Restaurante El Enfriador — Restaurant in Madrid

Thank you to my Spanish host and friend Luis for introducing me to Restaurante El Enfriador and the amazing culinary stylings of Chef José where every dish that emerged from the kitchen was a masterclass in culinary balance, freshness, and flavor.

Chef José personally curated our lunch with a diverse set of creative and delicious selections from his masterful menu. From our seafood selections of sardines, tuna and crispy prawns, to melt-in-your-mouth beef and an assortment of delectable desserts, everything was crafted with the most exceptional and freshest ingredients. My first culinary foray into Spain could not have been more transcendent, thanks to the vision and virtuosity of Chef José—a man whose palate seems divinely tuned and whose creativity left me reeling in the best possible way.

The ingredients were not only impeccably fresh, but thoughtfully sourced and paired with such intentionality that I found myself slowing down, savoring, and silently thanking whatever culinary gods brought me to this table.

Chef José is not merely preparing food—he is telling stories. Stories of his land, his heritage, and his imagination. Restaurante El Enfriador is the kind of place that turns first-time diners into lifelong devotees. For me, it was more than a meal. It was an awakening. My only regret was leaving Spain to return home knowing that I would not see another meal like it until my travels bring me back to Madrid. Do not miss this culinary gem, whether you live in Madrid or are...

DO NOT EAT HERE IF YOU ARE FOREIGN.

Unfortunately the staff here are completely discriminatory and if you are not Spanish will do their upmost to make you leave. We visited here not too long ago and the problems started the moment we arrived. Firstly, we were sat onto a messy table (which initially we didn’t mind - but noticed everyone sat after us didn’t receive this). Then when cleaning the table the staff muscled in and shoved us out of the way to clear, with one member of staff dropping a condiment pot onto me and didn’t even acknowledge yet alone apologies. We then ordered drinks which thankfully didn’t take too long to arrive and were given menus. From here it was virtually impossible to get service, we indicated we were ready to order multiple times and the staff looked away from us, ignored us and one completely refused to serve us stating he didn’t speak English (even though we wanted to try applying our Spanish to order). After 20-30 minutes of this we decided there was no point and left - so I cannot comment on the food. But as for the staff, this behaviour is unacceptable and I urge management to sort this out immediately so no one else is made to feel this uncomfortable.

Overall I’d urge tourists to go somewhere else, the clear discrimination exuded from the staff and their disinterest and inattentiveness is profoundly...

Restaurante El Enfriador completely exceeded our expectations. The atmosphere was relaxed yet elegant, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a fantastic meal.

We ordered the steak tartare, which was hands-down one of the best I’ve ever had — fresh, perfectly seasoned, and topped with a silky egg yolk that elevated every bite. The selection of dishes we shared, including jamón ibérico, tomato salad, and toasted bread topped with savory clams and rich ham, was absolutely delicious. Each dish highlighted the quality of ingredients and the care put into preparation.

The flavors were vibrant, the portions generous, and the presentation impeccable. On top of that, the service was warm and attentive, making us feel right at home.

If you’re in Madrid, this restaurant is an absolute gem and a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy exceptional food and a memorable evening. Highly...