Cañas y Tapas, Madrid

Canas y Tapas is a relatively new chain of tapa bars that offers the basics of Spanish tapa cuisine in good quality. While nothing here is out of the ordinary, it's a safe bet if you want to experience tapa sampling without the risk of falling in a random tourist trap. Here you'll find raciones (such as iberico, queso manchego, tortilla de patata, and very good croquetas) and tostas, which are medium sized slices of bread with toppings of solomillo, prawns, cheese, among others.

Favorite Dish: Croquetas are perfectly prepared here, not to greasy, and with the right amount of creaminess :P

You have to go there if you want to chat a little with friend while drinking a cold "caña" and tasting some tipical food, but please don´t think you are going to eat so much. We are talking about "CAÑAS" not Pints and "TAPAS" not dishes and dishes of food. A tapa is just to tste the food, so if what you really want is eating, then I will suggest you to ask for a "RACION" which is a dish of food.

Favorite Dish: Well, I must say that I have already tasted everything there. There was a"Cañas y Tapas" just beside my student flat in Calle Princesa in Madrid...so nearly every night we used to go there to have a beer but then it was maybe two, or three, or four...
The good thing is that after drinking six beers we didn´t have to cook for dinner :-) because they give you a tapa with each beer.

Although a chain, the food is fine and dandy for an afternoon snack or a hearty lunch.
They have a chalk board for you to put your choices on, and English menus. So, all is easy for the non-speakers of Spanish, too.

Favorite Dish: Squid

"Cañas y tapas" means "Beers and tapas"; tapas are typical dishes that accompany a drink. Tapas may include different kind of ham, cheese, olives, tortilla, almonds, nuts...
You can find these bars everywhere. The places are cozy and well decorated, with beautiful tiles, ancient pictures of bullfighters and actors.

"Caña" es el término que designa al vaso de cerveza; "tapas" son los platitos típicos que acompañan una bebida. Las tapas pueden incluir diferentes tipos de jamón, quesos, aceitunas, tortillas, almendras, nueces... Estos bares se pueden encontrar en todas partes; son sitios acogedores y bien decorados, con hermosos azulejos y fotografías viejas de toreros y artistas.

Favorite Dish: Tosta de camarones: "tosta" is a toast with "something" on it; "camarones" are shrimps.

Tosta (tostada) de camarones.