The best of the barrios: Lavapiés

It's nice to spend time at this stall in the Antón Martin market. Craft beers (including various versions of Salvaje, made in Campo de Criptana, where the stall's owner is from), various red and white wines chosen with care and a delightful vermouth make up the beverage selection to go with the food: cold cuts, sausages, cheeses, preserves, patés... A good atmosphere and camaraderie abound, but if you prefer a meal in, their offerings are also available to take away. They often organise tastings.

We'd be lying if we didn't say this is one of our favourite restaurants in Madrid. First for its location, on the top floor of the Escuela de Pías with a spectacular terrace. Having a beer while watching the sun set over the traditional Madrid 'corralas' apartment blocks or taking in the still-standing church ruins next to the school as they're lit up at night are a couple of the greatest pleasures of the city. In summer you might have trouble finding a table, whether you want to just have a drink or sit and have a meal. The menu is also among the strengths at Gau&Café. Aubergine and courgette tempura with rosemary honey and parmesan, hummus, nachos, 'salmorejo' (similar to gazpacho), salads, egg dishes, salmon tartare... the list of treats is so extensive that you'll have a hard time choosing just one dish. They also have a daily lunch menu and specials for vegetarians.

If you want to enjoy the most lustrous and canonical cusine from Cádiz (from fried fish to payoyo cheese and 'piriñaca' – an onion, cucumber, tomato, pepper salad), this restaurant is a must. They just might have the best 'cazón' (dogfish fritters) in the city, but this tasty treat (served in brown paper like other fried items on the menu) is just the tip of the iceberg in such a busy restaurant, the result of the professionalism and dedication of its owners. Despite having moved to a much larger location, it still fills up, so you should book a table in advance at weekends.

Low wooden tables and a large blackboard with the day’s menu. Take a seat and taste the simple home cooking and an untypical but interesting selection of wines served by the glass. It’s a pleasant place for a light dinner when you go to Lavapies to catch a play at the CDN.

This is a place that enjoys iconic status among regular visitors to the street. Cheap it is not, despite what its name may suggest, but it does offer decent value for money. You won’t come away disappointed if you have a few beers and snacks (such as croquettes, an open toasted sandwich or skewered meat). There are also a number of options for vegetarians.  

Weekends at this bar see sessions of garage, soul, funk and afrobeat and competitions are sometimes held in the back part of the club. Look out for sessions by DJ de la Muerte, with his Hawaiian looks and energetic vinyls and plenty of swing, doo wop, surf music...

A treasure trove for photographers and camera collectors. Owner José Luis Mur is a walking encyclopaedia on cameras; he also has great offers on spare parts and new and second-hand cameras. The shop also has an exhibition space and a training department.

This is Madrid’s oldest and most iconic street market. Every Sunday at 9am, hundreds of stalls are set up in C/Ribera de Curtidores, in the Embajadores neighbourhood, filling the street with life and bustle. It’s a must for tourists and locals alike, who browse through the new and second-hand clothes, costume jewellery, decorative items, vinyl records, T-shirts of bands, souvenirs of Madrid, prints and drawings. At noon it’s almost impossible to walk down the street, and two streams of shoppers are created, one heading for Plaza del Cascorro and another heading down to the Ronda de Toledo. Haggling is the norm, as are the shouts of the vendors announcing their best deals. After snagging yourself a bargain and trying some classical Madrid wafers, the best thing to do is stop off for a drink and a bite to eat in the bars of La Latina.

Candela is an icon on the Madrid flamenco scene. Paco de Lucía, Camarón, Enrique Morente and Ray Heredia have all been here, though as spectators rather than performers. It's the ideal place to let yourself go and enjoy the atmosphere and there are performances every Thursday and Friday, which feature both professionals and enthusiasts. And nighthawks will be interested to know that it's one of the last places to close in Lavapiés.

Epitomising Lavapiés – a bohemian, cool and laid-back hangout for those who like the tempo of their evening to be energetic but not too frenetic. The bare red brick and chrome front bar provides a chilled background for the broad-based crowd and soundtrack of jazz and soul. After midnight the rhythm speeds up in the back as the resident DJ Señores de Funk spins a mix of souped-up soul, Latin and funk. Sunday nights see flamenco performed by students from the nearby Amor de Dios school.

Rising up from the ashes of the old Medea, this lesbian venue promises a lot with its thematic party nights and afternoon cultural activities. The music here is varied, ranging from indie and revival sounds to electropop and DJ sessions. The owners are original thinkers and are constantly renewing the programme and trying to surprise their customers. Check out their Facebook page and Twitter account to find out about concerts and live performances.