Terrace-hopping is a deeply rooted custom in our way of life, and we practice it with fervor and devotion. Any spot with shade and cold drinks will do, but if we’re going to have a drink, we might as well do it at the best terraces in Madrid.
Café del Nuncio is one of those charming spots in La Latina that makes you fall in love with Madrid all over again. Its two-level terrace, reminiscent of a French bistro, has occupied the alley that gives the café its name since 1980. To add to the romantic atmosphere, the interior has retained its original aesthetic with classic metal columns, and there’s even a piano. It’s the perfect place to spend the afternoon as soon as the warm weather arrives.
This spot on the banks of the Manzanares offers one of the city’s most unique views. The terrace at Café del Rio provides a north-to-south perspective of Madrid’s skyline: from the Moncloa lighthouse to the Almudena Cathedral, passing by the Torre de España and the Royal Palace. The venue features an outdoor terrace in the heart of Madrid Río, a modern, open-concept lounge, and the observation deck. Café del Rio’s menu ranges from breakfast to lunch and dinner, and they offer a daily special for €14.
The spectacular rooftop of the NH Collection Madrid Casa Suecia hotel celebrates the good weather in style. With its tasteful décor and breathtaking views, this terrace in the heart of the city always offers a fresh culinary selection that makes our mouths water.
El Jardín de Orfila
El Jardín de Orfila is a great place to surprise someone, first because it’s located inside a Madrid mansion and second, because of its terrace, which is at the back of the restaurant and is unexpectedly beautiful. It’s so obviously romantic that it has a special menu for lovers all year round. You can also go there for tea or brunch.
The Madrid College of Architects hides an interior garden with a terrace where time flies by over beers and fine Italian cuisine. This spot is a favorite among architecture lovers, who are always enthralled by the modern sculptures in the courtyard, and a hidden green oasis right in plain sight.
One of the trendiest sky bars. It offers every luxury imaginable and 360-degree views of the city. Plus, they host an immersive show where you’ll feel like you’re on a private jet, and you can enjoy a select menu of themed cocktails and live music.
On Gran Vía, you’ll find this dizzying terrace with a glass walkway that gets your adrenaline pumping because it’s located 28 stories up—a total of 117 meters. These panoramic views of Madrid are unparalleled: they’re a spectacle in themselves.
Filandón Restaurant
Filandón is a restaurant in El Pardo—a great excuse to take a stroll and explore the area—with a spacious, semi-covered garden full of charm. They have a grill, and many of the dishes on the menu are cooked over its coals: octopus, shrimp, and ribeye steak, among others. They also make paellas that are more than just rice with ingredients.
La Catorce
La Catorce is the former Osadía but remains a hot spot among Madrid’s terraces with views. Located at the top of Gran Vía, they offer everything from early-morning brunch to evening drinks and cocktails. In between, and almost any time of day, their tapas of croquettes and truffle-infused Iberian ham “bikinis” pair perfectly with well-poured beers.
It’s one of the best rooftop bars in Madrid. Its panoramic views are breathtaking, and one of our top plans is to while away the hours on one of its lounge chairs with a refreshing cocktail.
Benares, named after a sacred city in India, combines local seasonal produce and modern techniques with classic elements and traditional recipes from the country, resulting in Asian haute cuisine. This restaurant arrived in the Chamberí district after its success in London, where it holds a Michelin star. Among its spaces , the inner courtyard terrace stands out , featuring a pond surrounded by greenery that exudes pure calm.
Florida Park
Double dose of enjoyment: terrace and park. Because yes, this terrace is right in the middle of the Retiro, so this plan is a date with both vermouth hour and nature. You couldn’t ask for more from life.
Le Tavernier is right in the heart of Madrid, on the rooftop of the INNSiDE by Meliá Madrid Gran Vía hotel, where the views of the skyline are unbeatable. Its more than 500-square-meter terrace, with a maritime vibe and Galician flair, is an oasis where you can sip the best cocktails and share some tapas with friends. The perfect plan for nice weather.
From the ninth floor of the NH Gran Vía Collection hotel, it feels as though you could touch the legendary Telefónica Building just by reaching out your hand. The saying “From Madrid to Heaven” comes to life in this high-altitude oasis where you can look into the eyes of the statues that watch over Madrid’s main thoroughfare from the rooftops.
The courtyard of the Palacio de Linares bears a woman’s name. This terrace seems straight out of your wildest dreams: a large palm tree provides shade and shelter, the cocktails are worthy of a monument, and the food—a fusion of Mediterranean and Latin American flavors—is to die for.
Madrid’s go-to Brazilian spot offers delicacies like feijoada and meats from Brazil. Green is the dominant color on this island, offering a respite from the capital’s financial district. Time flies by.
On the fourth floor of the ABC Serrano shopping center is Torcuato, a restaurant designed by interior designer Pepe Leal, featuring an outdoor terrace and indoor seating areas. Its menu, as eclectic as its decor, offers Japanese touches like nigiri; Spanish classics such as gazpacho; and also lamb with tahini and couscous.
Hailed as one of the capital’s most beautiful rooftops, it offers a privileged vantage point from which to watch the streets of downtown pulse like nowhere else. It’s essential to stay as long as it takes to watch the sunset from this Madrid terrace.
La Cantina Matadero
La Cantina del Matadero is a restaurant located inside Madrid’s Matadero art center, next to the Cineteca. Its terrace is particularly inviting—a perfect retreat to enjoy a meal or drink outdoors, especially during the summer months, with its plants, warm lighting, and a menu featuring watermelon gazpacho and fresh salads. It’s an ideal spot to relax after a stroll through Madrid Río. Plus, its industrial interior and bleachers converted into seating give it a unique cinematic vibe.
The few meters separating Ella Sky Bar from the sky let us see how Madrid’s iconic and anonymous buildings cluster together like in a family photo. This is one of the best terraces in Madrid for having a drink without sacrificing the views. Ella’s menu is modern yet understated, flavorful and fresh: boletus risotto with foie gras, seafood ceviche with leche de tigre, braised beef cheeks with mashed potatoes, Iberian pork… and desserts to satisfy even the sweetest tooth.
El Jardín de Arzábal is right next to the Reina Sofía Museum, and its terrace is one of the most inviting in Madrid both in winter—since it’s partially covered—and in summer, to escape the heat. Its menu adapts to the seasons; they describe their style as “market-driven cuisine and a celebration of ingredients,” though their Iberian ham and sheep’s milk croquettes are perennial favorites.
El Patio de Atocha is located inside the CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha Hotel, surrounding the pool and featuring a fountain that adds romance to this space surrounded by plants. One of the advantages of this Madrid terrace is that it’s enclosed with folding glass panels, making it a great place to escape the extreme temperatures that sometimes occur in the capital.
Right where Diana shoots her arrows, you’ll find this spectacular terrace in the heart of Gran Vía. Here you can enjoy the “Explorer Menu,” which offers different options for choosing a starter, a main course, a dessert, or coffee. The drink is included in the price.