Café de la Iberia

On the square itself

The Café de la Iberia is at number 17 of Chinchón's Plaza Mayor. It is an old mansion that was a café, casino and inn and is now a restaurant. It keeps the construction and the elements of that time, with classic decoration and views of the square.

The dining rooms

The restaurant is spread over several spaces, and it is worth knowing which to ask for when booking:

• Patio Room: in the inner courtyard, for more than 40 people. It has a retractable roof, so it is used all year; in summer it is the coolest spot.
• Marcial Room: for 23 people, with old photographs and artworks that tell the story of the house.
• Main Room: for 40 people, with large windows onto the square.
• El Mirador: the balcony over the square, for the months of good weather.
• Galaz Terrace: outdoor terrace among trees, from March to October.

What to order

Castilian cooking based on produce: grilled meats, griddled fish, vegetables, shellfish and, above all, roasts. The house has two traditional wood-fired ovens more than a century old, always lit, where suckling lamb and suckling pig are slow-cooked.

Some dishes and prices from the published menu:

• Suckling lamb roasted in the wood-fired oven, a quarter: €75. Order 24 hours ahead.
• Roast suckling pig: with 24 hours' reservation, weekends and public holidays only.
• Stone-grilled matured beef loin, 500 g: €46.
• Grilled suckling lamb chops.
• Griddled turbot or Galician-style: €29. Battered or pil-pil hake cheeks: €33. Monkfish "sapito" Bilbao-style: €34.
• House special salad for two: €16. Seasonal tomato with avocado and tuna belly: €18.
• For dessert, homemade cheesecake (€7), fried milk or chocolate cake with mandarin sorbet.

They have no vegetarian or vegan menu, but say they adapt dishes; call beforehand to explain. The wine list includes labels from Vinos de Madrid, Bierzo or Ribera del Duero. Prices are those published on their website and may change.

Before you go

It is open every day for lunch, from 12:00 to 16:15, and dinner, from 20:30 to 23:00. Phone bookings are taken on 91 894 08 47, from 10:30 to 13:30 and 17:30 to 21:30, and you can also book from their website. Animals are not admitted. On Sundays in good weather the square is full: if you want the balcony or the patio, ask in advance.

Before or after, you can climb to the Counts' Castle, see Goya's Assumption in the church of the Asunción or join the municipal guided tour. If you come by public transport, the 337 bus leaves from Conde de Casal.