Café de Oriente

A table a hundred steps from the Teatro Real

Since 1983 Café de Oriente has occupied the corner of Plaza de Oriente that faces the Royal Palace, with the Teatro Real on the other side of the gardens. It was opened by Luis de Lezama, and today is part of his restaurant group. Upstairs there is a room with the air of a French bistro and large windows onto the square; downstairs, vaulted rooms that preserve remains of the old convent of San Gil. The terrace is open all year.

For a night at the opera or ballet, what is practical is the schedule: it serves dinner from 20:00 to 24:00 every day, so you can eat something before going in or sit down on the way out without crossing half the city. The café opens from 8:30 on weekdays and from 9:00 at weekends, and in the afternoon serves afternoon snacks.

What to order and what it costs

The menu mixes traditional and bistro cooking. To share there are squid rabas (€19), Iberian ham croquettes (€19 for six) or zamburiñas. Main courses are between €29 and €35: pintxo-style hake in green sauce, grilled or in batter, baby squid in their ink, Iberian sirloin or aged beef loin. There are creamy rice dishes, one of them vegetarian, and for dessert the house torrija (€9.50), which takes ten minutes. With a starter shared, a main course and dessert, the bill comes to between €45 and €60 per person, without wine.

Booking on a performance night

Book on its website or on 915 413 974 and say what time you have to be in your seat or what time you come out. If you are tight for time, choose dishes to share on the terrace or in the upstairs room.

By metro, get off at Ópera (L2 and L5): you come out at Plaza de Isabel II, walk round the Teatro Real and you are there in three minutes.