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El Respiro
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A tapa of yellow rice topped with a fried egg, with bread and a glass of beer
Yellow rice with peas and a fried egg, with bread, on a wooden bar
Patatas bravas with a creamy sauce and a plate of fried bites, with bread and a glass of white wine
Two plates of fried eggs with potatoes and sliced sausage, with bread and two beers on the bar
A plate of yellow rice, a plate of fried bites and bread, with glasses of tinto de verano

El Respiro

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#95 in Madrid BarsRanked #95 of 120 in Madrid bars on Guidavera, ranked within their own category. Click to see the ranked list./GoodGuidavera tier, our editorial classification combining ratings, accolades, and source consensus across the Madrid dining scene./TapasTapas: the kind of bar this is — we classify and rank it within Madrid's bar scene, not against restaurants./€€€€/Centro/

El Respiro is a traditional tapas bar on Calle de las Infantas in Chueca. Its reputation rests on the free tapa that comes with each drink, things like paella with a fried egg, potatoes with sausage and peppers, pollo al ajillo or empanadillas, and on a bocadillo de calamares made with long strips of squid rather than rings, which makes it easier to bite into.

Best Bocadillo de Calamares in Madrid

Background

About El Respiro

The Story

El Respiro is a traditional tapas bar at Calle de las Infantas 34, in Chueca.

The Cuisine

Each drink comes with a free tapa, from paella topped with a fried egg to potatoes with sausage and peppers, pollo al ajillo or empanadillas. The bocadillo de calamares uses long strips of squid instead of rings.

Highlights

What Diners Say

LivelyGood ValueCasualTraditional

Consensus

El Respiro Ratings & Reviews

Diner Ratings

Google

4.3

4115

TripAdvisor

4.0

375 reviews

#95 in Madrid BarsGood

Diners rate El Respiro 4.0/5 on TripAdvisor (375 reviews).

Reservations

How to Book El Respiro

Booking

Experience

El Respiro Dining Experience

A no-frills bar for a few rounds of cañas and whatever the kitchen sends out with them.

Navigate

El Respiro Location & Neighbourhood

Address

Calle de las Infantas, 34, 28004 Madrid, Spain

Get directions→

Getting There

On Calle de las Infantas in Chueca, in the Centro district.

Nearby

Chueca is a central Madrid neighbourhood of bars and restaurants just north of Gran Vía.

Nearby Restaurants

Steamed dumplings and bao buns with varied toppings in bamboo steamers
60

Haranita

Asian

20m
Sugar-dusted round brioche bun glazed with jam, held in an open white takeaway box over a grey pavement
10

Casto

Bakery

20m
A cappuccino with heart-shaped latte art
8

Bucólico Café

Specialty Coffee

50m
Chef plating a dark sauce over a dish in a white bowl in the kitchen
360

La Barraca

Spanish

60m
A plate of shredded braised beef with white rice and bread
852

Zara

Cuban

60m
A creamy seafood dish on a metal serving tray
102

Museo Chicote

Cocktail Bar

80m

Where to stay nearby

Hotels we rank within walking distance of El Respiro.

A rooftop infinity pool lined with sun loungers, overlooking Gran Via rooftops and the Telefonica building in the distance.

Catalonia Gran Vía Madrid

4★ · Cortes

120 m · ~1 min walk
The Principal's rooftop terrace at golden hour, olive trees in terracotta pots and striped seating above the rooftops.

The Principal Madrid, Small Luxury Hotels

5★ · Justicia

150 m · ~2 min walk
The hotel's white, ornately moulded facade seen from across the street: rows of balconied windows, planted terraces at the top, black awnings over the ground floor and star-shaped lights strung across the road.

Brach Madrid - Evok Collection

5★ · Justicia

160 m · ~2 min walk

Details

El Respiro Reservations, Hours & Contact

Opening Hours

DayHours
Monday13:00–00:00
Tuesday13:00–23:30
Wednesday13:00–00:00
Thursday13:00–00:00
Friday13:00–00:00
Saturday13:00–00:00
SundayClosed

El Respiro hours verified 2026-09-27. Contact the restaurant to confirm.

Contact

PhoneNot listed
WebsiteNot listed
InstagramNot listed

Good to Know

Closed on Sundays. Open 13:00 to midnight the rest of the week, to 23:30 on Tuesdays.
A free tapa comes with each drink.
Bocadillo de calamares made with squid strips rather than rings.
No website or phone listed.

Questions

El Respiro FAQ

What is El Respiro known for?

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The free tapa with every drink, well-poured cañas, and a bocadillo de calamares made with long strips of squid.

Where is El Respiro?

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At Calle de las Infantas 34, in Chueca (Centro district).

When is El Respiro open?

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From 13:00 to midnight Monday to Saturday (23:30 on Tuesdays). It's closed on Sundays.

Does El Respiro give free tapas?

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Yes. Each drink comes with a tapa, such as paella with a fried egg, potatoes with sausage and peppers, or pollo al ajillo.