Casa Gerardo is the kind of century-old wine bar that makes you feel like you've stumbled into old Madrid — dark wood, Talavera ceramics lining the walls, giant clay tinajas (wine jars) you eat beside, and a crowd that's almost entirely local. It's an "almacén de vinos" in the truest sense: come for excellent Spanish wines by the glass (even Priorat), stay for the honest, home-style cooking and the unforgettable old-world atmosphere that's increasingly hard to find in central Madrid.
A 100-year-old wine store where you drink excellent Spanish wines by the glass beside giant clay tinajas, surrounded by Talavera ceramics and almost exclusively locals.
Ask to sit downstairs — the lower dining room has walls covered in beautiful Talavera ceramics and is quieter and more intimate than the bar area.
A century-old wine bar that feels like the real Madrid
Tucked away on Calle Calatrava in La Latina, Casa Gerardo is the Madrid wine bar you wish you'd found on your own. The place is over a century old, and it shows in the best way — dark wooden interior, walls covered in beautiful Talavera ceramics, and eight enormous clay tinajas (wine jars) that you literally dine beside. It feels like stepping into a different era, and the crowd is almost exclusively Madrileños, which tells you everything.
As an "almacén de vinos," the wine program is the real draw. You can get fantastic Spanish wines by the glass, including serious stuff like Priorat, which is rare to find poured by the glass anywhere. The food is honest and home-style — reviewers rave about the cooking, and the "Hippie Cheese" tostada gets a special mention. One Yelp reviewer noted the paella isn't the strongest dish, so stick to the tapas, cheeses, and whatever the kitchen is preparing fresh that day.
The downstairs dining room, with its ceramic-covered walls, is quieter and more intimate — ask to sit there if you can. It's the kind of place where you settle in for a long, unhurried meal and end up ordering another glass just because the atmosphere demands it. With a 4.7 rating across more than 1,700 Google reviews, the consensus is clear: this is one of Madrid's most beloved old-school spots.
Casa Gerardo, c'est le bar à vins que tout Madrilène vous recommanderait si vous lui demandez où aller. Niché dans la Calle Calatrava, au cœur de La Latina, cet établissement centenaire a conservé son âme d'origine : intérieur sombre en bois, murs tapissés de céramiques de Talavera, et ces immenses tinajas en argile au milieu desquelles on dîne littéralement. On a l'impression de pénétrer dans un autre siècle, et la clientèle est presque exclusivement locale — un excellent signe.
C'est avant tout un « almacén de vinos », et la carte des vins est remarquable. On y trouve d'excellents vins espagnols au verre, y compris des appellations sérieuses comme le Priorat, ce qui est rare en versement au verre. La cuisine est généreuse et sans prétention — les habitués saluent le travail du cuisinier, et la tostada « Hippie Cheese » revient souvent dans les recommandations. Évitez la paella, qui n'est pas leur point fort, et privilégiez les tapas, les fromages et les plats du jour.
La salle du bas, avec ses murs couverts de céramiques, est plus calme et plus intime — demandez à y être installé si possible. C'est le genre d'endroit où l'on s'attarde, où l'on commande un dernier verre simplement parce que l'ambiance l'exige. Avec une note de 4,7 sur plus de 1 700 avis Google, le verdict est sans appel : c'est l'un des derniers véritables bars à vins traditionnels de Madrid.