Summer terraces in Madrid. Bars & restaurants

Terrace areas, hours and prices

Terraces abound in Madrid, but the most popular are those in the downtown area (Huertas, Chamartín, Conde Duque, Retiro, Salamanca neighborhood…) and those on the Paseo de la Castellana. The downtown terraces usually are day terraces, open from noon until the early morning hours. These are a great place to enjoy some tapas. The terraces from the Paseo de la Castellana area open a little before evening. They could be described as open-air nightclubs.

The times when the terraces are open vary by type and by area. Many are open the whole day and alternate between drink and food service. Others are specialized in gastronomy. They are usually open from noon until midnight. They offer menus in which one can combine side dishes, tapas and specials (that are not usually over 12). The majority of these terraces are found in the downtown area, near the Plaza Mayor, La Latina or in the Salamanca neighborhood.

What abounds most in Madrid are the open-air bars that offer music and drinks until the early hours of the morning. This type of terrace is more frequent in areas like Paseo de la Castellana and Malasaña. Drink prices vary at each terrace, but the normal ranges from 8 to 15€.

Terraces in the downtown area Al Norte (San Nicolás 8. Tel. 915 472 222. Metro Opera) This restaurant in the old downtown area has a covered terrace for the start of spring. Menu highlights include dishes typical of the north of Spain, especially the fish dishes. Open every day for meals and for dinner. The daily special costs about 12€. Closed Sunday evening. Café de las Comendadoras (Plaza de las Comendadoras 2. Tel. 915 472 222. Metro Noviciado) This café is one of the oldest in Madrid. Located in downtown next to the Conde Duque area, this is a tranquil and welcoming terrace in which one can enjoy coffee, cocktails and drinks at reasonable prices. Open from the afternoon until 2 a.m. Círculo de Bellas Artes (Alcalá 42. Tel. 913 605 400. Metro Sevilla) Situated in the heart of Madrid, this cultural center is divided into an exposition area, theater and bar. Since its founding in 1908, it has been considered a cultural reference point for Madrid. Starting in springtime, it opens its terrace with a variety of coffee, teas and cocktails. It also has one of the best views of the city. Delic (Costanilla de San Andrés 14. Tel. 913 645 450. Metro La Latina) This eatery and deli store is one of the most appreciated in Madrid for its location as well as its menu of teas and unforgettable tarts. With the arrival of nice weather, it opens its terrace from noon until midnight.

El Espejo (Paseo de Recoletos 31. Tel. 913 082 347. Metro Colón) Bar-restaurant El Espejo is one of Madrid’s most mythic locales. It was inaugurated in 1978 with its art-nouveau crystal pavilion and terrace tables and chairs. Menu highlights include the merluza rellena de changurro (hake stuffed with crab). They also offer a three-course special with drink for about 25€. In the summer, the outings are livened up with a pianist at the locale.

El Viajero (Plaza de la Cebada 11. Tel. 913 669 064. Metro La Latina) This is one of Madrid’s liveliest and most exciting bars.The building has three floors: restaurant, bar and terrace. The summer nights are heated up with music on the open-air roof terrace. Its hours are from 2 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., except for Mondays, when the bar is closed. Drinks prices are usually around 8€.

Restaurante Goya (Hotel Ritz) (Plaza de la Lealtad 5. Tel. 915 212 857. Metro Banco de España) The terrace at the Hotel Ritz is decorated in belle-epoque style and has a 70-person capacity. Breakfast, lunch and dinners are available. Meal prices usually range from 60€ to 80€. There is a buffet lunch every Sunday at 11 a.m. for 70€ per person.

Suit Café Club (Virgen de los Peligros 4. Tel. 915 214 031. Metro Sevilla) This popular weekend nightclub has a tranquil and welcoming terrace inside. The menu offers fusion dishes, whether during the day or for dinners.

Terraza del Platería (Plaza de Santa Ana 11. Tel. 914 299 822. Metro Sol) Located in the Huertas area, this terrace offers a full menu of traditional dishes, as well as refreshing cocktails with horchata (blended with the chufa plant) and sangrias. The meal price can be as high as 40€. Open from noon until 2 a.m. Closed Sunday evening and Monday.

Terraces in the Paseo de la Castellana area

Ananda (Ciudad de Barcelona s/n. Metro Atocha) Right at the end of the Paseo de la Castellana and next to the mythic Atocha Train Stations, we find the terrace nightclub Ananda. A paradise within the city, it grabs attention with its ambience and décor that change every year. The locale has a large dance floor, as well as tables and comfy sofas. This is a Madrid hotspot during June, July and August. Open every day at 8:30 p.m.

Bolero (Paseo de la Castellana 33. Metro Rubén Darío) This summer terrace opens in the mid-afternoon. It offers drinks for 8€ and refreshments and beers for 4€. It is located near other night terraces like Regine’s and Boulevard that, in many cases, extend their closing time until the late hours of the night.

Café Saigón (María de Molina 4. Tel. 915 631 566. Metro Gregorio Marañón) Vietnamese restaurant at a reasonable price (about 30€). Specialties include the Vietnamese ravioli and the imperial rolls. The oriental decoration is exquisite. With nice weather, they have a terrace on the interior patio. Open every day from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Reservations are recommended.

Castellana Ocho (Paseo de la Castellana 8. Tel. 915 783 487. Metro Colón) Starting toward the end of May, this club has