Julián López has been selling fabric in Spain for 70 years - I walked into their shop on Calle de la Bolsa for the first time intending to spend 5 minutes and left an hour later, carrying some new cushions and a pashmina! The quantity and variety of fabrics on display is mind-boggling; I could have stayed there all day honestly!
I got home and started looking at “patchwork” videos and Googling “sewing classes” - in short, I was inspired! Because they don’t just sell fabric, they have literally everything you would need to make a dress, a quilt, or to upholster that old armchair or make some drapes.
It’s a TARDIS-like Aladdin’s cave of colour and creativity for anyone, but also a great place to find some peculiarly Spanish items classified as “indumentaria”, which is a new word for me. It means all the special trimmings and items that make up traditional costumes.
It’s fascinating, so make sure to walk up the street and step inside when you are visiting nearby Casa Lope de Vega or Café Central.
Find your way with 243 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Although it’s a Galician restaurant, they do an excellent paella mixta (chicken and seafood) and arroz negro, flavoured and coloured with squid ink.
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The apartment block this cafe sits under is an ugly beauty and I love it, not least for the exuberant planters that are an integral part of the building.
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I didn’t think Madrid was lacking anything but now I’ve found "Mazál Bagels and Café" I’m wondering how I survived without its bagels all these years!
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What sets this bar apart is its exceptional handling of ingredients, creating dishes that sing with Andalusian flair—a nod to Manu's roots.
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They have a wide selection of wines to suit all pockets, and you can also discover some weirder flavours if your tastes run to the unique...
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"Mo de Movimiento" in Madrid offers a new take on the restaurant business - sustainable organic ingredients, recycled materials and second opportunities!
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Sala Canal Isabel II in Madrid used to be a water tower: now it's an uber-cool gallery used for media exhibitions. I love it, and not just because...
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VETA is the biggest contemporary art gallery in the city, so once you’ve had your fill of the Old Masters at the Prado, why not get off the beaten track?
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Don’t worry about collecting and counting plates - there’s an “all you can eat” lunchtime menu, you can fill your boots for a very reasonable fixed price.
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His favourite time seemed to be that magic hour when the sun is sinking low in the West and turns everything a golden pinky hue.
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Each covered market has its own flavour; Chamberí I would say is high quality and traditional but also one that has adapted successfully to the times.
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"Konnichiwa" is a Japanese street food restaurant in Madrid. Their specialty is the ramen with the egg, which they cook with a blowtorch at your table!
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243 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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