Picture this: sizzling plates of patatas bravas and jamón ibérico in lively tapas bars, aromatic paellas bubbling away in rustic taverns, and decadent tasting menus in elegant dining rooms. That's Madrid for you, with the Spanish capital's restaurant scene promising an unforgettable culinary escapade.

Since choosing where to eat and drink in a metropolis with countless options can be a daunting task, here's where we suggest you head first.

Best For: Brunch

Left to Right: Murillo Café, Café Oliver & Bumpgreen

Murillo Café

Sitting pretty next to the Murillo entrance of the Prado Museum, the name of this chic brasserie-style cafe pays tribute to one of the most famous painters of Spain, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo.

Sunday is the place to head on over, when chefs whip up an excellent brunch with dishes including waffles and eggs Benedict, while if you visit any other day you can enjoy a breakfast of breads and pastries as well as pizzetas with toppings such as ibérico ham or fontina cheese with mushrooms.

Café Oliver

Craving a hearty European-style brunch after too much tapas last night? Make a beeline for Café Oliver. Headed up by chefs Frédéric Fétiveau and Karim Chauvin, opt for hot drinks, juices, pastries and breads, before choosing either eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs with veggies or fried eggs and bacon. If you're feeling decadent, you can't go wrong with the pancakes with maple syrup - naughty yet oh-so-nice.

Bumpgreen

Embracing the ethos of slow food and celebrating organic produce - a philosophy that extends to their Sunday brunch - Bumpgreen should be on the list of any health-conscious foodie.

Boasting both a buffet and a la carte menu, dig into the likes of beetroot and cheese tart or strawberry gazpacho, while mains might include low-temperature organic chicken, citric salt-cured salmon smoked with orange and Broccolini leaves and Galician roast veal with mustard sauce, among others. Just be sure to save room for dessert - trust us, you won't regret it.

Best For: Lunch

Left to Right: La Sanabresa, Alma Nomad Bakery & CEBO

La Sanabresa

Specialising in traditional Spanish fare with plenty of garlic, salt and olive oil - and very little pretense - head to La Sanabresa in central Madrid for a bargain fixed-price lunch after the Prado or Reina Sofía museums. Always busy, which is a testament to the expertise of its chefs, dishes typically include fried eggplant, beef stew, roasted chicken, grilled trout, spare ribs and meatballs. Simple yet effective.

Alma Nomad Bakery

If you find a queue when you arrive at Alma Nomad Bakery, don't be surprised - it's one of the most popular spots for lunch in Madrid. Located in the city's vibrant Chamberí neighbourhood, it's the brainchild of Timi Argyelan and Joaquín Escrivá, who honed their baking skills during their time in Vienna and Hungary, and now serve up everything from hearty loaves to delicious pastries like plum galettes and raspberry and lemon Danishes.

For a more relaxed experience, swing by around 2 or 3 pm on a weekday to beat the rush and secure a seat overlooking the bustling street scene.

CEBO

If you're looking for a fancier affair for lunch, CEBO was recently awarded its first Michelin star, and it's easy to see why. Nestled in the Urban hotel, Chef Aurelio Morales borrows cuisine from the Mediterranean coast, adding a distinct local feel thanks to ingredients sourced from their own vegetable garden and small-scale producers around the country. Set menus are the name of the game here, and you can opt for Clásicos which can be combined with the à la carte and is only available at lunchtimes midweek.

Best For: Dinner

Left to Right: Botin, Casa Ciriaco & Bodega De Los Secretos

Botín

The oldest restaurant in the world, having opened its doors in 1725, Botín is still going strong today, and there's no better place to sink your teeth into roast suckling pig and lamb. A Madrid institution, dishes are cooked over vine shoots in the huge oven that has been there since it opened. What's more, if you're lucky, you might even nab Ernest Hemingway's favourite spot, but be sure to ask in advance.

Casa Ciriaco

Celebrating a special occasion? Head to Casa Ciriaco. Close to the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, it's particularly popular with wine connoisseurs thanks to tables in the brick cellar that come surrounded by shelves of vintage wines (there’s a special table for larger groups in the main wine cellar too), all of which wash down everything from traditional Spanish tapas to its delicious signature dish, gallina a la pepitoria, otherwise known as chicken in almond sauce.

Bodega de los Secretos

The oldest bodega in the capital, you'll find Bodega de los Secretos hidden away on a quiet side road in Barrio de las Letras and Lavapiés. As romantic as they come, this intimate restaurant is a great place to spoil that special someone with the likes of steak from the Pyrenees, rice with prawns and octopus, tuna tataki and pumpkin ravioli, while the croquettes here are some of the best in the business too - you can't leave without trying the acorn-fed Iberian ham version which is acclaimed for its creamy interior and crunchy exterior.