Bar El Brillante

One of the best places to have calamari sandwich in Madrid…NOTE: there is a paid parking north of the restaurant around 500meters away…it nice area to grab a fast bite ..I totally recommend

Most famous bocadillos - certainly deserve trademark 👌
P.S. Churros & hot chocolate also fabulous 👍

Amazing calamari sandwich, for us the best in Madrid. Good combination of the fried and the bread. We tried other food here but wouldn't recommend it.

Whether you're seeking a quick pre-museum snack or a decadent post-exhibition indulgence, El Brillante is the perfect destination. The combination of friendly service, fast service, and delectable churros makes it a must-visit spot for anyone exploring the Reina Sofia museum area. The churros themselves were a culinary masterpiece, each bite a delightful explosion of crispy, fluffy goodness!💯😋

The calamari sandwich was super tender and huge portion. Two people easily shared. The bread was good too. You can dine inside, and there are many tables in from and back. Very nice, friendly service.

Best calamari sandwich in the city. Just in front of Atocha train station. It’s not a fancy place, it’s super busy and you go there for the calamari not for a Michelin star service or fancy decoration. Every time I go to madrid I stop by here. Sandwich is huge and good quality. Definitely you must try in your visit to Madrid

Came to try the ‘bocadillo de calamares’ and what a treat! Highly recommend to sit inside, the vibe is amazing. It’s loud and just gives you all ‘madrid bar’ feels. The waiters shout the orders and the service is quick and friendly.

Bacon and cheese sandwich was amazing! The calamari sandwich is a must try. They are fast and courteous. 12 euro got me 2 sandwiches and 2 sparkling water. Perfect for lunch.

This is a not typical it is THE the definitive Spanish cafeteria. Huge space with enormous stainless steel counters. They serve it all and the Carajillo here was very strong.

This is not where you come for fine dining this is come where you come to enjoy a slice of Madrid life.

having said that Having said that my Torrenzos were delicious Properly salty, crispy with creamy pork fat.

the view in the Ambiance is tough you look out the window you see the beautiful I told you train station right in the heart of Madrid.

crowd Bueno Gente de España de Madridr. Sin mas touristas, perfect. Las turistas te gusta Taco Bell y KFC,

Aquí is verdad, las sabor y corazón del Madrid.

Before I visited there, I was a little bit terrified by reviews of this restaurant (actually it is more similar as a bar). However, when I visited there and try porras and squid sandwich, I completely forgot all the bad reviews. They are really good! I think why the quality was not bad might be that I went there when it was just open in the morning. The staff there, they don’t speak English. For me, it is not a problem since almost half the local restaurants I visited in Madrid, they don’t speak English either 😂. The last point is the attitude of the staff there. I have to say it is as rude as you can expect in the popular tourist place. However, for me, the good compensates all those drawbacks.

Best traditional busy Spanish breakfast bar. Want to feel like a local? This is it. Eating while standing, waxy napkins, best tostada con jamón. Not for the hipsters

Friendly staff, however the place is a little not well organized and cleaned. But, it's a mandatory place to taste the famous bocadillos de calamares (7€), maybe the best in Madrid!

Lots of locals. Noisy, chatty and busy. The gentlemen behind the bar have lots of character and were super friendly and helpful with us as English speakers. Enjoyed the calamari mini baguette, a ham and tomato baguette and a good hot Cafe Americano.

So happy we went here for lunch! Excellent calimari sandwiches as well as a wide selection of other tasty sandwiches. A bit of a line when we came, but the staff stayed alert to when tables opened up, and they were fun and energetic.

This is a great spot a few meters from the Reina Sofia museum. The service is fast if you belly up to the bar, and the food is tasty. The Bocadilla El Brillante is a favorite.

We had the Tortilla Francesca Mini and Churro with chocolate! Delicious option for breakfast

Typical Spanish bar and restaurant. If you want a Spanish style fast food, service or try speaking in Spanish then this is the place for you. Enjoy their baguettes con pollo for €6 and it's huge.

El Brillante is a traditional and atmospheric neighbourhood bar typical of Madrid. Rammed with both tourists and locals, it's still, after more than 50 years, one of the best places in Madrid to get a bocadillo de calamares and chocolate con churros.

A fantastic sandwich. Perfectly cooked squid. Good bread.

So lucky to appear around this place to try my first dish from Madrid. It is simple and may look not very appetising, but each component was worth of being tasted. 🤩 Highly recommend the callos and the squid bocadillo. Everything was perfect except for the tortilla: extremely dry for my taste.