Where to eat as a group in Madrid?

Looking for places to eat in Madrid with your students? It can be complicated in a large city like Madrid to eat as a group without prior preparation. Given this, it’s important to keep in mind a few factors: proximity to the sites you plan to visit, locations that are accustomed to serving groups, restaurants that allow reservations ahead of time, and of course, price. In organising a school trip to the capital, we’ve proposed the best ideas to experience the local gastronomy of the city, whether by having a picnic in a park or visiting the best tapas bars in Madrid.

>>> At Etheria, we have more than 15 years of experience under our belts organizing educational trips. Our goal is that you leave with the best memory of your shared experience together. Here you’ll find our offer for school trips to Madrid through which you can take advantage of the multitude of possibilities this magical city has to offer for an unforgettable trip with your students.

Outdoor Eating

The cheapest option, and arguably the best in Madrid, is to plan your stops strategically in one of the city’s numerous parks for picnicking. Madrid is known for boasting a large number of accessible outdoor spaces for walking, playing in the gardens, and enjoying the peace and tranquil beauty of nature amidst the bustling city backdrop. Here are some of the best outdoor eating options:

    • Retiro Park: one of the most emblematic sites in Madrid, located next to Atocha station. Retiro is a historic garden and public park with a number of fountains and open green spaces, all centered around a large pond. Situated in the heart of the city centre, Retiro is the perfect quick stop during our monument tour of Madrid.
    • Vistillas’ Garden: a natural balcony situated at the crown of the city, in the La Latina neighbourhood. This is another ideal option if you are visiting the surrounding area.
    • Europe Park: Located in the Torrejón de Ardoz area of the city, Europe Park is one of the most famous municipal parks throughout the Community of Madrid as it is home to one of the most well-known European monuments. If you decide to include this as a stop on your trip, it will be an unexpected surprise for your students. While it may not be one of the most visited parks in the city, it is certainly the most original.
    • Casa de Campo Park: Casa de Campo is the largest park in Madrid–a natural escape found right in the middle of the city. Here you can stop to eat in between visits to the Zoo or the Attraction park, taking a stroll through the tranquil park as a break from the city’s hustle and bustle.
    • Madrid River: A park nestled along the banks of the Manzanares River, complete with pedestrian walking areas and a playground. In this park, students can play in the fountains, on the giant slides and swing sets, or in the skate park. Additionally, the park is located near the Matadero, one of the city’s most significant cultural sites.
    • West Park: Located in the district of Moncloa you’ll find this open green space with extensive lawns right near the Temple of Debod.
    • Juan Carlos I Park: in the northeast area of Madrid, this is a gigantic park full of canals, numerous fountains, expansive lawns and endless possibilities.

 

Restaurants

Of course, it’s always necessary to plan at least one restaurant meal (even if it isn’t the highest quality) so that your students don’t miss out on trying the local cuisine. Madrid is full of spots offering menus for groups. Here are a few of the restaurants we have found for you and your students:

      • Topolino
      • Vips
      • La Zaguina
      • Casa Patas
      • La Chulapa de Alcalá
      • Txapela
      • Botania
      • Taberna Rayuela
      • Restaurante la Gaditana
      • La Puebla
      • Lamucca de Prado
      • Museo del Jamón
      • La cocina de San Antón
      • La cava de Casa María
      • Restaurante Casa Salvador

 

Going for Tapas in Madrid

Although it may not be the recommended option for groups, it’s always important to get to know the city’s local gastronomy and eating culture. Given this, there’s nothing better than heading to some of the city’s most emblematic neighbourhoods to try one of the hundreds of local bars for tapas. Sampling tapas amidst the buzzing ambiance, the students are able to experience first-hand the enchanting madrileño atmosphere. If you’re thinking of leaving some extra time or organizing an evening walk, this could be just the thing to end your school trip on a high note. These are the main tapas neighbourhoods throughout the city centre:

    • Malasaña: Petisqueira, la Ardosa, Casa Julio, Bar Sidi and Pez Tortilla are some of the most well-know tapas bars in this trendy neighbourhood. You cannot miss visiting the neighbourhood’s colourful streets, hole-in-the-wall shops, and historic bars that will undoubtedly charm your group. This is also a great area to stop and snap a few photos for social media documenting the excitement of your cultural tour of Madrid.
    • La Latina: This excellent tapas neighbourhood offers a wide variety of locales where you can try homemade croquettes, brava potatoes, or a few slices of Spanish tortilla. We recommend, above all, a visit to the areas of Cava Alta and Cava Baja, where you’ll find a concentration of great spots for tapas. To name a few: la Búha, el Viajero, Lamiak, Txirimiri, Casa Lucas, Muñiz o Casa Amodeo.
    • Lavapies: Last but certainly not least, this multicultural neighbourhood is a must see during your visit to Madrid. Argumosa street, the neighbourhood’s main thoroughfare, is full of plazas lined with hole-in-the wall bars with cuisines from all regions of the world: African, Indian, Asian, Spanish, Basque, etc. Visit el Achuri, la Playa de Lavapiés, Café Viralata or Africa Fusión to see for yourself!

 

Guide to Organising your School Trip to Madrid

Discover more with this special travel guide we have prepared so that teachers can easily plan and organise an educational school trip. Let us know your preferences and requirements–we specialize the trip to fit your group’s every need. Everything you need to know for a cultural school trip to Madrid: