La Trocha
This web page is for information about Gas & Zuri's house - "La Trocha" - in Madrid. La Trocha is in the pueblo Miraflores de la Sierra ~ 50km from Madrid at an altitude of 1200m. 
Here's a view of Madrid from our balcony 
Published: 2026-08-30
Spanish Eating
The main meal of the day in Spain is lunch. Midday in Spain is 2pm so don't expect any restaurant to be open before then! They have the concept of the menu del dia (menu of the day) which is a 3 course meal at midday with wine/beer. The cost of this ranges from 15 euros to 25 euros depending if your in a tourist place or not.
At night they just usually have a small meal or order a beer and you get free tapas if your not in Madrid, nothing really opens before 8:30 pm though!
To find the best tapas bar look for grottiest bar where there is rubbish on the bar floor where they have thrown their toothpicks or whatever. That's where the best tapas are!
spanish tidbits
- una caña - 7oz of beer - madrid beer is Mahou (pronounced
maaohhh)Published: 2025-08-28
Tagged: FAQ wine beer spanish phrases tapas
Bar España
The Bar España is a classic by the now bronze scuplture of old Alamo tree that was centre of Miraflores. (this was the place that the waiter said he had seen my wallet on "Neighbours of Miraflores" so great bunch!)
Has a Racion (shared plate size) of morcilla that PT can recommend. Also the pulpo (octopus) is estupendous here (comes on mashed potato)!
Published: 2025-08-01
Tagged: Miraflores restaurant lunch dinner spanish phrases tapas nachos
El Maño
This bar is a Miraflorean's working man bar - make sure you speak with confidence! Good to see local culture and all friendly but you'll have to use Spanish! Great for breakfast, or a beer and watch the world go buy from the viewpoint of the spaniards.
spanish tidbit
Published: 2025-08-01
Tagged: Miraflores restaurant takeaways spanish phrases tapas breakfast
La Parilla
Best restaurant for conejo or chuleton. Be aware though only take cash $$. Our favourite! Also only open in Summer (as sand floor and no walls and Spanish hate cold) so Mike and Michelle you just missed out! :(
spanish tidbit
Published: 2025-08-01
Tagged: summer Miraflores restaurant cash only recommended spanish phrases tapas
Rincón de Su
This is the bar we usually go to for breakfast. The owner? likes to practice her English on you, but make sure you reply in Spanish! Pan con tomate with cafe costs about 3 euros. A pincho de tortilla and Cafe will set you back 3.5 Euros!
Great for nachos at night as well.
spanish tidbit
- Pincho de Tortilla - 1/4 serving of spanish omelette
Published: 2025-08-01
Tagged: Miraflores restaurant spanish phrases tapas nachos breakfast
Pingüy
Cheap pizzas and takeaways. Also good to order a beer and usually the tapas (free) are really good.
Published: 2025-07-30
Tagged: Miraflores restaurant dinner takeaways tapas
La Perola de Soto
The Perola in Soto del Real has a working (wo)mans lunch M-T, T-F for 15 euros. that is 3 course, starter , main and dessert plus a drink - which can be a bottle of wine or a beer. Great value and menu changes everyday!
Published: 2025-07-29
Tagged: cheap restaurant lunch Soto Del Real recommended menu del dia
Half Morcuera MTB loop
This is an hour - hour and half Mountain Bike ride. Goes half way up Morcuera on percuaria (old Sheppard Road aka Gravel Road) then comes back down a walking track
Published: 2025-07-28
Morcuera- Navafria - Canencia bike loop
This is a fairly big bike ride. Goes over Morcuera (600m) then up NavaFria (700m) and then finally loop return over Canencia (300m) for a total of 87 km and 2km of altitude gain. You can cut out the Navafria part and makes it an easier loop by 24Km less and 700M less of altitude.
Published: 2025-07-28