Bufalino is one of the arty cafes in Madrid hidden in backstreets between Gran Vía and Malasaña, which are sometimes best avoided, seeing as they are still rife with prostitution and the odd junkie. However, that’s not to say there aren’t some great bars to visit among all that vice – it’s just a case of knowing where to look.
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rnIf you should find yourself on Gran Vía then and can’t face the identikit sandwich shops or Starbucks, then nip off the thoroughfare to Bufalino. This welcoming bar-cum-restaurant has just undergone a complete refit, refurbishing not just the interior, but the menu too. Expect experimental dishes inspired by Italian and Argentinean cuisine, with plenty of fresh pasta, panini and polenta to choose from.
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rnThe clientele is mainly from the neighbourhood, taking in anything from arty types to out-and-out pijos (I saw a man in their wearing jodhpurs the last time I swung by). The lunchtime menu will set you back just €9 while dinner comes in at a reasonable €15.