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There is more than a grain of truth in tales of Madrileños heading straight from a late-night club to the office, so don’t be surprised if that guard watching over the treasures of Velázquez, Goya and El Greco in the Prado Museum looks a bit bleary-eyed. If you have the stamina to keep up, Madrid has enough excellent shopping, fabulous cuisine, glittering galleries and lively bars to keep you going well past any respectable bedtime.
Madrid is famous for its marcha (nightlife) and going out to the early hours is the norm – in fact it’s almost de rigueur. So enjoy the city as the Madrileños do and have breakfast on your way home to bed.
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and romantic boutique hotels in Madrid
The elegant boutique hotel Casa de Madrid is housed in an 18th-century building which showcases the well-travelled taste of its owner, interior designer Marta Medina.
Bringing the characteristic Hospes marriage of monochrome minimalist and eye-catching historic architecture to the Spanish capital, Hospes Madrid hotel is brilliantly positioned for bar- or boutique-hopping.
Behind ME Madrid hotel’s dramatic façade, you’ll find a super-slick designer pad with heavenly beds, an amazing restaurant and a glamorama rooftop bar.
Palacio del Retiro offers five-star service, a parkside location, a rated modern restaurant and elegant interiors, with hardwood floors and high ceilings.
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
French, Italian, Spanish and Morroccan cuisines are dished up in this bistro-style restaurant. Sunday brunch, from 11:30, is one of the most popular in Madrid. There is no rush here, customers are encouraged to enjoy the weekend R&B, House and dance DJs.
Calle Almirante, 12
In the heart of upmarket Salamanca is the brainchild of Michelin-starred chef Sergi Arola and it's perfect place for the perfect sandwich, salad (from foie gras and mango to bacon, rocket and walnuts), or plate of jamón ibérico and a bottle of rosé. Definitely one to head for if you've missed the strict 2pm–4pm Spanish lunching hours or if you fancy a mid-shopping aperitif.
Calle de Velazquez, 32
This restaurant at the Hotel Urban in the centre of Madrid serves inventive Mediterranean cuisine in stylish minimalist surroundings. Their Glass Bar is also a lovely place to meet up and enjoy a drink or two.
Carrera De San Jerónimo 34
The décor in 'The White Widow' restaurant is all white, including the light-box flooring. On the other side of the bar there's La Viuda Negra (yes, 'The Black Widow'), the bar/club – handy for impromptu after-dinner dancing.
Campomanes, 6, Centro
Known for its nouvelle cuisine, this place in the Salamanca district attracts suits during the day and a trendier crowd in the evenings.
Calle Velázquez, 18
This traditional tiled tapas bar has hundreds of great canapés to choose from and vermouth on tap; idea for a shopping pit stop.
Lagasca, 48
This was Francis Bacon's favourite restaurant in Madrid. There is no meat on the menu here, only fresh fish and seafood – including turbot, grilled hake, and more than a dozen types of shellfish.
Calle Lagasca, 60
Don’t be surprised to see surreal-sounding ingredients such as cockscombs, lard, loin of horse and tomato bonbons on the menu at this cool, minimalist, Michelin-starred restaurant.
Calle de Miguel Angel, 29
This is a stylish place for lunch or dinner. It’s slightly more formal in the evening and has a hip bar for aperitivos or nightcaps.
Calle Velázquez, 39
This restaurant’s name translates as 'The Lobster', hence the lone claw dangling from the cavernous ceiling.
Calle Almirante, 11
A cosy and welcoming restaurant-bar with a rustic décor. For lunch in La Latina after a morning in El Rastro market, come here and order some big plates to share; try one of the speciality salads or the duck with raspberry coulis.
Calle de Alfonso VI, 6
Grilling is big here with an emphasis on sausages and beef, but you’ll also find salads, shish kebabs and couscous. Very busy at lunchtime, especially on Sundays. On sunny days you can enjoy the view from the terrace.
Plaza de la Cebada, 11
Style-conscious gastronomes will be delighted to find this Phillippe Starck-designed eaterie right next door to Hospes Madrid. The city's in-crowd have got their feet in the door and their names on the waiting list – make sure you book at least three weeks in advance if you want the bistro. The more informal area, Petit, overlooks the in-demand cocktail bar, and is ideal for intimate tête-à-têtes.
Plaza de la Independencia, 4
This restaurant is at the forefront of the city's Japanese cuisine scene – to stand a chance of getting a table, call two weeks beforehand and book for the first sitting at 9.30pm.
Calle de Valenzuela, 7
©2010 Mr & Mrs Smith
