Location: San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Top Restaurants in San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Top Things to do in San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Countries
San Lorenzo de El Escorial Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in San Lorenzo de El Escorial
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is home to the Monastery of El Escorial, a World Heritage site. This huge complex was built as a monument to commemorate the Spanish victory over the French in the battle of Saint Quentin. Construction lasted 21 years and when it was finished in 1584, the Monastery was the largest building in the world, with 24 km (14.9 mi) of corridors. The building includes a library, Kings' Courtyard, Basilica, and the Palace of Felipe II. The Kings' Pantheon is the burial place for most of the kings of Spain since Carlos I. The Monastery is decorated with works by the most prominent Italian and Spanish painters of the time. Look for works by Titian, Bosch, El Greco, and Velázquez, especially El Greco’s painting of "The Martyrdom of St. Maurice.”
Things to do in San Lorenzo de El Escorial
1. Charoles
Overall Ratings
4 based on 620 reviews
Reviewed By ThomasR312 - Friday Harbor, Washington
After a train trip out from Madrid, and a long day of history and art at El Escorial, we headed over to Charoles for some sustenance and rehydration. Both expectations were fulfilled, with extremely gracious service, including patience with our less than perfect Spanish (i am sure the staff could have been quite fluent in their English with us. They have an excellent wine list, with a number of very reasonably priced (from a US perspective) '94 Riojas. After some cold water we started in with the wine, as well as the complimentary bread and blue cheese butter. Half our party had roasted asparagus,the other spinach salad with pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, and goat cheese. Both were fabulous. Then the main event - charolais beef, tenderloins with or without truffle sauce, and one with a veal chop. Large portions, great taste and chew, perfectly cooked to our liking. Then a light dessert of mojito sorbet - with a kick - and a small cookie and coffee. Wow. Not cheap, but much less expensive than a similar meal at a high end steak house in the US. Again, the gracious service was much appreciated. It's only a 3 minute walk from San Lorenzo, so a wonderful way to recover from the sheer enormity of El Escorial palace and Cathedral.
2. Fonda Genara
Overall Ratings
4 based on 402 reviews
Reviewed By Bigboy1959 - Madrid, Spain
Arrived into the bar area for drinks and were served some excellent tapas, absolutely perfect. Moving up into the restaurant we discovered a charming but cool room and this became a theme of the restaurant. Everything tastes excellent but is served cold or cool. Such a pity because it detracts from a very good meal. Cool food served on cold plates is not a great combination.
The wine list needs more attention as choice is limited.
Desserts are excellent.
3. La Cueva
Overall Ratings
4 based on 230 reviews
Reviewed By John M - Raleigh, North Carolina
Also known as El Balcon de Piedra, this is a great place for a beer or wine and some free tapas - pinchos. It's also a wonderful place to meet locals. The hot cheese tapas were great.
4. Taberna Restaurante Madrid-Sevilla
Overall Ratings
4 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By William M - Connecticut
We are fans of the smaller, local restaurants in Spain. We stopped at the Pharmacia for some cold meds for my wife, and asked the Pharmacist where he would eat lunch in town. He responded that there are several good restaurants but that Madrid-Sevilla was a nice place, good prices, good food. We were not disappointed at all. We ordered from the "menu of the day" which was moderately priced with some four first course choices and four second course choices, dessert or coffee and a beverage (12+/- Euros as of 12/2012). The food was delicious and well prepared, the staff friendly and attentive, and the portions adequate. Highlights were the croquettes and the Pisto Manchego. They serve a wonderful draught beer full of flavor.
5. Cava Alta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By CAP33 - Madrid, Spain
It is rare now a days to find a restaurant with food this good near such a popular tourist landmark under 30€ per person. Went there on a Saturday and they had a great "menu of the day" for around 17€. The service was very good and the ambiance of the place was quite cozy. I would definitely return to this place.
6. El Paseo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By anabasis100 - Taiwan
El Paseo is on a quiet pathway, opposite a walled woodland just below Philip II's enormous palace/monastery in this wonderful corner of the country, near Madrid, abutting the Mountains and always with clean air and cooler temperatures than the capital. The restaurant looks like so many traditional restaurants but there is magic here -- the waiters are friendly, knowledgeable and attentive; they provide classic Spanish service, you are an equal and their profession is to serve you, they make you feel comfortable and cared for in a special way. The wine -- it was amongst the least expensive -- which our waiter, Miguel, recommended, was excellent. The starter was delicious and the main plate was fresh and imaginatively prepared. There are very few non-Spaniards (I think I was the only one the day I went), it's off the beaten tourist path but the excellent food, the welcoming atmosphere and the wonderful Spanish rhythm of eating without rushing makes this a great place to go!
7. Algora
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Algora is an elegant restaurant, simple and charming. Located in a renovated 1856 offers Spanish cuisine with special mention of fish, red meats and roasts. It also highlights the temporality of products such as hunting, mushrooms and vegetables. Peaceful and cordial. Definitely value is our best presentation.
Reviewed By MarcelaG3 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Food was very high quality. I had Salmorejo, very nice and creamy, it was my favorite. Pastel de cabracho, grilled goat cheese, grilled vegetables, all this as starter to share. Portions were very big.
As main I had duck with sauce of red fruit. It was well cooked and sauce was very tasty.
I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
8. Asador del Rey
Overall Ratings
4 based on 467 reviews
Reviewed By MikeKPR - Salisbury, United Kingdom
Recommended by a hotel in Madrid, we visited on a quiet and fine sunny day and sat outside. The waiters were all friendly and helpful in explaining the menu options and with three large plates of tapas followed by suckling pig, steaks, and salads we...MoreDear MikeKPR, Thanks a lot for your nice comments about our restaurant. We work hard to reach our clients total satisfaction. We are happy to know you enjoyed your experience with us. Hope to see you some time soon. Best regards.
9. LAS VIANDAS
Overall Ratings
4 based on 315 reviews
Reviewed By Alex Z
We sat to eat after visiting San Lorenzo. Sorry to say but it was really bad. Paeya was probably hit in microwave, rice was party not cooked. Hamburgers for kids were with cold beacon. Pasta was cold too. We were charged for bread that was cold and dry like a stone. When we said all our complains to the only English speaking women personnel, she said that it's a problem of our taste. Our great experienced from visiting San Lorenzo was completely broken.
10. Croche Cafetin
Overall Ratings
4 based on 267 reviews
Reviewed By Nick T - Manchester, United Kingdom
Three of us went for lunch. They don't have a menu de dia so bit more expensive for lunch than usual. Stated with olives and nibbles; then Russian salad, meat balls and pistol and egg shared between us; followed by goats cheese and sweet tomato marmalade and to finish 'the best rice pudding in the world' which it probably was. Very efficient professional service in interesting location but quite expensive. Best to make it the main meal of the day and take your time and enjoy it. Worth it if not in a hurry.
