Yes, Madrid has its own special flavour too. Now you can sing, dance and enjoy fried fish, seasoned potatoes with a little ham, accompanied by a fino, a caña or a rebujito right here in Madrid. This year, for the first time ever, Madrid will have an official venue to celebrate the Feria de Abril. It will take place on 22 April at the WiZink Centre, running non-stop from 1 pm, just one week before the illuminations on Seville’s main gate are switched on.
Can you imagine a marquee covering 4,500 square metres? Well, it does exist. If you’d like to go, bear in mind that there are two types of ticket:
- Standard entry: where the price, including a drink and a tapa, is 5 euros, and inside you can experience the real Feria de Abril with performances by well-known Andalusian bands and sevillanas competitions.
- The VIP ticket: a table for four is reserved for 150 euros, which includes a tasting menu featuring fried fish, Iberian ham and cheese, Russian salad, assorted molletes and drinks, all prepared by Mallorca catering and featuring products from Mahou, Tío Pepe and Sprite. And to make sure you have everything you need, they’ll give you flowers, fans, hats and combs.
If this doesn’t take your fancy or the date doesn’t suit you, don’t worry. There are plenty of other places in Madrid where you can experience the magic of an Andalusian spring.
La Taberna Makandé could be the place to enjoy a great flamenco show on its tablao. Mind you, it’s only on Thursdays. You can sample prawns, pork crackling, carne mechada, acorn-fed pork loin, Iberian ham, salmorejo and Russian salad. And… where is it? At 2 García de Paredes Street.
El Jamón del Abuelo is another option for getting a taste of Andalusia and dining in an Andalusian patio without having to catch an AVE train. Here you’ll find a carefully curated selection of market produce, an elaborate traditional Mediterranean cuisine that blends tradition and innovation, probably the best oxtail in Madrid, and a wine cellar with nearly 100 different wines. They’re currently celebrating their 25th anniversary and you’ll find them at 36 Calle Víctor Andrés Belaunde.
InTriana, right in the heart of Madrid, next to the Retiro Park, you can enjoy everything from acorn-fed Iberian ham to red meats, fried fish, Cordoban salmorejo, flamenquines, fresh fish of the day or their famous potato omelette. It features different areas: an indoor dining room decorated in the Andalusian style; a bar area; and the terrace, which is heated and open all year round. Where? At 48 Calle Narváez.
You’ve got no excuse not to experience the April Fair and soak up that special atmosphere in the capital.
