Cerveceria Alemana (German Beerhouse), Madrid

Right on the edge of Santa Ana Square sits the German Beerhouse—once a favorite haunt of none other than Ernest Hemingway, and a regular stop for stars of the day like Ava Gardner, who spent quite a bit of time in Madrid during the 20th century.

The brewery was founded back in 1904 by a group of German manufacturers, which explains the name. And while the city around it has evolved, this place has kept its old-school charm. Hemingway himself once called it “a good place to drink beer and coffee”—preferably, he added, in the company of “the most beautiful woman in the world.” His regular table still stands in the front right-hand corner, and honestly, it’s not hard to imagine him strolling in, ordering a drink, and watching the world go by.

Inside, you’ll find wooden beams, old hat racks, and black-and-white photos of past bullfights lining the walls. There’s nothing flashy here—just classic beer hall vibes and bowls of olives instead of bells and whistles.

The food is filling, the beer selection is wide—with options from Germany, Belgium, and Spain—and the service is fast and straightforward. If order a “caña”, that small glass of draught beer that’s perfect on a hot day, be mindful of those tapas plates. They may be tiny, but they add up quickly when the bill arrives.