Bocadillo de Calamares

When in Madrid, our local guide insisted we try the famously salty squid sandwich — a tradition that comes from the old days, when salting was the way to preserve seafood, and the flavour still lives on today. 

No visit to Madrid is complete without a Bocadillo de Calamares — the city’s beloved sandwich of crisp, freshly fried squid tucked into a warm, crusty roll. Simple, salty, and deeply satisfying, it’s one of Madrid’s most iconic bites.

A simple, hearty sandwich that locals proudly claim as their own, it is  made with a crusty Spanish barra de pan, sliced open and packed with golden, freshly fried rings of calamari. The squid is typically dusted in flour and fried in olive oil until crisp, and some places add a drizzle of olive oil, a touch of alioli, or a squeeze of lemon for extra flavour.

Despite its simplicity, it hits all the right notes — perfect for breakfast, lunch, a quick snack, or even a late-night bite. In Madrid, you’ll spot people eating it right at the bar or enjoying it outdoors in the sunshine, especially around Plaza Mayor, where the bocadillo de calamares has become a true city tradition.

We spotted one at Mercado de San Miguel — dangerously close to our scheduled paella lunch. Sensible travellers might have waited, but it was our last day in Spain and we were probably never coming back unless by some windfall. 

My verdict? 

Salty? ✅ Crunchy? ✅ Sacrificed stomach space for paella? ✅ — no regrets. 🦑