Every couple is unique. While there are some who couldn’t care less about Valentine’s, others count the days until February 14th. Besides, everyone has different love languages; not everyone feels loved by receiving gifts or hearing words of affirmation on a specific date. But, if your couple’s love language is quality time, you came across the perfect post! What could be better than spending time together while enjoying a delicious meal and drinking some wine in one of the many international restaurants Madrid has to offer?
From Uruguayan to Japanese, this city definitely has it all. Here are the most romantic restaurants in Madrid to take your lover or special friend for Valentine’s Day.
Uruguayan food – Address: Pl. de las Salesas, 9
Treinta y tres (33) in Spanish is the name of a city in Uruguay, the country from which this restaurant’s menu takes inspiration. Meat is a very important element in Uruguayan cuisine and the most common way of preparing it is to grill it. So, it’s no surprise that in Los 33 they have a grill which makes the space really cozy, warm and intimate.
Although grilled meat is their specialty, there are some veggie options in their menu but this is the perfect restaurant pick for those foodie couples who love eating meat!
Mexican food – Address: Plaza de la Independencia, 5
There are tons of excellent Mexican restaurants in Madrid, I think you could spend several weeks going to a different one every day and never be disappointed. There’s something about Mexican food that just warms your heart and that’s why it’s so loved around the world. Corn is the base of Mexican cuisine and Bakan prides itself on bringing corn from Mexico and elaborating all their dishes in the traditional way.
So, this is definitely one of the most authentic experiences you could have. Plus, you will be surrounded by beautiful traditional Mexican art and crafts the whole evening.
Entrees start at 17 euros and you can see the menu here.
Arabic food – Address: Calle de Serrano, 41
If you are looking for a unique restaurant, this is the place for you. The website describes Nômâda as “a tent in the heart of Madrid… a temple for the goddess of sensual love, leisure and a pleasure sanctuary. Join the Cult!”
From their ambiance to their delicious Mediterranean-Arabic fusion food you will feel like you are taken to a different place of the world without leaving Madrid.
There is a beautiful terrace with waterfalls if you prefer to sit outside or you can go inside under the roof that represents the tents made of leather used by the nomadic peoples in the north of Africa called “jamias”.
Dishes average about 14 euros and you can see the menus here. (The restaurant is not halal, and alcohol is served.)
Italian food – Address: Calle de Velázquez, 96
Inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy there isn’t a single thing about this restaurant that doesn’t leave you in awe. All the decorations feel oneiric and taken from an Italian movie of the 80s.
You can find traditional Italian cuisine and if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also taste the creations of the chef. This is the perfect restaurant if you want to have amazing food while enjoying one of their super famous shows which include opera singers, magicians and acrobats.
Entrees average about 25 euros and you can see the menu here.
Japanese food – Address: Calle de Espronceda, 33
As soon as you step into this restaurant, you are greeted in Japanese by a waitress wearing a kimono, so you can guess that you are in for an authentic Japanese experience.
Japanese food is very diverse and that’s why this restaurant’s menu tries to collect a bit of everything. Each table has its own mini grill for you to prepare some of the dishes yourself while others are ready for you to eat. Furthermore, in Pilar Akaneya you can also get authentic wagyu meat and even try the rare crown melon which is only grown in Japan and it’s considered to be the most expensive fruit in the world!
Okay, there are a lot of rules at Pilar Akeneya. Menus are served for a minimum of two people and prices are per person, starting at about 55 euros. Now, there is a complete set of rules including detailed rules of conduct and a dress code apropos the grill, which you can see here in Spanish.
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For more posts about Spain, see Dispatches’ archives here.
Mónica da Silva is half-Venezuelan, half Portuguese and has lived in Venezuela, Portugal, Spain and Germany. She has studies linguistics and has a Bachelor’s Degree in European Studies. Besides contributing to Dispatches, she works remotely as an English teacher, which allows her to be on the move as often as she wants.
