The problem with terraces facing the palace
The tables on the Plaza de Oriente and in front of the Royal Palace offer a superb setting. They are also dearer than the nearby streets, and the menu is often written for customers who will not come back. If you want to pay for the view, order a coffee or a drink, not a full meal. Look at the posted menu and ask the price of drinks before sitting down.
Streets to explore
Five to ten minutes' walk from the palace, three directions work well:
- The Ópera area: the streets around Plaza de Isabel II and Plaza de Ópera mix tapas bars, cafés and Spanish restaurants. Avoid places that display photos of dishes in several languages.
- Calle Mayor and the streets running down from Plaza de la Villa: the area around the Plaza de la Villa is quieter than Plaza Mayor. The oldest places sit next to modern bars.
- Calle Arenal: it links Ópera to the Puerta del Sol and houses the San Ginés chocolate shop, handy for chocolate and churros after your visit.
For a quick meal with a group or children, the San Miguel market is close, but allow for crowds and the prices of the venue. More ideas in our guide where to eat in Madrid.
Types of place
| What you want | Where to look | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| A coffee or chocolate | Calle Arenal, historic cafés | See our guide to historic cafés |
| Standing tapas | Neighbourhood bars near Ópera | Ask for the menu; several tapas can be shared |
| A sit-down lunch | Streets behind calle Mayor | Look for the weekday set menu, often posted at the door |
| A late dinner | Ópera and La Latina area | Few kitchens serve before 20:30 |
| A meal before the palace | Café or bakery | Palace queues are shorter early in the morning |
When to eat
Madrid lunches late: most restaurants serve lunch from 13:30 and dinner from 20:30, and many close the kitchen in between. A palace visit ending at 14:00 therefore suits lunch; a meal at 12:00 may leave you at a closed kitchen. Our guide to meal times explains these rhythms. If your visit slot is early afternoon, have a snack beforehand, not a full meal.
Traps to avoid
- Menus with photos at the door and a waiter calling you in from the street.
- Dishes "for two" with no price: ask the price before ordering, especially for fish or paella.
- Bread, olives and small plates placed on the table may be charged: this is normal in some restaurants, so check the menu or ask.
- Drinks on the terrace cost more than at the bar in many places: the terrace rate is often shown on the menu.
- Paella served at midday on the square: paella is a Valencian dish that takes time; a pre-made version is a sign of a tourist place.
For safety and scams in general, see scams to avoid in Madrid. For tipping and payment, see paying and tipping in Madrid.
A simple plan for the day
Visit the palace in the morning, then walk ten minutes towards calle Mayor or the Ópera area for lunch around 14:00. Keep the Plaza de Oriente for coffee, when you have no more appointments. To organise the full day, see the royal Madrid guide and our route around the Royal Palace.
