Palo cortado

Taberna Palo Cortado is exactly what you want in a sherry bar: unpretentious, knowledgeable, and deeply rooted in tradition. The moment you walk in, you're hit with the smell of aged wood and the sight of rows upon rows of sherry bottles lining the walls. Paqui, the woman behind the counter, is the real star here—she's one of the few remaining "Sherry Women" in Madrid and will happily walk you through a vertical tasting if you're feeling adventurous. I tried three manzanillas in a row, all for under €9 total, and each one was better than the last. The food is simple but solid—don't skip the partridge escabeche, it's a standout.

The atmosphere is pure old Madrid tavern: dim lights, wooden tables, and a crowd that's mostly locals chatting over their drinks. It's not fancy, but that's the point. This is where you go when you want to taste real sherry without the tourist trap markup. The only downside? It's a bit hard to find if you don't know the street, and they close early, so plan accordingly. But if you're serious about sherry, this is non-negotiable.