Melo's
Melo's
Melo's is a Galician tapas and raciones bar on Calle de Ave Maria, in Lavapies, open since 1979, with a second location in Moncloa. It is known for its croquetones de lacon and La Zapatilla, a one-kilo sandwich filled with lacon and melted cheese. The room is casual and family-friendly, and works for groups.
Social
From barmelos on Instagram
👌🏻Menú para 1 en el Melo's. Nuestras raciones son ideales para compartir...pero también para tí solo. ¡1/2 Zapatilla®, 2 croquetones y 1 Ribeiro... y a funcionar!💪🏻. Ah, y en Moncloa si vienes de miércoles a viernes al mediodía hacemos oferta e incluimos la bebida y postre o café. 📍 Madrid. Call
🚨¡Bar Melo's Moncloa abre TODOS LOS DÍAS: Lunes y martes abrimos solo por la tarde. Miércoles, jueves, viernes, sábados y domingos abrimos al mediodía y por la tarde 🫂. Ya sabéis...nuestra terraza, croquetones, Zapatilla®, y el resto de raciones están preparadas para haceros disfrutar👌🏻. Ah! Y en
🐷Nuestros croquetones son taaaan cremosos que no está de más tener preparada una servilleta. Nuestra experta en croquetas y diseñadora @deloaysa_design os enseña como hacerlo 😊. Además, os puede hacer vuestras invitaciones de boda y ¡1.000 cosas más! #barmelos #croquetas #respetandolatradición
Ojalá San Cayetano y San Lorenzo hubiesen podido disfrutar estos croquetones. Abrimos todos los días de 12:00 a 16:00 y 19:00 a 23:15. 📍Calle Ave María 44, Madrid. #barmelos #croqueta #sancayetano #sanlorenzo #lapaloma
Enhorabuena @joseluisysuschaquetillas por tantos años de buen hacer. José Miguel y su familia han sido un ejemplo de trabajo y esfuerzo. Jubilación merecida y recuerdo imborrable para Lavapiés. #barmelos #lavapies #joseluis
¡El Melo's con la Selección! 🇪🇦 Vente a nuestros locales de Lavapiés y Moncloa y te preparamos todas nuestras RACIONES para que te las lleves y puedas disfrutarlas viendo el partido 🏟️. 📍Calle Ave María 44. 📍Calle Andrés Mellado 16. #barmelos #croqueta #madridespaña
Background
About Melo's
The Story
Bar Melo's was founded in 1979 by Ramón and Encarni on Calle de Ave María in Lavapiés. It closed in 2020 and reopened in 2021 under Ignacio Revuelta and Rafael Riqueni, who kept the menu that made it, then opened a second bar on Calle Andrés Mellado 16 in Moncloa in 2023.
The Cuisine
Home-style Galician tapas and raciones. The house calls the croquetones de lacón its biggest specialty, and La Zapatilla its flagship: a one-kilo bocadillo of lacón and melted Galician cheese.
What's on the counter
The croquetones are made in-house from lacón and fried in olive oil, each one roughly 100 grams. La Zapatilla stacks 500 grams of lacón and 250 grams of melted Galician cheese into 250 grams of hogaza baked for the bar. Around those: lacón a la plancha, morcilla de Burgos, pimientos de Padrón, Tetilla DOP cheese cut by knife (on its own or with membrillo), and homemade empanadas filled with bonito del norte in escabeche, tomato and boiled egg. Most raciones also come as a half portion.
How it works
There are no reservations at either bar, so it's walk-in only. Takeaway is ordered in person at the counter. The house puts the average spend at €10 to €15 per person. The Moncloa bar has a terrace, where pets are allowed; the Lavapiés original doesn't admit pets.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
Melo's Ratings & Reviews
Diner Ratings
4.4
3952
TripAdvisor
4.3
592 reviews
Melo's ranks #625 of 1001 rated restaurants in Madrid. Diners rate it 4.3/5 on TripAdvisor (592 reviews).
Reservations
How to Book Melo's
Reserve
Experience
Melo's Dining Experience
Melo's keeps a warm, family-friendly bar on Calle de Ave María in Lavapiés, open since 1979 and run today by Ignacio Revuelta and Rafael Riqueni after a brief closure and reopening. It's a casual room built for sharing raciones, the croquetones de lacón and the one-kilo La Zapatilla sandwich among the signatures, and it takes groups easily.
Navigate
Melo's Location & Neighbourhood
Address
Calle de Ave María, 44, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Get directions→Getting There
On Calle de Ave Maria, 44, in the Lavapies area of Madrid's Centro district, with a second bar in Moncloa.
Nearby
Lavapiés is a steeply layered corner of central Madrid, a tight grid of narrow streets where cooking traditions from across the world sit side by side. The rooms are small and the prices are honest, with a crowd that leans toward regulars rather than reservations.
Nearby landmarks
Landmarks within walking distance of Melo's.
Nearby Restaurants
Where to stay nearby
Hotels we rank within walking distance of Melo's.
Details
Melo's Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00–16:00, 19:00–23:15 |
| Tuesday | 12:00–16:00, 19:00–23:15 |
| Wednesday | 12:00–16:00, 19:00–23:15 |
| Thursday | 12:00–16:00, 19:00–23:15 |
| Friday | 12:00–16:00, 19:00–23:15 |
| Saturday | 12:00–16:00, 19:00–23:15 |
| Sunday | 12:00–16:00, 19:00–23:15 |
Melo's hours verified 2026-09-18. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Not accepted
Good to Know
Questions
Melo's FAQ
What kind of food does Melo's serve?
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Home-style Galician tapas and raciones, with croquetones de lacón and the one-kilo Zapatilla sandwich as signatures.
When did Melo's open?
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In 1979, founded by Ramón and Encarni in Lavapiés.
What area of Madrid is Melo's in?
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Calle de Ave María in Lavapiés, with a second bar on Calle Andrés Mellado in Moncloa.
When is Melo's open?
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Daily, for lunch and dinner.
What's on the menu at Melo's?
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Alongside the croquetones de lacón: empanadas de bonito, morcilla de Burgos, lacón a la plancha, pimientos de Padrón and Tetilla cheese with membrillo.
What is the Zapatilla at Melo's?
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A one-kilo bocadillo: 500 grams of lacón and 250 grams of melted Galician cheese in 250 grams of artisan hogaza.
How much does it cost to eat at Melo's?
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The bar puts the average at €10 to €15 per person.
Is there more than one Melo's location?
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Yes, a second location opened in Moncloa in 2023, alongside the original in Lavapiés.
Did Melo's ever close?
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It closed briefly in 2020 and reopened in 2021 under Ignacio Revuelta and Rafael Riqueni.
Can you book a table at Melo's?
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No. Neither bar takes reservations, so it's walk-in only.