10 Best Restaurants in El Escorial
If you are spending a few days in Madrid, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the nearby town of San Lorenzo del Escorial. Once you've seen its famous monastery, a good plan is to eat at one of the restaurants I'm going to recommend.
El Escorial | ©Milan Tvrdy
Among the many things to see in Madrid is the nearby monastery of El Escorial. Although several days are needed to get to know the Spanish capital in depth, I recommend that you include in your plans an excursion to this great example of Spanish Golden Age architecture.
The visit to the Monastery and Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, will take you several hours. It is most likely that you will still be in the town at lunchtime and you will have to look for a restaurant to eat there. Fortunately, you'll be able to choose from several top-quality restaurants, including one with a Michelin star if you want to treat yourself.
1. Try a stew at El Charolés
There are several options for getting from Madrid to El Escorial, but when planning your return trip you should set aside time for a good cocido in one of the town's emblematic restaurants: El Charolés.
Located just a few metres from the monastery, this restaurant has become one of the most renowned in the whole region thanks to its commitment to traditional food. You will also find the restaurant itself very pleasant, with its wooden beams and stone walls.
Depending on the season, you can sit in one of the interior dining rooms or on the pleasant terraces.
Although its fame comes from its special stew, in this restaurant you will be able to try other typical dishes of the area, such as callos a la madrileña (tripe) or judiones con almejas (beans with clams). The meat dishes are also highly recommended, from the chops to the cheeks.
Given the popularity of the place, I recommend you book well in advance, especially in high season.
Practical information
- Address: Calle Floridablanca 24
- Price per person: around 35 €.
- What not to miss: without a doubt, its cocido (stew).
2. The best restaurant for carnivores: El Asador del Rey
After seeing all that El Escorial has to offer, it's time to get your strength back. Right in the historic centre of the town is the Asador del Rey, one of the most prestigious restaurants in the area.
One of the attractions of this restaurant, in addition to its gastronomic offer, is its terrace. If you book in advance you can sit on it and enjoy the views of the monastery itself.
On the purely culinary side, this restaurant specialises in meats cooked in a style learned from the best steakhouses in Segovia. Its dishes include fantastic roast lamb or suckling pig, as well as beef. All accompanied by their excellent wines and topped off with their homemade desserts.
As if all the above were not enough, the steakhouse is distinguished by the great service provided by all its staff.
Practical information
- Address: Calle Floridablanca 10
- Price per person: between 25 and 40 €.
- What not to miss: although all their meats are fantastic, I recommend you opt for the suckling lamb.
3. A different take on traditional food at Vesta Taberna
If you've been on a tapas tour around Madrid, you'll already have some idea of what the typical gastronomy of the area is like. In El Escorial, specifically in Vesta Taberna, they have given a different touch to these recipes so that you can enjoy them even more.
The restaurant is also committed to local cuisine, as all its dishes are made with natural seasonal products from the same area.
Vesta Taberna is located near the monastery, in the historic part of the town. Its interior room is not too big and is decorated in a rather simple way. In my opinion, it is best to try to book on their fantastic outdoor terrace.
Unlike other restaurants in the area, Vesta Taberna offers a menu of tapas and raciones which can be eaten at the bar. Another option is to order from the à la carte menu, whose dishes change depending on the market. Finally, they also offer a tasting menu (reservation required) that changes every day.
Practical information
- Address: Calle Xavier Cabello Lapiedra 2
- Price per person: the tasting menu costs around €45, while eating à la carte can cost between €25 and €30. If you just want some tapas, for €10 you'll be able to try some of them.
- What not to miss: it's difficult to choose, as everything is great, but I recommend you try the mushroom croquettes, meatballs and ceviche.
4. Great value for money in Cava Alta
When preparing for your visit you should take into account aspects such as the monastery's opening hours and, if you plan to eat in the area, book your table in advance. A great option is Cava Alta, one of the most typical and popular restaurants near the monument.
Its cuisine is inspired by the traditional recipes of Madrid, but with a modern twist, which has led to dishes such as its tripe being considered among the best in the whole community. If you prefer, you can also try other more transgressive dishes such as their lasagne with bolognese, boletus, veal and black truffles.
The value for money at Cava Alta is one of the best in the area, something to which the excellent service and the friendliness of the staff undoubtedly contribute.
It also has an extensive wine list and the option of ordering some of its excellent tapas and half portions at the bar.
Practical information
- Address: Calle del Rey, 41, next to the Cocheras del Rey.
- Price per person: around 35€ per person, although if you prefer tapas it will be cheaper.
- What not to miss: without a doubt, their Madrid-style tripe with an original touch.
5. Mesón La Cueva: excellent food in a spectacular setting
When you finish your tour of El Escorial you are sure to be enchanted by its historical heritage. If, in addition, you go to eat at Mesón La Cueva, it will seem like the visit is not over yet.
This mesón is located in one of the most beautiful buildings in the whole of El Escorial. Specifically, it is the former Posada de las Ánimas, built in the 18th century and still in perfect condition.
The restaurant's bar is on the ground floor of this four-storey building, while its dining rooms (a total of four) are on the first floor. Its menu is based on traditional Castilian food, with dishes such as eggs with sausage, croquettes, Castilian soup and red meats.
In addition to the indoor dining rooms, the restaurant has a large terrace. Its well-deserved reputation is also due to the great service provided by its attentive waiters.
Practical information
- Address: Calle de San Antón, 4
- Price per person: the restaurant offers a set menu from Tuesday to Friday for 19 €, as well as a special menu for around 30 €. If you prefer to eat à la carte you can expect to pay around €40 or €45 per person.
- What not to miss: the sirloin steak with cabrales sauce is hard to beat.
6. Treat yourself to Montía, the Michelin-starred restaurant
If you have decided to take a trip from Madrid to El Escorial and want to treat yourself to a good meal, your choice is clear: the restaurant Montia. Located in the centre of the city, its recognition with a Michelin Star is a guarantee of its high quality.
The menu of this restaurant is characterised by the use of products from the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range to present a very creative cuisine. Given its commitment to seasonal products, the menu changes a lot depending on the season.
One of the aspects that they take most care of in the restaurant is the pairing. They have a great wine list with some very interesting surprises.
On the other hand, the entire restaurant team is always ready to serve customers and explain each of the dishes on the menu. The only problem is that it is difficult to find a table, so you have to book well in advance.
Practical information
- Address: Calle de Juan de Austria 7
- Price per person: the restaurant offers two different set menus. The first one, called Menú Largo, costs around 95 €, while the one called Menú XL costs around 110 €.
- What not to miss: In this case, the menu changes continuously, so you'll have to rely on the mastery of the chefs.
7. An economical option for eating out in El Escorial: Fonda Genara
After paying the entrance fees to see El Escorial you may prefer to eat somewhere not too expensive. There are few better options in the town than Fonda Genara, which offers different types of menus to suit all budgets.
The restaurant also stands out for the place where it is located: an 18th century building decorated in Elizabethan style. Inside you will find several sofas, Elizabethan furniture and walls decorated with engravings and paintings of famous people.
The food at Fonda Genara is described as a mixture of traditional and creative cuisine. If you like your stews with a different touch, don't miss the ones on offer at the restaurant, such as white beans with matanza or stewed lentils.
Practical information
- Address: Plaza de San Lorenzo, 2
- Price per person: Fonda Genara offers a weekday set menu for around 15 euros, while the weekend menu (with a choice of 14 starters and 12 main courses) costs around 25 euros.
- What not to miss: if you're a spoon-food lover, you should try their white beans. Don't miss their homemade desserts either.
8. Try one of the hamburgers at Al punto Hambgourmet
Although hamburgers are usually associated with fast food and not very good quality, Al Punto Hambgourmet has managed to make this dish absolutely delicious thanks to the use of the best meats from the mountains of Madrid. This, together with their spectacular sauces, give each of their burgers a unique flavour.
When ordering your burger you will be able to choose between the different types of meat they offer, as well as the breads they put at your disposal. Of course, the same goes for the sauces and the garnish, although I advise you to choose the homemade potatoes. At every step of the way, you will be advised by the staff so that you know exactly what you are going to eat.
If you are a beer lover, the restaurant also offers an interesting selection of special varieties.
Of course, the place is quite small, so it is advisable to book in advance, especially if you are visiting El Escorial at the weekend.
Practical information
- Address: Calle Teniente Tejel, 1
- Price per person: between 10 and 20 €.
- What not to miss: You will be the one to select each of the ingredients to make their perfect burger, but their spectacular beef is truly unforgettable.
9. Home-cooked food at Las Viandas
Right in the Plaza de la Constitución is the restaurant Las Viandas, a city classic specialising in home-cooked food. If you've been to Madrid in autumn and you're lucky enough to have good weather on the day you go to El Escorial, you can try sitting on the terrace of this restaurant to contemplate the views of the monastery while you eat something.
Its traditional recipes are truly spectacular, from cocido (stew) to rice dishes, including omelettes and torreznos (bacon and bacon rashers). As you can also order half portions, I recommend you share them with your companions so that you can try more dishes from the menu.
The service is really attentive and the quality-price ratio is possibly one of the best in the whole town.
Practical information
- Address: Plaza de la Constitución, 2
- Price per person: around 20 € per person.
- What not to miss: although the stew is excellent and their meats are of great quality, on this occasion I would recommend you try one of their homemade desserts. If they have it on the menu, don't hesitate to try their homemade hazelnut nougat ice cream.
10. The place where the people of Escurial eat: Mesón Los Candiles
As soon as you arrive at this restaurant you will notice that it is less frequented by tourists visiting the monastery than others located in the more central area. This does not mean at all that its dishes are not of high quality, as both the raw materials and their preparation are excellent.
The friendliness of the staff also contributes to making the dining experience at Los Candiles a very pleasant one. In addition, if you have travelled to Madrid in winter, it is very likely that you will have lunch in this restaurant with the pleasant warmth of its fireplace.
The restaurant's menu is made up of very traditional dishes and you will be able to choose from various types of grilled meat and fish. Finally, be sure to try its wonderful desserts.
Practical information
- Address: Calle Galarza S/N
- Price per person: around 20 € per person
- What not to miss: the restaurant has a set menu for 20 € which includes several dishes and a drink. If you prefer, they also have a fairly extensive à la carte menu.