When planning a romantic dinner in Madrid you have to take into account much more than the menu. First, try not to be obvious (subtlety relaxes the expectations and nervousness of first dates). The best is a space where the environment has warmth and some intimacy can be achieved. Obviously, the food must be good, with some interesting touches, but without stridency.
1. Bodega de los Secretos
Bodega de los Secretos is a subterranean restaurant in the neighborhood of The Letters. The 400 years of history in these walls takes you away from the idea of modern, fast-paced Madrid, and helps you focus your attention on the person in front of you. The intimacy of the 17th century niches and pendentives, as well as the warm lights, create the perfect atmosphere for a romantic dinner in Madrid. All of this is accompanied by a menu that is peppered with gastronomy from all over the peninsula and seasonal dishes.
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Calle de San Blas, 4 (Las Letras)
2. Picalagartos
A classic to impress is the terrace of the Picalagartos. Among the numerous rooftops of the street that are vying for the best views of Gran Vía this one has an advantage. In a building with a marked literary and bohemian vocation, which has inspired the name of the space -it makes reference to the tavern of the same name in the play Luces de Bohemia by Valle-Inclán. Picalagartos is located in what is known as Gran Vía 21, an architectural jewel designed by architects Julio Martínez Zapata and José López Sallaberry in the neo-baroque style that opened its doors in 1918. Now you have something to talk about. And if you’re worried about the February chill – yes, it’s a good place to dine on Valentine’s Day – it’s ready for wintry Madrid.
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Gran Vía Street, 21 (downtown)
3. Numa Pompilius
In Numa Pompilius, even the name is romantic. Its courtyard in full salamanca neighborhood is one of the most beautiful and unexpected in the Zone. Its name and logo, with reference to the second king of Rome, will put you in the picture about its aesthetics and dishes. The menu is based on Italian tradition, but draws from the entire Mediterráneo basin. Two proofs of this are the squid cannelloni in its own ink and the boletus and foierisotto.
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Calle de Velázquez, 18 (Salamanca district)
4. Villa Capri
Villa Capri is one of the italian restaurants in Madrid of the Big Mamma group. Between the decorative horror vacui, the Italian accent of its waiters and the most photographed carbonara on Instagram, make this the ideal space to have something to comment on all the time. Visual noise is perfect to avoid uncomfortable silences. And for special dates, such as Valentine’s Day, it is ideal.
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Calle de Hortaleza, 118 (Justice)
5. Torcuato
Few things make a person fall in love more than a terrace in Madrid. Torcuato triumphs on Instagram and in real life. On the fourth floor of the ABC Serrano shopping center is this space designed by interior designer Pepe Leal, which has an open-air rooftop terrace and equally attractive indoor spaces. In its menu, as eclectic as its decoration, you will find Japanese touches with nigiris; classics of Spanish cuisine and also lamb tahine and cous cous.
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Calle de Serrano, 61 (Salamanca neighborhood)
6. Commercial Coffee
The Café Comercial is one of the centenary premises in Madrid, but it changed its look almost completely when it reopened in 2017 after being closed for two years, although it maintains its castizo spirit. After sharing some of their rice dishes and a slice of cheesecake for dessert you will be able to take some black and white photos in the photo booth as a souvenir. All this makes it one of the most romantic restaurants in Madrid.
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Glorieta de Bilbao, 7 (Malasaña)
7. Alma’s Garden
Alma’s Garden is that restaurant you dream of one day being your home (or at least its garden). Between the plants, the separation between tables and the garlands that decorate the space, an intimate atmosphere is created, perfect for a romantic dinner in Madrid. Of course, this restaurant of traditional Spanish and seasonal food is not in the center, it is located in Arturo Soria.
💶 €€€€€
Arturo Soria Street, 207 (Colina)
8. Orellana Salesas House
In this little Paris which is the salesas neighborhood is the restaurant Orellana House. With its wicker chairs and the intimacy of its small tables with tablecloths, it is perfect for a dinner for two in Madrid. Its menu ranges from the most traditional, such as tripe or torreznos, to new classics such as steak tartar.
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Calle de Orellana, 6 (Salesas)
9. Fayer
Fayer’s food is an Argentinian-Israeli blend that results in one of the most delicious and delicious most interesting restaurants from Chamberí. Its clean, yet cozy decor, the two heights and the more secluded tables create the perfect ambiance for a romantic dinner with a foodie lovertouch.
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Calle de Orfila, 7 (Chamberí)
10. Oroya
The rooftop terrace Oroya in Madrid, at The Madrid Edition hotel, in addition to having been chosen the fourth best in Europe, according to the ranking of Big 7 Travel, is probably one of the most romantic locations in Madrid in the heights. The restaurant and pisco bar is located on the fourth floor of the hotel, and this ranking highlights that “the terrace has a cozy fireplace, a vine-covered pergola and an elegant teak bar, with spectacular views of the city”. To have an appointment here is to play it safe.
💶 €€€€€
Celenque Square, 2 (downtown)
11. The Fish Man
The cuisine of El Hombre Pez is a fusion of Cantabrian and Indian gastronomy. How is this combination carried out? With the product of the north and the touch of Indian spices. It is a two-story restaurant with a maximalist decoration. There are fish in relief on the wall, bulky lamps with warm light, plants and even a tree full of artificial flowers. To end the evening, they prepare a special cocktail based on vodka, melon liqueur, yuzu, lemon juice, white chocolate syrup and ginger beer, presented in a fish-shaped container. Perfect for sharing.
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102, Velázquez Street (Salamanca neighborhood)
12. The 33
Los 33 is a sister restaurant of Charrúa (they share owners and concept) that also has the grill as the key and main protagonist, and a menu with Uruguayan influences, designed for tapas. The intimate atmosphere is created by low lighting, candles, vinyls and the smell of barbecue embers, everything a romantic dinner out should have.
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Plaza de las Salesas, 9 (Salesas)
13. Llama Inn
Llama Inn is another one of the most interesting openings in the neighborhood of Salesas which, gastronomically speaking, is the new hot spot in the city. This peruvian restaurant arrives in Madrid after many years of success in Brooklyn (New York). In addition to the classic anticuchos and ceviches on their menu, they usually have a special menu for February 14.
💶 €€€€€
Calle del Conde de Xiquena, 2 (Salesas)
14. Terracotta
Terracotta is the clay molded and hardened in the oven, this technique is not only part of the decoration, but it is the concept that surrounds the entire restaurant. The menu is also shaped daily by fresh and seasonal products, although the main dishes such as rice dishes or grilled sea bass are perennial on the menu.
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Calle Velázquez, 80 (Salamanca district)
If, after Valentine’s Day, you want to continue celebrating an original and original valentine’s Day dinner don’t worry. You can always enjoy a gourmet date in the dark at Dining in the Dark.