tired, and unfortunately the taste leaves much to be desired. The tapas just lacks flavor and the waitress serving our table was inpatient and not particularly helpful. I would not go back and would not recommend this place to anyone!

Went here for dinner on a girls night out. The food was fantastic! The Sangrias were fantastic! We enjoyed ordering off the Tapas menu and sharing to try many different dishes. I most recall the homemade chorizo and the mushrooms- highly recommend!! Also, when the weather is nice it's great to enjoy dinning outdoors (curbside).

I had the unexpected chance to visit this Really Nice Restaurant on Wed. Afternoon for wine and ??? It was just GREAT... We had several small plates and everyone was better than the one before... The Oxtail was wonderful, I was surely not going to Like, BUT .... OM Goddess it was "Devine" as Rosemary would Say ... The outside setting on a quaint little street was so very pleasant... I cannot say enough good about this little GEM...

my favorite...great oxtail stew & sangria!

This is a favorite of my husband and I. We frequent this place twice a month because we love practically everything on the menu. The service has been great every time we visit and we usually go on a Friday night. We enjoy the in-house-made sangria and the extensive list of Spanish wines. Every time we visit we get the spinach croquettes, the garlic shrimp, the goat cheese stuffed peppers (a basket of bread is is a must have with the shrimp and peppers) and the potatoes in tomato sauce. We have had mixed success with the ever-changing entree list. The quail they had in the fall was excellent but the eggplant and scallops they had in February were a bit of a disappointment. This is a great restaurant to visit for a meal when you have a full wallet. You would have to order at least three $7 (average price) tapas to make a decent meal for one person.

My wife and I have been coming to Café Madrid for over 20 years. It is a favorite date night spot where we can graze on tapas and pass the night away in pleasant conversation. I've always found it a solid source for authentic Spanish food with a good selection of Spanish wines. During our recent visit we had a 5 star night from the start to almost the end. We asked to be seated in the middle dining room, and were quickly seated in what I consider this preferred room (less traffic than the front room but not quite as isolated feeling as the back room). There are fewer specials now, and they are on a printed a menu instead of the chalkboard they use to tote around their three dining rooms. That's OK with me, as I use to feel overwhelmed at the number of specials in light of the huge list of regular items. We started with several plates including an assortment of ham, bread, manchego cheese, shrimp, olives, anchovies, peppers stuffed with goat cheese, marinated artichoke hearts, white asparagus, etc... We selected a wonderful bottle of 2001 rioja gran reserva that delivered in spades. The wait staff was charming and attentive throughout. We were saving room for one of our favorite dishes which would act as our dessert (even though it is not technically a dessert offering) queso frito con cebolla y miel. It is listed on the menu as "fried goat cheese with caramelized onions and honey." We were chatting it up with the waiter before hand noting how much we loved the combination of the three ingredients. My wife even inquired about how it was made to see if she could replicate it at home. When it arrived I went after it first. I have to confess that my game was off after half a bottle of excellent rioja, but something wasn't quite right. I ate my share in any event. When my wife got to it, though, she immediately pegged the problem. The onions were not caramelized at all. Instead they were pickled red onions. We flagged the waiter down and pointed out the problem. He initially agreed with our assessment, but indicated that they had been made that we for a while and he had been a waiter there for 5 years. We had a different recollection of our favorite dish and, in any event, it didn't match the description in the menu or our expectations. My wife asked if the chef could please caramelize some onions for us. He said he'd check. When the waiter came back he indicated that the chef assured him that those were caramelized onions on our plate. Now is when we drop a star. The chef was either assuming we were ignorant, or he doesn't know what caramelized onions are. They were definitely pickled red onions with a distinct taste of vinegar. After making it clear to the waiter that we disagreed with the assessment, and getting increasingly irritated that there was no solution offered, the waiter finally offered to take it off the bill. This should have been the initial offer with an acknowledgment that the dish was not as advertised (we never got that). During our discussion the waiter indicated that both the owner and the manager (both of whom we have met before on several occasions) were not there that night. I suspect that if either one had been there the issue would have been handled differently. In any event, it was just one little blip on an otherwise magical evening. We'll keep coming back, and I hope they get our favorite dish back to spec.

The Tapas were very good and the waiter was very well educated in his wines and the menu. The atmosphere was nice and the area of town charming.

The food is not good (and not bc I don't know Spanish food bc I'm Spaniard) and it's overpriced. We went to celebrate our anniversary and we were so down with the place. Also, after eat there we had to go and eat to somewhere else bc we were hungry.

Great spot for tapas and people watching. Service is good and all the classic tapas are on the menu. Sangria, cocktails, wine and beer are all available. The tapas are a bit pricey for the size but that goes with the territory in this neighborhood.

Great tapas and excellent sangria!

We revisited an old friend last weekend when we were longing for the streets of Madrid. We were hoping for an outdoor table to enjoy the beautiful spring weather and despite a reservation we were unable to get one as the other customers were lingering over their sangria. Cafe Madrid is as authentic as it gets outside of the Iberian Peninsula.The tapas never disappoint and they have a large selection. I was craving patatas brava and they were great. The aioli is the best as is the spanish tortilla. It is exactly like what we ate in Madrid. We also had the paella, fried smelts and grilled mushrooms. We had a flight of Spanish wines to top it off and they were lovely. If you need a touch of Spain and don't want to pay for the plane ticket or don't have the time to go, Cafe Madrid is your Spanish home away from home. Ole!

What a pleasant surprise this little downtown gem was. Surely the nice weather on the patio and the company of friends helped to make this a memorable lunch. Everyone had ordered different ‚tappas‘ salad, jamon, shrimp, bread, goat cheese... all very freshly prepared, pleasantly presented and delicious. Nice dessert choices, a friend had the creme brulet and we had cappuccino and cafe con leche. Loved the al fresco dining, but there are cute rooms inside too. Will be back!

Great for patio weather with sangria!

Great local spot hidden on Travis in the Knox and Henderson area. Great Spanish wine selection, wonderful servers who are happy to go over the menu completely. Parking is super limited but no restrictions on the streets in the surrounding area. The blood sausage is the shinning star on the menu. Don't miss it.

The food and service was wonderful. It was our first time eating Spanish food, so the waiter helped us choose some basic (safe) tapas dishes. Start with the paella, and choose a few tapas dishes to go on the side. The sangria was wonderful.

Paella isn't what it used to be 20 years ago but very consistent food. Service could be much better, sometimes good, sometimes very slow, but overall average. Love their fairly priced drinks and tapas. This family owned restaurant is great because they are always there and they really care for their customers!

Over the Christmas break we had a nice Friday, family lunch. The waiters were super attentive without being over bearing. The food was delicious and fresh. Since we were a group of 8 we were able to try a large variety of dishes. We really enjoyed the spinach and cheese croquettes and shrimp in garlic. The atmosphere was conducive to a relaxing afternoon, catching up with family. We were never rushed and were allowed to linger over our wine and eventually coffee.

This is a great place to go with friends and eat at your own pace. The food is fantastic. Our favorites include the Albondigas (meatballs), Tuna Empanadas, Chorizo in Wine, and the roasted peppers stuffed with goat cheese. I believe we also had the paella one time and it was really good, but we usually stick to the smaller dishes. Great place to relax, have a glass of wine (Sangre de Toro is great) and eat as little or much as you want. It's also in an area of Dallas with lots of shops and places to walk to before or after the meal. We go here all the time! We keep thinking we're going to try more of the other restaurants in the area, but we tend to end up back at Cafe Madrid. One thing to remember, though: They are not open on Sundays.

This use to be one of my favorite Tapas restaurants... things seem to be slipping a bit. The food has somehow lost flavor and has become bland. I remember the garlic shrimp as zesty and flavorful... not they just float in a bath of reddish oil. Serrano ham has also been better. The potato omelet was good, but I remember it as being served warm... not cold! The wine recommendation was just average... I hope they can readjust things, as the location and seating outdoors, especially on a nice evening, can't be beat!

But " YES " I will WOW Cafe Madrid !! I am not big on Spanish- Mexican style restaurants, but I did luck out from local friends advice and went along. I wanted Seafood and started with fresh battered fried Shrimp that was very good. But I was pleased to see Paella a favorite of mind on the menu and it was excellent. Also daring for me trying Watermelon - Mint Sangria, and it worked !! Go for it your out-of-town in a cultural neat area with patio seating, live Guitarist wonderful staff very happy and friendly. Very creative and a great experience !!

Cafe Madrid is in a nice place in Dallas. It is supposed to be a Spanish restaurant, but it is not. I am from Spain, and the cuisine tries to imitate Spanish food. The "tortilla española" is awful; it is not made with fried potatoes, but boiled ones. The "calamares" are not real "calamares". This restaurant is overpriced for the small/bad quality of the food. The only Spanish item is the wine.

After a fantastic sleigh ride to view the Christmas lights in Highland Park Village, our family decided to check out Cafe Madrid. We were pleasantly surprised with this lovely tapas restaurant. The ambiance was warm, cozy, friendly and lively. We enjoyed the food, wine and the wonderful live music. Go soon and enjoy!

Yummy yummy! Definitely isn't Spain haha, but their tapas are worth it! The traditional sangria is also good! I would come again. Service is ok!

Tapas in Dallas are usually a way for restaurants to charge more for less food. Not quite Spain, but a cute little place. This used to be a hot meeting place for international students first Wed of every month. I wonder if they are still doing that... just remember you are paying for the quaint atmosphere, not the authentic, tasty Spanish food from a bistro or bar in Spain.

Been a part of Travis Walk for 20+ years. As far as tapas plates go, mushrooms in white wine with garlic forgettable; meatballs unremarkable. But worth a trip for the balls of fried goat cheese (not enough to share) with honey and caramelized onions! Salmon tapas plate very good. Same for Greek salad. Good service and clean. Casual. Moderately priced. No parking available so suggest using valet at French restaurant directly across the street but plan to pick up your keys before 10:30 p.m. even on a weekend; valet is $5.

I forgot how much I love this restaurant. This was the first time we dined during "Happy Hour". And it's worth doing just that if you can make it there between 5:00pm-7:00pm during the week. You can choose from a special "Happy Hour" menu or order from the main menu. The special "Happy Hour" menu allows you try many more options because of the reduced size portions that are served. I think we tried almost one of everything on that menu! At $2-$4 each plate, why not? Sangria is worth trying too for the Happy Hour price of $5. They offer both red and white sangrias. Food is delicious and always promptly delivered right after it's ready in the kitchen. Waitstaff is very attentive and nice. Atmosphere is a bit dark - no bright lighting. And the live Spanish music added a nice touch, while not drowning out your table conversation. We will be back!

I met a friend and his wife here for dinner during a visit to Dallas Opera. This was a real treat for me since I had not had tapas since my trip to Spain several years ago. The variety and taste of the food was excellent and they readily accommodated my food allergies. If you like small plates this is the place for you.

I have been here many times, but finally writing a review. I have been to two other tapas restaurants in Dallas and this is my favorite - mostly due to the menu choices, taste and ambiance of the restaurant. Whenever we go - I always make sure to get the patatas bravas (Fried potatoes with spicy salsa and alioli) and the torilla espanola ( I really like the alioli - this comes with this as well). Honesty - haven't gotten anything there I didn't like. If asked where I want to go for tapas - this is the place. Service is always great as well.

Café Madrid is like being in Spain in Dallas. They do an excellent job with a huge variety of tapas. Octopus salad is one of my favorites. Too many to mention here. Special vary from week to week. It is such a treat to order 3, 4 or 5 tasting courses and there is always something new. Very authentic Spanish food. The paella is to die for. As good as anything I have had in Spain. Ask for the version cooked outside the grill. Excellent wine list to compliment the food. Well represents the wine country of Spain. Really nice variety from across the country representing some of the really nice "old world" wines. They have live music several times a week and it is authentic flamenco music by world class guitar players. Well worth the trip to see Maestros Michael Stacy and Marcelo on their respective Monday and Wednesday evenings. I love this place. Once of my favorite haunting grounds to get away and feel like your in Europe. Always leave looking forward to the next visit.

Hubby and I had a Saturday date night at Café Madrid, while visiting Dallas. We truly enjoy Spanish Tapas and were excited to visit Café Madrid. Café Madrid is a nice place to experience visiting a Spanish Restaurant and having a pitcher of Sangria and multiple Tapas to share, but it was not what we expected in terms of quality. The sangria was good. The tapas that were okay were: Mollejas, Mejillones, and Pulpo. Our least favorite tapas were the Patatas Bravas. We recommend making a reservation if you will be visiting for dinner on the weekend. Overall, the food was okay. The staff was very attentive and friendly, but we visited for the tapas and these did not meet our expectations.

It's the best. Tapas style spanish food. Super yummy. If you aren't sure what you like, just ask the servers for recommendations.

Tasty, authentic tapas. The paella is average. Very good, inexpensive house wine.

Haven't been to Cafe Madrid in awhile. Noticed there are now 2 dining rooms and expanded area outside. If I can't dine in Spain, Cafe Madrid is still a nice option for tapas. My grandmother used to make oxtail soup with bits of meat. It wasn't till I had the Rabo del Toro that I realized how big an oxtail can be! But it is the juice that comes with the dish - order bread so you can soak up every drop! Also had the tortilla which seemed a little stale since it is baked only in the morning and we were there at 8pm. Great salad with heirloom tomatoes, avocado and watermelon. Red sangria needed another slice or two of fruit...no brandy included so was more like fruity red wine to me. My dining companion is gluten and dairy free and enjoyed her meal...I went along except for the bread to soak up the juices from the oxtail. Good selection of cheeses - will save that for next time.

My wife and I visited Cafe Madrid for the first time and loved it! Every single tapas we ordered was delicious, and the service staff were friendly and helpful in explaining what each dish was. Of course the tapas were not as good as in Spain, but we both agreed that Cafe Madrid serves the best tapas in Dallas (as compared to Sangria and Chic Barcelona). Get the shrimp in garlic sauce, and the homemade sangria was excellent. Other reviews mention that it can be pricey, but it isn't bad if you don't go crazy on ordering. We had two glasses of sangria, one glass of wine, olives, bread, five tapas, and a plate of cheese for $58. Definitely worth a visit if you're craving tapas!

We spent a month in Spain when our son did study abroad in Barcelona.......Cafe Madrid is a great reminder of that time and our favorite tapas restaurant in Dallas. Jonathan is fantastic and is a great ambassador not only to his workplace but also to Spain where he lived at one time. He is knowledgeable of the food and wine and makes you feel like you are not just out to dinner but you are on vacation! The food and wine are fantastic, I especially like the fried smelt! Take a trip to Spain........here in Dallas.

There are at least five tapas restaurants in Dallas, and this is my favorite. The atmosphere is laid back and very casual but the food is classic. Inside is fine (especially in the blistering heat of a Texas summer), but if the temperature is nice, try to get a seat outside. Last time we went they apparently have tried music outside and we were right next to the amp but it would've been okay at any other table. I think it's changed ownership lately, but it didn't change in any fundamental way. LOVE CAFE MADRID!

Cafe Madrid was my restaurant of choice for two birthday celebrations, but it's also one of my favorites for an intimate dinner for two. And we also took family there for dinner on New Year's Eve. The food is consistently delicious, the wine list superb, and the changing specials offer unique dishes that don't fail. If you're looking for authentic atmosphere and delicious Spanish tapas, you won't be disappointed.

Best Tapas in Dallas. Great Spanish Food.

Very good tapas, somewhat expensive at the end. Hard to read the menu on the walls. Suggest a printed menu, maybe with photos and a description in english.

Went to Cafe Madrid with friends. This is a tapas place so the plates are small and designed to share with the whole group. I can say with confidence that everything we ate was AMAZING. So so so good. Some of our favorites were the anchovies, the potatoes with a delicious spicy drizzle on top, sliced rib eye with Gorgonzola cheese as well as the white asparagus. Our waiter was fun and informative and really added to our experience there. He was super helpful in choosing some menu items we would not have thought to order. I also had an awesome beer that tasted like rosemary! Really really good!

I am new to Dallas and Cafe Madrid seems like a good choice for reasonable priced good quality Spanish fare (according to zagat). The atmosphere was cozy but Mexican, there is a big difference between Mexican and Spanish decor, and the place was packed. It seems promising based solely on the number of people dining in the restaurant and I was pretty excited. Bread does not come with the food, it has to be ordered which is fine but having to order olive oil too? I understand the bread part because that is what they do in Spain but they certainly do not charge you for olive oil...$1.50 (whatever). The octopus tasted as if it was just defrosted and mushy...with too much vinegar to cover up the taste, not a good dish. The shrimp was dipped heavily in batter so it tasted like something you would get from Popeye's but unlike Popeye's it took the restaurant forever to get it to you. The smelt got their eggs taken out...which is usually the best part. Their classic dish, Paella, was bland, I felt like I was eating rice with some food coloring with some seafood tossed in. Over all the food was not that great. The staff was very friendly and was pretty attentive but i came here for the food...and was sorely disappointed. I am a picky eater and have been to some of the best Spanish restaurants in the world so my standard for this cuisine is set very high but I think great chefs should always hold themselves at the world class standard and not local standards especially in today's world economy.

Tapas translates to "finger food" or "little bites". Well the food is good just don't come here if you have a big appetite or a small wallet. Everything is ala carte and designed to be shared. So when you order spinach, you get a Dennys-size side of spinach for $6 that's designed to be shared among 4 people. A plate of 4 shared meatballs is going to cost you $8. A bathroom Dixie-cup size glass of their house wine is going to cost you $6-$8. That being said, the food is pretty tasty. So if you have a big wallet and don't mind paying 10 times the value on the open market, this is your place!!!

Went here last night (19th.) to celebrate my birthday with 20 friends. As usual, we had a great time and everyone enjoyed themselves with good food, drink and good cheer and friendship! We all had a grand time and vowed to be back ASAP!

Very enjoyable meal. We were hoping for an authentic Barcelona tapas menu but..... they tried. They came close and we enjoyed a pretty authentic Spanish meal.

I live within walking distance of Café Madrid, and it is one of my favorite places to go for a relaxing dinner outside and enjoy a variety of small dishes. The food is wonderful and the wait staff is excellent. They offer both outdoor and indoor seating and many nights have live music. I highly recommend.

I went here for a friend’s birthday dinner. There were about 15-20 people present with one waiter taking orders. He went around the table for drink orders, but you had to grab him to order food or more drinks. This was difficult as he was not very attentive to the table. They really needed one other person helping with the orders. The food came out as it was prepared, so it was nice and hot. However, the food as my husband said was “just not good.” The pincho beef and pincho lamb were tough and over cooked. The flavor of the beef was good though. The saffron rice tasted like it came from an Uncle Ben’s box. The truffle Mac and cheese special looked delicious, but the truffle flavor was too overpowering. All three of us who ate it were very disappointed. The mushrooms had a really good flavor but the quantity was extremely small. The fried goat cheese with honey is the best thing on the menu. Towards the end of the meal, the stopped refilling water and we had to request for this. They did not split the check so we had to keep track of what we ordered. That was not fun. This is definitely not a good place for groups of more than 4-6. However, we will not be back. The poor service was most likely due to the number of people; however, I don’t think the food quality was due to this.

My wife studied in Spain, so she has an idea of what real Spanish food should be. We were not disappointed at Cafe Madrid! Love the green olives, fresh bread, and the alioli sauce which is basically Spanish mayo. Yum! Paella is a must-try, along with a nice glass of Sangria. Bring your appetite and your checkbook!

Wonderful lunch on a recent sunny afternoon. Enjoyed the patio seating. Food was excellent. Love the new fresh look with the bright red chairs to match the new awning.

Was recommended this restaurant as one of the best tapas places in Dallas. Can only judge based on tapas I have had elsewhere (excluding Spain to be fair :) ) There's a fair variety of tapas but was not impressed by the quality of ingredients and dishes. Some stood out like the Patatas Bravas and the Queso Frito but from experience, it's hard to get these wrong. That said, the service was impeccable. I wouldn't go out of my way to come back here before I leave Dallas but a solid restaurant to go to if you're in the area.

I called to let the restaurant know I wanted to do bring my friends (15-20) in during happy hour. I always called when I do happy hour, so the restaurant can have a heads up. I left a voicemail, and never got a call back. My friends were coming and going. This was said at the beginning of the happy hour. People would come and go as they please, but we would probably have around 10-15 people at a time. The server, bless his heart, was running inside and outside. He was probably waiting on 6 tables (2 of them large parties) without any help. It took 30-60mins to get drinks. Food was brought over, but it was things that were either already there or not ordered by us. They couldn’t split the check by items. Imagine, a restaurant that specializes shareable food, but can’t share the bill. So my friends and I comb through the check, and tell them each item they ordered. When all was said and done, things were still left on the bill that were either: A) paid for earlier that night by guests that left early, or B) charged from the extra C) possibly left over The owner contacted me, while cordial, tried to place the blame on my friends for the bad experience. I have these happy hours (15-40 guests at times) at least 1 to 2 times a quarter, and have never had an experience like that. My same friends have been coming to these happy hours for 4 years now, and have never had to sit at a table and comb through a check like that. As people were leaving, the didn’t even take items off the bill. So, no one could figure out what was going on. Even if things were left over by people who left earlier, how could we tell? I have never had a problem with the bill before. It was embarrassing. I’ll be going to the other tapas place next time, and save myself the trouble.

Extensive menu of wonderfully authentic Spanish cuisine, from the more familiar Tortilla Espanola to Oxtail Stew. It's hard not to want to try it all! I went on a Wednesday night and they had a live guitarist and clarinetist playing Spanish music. Small, intimate restaurant...great for a date, though I was alone and just as content listening to the music and enjoying attentive service. Reasonable wine prices and food prices. Great tapas!

We visited this place today evening for dinner, and by the crowd it was attracting - we thought we had a winner. But believe me - everything we ordered in the first leg was so bad, that we had to walk out. We ordered Spanish Potato Omelette (which was one chunky slice of a potato with no trace of eggs - cold and stale, basket of break - again dense & cold, Brava 'sauce' which was more like pureed tomatoes with no seasoning, Andalucian Meatballs In Almond Sauce - the meatballs were mealy and dry and so obviously made ages ago !!! Lastly the grilled asparagus which did not arrive for quite a while. I am sure there is something good in this place - esp. looking at the scores of folks queuing up, unfortunately we did not for that 'something'.

We dined at Cafe Madrid in January 2012 with friends We've been fans of Cafe Madrid for years, and love the place. This most recent visit the wait was a little long, but other than that it was great. We had the spanish serrano ham at the wine bar while we waited, and it was fantastic. Everything is good, our favorite are the roasted peppers and goat cheese, and the spinach and cheese croquettes, but everything is fantastic. Tried the anchovy stuffed fried olives for the first time, I liked them, no one else did, but to be fair, no one else likes anchovies... The Alborino we started with was crisp and yummy, the red--and I can't remember it for the life of me--was their featured wine that night, and it was extremely tasty. Service was good, it's a hectic environment, and loud. If you are looking for patient quiet service this isn't your place. If you like high energy, and are willing to experiment with some new things, you'll enjoy yourself. I'm not sure why there are many posts about the price. We had four adults, drank two bottles of wine, tons of tapas--I'd estimate 10-12 plates at least, two desserts, a coffee, and it was about $160 plus tip. Not cheap, but certainly not expensive considering the wine. Note this is a Beer and Wine only--no liquor and beer selection is limited. Wine selection is entirely spanish and entirely great, and priced well.

We ate here after our carriage ride through the Highland Park lights. It was a pleasant experience. The food is exceptional and Keto friendly. We had the garlic shrimp, ribeye, and scallops. Everything was cooked to order and served hot. The staff were friendly and accommodating. We will definitely visit again!

This is our go-to spot after the symphony. We eat here probably once a month. Terrific food, served quickly, in a lovely setting. Authentic Spanish dishes, good wine list. Congenial wait staff.

Love, love this place. Great tapas just like you are in Spain.

Always a great crowd, daily specials are written on a chalkboard over the bar. Wine list is well done and representative of Spain. One of my favorite restaurants in Dallas.

We ate on Saturday night and the place was packed, we got a great table outside, nice environment. We ordered beer and wine, and 5 tapas to start; calamares fritos, patatas bravas, morcillas de arroz y cebolla, gambas al ajillo and small sausages in oil. The only good tapa was the calamares fritos, the rest were terrible and insipid. We also ordered the paella to split between two people, and it was so bad, we left over half of it. After spending $110.00, I got deathly ill that night and had to go to the bathroom with diarrhea, and am still recovering after taking imodium and soda water all day. This place is over priced, the food sucks and the service was just OK. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else, Indian food would have been a much better choice.....

Came here for our anniversary and was NOT disappointed. The octopus was spectacular, shrimp was yummy and the sangria was strong. Its Dallas,.. so the service was excellent as well

This restaurant is really authentic. I’ve been to others that offer “tapas” but Cafe Madrid is second to no one. The seafood tastes fresh every time. Not to mention their superb customer service.

I like this place. The tapas are good and reasonably authentic. The wine selection is also decent but the prices are high for the quality. House wines are cheap but very average. The atmosphere is fine and the service is good. I recommend it and will be going back. It's a fun section of Uptown/Knox/Henderson area in Dallas.

Great location and friendly neighborhood setting. Tapas and Sangria are perfect if that is what you are hungry for.

The location is still good, but the small plates that should be hot are luke-warm, the cold plates are also luke-warm, the service is almost hostile, and prices are high for poor food. I would not recomend this establishment.

The food was good but pricy for the amount. Service was ok but not outstanding. If the price was 30% less it would be a good value restaurant but for the price the quality and service did not support it.

We stopped in for a glass of vino and a snack on Saturday. Really enjoyed ourselves. The wait staff was great and we got an incredible cheese board along with our wine. They serve tapas, meals and more. Definitely worth the trip!

When my husband suggested me go to this place I was very excited because it's not easy to find Spanish food in Dallas. For example: We ordered Chorizo del chef .The tapa was expensive for the quantity of chorizo on it. It was served half slices of chorizo and half thin slices of mushrooms I would say 10 pieces in total. Then the sangria was very average nothing exciting. Then we asked for other specialties of the day and they were nothing out of the ordinary. Two of them tasted like if they weren't fresh, out of a can. I was very disappointed with the rest of food. Not very well presented. I don't think so that we'll be back even if the atmosphere was ok, I went to eat spanish food and it wasn't spanish at all. I will not recommend you this place if you are looking for spanish food.

After living in Dallas for 26 years, we now split our time between St Augustine and Colorado Springs. From the day that it opened, Cafe Madrid has been our favorite tapas restaurant in Dallas, and it was the first place we returned to for dinner during our recent visit back to Dallas.

We looked online and found this great restaurant. Once we got seated our waiter Jonathan came and gave us a tour of the menu and his recommendations. After looked it over we made our selections and all I can say is the food was incredible. Do yourself a favor and go have an awesome meal here and ask for Jonathan he's really fantastic.

My daughter and I were looking for a place to have a glass of wine and an appetizer while we waited for the Dallas traffic to thin out. The first place we went to was no longer there, but through google we located Café Madrid. Noticing they serviced tapas, we headed in their direction. OMG, what a wonderful surprise to find this authentic Spanish tapas restaurant. Our waiter was delightful. We found out he grew up in Spain. We started off with a flight of three wines from the Rioja region of Spain and a plate of Serrano ham, palacios and soria chorizo. We had several small plates including, shrimp sautéed in olive oil, garlic and quindella pepper, batter fried eggplant, piqiullo pepper filled with goat cheese, and olives. Absolutely a wonder experience. Can't wait to get back to Dallas to visit Café Madrid again. Unfortunately, the traffic never thin out, but we could tolerate it much better after this great experience.

Dined here with some friends a couple of weeks ago. Since the weather has finally cooled off, it was a great time to enjoy the outdoor seating. The house wines are good and reasonable. The Piquillo Sweet Red Pepper Stuffed With Goat Cheese was by far my favorite! We also enjoyed the Spanish Potato Omelette (yummy and filling), Andalucian Meatballs In Almond Sauce (kinda blah); Grilled Marinated Chicken and Spinach and Cheese Croquettes (awesome). Service was ok, but really slow at times ---- especially when things are quiet --- which was surprising. There are a few other tapas places that I think give a better experience, but it's ok.

We have been to Cafe Madrid before, and are never disappointed. They offer a blood sausage that I haven't seen anywhere else, not metallic or gamey like some others but rustic and with a great texture. We tried the goat cheese balls... who would've thought to add pickled onions (sweet and savory together), a nice touch! Good wine list, excellent Spanish wines by the (small) glass. Only downside: we were offered black ibérico pig ham which was the daily tapas special, instead of jamón serrano. The waitstaff swore it was the best ever, and that while it was fatty it was melt-in-your-mouth buttery. It was fatty but not much else, overrated. Other than that, it's always a great place to go for authentic tapas.

We happened to be here on a very special night, but I think that regardless of the night - the food WILL STILL BE DELICIOUS and the atmosphere will still be terrific!

One of the first tapas bars in Dallas, yummy delicacies on your plate, keeps you coming back for more. Nice, casual date place.

It was not our decision to dine here, but rather an in-law's choice for her birthday. Upon first glance at the menu we thought, not too shabby! Five bucks for quail and beef tenderloin, helluva deal!! Umm, no. Each was about the size of a newborn's hand and so overcooked there was ZERO flavor. I won't waste any time reviewing every dish we sampled, the best one was mediocre, at best! The wait staff is pleasant, but their broken English, which is probably supposed to add charm, is just, plain annoying. My wife and I dropped $50 and couldn't have been less full or satisfied. The best part of that night was the Taco Bell I got afterwards. Two thumbs WAY down!

Liked the food choices, and the place. They were very busy on a Friday night and the service was a bit slow sometimes but overall it was fine.

Excellent authentic Spanish tapas cuisine. You will find and extensive tapas menu ranging from Jamón Serrano with Queso Manchego, Tortilla Española, Oxtail Stew, sliced rib eye with Gorgonzola to Paella. We went on a busy Friday evening and we were able to find parking close by. They had a live guitarist playing Spanish music which added to the Spanish atmosphere of the restaurant. The wine selection is reasonable. The service was good despite the restaurant been full. If you want to have a nice evening trying different plates, listening to guitar music and enjoying good conversation this is the place.

My husband and I have been coming here for years during our trips to Dallas. We have always had a great experience. There isn't a bad thing on the menu, but my favorites are the patatas bravas, queso frito (SO good), boquerones fritos, and the chorizo San Martín. The wait staff is always very friendly and they of course have a great Spanish wine selection to choose from. I highly recommend going with friends or other couples, that way you can try several plates at a time.

I love everything about this place! The food was delicious, the service was great and atmosphere was enchanting!

We just loved this place, as we have been to spain many times and our son, who went to school there wanted to try this place for his birthday because he really missed the "tapas experience". It was a long drive for us and parking was a little tough but well worth it as we really enjoyed the atmosphere, the wine and the tapas. Our waiter, Atilio was very knowledgeable about the menu and the wines when he recommended a great spanish red, and variations of tapas we knew. He explained the ingredients and preparations as he served us and the owner came to our table to make sure we were enjoying the experience. She later offered us a desert sherry on the house after our meal and we knew then we would make the long drive again in the future. I wish we lived closer!

The food was pretty good. You order 2-3 small plates of different foods to eat while drinking SANGRIA at $28 a pitcher. I had shrimp, fried goat cheese, and spinach and cheese pistolettes. All dishes pretty good. The service was good, but some menu items are overpriced. The waiters do not do seperate checks for large parties, so..... have cash handy.

This place has been around for 23 years I think the waiter said and I've been wanting to get there for most of those 23 years. Went here before the Eagles concert so we arrived around 5:30 and parked right out front. Looked like they have ample parking in back. The menu was very reminiscent of tapas restaurants I've visited in Spain. We had the spanish tortilla, lomo adobado (which wasn't as garlicky as what I've had in Espana), chorizo San Martin which was excellent as were the gambas al ajillo. I've also seen the gambas called gambas pil pil in southern Spain. Instead of having manchego cheese which we love but can buy at Kroger we had the Idiazabal cheese plate from the Basque Province which was good also. Unfortunately we live in Corinth which makes Cafe Madrid a 35 mile drive. If it wasn't for this we would be back here regularly. Enjoyed everything! The mural on the wall of Plaza Mayor in Madrid brought back many pleasant memories.

Skip it. Parking is impossible, the room was VERY loud, the service was slow and inconsistent, the food (Cheese sampler, meat sampler and lamb meatballs (that were dry) were overpriced for what they were and the Flamenco dancers were laughable. VERY disappointing. Will not return. There are too many good restaurants in Dallas to repeat that experience.

One of my husbands and my first dates was here and it evokes great memories. Not just for the fresh and great variety of tapas, wines, cheeses and olives, but for the great ambience that exudes in the place. Grab a glass or pitches of sangria and sit back and enjoy the company you are with!

The atmosphere is comfortable with Spanish memorabilia on the walls. Wine is served in small juice tumblers. One picks a number of small plates typical of Spain, such as calamares, shrimp, meatballs, sweetbreads, stuffed peppers, tortilla Espanola. Wines are all Spanish and bargains can be had. A flamenco guitarist plays near the door. The waitstaff is very friendly. Service is casual. On a nice day, patio seating is available adjacent to the front door.

I went to Cafe Madrid right after returning from a month-long vacation in Spain, and was not disappointed by the restaurant's authenticity. A very cute environment, interesting dishes, selection of wine and sangria. Will definitely be returning!

This place is awesome. Great lively atmospher and great food. The tappas are incredible. The staff is very nice and helpful with what is the days best choices. Highly recommended!

A classic tapas restaurant, feels authentic, not an overally pretentious menu or too ambitious, well presented, welel prepared, good serving sizes. Good wine menu, a pleasant place to meet and ocnverse and use your fingers.

Patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo, pulpo en vinagreta, jamon iberico(San Fermin), croquetas, chorizo español and paella with traditional sangria are some of the traditional tapas you can enjoy. You will not be disappointed.

Cafe Madrid has great vegetarian food, we loved the cheese plate, the fried potatoes with bravas sauce and the fried eggplant. I would recommend it to a friend1 To see a full review and photos on my blog click the link below! http://wp.me/p4RyAk-38

I've taken my Spanish classes to Cafe Madrid on two occasions, with great results each time. The students love trying authentic Spanish food in an authentic setting. Hope to go again next year.

Really a touch of Madrid with energetic Flamenco dancers and authentic ambiance. The food was tasty. The night was ruined by the most unpleasantly sour Carolina, waitress from hell!! From the first second her brusk, unfriendly scowl persisted up until the end. Do yourself a tremendous favor to ensure a pleasant dinner experience by requesting another waitperson, you’ll be glad you did.

I live in another state that has so called 'tapas' restaurants, but none of them are really spanish tapas. I visit Dallas often, and Cafe Madrid is a must for my friends and I that went to High school in Spain and fell in love with the food (our fathers were in the Air Force). Some of them have spanish mothers and we all agree that Cafe Madrid has some of the most authentic Spanish food we've had stateside. The staff is always friendly and the sangris is great. For a large group be considerate and call ahead, they are p retty busy on weekends and it is a small place. I'll be there in a few weeks... hasta pronto!

Cafe Madrid is a good choice for a different dining experience - both in atmosphere and food choices. A favorite for an intimate dinner. The tapas we ordered were excellent with the help of our waiter who was educated in his wines and the menu. Our choice: scallops, red pepped with goat cheese, spinach with pine nuts, and mussels with capers. We tried the eggplant special which was not as flavorful as we had hoped. You do have the feel of a European bistro/restaurant. Laid back atmosphere and casual. The downside: if calling for reservations or questions, the phone constantly rings busy.

When I lived in Uptown Dallas this was one of my favorite places to go! What on earth happened? The chef must have been sick that night. Food was completely awful and unacceptable. IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO REVIEW YOUR MENU AND REVISIT YOUR CULINARY SKILLS OR REPLACE THE CHEF! FOOD TASTED LIKE IT WAS COOKED BY A RANK AMATEUR!

This tumeric chicken tapa is amazing. They have a great happy hour with cava and spanish beers. The owner is great. A nice lady. One can tell their staff is proud to work here. Cant wait to go back next week!

With all of the dinning options in dallas, Cafe Madrid is just so good and both a casual, palate wonderful experience for all of us looking to experience a little Barcelona in dallas Texas!!!

If you want authentic Spanish tapas, this is the place you should go to in Dallas. Sangria Tapas y Bar is the newest Tapas Bar to Dallas, and is also delicious, but Cafe Madrid is by far the most authentic place for Tapas. It's been here forever and they have a second location in the Bishop Arts District in the Oak Cliff Area. At Cafe Madrid you will feel like you are transported to Spain. Everything seems so real, the service, the wine and most importantly the food. Everytime you go, the food will never disappoint. A few personal faves are the Gambas al ajillo, Paella, Spanish Tortilla, Lomo Adobado, and the Patatas Bravas to name a few! Don't miss the Oxtail Stew. It's delicious! Definitely one of my fave restaurants in Dallas. Don't miss it!

Met an old friend for a late lunch at Cafe Madrid. Yummy food - tortilla with aoli, amazing salad with tomatoes, watermelon and avocado, skewred beef, filet with bleu cheese....yum, yum and more yum. We wanted to order more...our waiter cleared our plates with the promise he'd be right back....waited, waited and fnally asked for someone else. Apparently he'd gone to eat! Service may be dicey but food is good.....but went to another place close by with small plate menu and service was wonderful. Hope CM takes note!

If you like tapas, Cafe Madrid is your place

I reviewed Cafe Madrid in 2010, but it's still going strong, so I thought I'd provide an update. Gladly, not much has changed with this wonderful tapas restaurant, despite many comings and goings of other restaurants in the area. Every time we go to Dallas (we live about 45 minutes away), we try to make sure we can get to Cafe Madrid. I take friends and family as well. Such an easy way to make everyone happy, even picky eaters and vegetarians. You can spend a little or a lot, depending on how hungry (and thirsty) you are! Our favorites are always the goat cheese stuffed peppers, fried goat cheese and lamb skewers. Then we enjoy picking and choosing from the regular and daily specials menu. The sangrias are always great too, as are the desserts. I just wish they would offer a complimentary basket of bread, then charge for more if you want it. Almost every time we go, our server is Johnathan - so friendly and efficient. We love that Cafe Madrid is a trusty go-to for great food in Dallas!

Went on a Friday night with my wife and daughter. Sat inside, although weather was good and outside dining was pretty full. Good selection of Spanish wines by the glass and pretty good sangria. We had many tapas and especially enjoyed the chorizo, the fried goat cheese and the paella. Service was good. This was a good place for the three of us. Got to try many wines and tapas. Nothing negative to say. Also, nothing that made me say "wow."

We kind of stumbled onto the Cafe Madrid while driving around the area, though we were looking for restaurants. Wanted an outdoor seating as it was like 70 degrees in July. We were seated promptly, service was spot on and the music on the patio was very enjoyable. The tapas which is the majority of their menu, were varied and numerous. We chose the Clamari, very fresh and tasty with a nice Alioli sauce. We also had the Paella, which was fresh but wasn't impressive. We tried the Tortilla Espanola, which was very good, light and delicious. Last off we shared the Ribeye- Carne La Plancha. It was excellent, tender and full of flavor. Will definitely come back again.

During an OU/Texas weekend, a bunch our friends came into town. My husband & I always want to take our guest somewhere new or somewhere that is not available where they live. One of our friends suggest tapas so we decided to come here. I had never been here before but when I put in our reservation for 20-25 people and they accepted it, I expected the restaurant to be big enough to accomodate us. We were so cramped inside this little banquet room that they had for us. I have had tapas before (mainly in Florida). The food here was okay. It wasn't bad but it wasn't "wow" either. For the price, I would expect it to be something extraordinary. The sangria was a big disappointment. It was more like fruit punch....couldn't taste or feel the alcohol at all. Needless to say, we each shelled out $50 plus tip and went home hungry and sober.

We were on a short trip to Dallas, from Houston, and wanted to try a good neighborhood restaurant for something different. My husband, who loves sweetbreads, expected to stump the sales clerk we asked at Northpark Mall. Without missing a beat, the clerk recommended Cafe Madrid, saying he had a client who flew in regularly from the Panhandle for sweetbreads. On a Thursday night, around 7, the place was bustling with happy diners and we soon discovered why. The range of regular tapas items and specials invited tough decisions but we ended up with the sweetbreads, roasted Catalan style chicken with apples and tumeric (a highlight of the evening), beet salad with Cabrales cheese, fried goat cheese with honey and caramelized onions, fried squid with aoli, and a terrific red wine from Cadiz area chosen from a well-priced wine list. The only disappointment was the sweetbreads dish, served in a lemon caper sauce that overpowered the delicate gland -- would have preferred a more traditional sauce from pan drippings. Our server, Atilio, was knowledgeable, helpful, and good-humored despite the overflow crowd. We look forward to returning soon to this gem of a restaurant.

Hands down- the best Tapas place in Dallas. Great service, great food - suitable for a casual drop in or date.

Delicious tapas - a nice variety including a variety is standards and a list of a few specials. Try the sweetbreads and have some of the Spanish ham. There is a good list of Spanish wines.

Friday night dinner. A relaxing, quiet Halloween spent in a pleasant setting eating great food among adults served by an attentive server. All good--salad, bacon-wrapped chicken skewers, andalusian meatballs and flan. My only complaint is that the iced tea looked more like finer ale. We Texans like our tea a little stronger. We'll be back.

Great food, wonderful service! We had a variety of tapas. All were excellent and well prepared. The service was lighting! The presentation was beautiful. The pitcher of white sangria was wonderful. We will definitely be back.

So if you are in Dallas and are looking for a great experience and fantastic food, this is where it is at! Delicious and cost effective for the amount of food you get. They have tons of outdoor seating and food that is out of this world!! *YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED

We go 1-2X per month on Monday nights to listen to one of my favorite flamenco guitar players and indulge in the tapas and great selection of Spanish wines. The waitstaff bring over suggestions of wines based on what I have ordered so we don't even pick up the wine list. Great service consistently. Octopus salad, goat cheese balls with caramelized onions, fried smelt and Spanish cheese. A completely wonderful way to start the week. One of my go-to places in Dallas. They all do a great job. Congrats and see you soon again!!!

I went here with my sister for drinks and a night on the town after spending the day with her husband and kids. My only regret is that we had already eaten dinner so we only had enough appetite for a couple tapas to go along with our pitcher of sangrias. The sangrias were amazing, and the wait staff would come by and refill our glasses from the pitcher as the glass ran dry. We tried a cheese plate to start, and then it was so good that we opted for the fried goat cheese as well, which was sublime. Everything about Café Madrid was top notch, though the price is not cheap. I would definitely want to go back if I have the chance.

We love this place. So far have loved all the tapas, cheeses, wines, desserts. The service was fine. The decor is not too fancy, but it was great sitting outside. My only complaint is that the bill adds up fast!

There have been a few tapas restaurants that have come and gone in the Dallas area, but this one has remained - and we love it! The main menu tapas are dependably wonderful. We always start with two or three spanish cheeses (you pick the ones you want rather than just get what they have - and there are plenty to choose from) and the cured meats. Always have a basket of the bread which is moist, thickly cut and perfect for sopping up sauces. Two of our favorite choices include the croquettes and the goat cheese stuffed peppers. They always have specialty tapas, listed on the back of the menu. Usually these are a wonderful seasonal item, but we have had a couple of disappointments. The sangria is very good and they offer a number of sherries as well. We find the setting to be quaint and similar to a place we went to in Barcelona. The service is usually good, although sometimes aloof. There is never a rush, so you can sit back and order a couple of items at a time. We usually spend around 2 hours there. Prices range from $3 to $14ish for tapas so it can be a very inexpensive snack or an extravagant meal! Our only complaint is that both locations are too far from our home. We wish they would open one on the Fort Worth side of town!!

Great Spanish tapas, very authentic, good wine list with affordable options. The patio is nice and well aired; good location with parking available. Service is also good. This place has been there for awhile and it could use a "renovation"; refreshing their ambiance which looks a little dated. Overall is a good place for tapas with friends when you dont want fancy.

They serve beautiful and delicious tapas and the restaurant's setup allows for easy conversation, without having to shout over other patrons (or worry that someone might overhear you.)

This place is still great ...after many years! Other resturants have come and gone but the ambiance and great food here prevail! Especially in the spring and late summer when you can dine al fresco. The potato omelet should not be missed. Nor should the Serano ham! Great wine, great food, and a great wait staff make this a place to come back too ...and skip the long wait at trendy resturants that will be closed in six months!

A welcome treat. Love the tapas here. I have attended "the running of the bulls "here two years in a row. And I will not miss it next year. The owner is so inviting and the staff is friendly. They do not do separate checks, but if you split the bill up they don't mind taking separate payment. Ole!

When we arrived I had to wait around 20 minutes to get a table. We ordered shrimp with octopus vinaigrette (yummy but a little more vinaigrette than caramel/octopus). We ordered a cold cuts board, then croquettes (4 units) and lamb meatballs with feta cheese (4 units). In general, all portions serve 2 people, so these 4 portions served my husband and me. There was a flamenco performance, very cool and different. All themed environment too. We paid $82 with tips. I found it a little expensive, considering that in other places you could have dinner for less. Anyway, I think it's worth the visit, the food is delicious, the atmosphere is nice and the staff is very attentive.

Good tapas, good wine, good company

I've know of and been going to Cafe Madrid for over 15 years now. When I first started going I was counting my pennies pretty closely and that was also true to all the folks I was around at that time. We could always get a great deal ordering a variety of plates and sharing. Of course the alcohol is always more than it needs to be but always the right amount, if you know what I mean. It has been a few years, probably 4 if I'd guess and it was as I remembered but with a few changes. (First, I still miss the chalk board that was moved to each table to read. Of course there were always regular items but the board had all at one viewing. ) The prices of course have gone up but the items are still pretty close to what I remember. A good place and a nice area. I'll be keeping the relationship going...

In a nut shell: Worth every cent, the food is fresh, our waiter was awesome and the food tasted outstanding. We came here just before our cooking class a few doors down at Sur La Table. This place serves small plates so you get a taste of many items which I really enjoy. We had the... Tortilla española $2 This has an amazing scalloped potato like taste. With a fresh creme sauce on the side. I would highly recommend this dish. Tabla de quesos $14 which is a cheese plate. It had 5 types of cheeses, crackers, almonds and a fig type bar that was very nice. Cesta de pan $2 that is a basket of rustic bread that was fresh and good. Sangria was very good Burata cheese, grilled Texas peach, Serrano ham, arugula, radicchio $14 I would have never thought to put these items together but they were fresh and lovely. Our waiter was charming and very helpful. The rest of the staff seemed a little plastic to me, but our waiter was top notch. The reason they did not get 5 stars was because the "plastic" feel of the hostesses and the fact that this place is small and a bit crowded. I did get the "Madrid" small cafe feel however.

Felt like I was in Spain again. Great food, wait staff was friendly, and the atmosphere was great. Will definitely return if I am in Dallas again

My husband and I ate here a few months ago and found it very nice; excellent food; quiet and nice waiter. We would definitely return.

Have been coming for years and have always had a great experience. Took my family last night and had an exceptional time. Everything was spot on. Our server did a great job. Full extensive Spanish wine list and the tapas were amazing. Maestro Michael Stacy on Flamenco guitar every Monday makes this an even more special experience. Love Monday’s at Cafe Madrid. Can not say enough good things about it.

For a Saturday date night, the wife and I tried this cafe. Unfortunately, cafe Madrid did not live up to our expectations. Compared to other tapas options in the Knox Henderson and greater Uptown area, Cafe Madrid is just okay. We tried three tapas plates which were fine but not what we expected taste and quality-wise. White sangria was mixed with orange juice and tasted more like a mimosa. Service was great and this restaurant has been around for some time. Hopefully, our experience was a one off event. With that said, we have another tapas spot which we love and will continue this alternative over cafe Madrid in the future.

We had a wonderful experience at this wonderful Tapas bar. 2 Spanish guitar ayers greeted us and we had delicious paella and 4 different Tapas. The food came out quickly and everything was fresh. Our only issue was the Sangria which was disappointing. We had a pitcher of the white and it tasted like lemonade. Otherwise I would highly recommend . Our server Andres was excellent!

Cafe Madrid has been around for a while & with good reason. Their wide variety of delicious tapas never fail to please. There's something on the menu for everyone. Order several tapas & share. The patatas bravas, tortilla Español, roasted peppers, croquettes & sautéed spinach are favorites. Service is good & the wait staff is eager to make suggestions. There's an excellent selection of wines, the desserts are lovely and no meal is complete without a cafè con leche.

These tapas are nearly identical to those one gets in Spain. There is no pretention or fussy food. One drinks Spanish wine and sherries from typical casual Spanish glasses. The food is always fresh and tasty. The staff knows the menu and wine list very well and can guide one on the perfect combo.

If you need a fix of paella and gazpacho, this is by far the most accessible, pleasant location. Take advantage of the good weather, eat al fresco.

We visited saturday evening. We live pretty far from the restaurant so we do not go as often as we used to. We will make a point to change that! Warm setting, great staff, delicious food.....try it all..loved the piquillo peppers with goat cheese, gambas, cheese plate and spinach with pine nuts...the sangria was refreshing (the pitcher is huge!)..bread was soft, fresh and perfect for dipping in any sauce left on your plates....whole meal was so relaxing and enjoyable...we have loved this place since the mid-90s...and last night was everything we hoped it would be!!

I try to go to Cafe Madrid every time I go to Dallas; which is frequently. The food is delicious and very authentic Spanish tapas. They have an impressive wine list and if you ask for Atilo, the waiter, he will set you up with some of the best Spanish wines. I recommend the paella, garlic shrimp, and ham croquetas. The atmosphere is laid back and the service is always welcoming.

Good tapas selection, food and service are good.

The restaurant was full to over flowing. The service was very slow and spotty. It was evident that all the staff was working hard, as my chair was bumped countless times by a busy waiter. The meatballs were cold in the center when served. I am thinking the kitchen could not keep up with the full house. Took forever to get our first Tapas delivered to the table..We love the place and I think this was unusual for them. Maybe they just cannot handle a large private party and the rest of the house full?? Will go back...

Still just a great place with good service and food. Went at 16:30 as had something to do later that night (Saturday night June 3, 2023) but as we left the thundering herd was coming in. ALWAYS a fun and good time, we'll be back pronto!

My husband and I visited Cafe Madrid for date night this past week, and we are so happy with our decision. No, we didn't have reservations. Because of that, we sat inside. However, the window was open and it was still airy. We ordered the fried goat cheese, brussel sprouts, lamb skewers, chicken skewers, shrimp, and ice cream. This was more than enough to leave us feeling satisfied. I can still taste the fried goat cheese melting in my mouth (yum!). We cannot wait to return!

I know Spanish food, as I've lived in Spain for years, and can assure you that the tapas are not very Spanish. Their names may be, but the way they're prepared has been "manipulated", I guess in an intent to be original, loosing it's appeal and with disappointing result. First: when you go to Spanish restaurant you don't expect to get a Sangria American style (too much ice, too little fruit). But here is what you get. Nothing to do with the real thing. And here for the price of a small glass you could get a pitcher in Sevillla. The "setas al ajillo" is some unnamed mushroom in a red wine sauce that I bet has never been seen in Europe. The Chorizo was not the Spanish chorizo I expected. It was more of a sausage, that had little to do with the real thing. The taste was OK, but please do no say it is a Spanish tapa; It may be inspired by Spain, but it by far not the real thing. The vieras are indeed good, but 2 small pieces for $11! Come on! And something you will never see in Spain: paying for the bread! Ridiculous! Bread is a natural accompaniment to a tapa and shall be included free! I have to say that the "Quince Manchego" for dessert is by the other hand an excellent portion, well presented and tasted as it should. Summary: way too expensive, not very Spanish and service was average. Conclusion: go to the other tapas bars in Dallas.

I had not been in several years, when I went again just a couple of weeks ago. Just as delicious as I remember! Love the variety of dishes, the speed at which they were brought to the table. The sangria is excellent. Staff was very attentive and prompt. It's a bit pricy, but I think the variety offered is mostly worth it.

Went here several days ago, as usual it was a great and wonderful experience. He/She who wrote that it was partly Mexican should be listed as an "ignorante!" Wonderful tapas and good service, in good weather one can sit outside. Prices are very reasonable and you don't have to take out a bank loan to eat here! All in all it was a VERY pleasant evening and of course we will go back soon!

Was in the area and a local recommend a restaurant where we could eat outside. First time with tapas. Ordered four tapas and bread. Started off with sangria with champagne. Waiter was a lot of fun. Hope to go back. Cost me $48. It was worth the experiences. Will order one less tapas next time.

Cafe Madrid is a great place to take friends. The restaurant is located in the outskirts of a residential neighborhood and has been around a long time. If you are familiar with the 'tapas' concept, you will have a great time. The food and service were great, and we will definitely come back.

We are regulars at Café Madrid, so we tried their Mother's Day Brunch. The food and service were, as usual, outstanding. This little restaurant on Travis has been there for years and for good reason. Fresh, authentic tapas and cool, understated décor. Service is always knowledgeable and prompt. Everything we've ever tried is good, but the tortilla Espanol is delicious and fresh, the calamari among the finest you'll get anywhere (fresh, hot, crispy, tender), and the cheese and ham selections are authentic and wonderful. We also had octopus, salmon, oxtail, and a selection of olives. Wine list is great, particularly if you enjoy Spanish wines and sherries. Price is amazing for the quality.

Returned to Café Madrid after a two year hiatus. We stopped going after the change in ownership and chef (family split?). The food has still not returned to its previous glory. Shrimp in garlic was cooked properly, but no garlic or pepper kick. Bland. Waiter recommended a Catalan chicken dish. It was beautiful to look at, but again, bland. Marinated red pepper used to be really tasty; now? Bland. We'll try again in two years.

This was our favorite restaurant for the last 12 years. After tonight we have redlined it, meaning, do not go back. Awful service and poor food. And it was not even crowded. i felt as though I was being given a favor to be acknowledged by the wait staff.

If you like to graze on great small dishes you will love this cafe with a drop in neighborhood feel. Not fancy but colorful and warm and you can feast on white asparagus, scallops, red peppers stuffed with goat cheese. Best of all the spicy potatoe bravas. And don't forget the sangria. Bottoms up!!!

Great atmosphere, good prices, good food and service. Sparkling wine, octopus and fried calamari are awesome!

Very good tapas, but sometimes the food comes out too fast.

I have been visiting Café Madrid for about 15 years at least. Everytime I visit, the service and food are wonderful. This time I enjoyed a few specials. The eggplant fries and the watermelon/avocado salad. I was pleasantly surprised about the eggplant fries with honey. They were awesome. The watermelon salad was perfect for this hot weather. Of course, I had their sangria and tortilla. The calamari was okay. The quail and mussels were excellent. I especially make a trip from San Antonio to Dallas to visit my old haunts like Terilli's and Hotel Zaza. Will definitely be back next year.

I had heard about Cafe Madrid for a long time, but I had never been. And now I don't really feel the need to go back. I went for lunch, and the tapas themselves were good. There was nothing outstanding--ham was ham, gazpacho was gazpacho. I liked that they had a nice selection of Spanish cheeses, which is a nice change from the seemingly mandatory Manchego. I have to agree with others that the service could be a little out to lunch at times (no pun intended). Perhaps, the atmosphere is better at night, but I was completely underwhelmed. Nothing says authentic Spanish more like a TV in the corner! It's much more of a neighborhood place than a sought-out destination.

Went here again to renew friend ships with old friends, everything was fine and great, the parking a little snug. Everyone had a good time and planned to come back!

Will always be a favorite! Great atmosphere and wonderful Sangria. Must have their potato omlette!

I read rave reviews about this place on yelp.com, and was very excited to try out this place for tapas. In all, we ordered 10 plates of tapas. Some of our dishes included fried eggplant, shrimp (gamba), chicken, lamb, beef skewer, veggie plate, bread, pistas, another chicken skewer. A couple of things that went wrong were as follows:- 1. This place DOES NOT accept American Expresss credit cards. Found out about it when we were about to make the payment. 2. Only go here after you have had a meal elsewhere because portions are ridiculously small. We paid 6$ for a beef skewer which had only 3 pieces of beef on it. The plate was filled with shredded lettuce. I know that this is a tapas place,but please don't trick your customers like this. 3. Service is TERRIBLE, the waiter just abandoned us,I had to get up from my table and summon our waiter to take our order. 4. The sangria was 99% water with 1% Sangria.. In short, DO NOT order their sangria. 5. This place charges 2$ for 3 slices of bread, this is the height of being cheap. This was the last time I am going here..there are tons of other very good tapas restaurants that are better in Dallas

tapas better than in barcelona, especially the spinach croquettes

Tapas, Tapas, Tapas. Several choices abound with a great selection of Spanish wines and beer. Be sure to get the grilled peppers with goat cheese. True greatness.

Had dinner at this wonderful little restaurant tonight. Styled like a real European tapas bar/restaurant with outside dining, big doors open to the street, all add to the laid back vibe. Extensive wine list, sangrias of course and an extensive tapas list. We tried five different dishes and each was fabulous. Plan to take some time and eat a relaxing meal here. Service was attentive without being intrusive. Located in a trendy and fun neighborhood called Knox-Henderson it's a great place to shop and hang out.