Terraces, Madrid

We ate twice out on the terrace at the Ritz and it was fantastic. I know what your thinking, the Ritz? way too expensive and snotty! But it wasn't! I had my two kids and we had great service and the menu is different and less $$ than inside. Plus the atmosphere outside is superb. You sit under a canopy of trees all lit up and piano music to drown out the noise from traffic.

I can't remember exactly what we paid but I do remember it was on par with the bill at the American restaurant we went to the previous night.

Check it out!

In the Castellana Avenue, between Colon and Cibeles, the cafe "El Espejo" has a nice "Art Deco style" terrace, where you can sit for a coffee, a drink ar a lunch menu.
There is also a covered bar for the winter days, with huge windows from which you can see people pass by in this main avenue.

Maybe it was the decoration, or my beautiful companion, or maybe it was that the atmosphere that night had some treacherous quality. Regardless the reason, I felt in love with this restaurant almost immediately. Aside from the delicious mixture of Asian flavors that it offers, Zen treasures a terrace which is, in my opinion, the most romantic and charming of the city. Considering that summer is almost over, you should give it a try immediately ;-)

Favorite Dish: The tasting menu is definitely worthy a try

If you are tired of the heat, the traffic and noise, come to this oasis in the Retiro Park. You can sit, relax, hear the birds and have a 'caña' (beer), an 'horchata' (drink made out of "chufa", a kind of nut) or even a whole meal made out of tapas, or bocatas (sandwiches).
As you enter the Retiro Park from the Puerta de Alcala, turn right and you will find this kiosk.

In this pedestrian little street you can find several restaurants with terraces, where you can find the world famous paella while you see people walking by. If you prefer something more 'spicy' try the famous patatas bravas (fried potatoes with chili sauce) in a little bar called 'Las Bravas'. You can have the spanish tortilla ('tortilla de patatas') with the same sauce as well.

TERRAZAS
1)BOLERO Paseo de la Castellana,33
2)CASTELLANA, Paseo de la Castellana,99
3)GRAN CAFE CASTELLANA 8, Paseo de la Castellana,8
4)EL ESPEJO, Paseo de Recoletos,31
5)EL GIJON, Paseo de Recoletos, 21