La Maruca - Velázquez

The story

La Maruca Velázquez – Cantabrian Restaurant in Madrid | Michelin Recommended

La Maruca Velázquez: Cantabrian Flavours on Velázquez Street

On a tree-lined stretch of Madrid’s Velázquez street, La Maruca brings the coast of Cantabria to the capital. This is the work of chef Paco Quirós, whose restaurants have been described by press as “a little piece of Santander in Madrid” and “updated Cantabrian gastronomy.” The kitchen serves generous raciones and plates rooted in the north’s larder—fresh seafood, quality meats, and the region’s celebrated produce, all treated with a contemporary hand.

The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious. The dining room flows onto a terrace that remains open even in winter, a rare luxury on this elegant street. Guests come for long lunches, early dinners, and the easy rhythm of a place that opens at 8:00 am for breakfast and stays lively until late. The bar is a natural meeting point, and the service is attentive without ceremony.

The restaurant’s quality has been recognised by the Michelin guide, which includes La Maruca Velázquez among its Recommended restaurants in Madrid. That distinction reflects the consistency of the cooking and the clarity of the concept: honest, flavour-driven cuisine from a chef who knows his region’s ingredients.

Whether you stop in for a midday menú or settle in for an evening of Cantabrian classics, La Maruca delivers the sort of reliable, characterful cooking that keeps a local following coming back.