Instead of biting off predominantly more than we can chew, The Mouth sent co-editor Salvador Bali to spend some time in the area of Lavapies, to see if he could uncover some hidden gems. He did. The hilly area is a workout for the calves, and provides a great prospect of explorations of the third kind.

Despite being a short walk from the centre of town, the area is crammed with art students and quirky small cafes and bars, ready and willing to relieve you of your tourist Euros. In return for donations, they reply with tasty food, beverages or belongings. The area is walkable and provides a great base for a weekends sightseeing. Within striking distance of the main train station too, this inevitably becomes a popular spot for backpackers, but that means that prices are also not too insane.

Within a few streets you can find all you should need to experience a small taste of Madrid's fascinating culture. A city that gets far too little love in our opinion, overshadowed by the Gaudi-Barcelona fevers, but that suits us just fine. More of Madrid for us to enjoy.

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BAR COLORES

Senegalese food doesn't necessarily spring to mind when thinking of Madrid, but we challenge each and everyone of you to find this place, sit down, order the veal mafe and ask for a spoon of the homemade hot sauce. Comfort food never felt or tasted this great.

BAR OLIVIA

A bar straight out of a Sleater-Kinney video, the indie crowd pops in here for a seated boogie and the bartenders are accommodating.

LA BERENJENA

Lavapies locals favourite taberna serving a host of local dishes. Always busy.

EL COLECCIONISTA

Not just a pretty facade, but the inside holds every comic collectors dreamscape.

LUSO COFFEE SHOP

Come for the coffee, stay for the pastelitos de nata. Ok, don't stay, it's take-away only, but you know what we mean.

MOHARAJ

C. del Ave Maria is a literal slope of Indian (Bangladeshi) eateries. Moharaj serves our favourite curries in that part of town.

NAP

If you like your pizzas of the AVPN Verace specifications, then NAP is where you want to throw your money. During peak hours the prep can be a bit sloppy, so try find a time when they can attend to you.

LA AGUJA

People of the IN THE RED / BORN BAD records addiction, your temple of ear candy awaits.

Food is forever evolving, and sometimes it devolves. Owners change, locations change, chefs change. We can only assure you that when we visited, we liked it.