Christmas sweets

The arrival of winter increased our need for glucose. So much darkness needs to be helped with a bit of sugar in your blood. Where can you get yours? In traditional places such as La Mallorquina, located in the heart of Puerta del Sol on the corner with Calle Mayor. They offer homemade turrones -make sure you try the yema variety- and the delicious Three Kings cake called roscón de Reyes, which you can also eat on the top floor separately from the shop itself. With more than 20 confectioners that make up their staff, the place offers a huge variety of cakes that will take you back in time through your taste buds.

Not as famous but still one of Madrid’s most traditional confectionary shops (since 1855), El Riojano specialises in the aforementioned roscón de Reyes and the filling polvorones and mantecados as well as turrones. They say that its name comes from the man who founded it, who was from the region of La Rioja, at the request of Queen María Cristina. This is the ideal place to start the day with a good breakfast in its interior and soak up the charming atmosphere of traditional confectionary shops before you go for a walk in Plaza Mayor, just like they did in the old films.

Another old confectionary shop with plenty of tradition is Casa Mira, on Carrera de San Jerónimo, 30, next to Lhardy. Founded back in 1842, one of its specialities is the Christmas turrón, 100% homemade with no additives or preservatives, as stated on their website. They sell it by weight and the price already speaks volumes of its quality: 46 euros per kilo. Therefore, a normal size block of 300 grams can cost you up to 15 euros, which is reasonable. Oh, and it’s an excellent idea for a gift, by the way.

Lastly, we recommend a visit to Matadero to see La Navideña. International Cultures Festival, where you can enjoy live cooking shows, sweet and savoury. Check out their activities programme here and plan your visit between the 15^th and 23^rd of December.

Categories: Madrid Conciertos