Pedro Pineda, a food content creator for Madrid Secreto, has spent the last few months visiting Madrid’s most famous university cafeterias. His latest visit was to the School of Philosophy and Letters at the Cantoblanco campus of the Autonomous University of Madrid, which serves a daily special for 8.50 euros.
The food at this cafeteria breaks with the traditional image of university meals. Its menu attracts many people—beyond just the students of the faculty itself—thanks to elaborate dishes, such as the juicy potato omelet served topped with a smoked eggplant cream , which has become famous in its own right.
However, there is one reality to keep in mind: the tranquility Pineda found the week before classes began is an exceptional situation. Once the academic year has begun,it’s practically impossible to find an empty table without planning your visit in advance or arriving with plenty of time to spare.
The service is fast and informal: the daily specials are handwritten on a small chalkboard hanging on the wall.
A Family Legacy in the Kitchens of Cantoblanco
At the helm of the business, bustling back and forth across the dining hall, is Sergio. His connection to this cafeteria goes way back and has family roots. As he tells his customers, his journey began when he asked his family to let him join the business: “Hey, Dad, I want to come work here.” Since then, he has kept alive the tradition of serving home-style food in this corner of the Madrid university.
The faculty’s menu challenges the usual standard of student cafeterias. Among its appetizers, the Russian salad stands out—a hearty and well-prepared dish that surpasses in quality and is considerably cheaper than many versions served in downtown bars.
Main courses round out the menu with classic options like grilled chicken cutlets served with a side of fresh salad, followed by simple, natural desserts such as slices of watermelon. For the average diner, the base price of 8.50 euros covers a complete, high-quality set meal. For those with a bigger appetite who decide to add an extra dish to their order, the total cost comes to 13.50 euros—a price that remains very competitive for those looking to eat out every day.