CLOSED: Alma Food

Hi ! we were at Alma foods the other day, this is a very good restaurant for low budget people who are looking for good quality alternative meals to eat away or without seating inside for ever, as the Spanish tend to ! The other person complaining about high prices is wrong, or lying, in fact it is obvious that the weight of the plate is not included. We had a large choice of hot (not very) and cold dishes, it works as a buffet (also as per weight, but we decided on the buffet version that day). Most Spanish people do not understand the pay by weight system, which we have seen and used previously in London and in Switzerland, because it avoids waste, and it permits eating with a green, ecological mind. The food was lovely, tasty, diverse well presented, the empanadas had different ingredients as usual, like nabos, and seaweed, and red kidney beans. We also enjoyed endivias gratinados in a lemon sauce, and a great Spanish nut roast, with some fresh quinoa pasta salad. It looks as if most dishes were gluten free, and vegan (indicated. The staff was charming, italian mainly, and we also met the chef after a doubt about an alergy, who came down specially to help us out. There was a soup too, we did not have it, but it was vegan gluten free, but we managed to enjoy a great pudding, called buza, also vegan gluten free, with pistachios, soya cream and rose water. The coffee was fantastic, it seems to come from Nicaragua (Fair Trade), and so was the wine (they only seem to have one type), rioja crianza. We have little to complain about, the place was simple but cosy enough to sit down, eat and enjoy checking our emails (they have free wifi). Highly recommended by us, especially to people who do not speak Spanish - the staff is multilingual - we shall certainly return on our next visit to Masrid.

I went to alma food the other night and i was sorprised with an amazing offer of tapas, bocaditos and cazuelas vegan and without gluten from 1 euro. The nice service explain me they has included this offer every nights.

It is simplily a brillant idea. We can already enjoy eating the tipical spanish tapas, montaditos and cazuelas but for vegan and no gluten people.
Well i also loved the vegan natillas de naranja and crema de chia.

Good service and charming atmosfhery with wifi free

La comida va al peso (te pesan el plato también) y sale muy cara si quieres llenarlo. O te sablan, o sales con hambre. Además la comida estaba fría.

Alma food has been one of my best experiences in Madrid. The food was not only really tasty but I could choose from a big variety of plates (I follow a vegan and gluten free diet). The restaurant it´s just in the city center, 2 minutes away from Sol and Plaza mayor. I have to say that the treat from the waiters was incredibly polite, and they speak several languages, I did not felt misunderstood in any moment. I totally recommend alma food, if you are in Madrid give it a go!
Updated from previous review on Saturday September 26, 2015

I went last night to Alma Food, an awesome variety of vegetarian and vegan delicious dishes was waiting for me. I could hardly believe that such a place would exists. It was really eye opening to me the fact that a buffet was actually a better idea than a traditional restaurant. I could make my own choice at a more than reasonable price and eat quickly.

I loved the veggie lasaña and the peach gazpacho. As a dessert, an scrumptious chocolate vegan muffin. Simpatico staff.

It was also good to see their involvement in the activism against bullfighting so needed in Spain.

What can I say, I have become an addict! From now on, I will drop on every time I have the opportunity.

Nice buffet where most of the dishes are vegan. When I had lunch here, only the lasagne and the veggie meatballs were vegetarian. Price seemed fair to me, pretty average for Madrid's standars. There's not a really wide range of of dishes (I'd say around 12-15 different options), but I think is more than enough, specially if you want to try a bit of everything. Not to forget that the muffins and the cakes are vegan.

We had lunch. The buffet is small but extensive, no hot plates, everything room temp or chilled. On the day we went, there was a rice dish and a curry lentil dish, all kinds of salads and veggies, falafel, gazpacho, amazing breads, guacamole, hummus, and lots more. We dined in the basement. At 2 Euro per 100g, and with two waters, it was about 21 Euro for two of us, and we're fairly big eaters. So, by Madrid standards, quite reasonable. I would recommend this place for sure and look forward to going back.

This is apparently a new business..we were lured in by someone handing out free falafels on a nearby street! It's cafeteria style - there are changing selections on offer which can be eaten downstairs or taken away in take out containers. We had a delicious selection of foods including salads, more falafel and stews plus an apple cake for 10 euros each. Great idea if you're looking for food for an impromptu picnic or for your plane ride home. Yerbabuena which is an amazing gourmet veg restaurant is just across the street.