Empanada Heaven: Falling in Love with Malvón in Madrid
- Piece of Cake Staff
- Nov 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 6
Written by Lindsay Grohs
Recently, I had the chance to spend some time in Madrid, Spain. Prior to even leaving the United States, I had a list of foods and drinks I wanted to try (or eat again). Empanadas were high up on that list. However, I didn’t think that in the span of five days, I would eat at the same empanada place three different times. And not out of convenience, but out of love for their beautifully crafted, authentic Argentinean empanadas. Thankfully, for all the travelers out there, this place is a chain throughout Spain and Portugal, so these delicate, delicious empanadas aren’t limited to just the Madrid area.
The name of this fantastic establishment is Malvón.
Malvón was founded in 2017 and specializes in handmade Argentinean empanadas. They offer a range of classic and gourmet options, recently introducing a few "American" flavors as well to diversify their menu even further. Since 2017, they have greatly expanded their brand, with a current total of ninety-seven stores between Spain and Portugal. Plus, they plan to continue expanding further throughout Europe. With all this being said, Malvón is easily the leader in the Argentinean empanada industry.
Going to Malvón, at least for the first time, was not planned. The urge to go really came down to hunger, a deep craving for a freshly baked empanada, and the fact that it was the closest empanada place in sight. And thank God it was, because wow! Walking in, you could smell the seasoned meats, warm dough, and melted cheeses. It was like a hug from an Argentine grandmother’s kitchen. You were met with over a dozen empanada flavor options and a friendly staff member who was there to deliver the perfectly baked empanadas to your plate. While all of their empanadas are unbelievably delicious, a few fan favorites include the Cochinita (Pork), Jamón y Queso (Ham and Queso), Carne Picante (Beef Stew), and Smash Burger. I had the honor of trying the Pollo Thai (Thai Chicken), Cochinita, Rabo de Toro (Oxtail Stew), Smash Burger, Mortadela Pistacho (Mortadella and Pistachio), and a few others between trips and sharing bites with friends.
My favorite, by far, was the Mortadela Pistacho. Biting into that, you were hit with warm, soft dough filled with gooey, melted cheese mixed with a pistachio pesto and diced ham. The flavor on the palate was a beautiful mix of cheesy, herby freshness with a hint of sweet from the ham and a touch of crunch and nuttiness from the pistachios. I would have no hesitation in recreating that empanada. The others were equally amazing. The Rabo de Toro held rich, beefy, peppery flavors with a slight sweetness from the other vegetables. The Smash Burger reminded me of what my mom calls an “indoor burger,” when you make the ground beef in a skillet and add cheeses and seasonings throughout, instead of in direct patty form. The perfect balance of American and Argentinian in a dish. Essentially, each one I tried had its own flavor profile and empanada personality. My stomach was satisfied, and my palate was beyond happy. Now you know why I went back another two times.
If you are ever in Spain, Portugal, or anywhere where you come across a Malvón, I highly suggest you order an empanada immediately. You will thank me later. They do not disappoint and always hit the spot. Not to mention their service is fantastic! Let me know if you ever have the pleasure of trying one!
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