Casa Salvador

A bullfighting-themed classic restaurant near Gran Vía, largely unchanged since the mid-20th century — old-school Castilian cooking (rape a la marinera, oxtail) served by veteran waiters to a mix of long-time regulars and curious newcomers.

The decor — mounted bull heads, tauromachy posters, autographed photos of matadors — is as much the experience as the food, so this suits diners genuinely curious about that part of Spanish culture rather than those who'd rather skip it. Reserve ahead for dinner; the small dining room fills with a loyal, long-standing clientele. Service is formal in an old-fashioned, unhurried way.