The Óskar café in Plaza de Santo Domingo has closed for good after 41 years in business. The establishment, located at 2 Silva Street, opened in 1985 and maintained a recognizable menu for decades: breakfasts, sandwiches, hamburgers, and combo meals right in the heart of Madrid. The farewell has already taken place; the shop had its shutters down for ten to twelve days, with a sign summarizing its history: “Closed after 41 years in business.”
The reasons for the closure stem from a combination of declining business and difficulties caused by construction work. The scaffolding and tarps set up in front of the establishment caused it to lose its permit to set up its outdoor seating area, while sales dropped by as much as 40%. With a staff of 15 and less work, keeping the business open would have forced the owners to let some of the team go.
Another Madrid classic is closing its doors
Óskar retained the menu and atmosphere of a traditional café. In the morning, it served coffee, churros, and porras; later came hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, and small plates, along with meat and fish dishes at lunchtime. The combo plates—whose photos remained on display in the window even after the closure—featured eggs, French fries, breaded cutlets, pork loin, or French omelets. Writer Sergio C. Fanjul, a regular at the establishment who lamented its closure on social media, describes it as a version of the “traditional diner,” with plush armchairs and waiters who call customers “young” even if they’re retired.
The closure affects the Santo Domingo location, but the Óskar brand continues to operate in Getafe and Móstoles. Between four and five employees will be reassigned to those other cafes, while some staff members will take this opportunity to retire. Thus, downtown Madrid loses yet another of its classic restaurants, while specialty coffee shops continue to gain ground.