7 romantic restaurants in Madrid for the best date night

Published by: BouncePosted
Romantic restaurants in Madrid

The capital of Spain is on many people's travel bucket lists. If you find yourself in Madrid exploring the many attractions, like the Pardo Museum, El Retiro Park, and Plaza Mayor, it's possible you might want to squeeze in a romantic meal or two. Luckily, this vibrant city is absolutely full of romantic restaurants for an unforgettable date night when visiting Madrid.

You'll find every type of restaurant here, from ones with Michelin stars to ones with a casual atmosphere. The most romantic restaurants in Madrid will have various types of cuisine, including Spanish, of course, but also French and Italian, to ensure your romantic night goes off without a hitch. Because if you don't have good food, it's hard to focus on anything else.

In Madrid, romantic restaurants definitely don't all look the same. You have ones with a secret garden feeling, tea rooms, elegant terraces, and traditional Spanish restaurants that are all romantic in one way or another. Inventive a la carte menus and tasting menus brimming over with flavor all await you. But one thing that isn't romantic is carrying all your suitcases with you when you're dressed up for date night. To solve this issue, stop by a Bounce luggage storage in Madrid to drop everything off before you set out to impress your date.

Now, let's get to all the best romantic restaurants in Madrid:

Madrid's romantic restaurants

Caripen Bistro

As you may already know, Spaniards tend to eat dinner late by North American or British standards. And when you want to eat like a local, meaning very late, Caripen Bistro is the answer for one of the most romantic restaurants in Madrid. The French restaurant's space provides a magical Midnight in Paris vibe and is open every day except Sunday from 8 pm to 2 am. The spot is close to the Royal Palace and directly opposite the Senate Building.

They have the best duck in the city and offer the dish as a shareable plate for two, ideal for a romantic meal. This funky restaurant is definitely cozy, with tufted bench seats, warm tones, and dim lighting. If the weather is cooperative, they also have an outdoor sidewalk patio ideal for warm summer nights.

Our recommendation

Aside from the duck magret for two, the steak tartare is amazing, as are the beef cheeks. Another great sharing plate is the oysters, and for a lighter meal, go for the salmon cream crepe. Reservations are generally not required, and the staff encourages you to stop by late after the theater or after any other activities you have planned.

Location

Pl. de la Marina Española, 4, 28013

Price level

$$

Date night spots in Madrid

Restaurante Ático

Located in the Principal Madrid Hotel right on the bustling Gran Via, Restaurante Ático is a wonderful choice for your romantic dinner in Madrid. Run by the two Michelin star chef Ramón Freixa, the food here isn't all you and your date will be talking about. Another great feature of this Madrid restaurant, other than its location and food, is the view it offers diners of the lit-up Madrid skyline.

Ramón Freixa also has another upscale location in town called Ramón Freixa Madrid, and Restaurante Ático is the more casual answer to that high-end location. So, while this place is fancy, it's certainly not the most opulent in the city.

Our recommendation

Go for the tasting menu, which isn't too expensive at €72 per person. The menu is creative and offers things like suckling pig confit (instead of the typical duck confit) and an artichoke salad with snap peas, fennel, and citrus. You will also get to try the crowd favorite of Duroc pork ribs on a bed of creamy rice with octopus. These are combinations that aren't too common.

Location

C. del Marqués de Valdeiglesias, 1, 28004 Madrid

Price level

$$$

CEBO

The proud recipient of one Michelin star, CEBO is one of the more high-end restaurants in this guide. They specialize in seasonal tasting menus for around €145 per person with anywhere from eight to 12 courses. Part of the appeal of this romantic restaurant is the presentation of the food and the obvious care that goes into every dish. The cuisine leans Mediterranean with a definite Spanish influence, and they have an enviable Spanish-centric wine list.

The decor here is modern, with glass, gold accents, white tablecloths, and leather chairs that are both lovely to look at and comfortable. The location of this restaurant will fit well into your sightseeing plans as it's basically sandwiched between the Prado and Plaza Mayor.

Our recommendation

Since there is no a la carte menu, you'll have to go with the tasting menu. Depending on the season, you'll see items like hook-captured squid, Lodosa artichoke, and wild seasonal mushrooms. Due to CEBO's popularity, we recommend making a reservation. You can do this easily on their website.

Location

Cra de S. Jerónimo, 34, 28014 Madrid

Price level

$$$

Madrid's most romantic restaurants

El Jardín Secreto

El Jardín Secreto translates to the Secret Garden, which should give you an idea of what the ambiance is like here. It's a fairytale-themed location with lots of twinkle lights, figurines of various animals, and lots of colors and patterns. The cuisine is Spanish, with a focus on tapas, cocktails, and sangria, and the overall feeling is simply magical.

The bar area is quite lively in the evenings if you prefer something a little less stuffy, and although they put so much effort into the decor, they also put equal amounts of effort into the menu.

Any fans of stories like Alice in Wonderland or Peter Rabbit will have an absolute blast here, and the warm lighting and small tables make you want to keep close to your date. You won't find anything even similar in town, which is why this one makes it onto our list of the best romantic restaurants in Madrid.

Our recommendation

If you like to try a variety of items, select from the tapas menu, but they also have some great mains to try. We recommend the chicken curry with vegetables or the oxtail.

Location

C. del Conde Duque, 2, 28015 Madrid

Price level

$$

Best places to take a date in Madrid

Salon des Fleurs

When you don't necessarily want to go all out for your date night but still want a special place, head to Salon des Fleurs near the hospital. This tea room is not exactly ideal for a meal, but it is perfect for a drink and dessert. The whole place feels like you're walking into someone's well-decorated living room with lots of greenery, a wrought iron spiral staircase, and ultra-comfortable wingback chairs. This is the place to go for a cozy afternoon when you're not ravenously hungry and you love a vintage and eclectic feel.

While a tea room might not be the first thing that comes to mind for a romantic evening, it's a great spot for first dates or to meet up with someone you're getting to know. The atmosphere is so welcoming that you'll feel instantly at ease, and the decadent desserts and lovely coffee and tea options are just icing on the cake.

Our recommendation

Whatever type of fancy coffee you enjoy is available here, so get that and pair it with one of their amazing desserts. The menu rotates, but the cakes and pastries are on display, so it should be easy to make your choice.

Location

C. del Conde Duque, 2, 28015 Madrid

Price level

$$

Most romantic dining options in Madrid

Paco Roncero Restaurante

When you're after the perfect tasting menu and wine pairing to impress your date, make a reservation at Paco Roncero Restaurante. This is true fine dining, and the sophisticated atmosphere in the spectacular 19th-century building will immediately have you feeling fancy. A highlight here is the lovely outdoor terrace that is as lavish as the interior. The tables are spaced out generously to ensure privacy, which you don't get at the smaller and more casual eateries. They've thought of every last detail here, and if you want to be spoiled, this is the place to be. Just be prepared to pay for this privilege.

The menu here showcases a Spanish influence on many different types of cuisine. Generally, there are two tasting menus to choose from, and they rotate based on what's fresh and in season. You may see items like a pastrami sandwich with reblochon cheese and truffles, crispy sardines with yellow chilli romesco, and cuttlefish ravioli to show you the range these menus have.

Our recommendation

Obviously, choose the tasting menu that calls out to you. The prices range from about €120 to €200 per person without wine pairings or any add-ons. If you have the budget, consider adding the king crab with Iberian pork belly to your meal - you won't regret it. In the summer, call ahead and make a reservation for a spot on the terrace. And even though they don't publish an official dress code, you should dress to impress to be on the safe side.

Location

C. de Alcalá, 15, 28014 Madrid

Price level

$$$$

Romantic meal options in Madrid

GIOIA

When you've done the Spanish and French thing, you may want to branch out to Italian, and one of the most romantic restaurants in Madrid for this type of cuisine in GIOIA. The fresh-pressed white linens, charming old-world decor, and expert platings demonstrate the elegance you're in for when you dine here.

At GIOIA, the focus is on Italian rice dishes, like risotto, but you'll also find pasta, antipasti, and sinful desserts artfully created by chef Davide Bonato to tempt you. The tasting menus have a theme and change periodically. For instance, you might get the chance to try the truffle tasting menu or the Otsukaresama one, which is Japanese for "thank you for your great effort." The chef here has worked in both London and Japan and manages to merge different cuisines effortlessly. No matter what's on the tasting menu when you arrive, you're in for a real experience.

Our recommendation

If none of the tasting menus appeal to you, you can also order a la carte at GIOIA, and each dish sounds better than the last. If your aim is to avoid meat, go for the pumpkin tortellini as your main and the beautiful Cynara to start, which is an artichoke dish topped with burrata flakes, rye bread crumble with black olive powder, and semi-dried tomatoes. You and your date won't be able to help being amazed at how much flavor is packed into everything on the menu. Carnivores should definitely opt for the cappelletto dumplings stuffed with Iberian ham.

Location

C. de San Bartolomé, 23, 28004

Price level

$$

Conclusion

As you can see, there is no shortage of fantastic romantic restaurants in Madrid. There's always something to tempt your taste buds at any of the restaurants we've mentioned, and whether you feel like sampling from a tasting menu or ordering a la carte, the food at these restaurants will definitely help set the romantic tone for your evening. And if you have the time after your unforgettable meal to keep the date going, consider heading to one of the rooftop bars in Madrid to make your date night that little bit more special.

While these restaurants can get expensive, Madrid also has plenty of options for tasty street food that can be eaten in a nearby square to save a few euros. This can be romantic as well in the right company, and if nothing else, it will free up space in your budget to splurge at one of the other restaurants on this list. Happy dining!

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