Madrid Airport's Best Food Options For Travelers

what to eat in madrid airport

Madrid's Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is the second-biggest airport in Europe, and its culinary offerings are just as impressive as its architecture and scale. Whether you're looking for a quick bite before boarding or wanting to savour some Spanish cuisine during a layover, the airport has a variety of options to suit your needs. From tapas and pintxos to upscale Mediterranean, Japanese fusion, or even just a familiar fast-food fix, Madrid Airport has something for everyone. So, if you're wondering what to eat during your next visit, read on to discover the best places to satisfy your hunger and thirst.

Characteristics Values
Airport Name Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport
Airport Code MAD
Location Barajas
Cuisine Mediterranean, Japanese, Spanish, Gluten-Free
Restaurant Options Mahoudrid, Urban Grill, 100 Montaditos, Mahou Sports Bar, Eating Point, El Madroño, La Bellota, MasQMenos, Origins, Gastro Hub, Kirei, McDonald's, Delikia Fresh, Kirei by Kabuki, Deli&Cia, Eat, Eat & Fly

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Terminal 1, 2, 3, and 4 food options

If you're looking for a bite to eat at Madrid Airport, you're in luck – the airport is known for its inviting architecture and great food options. Here are some places to check out in each of the terminals:

Terminal 1

Urban Grill: Quick grilled dishes, including meat, fish, vegetables, and pizza. It's "fast food that's not 'fast food'".

Mahou Sports Bar: Beer, tapas, and sports on multiple screens.

Terminal 2

Mahoudrid: A bar and tapas spot run by Mahou San Miguel, a Spanish beer giant. In addition to tapas, they also offer sandwiches and other filling options, but small bites and light beer are the go-to here.

Terminal 3

Eating Point: A food court-style area with four restaurants: Santa Gloria (pastries), Urban Grill (meat and vegetables), Pizza'n Co (pizza), and Deli&Cia (grab and go).

Terminal 4

El Madroño: An upscale Mediterranean restaurant located before security, with options like duck foie gras and salmon. The dining room is closed off from the hustle and bustle of the airport.

La Bellota: A restaurant focusing on Ibérico ham, with a bar for solo travellers as well as tables.

Kirei: The first Japanese restaurant in any Spanish airport, headed by chef Ricardo Sanz of the Kabuki Group, which has three Michelin-starred restaurants. They offer sushi, sashimi, soups, and nigiri, and also have a takeaway option.

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Japanese food at Madrid Airport

While Japanese food may not be among the most popular in Spain, Madrid Airport does offer a Japanese dining option. Kirei is the first Japanese restaurant to exist in any Spanish airport. Headed by chef Ricardo Sanz of the Kabuki Group, which has three Michelin-starred restaurants, Kirei offers sushi, sashimi, soups, and nigiri. The restaurant also offers takeaway options for travellers in a hurry.

Kirei is located in Terminal 4 of the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. The airport is the second biggest in Europe, so be sure to give yourself enough time to reach your gate after dining!

If you find yourself with more time to spare near Madrid Airport, there are dozens of airport hotels in the nearby district of Barajas, which may have Japanese dining options. For example, one traveller reports that they found a wide variety of interesting restaurants in the neighbourhood, though they do not specify whether any serve Japanese food.

If you are looking for Japanese food once you reach central Madrid, there are several highly-rated Japanese restaurants. These include restaurants serving sushi, edamame, gyoza, tuna bao, udon soup, and more.

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Tapas and sandwiches

Madrid's Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport has a variety of tapas and sandwich options for travellers. Mahoudrid, a bar and tapas spot run by the Spanish beer giant Mahou San Miguel, offers small bites and light beer, as well as more filling options like sandwiches. 100 Montaditos, another tapas and pintxos bar, serves classic dishes and open-faced sandwiches, with suggested beer pairings. Mahou Sports Bar also offers beer and tapas alongside sports screenings.

For a wider range of tapas, MasQMenos serves larger snacks, filled rolls, and quality salads prepared to order, alongside a healthy selection of beers and European wines. Gastro Hub, led by renowned Spanish chef Paco Roncero, offers classic tapas and Spanish cuisine, as well as healthy juices.

If you're looking for a quick bite, Delikia Fresh in Terminals 1, 2, and 3 serves coffee, cold drinks, sandwiches, and other daily snacks. Eat & Fly in Terminal 1 offers sandwiches, salads, cakes, and fruit juices, while Eating Point in Terminal 3 has filled rolls, pastries, and wines.

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Upscale dining

If you're looking for an upscale dining experience at Madrid Airport, there are a few options to consider. El Madroño, located before security, offers an upscale Mediterranean dining experience with dishes like duck foie gras and salmon, in a closed-off dining room that shields you from the airport hustle and bustle.

For a unique experience, Kirei by Kabuki is the first Japanese restaurant to open in any Spanish airport. Headed by chef Ricardo Sanz of the Michelin-starred Kabuki Group, Kirei offers sushi, sashimi, soups, and nigiri, with the added entertainment of show cooking by the sushi chefs.

If you're craving grilled dishes, Urban Grill offers a quick service with a range of grilled meat, fish, vegetables, and even pizza. While it may not be considered traditional upscale dining, the quality and variety of options make it a step above the average airport eatery.

For a more relaxed upscale experience, the Mahou Sports Bar offers a combination of beer, tapas, and sports entertainment on multiple screens. This could be a great option if you're travelling with a group with varying tastes and preferences.

Lastly, La Bellota is a great choice if you're looking for Ibérico ham, with a bar for solo travellers and tables for those travelling with company.

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Quick bites

Madrid–Barajas Airport has a variety of quick-bite options for travellers on the go. If you're craving something grilled, Urban Grill serves fast dishes of grilled meat, fish, and vegetables. For a more Mediterranean option, La Bellota offers a selection of Ibérico ham, while MasQMenos serves tapas, Ibérico ham, beer, and European wines.

For those who enjoy Japanese cuisine, Kirei by Kabuki is the first Japanese restaurant to open in a Spanish airport, serving sushi, sashimi, soups, and nigiri. If you're in the mood for something more classic, MacDonald's is also available 24 hours a day in Terminal 4.

If you're looking for something lighter, Delikia Fresh serves estate coffee, cold drinks, sandwiches, and snacks, while Eat offers a range of sandwiches, baguettes, toasties, salads, snacks, pastries, and coffee. For a quick breakfast option, Eating Point serves Lavazza coffee, fruit and smoothies, filled rolls, and pastries.

Frequently asked questions

Madrid Airport has a variety of restaurants to choose from. Some of the popular ones are Mahoudrid, Urban Grill, 100 Montaditos, El Madroño, La Bellota, MasQMenos, Origins, and Kirei.

Kirei is the first Japanese restaurant in any Spanish airport. It serves sushi, sashimi, soups, and nigiri.

Madrid Airport has several quick food options, including McDonald's, Delikia Fresh, and Eat & Fly.

Yes, there are gluten-free options available at Madrid Airport. While specific information about gluten-free restaurants within the airport could not be found, there are restaurants that serve dishes such as salads, sandwiches, and grilled vegetables that may have gluten-free options.

Yes, Madrid Airport has several bars, including Mahou Sports Bar and Mahoudrid, which serves beer and tapas.

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