A state-run arthouse cinema showing a range of different films. All films are shown in original version, with Spanish subtitles if required. Screenings are eclectic - I've seen some gems I'd never have watched otherwise, some bona fide classics and some "I'll go because it's in English and cheap" bilge. Listings can be found in Guia del Ocio, or with film notes at the cinema itself.
Tickets on my last visit cost just under 3€.
The main screen is a fabulous old salon, complete with balcony and boxes. The whole cinema is housed in a fin de siecle building which has starred in at least one Almodovar film.
As with any Spanish museum, morgue or meeting place there is a cafeteria serving coffee and snacks on site.

C/Magdalena.
M.Anton Martin.

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A great restaurant chain for tapas and larger raciones. They don't do just ham, as the name might suggest, but all sorts of food. Calamares, Tortilla and gambas al ajillo are excellent. Prices are very reasonable. You can eat at the counter or in the salon (waiter service is a little dearer). They have restaurants in Puerta del Sol and on the Gran Via. They also do excellent three-course menu for under 10 Euro.

La Puerta Del Sol
or La Gran Via

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Part of me is loathe to share this tip - it's my restaurant. No trip to Madrid is complete without lunch here for this former Madrid resident.

A local neighbourhood restaurant, sandwiched between the traditional madrileno working class district of Lavapies and Plaza Santa Ana.

Don't be put off by the long menu translated into English and German as I initially was. If you arrive on a Monday or Thursday lunchtime the queues of Madrilenos, business men in suits to builders in boilersuits, waiting for their cocido and paella specials will convince you it's not a tourist trap.

The service is at times brusque. I ate here at least once a week for a year and only during my last week in Madrid did the waiters show me any familiarity - and I lived next door.

The food is simple but good. There are a selection of menus at various prices to suit any budget.

The atmosphere is pure Madrid. TV blaring in the corner, twice as many tables crammed in as should really fit and shouted conversations echoing off the tiled walls and wooden floor. You do not come here for a relaxing lunch. But all the same don't come here if you are pushed for time. You can be out the door in 40mins having eaten a 3 course meal or waiting for your dessert 2 hours later.

Try the pollo al ajillo. Or the grilled asparagus. or the fried aubergines. or just about anything!

Enjoy.

C/Amor de Dios
M. Anton Martin.

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This looked a good thing, but we found that by walking and judicious visits to attractions, it was not cost effective. I can appreciate families may have youngsters, but we oldies can walk and we spent far less than the card in our week in Madrid.

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Fusion food, without the pretension or price, from the La Finca de Susana group. Beautifully decorated in white and cream, Bazaar has an intimate atmosphere with friendly and attentive, yet never overbearing, staff. Best of all, it has the most amazing desserts. Try the chocolatissimo - you'll think you're eating the food of gods even if you're not a chocoholic.

Expect to pay about £20 for two courses for two with bread, water and wine. And get there early (8.30pm).

Calle Libertad 21, close to Chueca metro station. Telephone 91-523-3905.

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Excellent value hotel (45 euro - single, 58 - double). Ikea furnishings, but beautiful building. Fantastic location, close to P. del Sol, Plaza Major, etc., but not noisy. Internet access, air con and fridge in rooms! Very friendly staff.

Calle de la Cruz, 26 - 4° Piso
28012 - Madrid - Spain

www.adrianohostal.com/ingles/index.html

Tel: +34.91 521 13 39, +34.91 521 56 12

nearest metro: Sol

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At 14-19 euros the night, it is certainly cheap. Morisco style, chill-out, weekly parties and 24 hour opening make this a desireable spot in the centre. Two to 14 beds per room.

Calle Cañizares, 6; Tel: 91 369 28 07; Metro: Anton Martin; www.catshostel.com/

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Eat chicken and cider at Casa Mingo for 16 euros between two.

Paseo de la Florida, 34; Tel: 91 547 79 18; Metro: Principe Pio; www.casamingo.com/

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Scrap their normal bedtime. Let them stay up late, like Spanish kids. Take them to a restaurant at midnight. The waiters will love them and there will be other four to eight year olds running around.

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Lovely small restaurant, family run, excellent local atmosphere. Delicious lomo de buey (beef fillet), brough to the table salted and uncooked, along with a scorching hot earthen dish on which to cook the meat in front of you as you talk and eat. Lovely manchego chipped from a wheel as you enter and brough to the table, good wines, and delicious desserts. Excellent for a solid Spanish meal without all of the touristy tat. Food usually 15€-20€.

Plaza de la Marina Española, Metro Santo Domingo

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It's a Cuban restaurant but not your trendy wood and steel decor style. It's the real thing run by an elderly couple. Checked tablecloths, real daiquiris, great fried chicken as well as other specialities.

Calle Infantas, close to Fuencarral end. Mtero Gran Via, Chueca or Tribunal.

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For really excellent food and knock-down prices, try eating standing up at La Castela on Doctor Castelo at the corner with Calle Narvaez. Fast food never tasted this good.

Doctor Castelo, 22; Tel: 91 573 55 90

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