Madrid's skyline has been in the making for centuries, and there's no better vantage point than a restaurant roof terrace to see how the capital sprawls across the horizon. We climbed up to seven of the city's highest eating establishments and terraces to enjoy a 360º experience.
In recent years, large hotels, historic buildings and skyscrapers have converted their rooftops into restaurants where you can admire the city from a new perspective. Here are Madrid's most interesting rooftop recommendations.
Élkar: Spain's highest restaurant
The 33rd floor (160 m) offers endless views over the north of Madrid, including the mountains. Élkar claims to be Spain's highest restaurant, located in Torre Emperador Castellana (formerly Torre Espacio), the fourth tallest skyscraper in the country standing at 224 metres and 56 floors, designed by the American Henry N. Cobb.
Last October, the multinational Aramar (with 248,000 employees in 19 countries) relaunched this space with chef Fran Vicente. Mediterranean cuisine with delicacies such as Fundador foie gras with pepper and cinnamon sponge cake (€25.90) or roast grouper with beurre blanc, caviar and confit beans (€28.50), stand out on a menu that also offers a daily executive set menu (€42). All with a panoramic view that is best enjoyed at sunset, from the heart of Madrid's big business district.
Picalagartos: Gran Vía views
A sweeping view over Madrid's most emblematic thoroughfare serves as an aperitif at Picalagartos. This sky bar and restaurant located in the NH Collection Gran Vía Hotel offers an eighth-floor panoramic rooftop terrace and a dining room, both managed by Azotea Grupo.
It's one of the most popular restaurants in this type of high-rise location, the group founded by José Manuel García has emblematic venues such as the Círculo de Bellas Artes and, very soon, the relaunch of the terrace at the Palacio de Cibeles.
But let's return to number 21 Gran Vía, a neo-baroque building designed by Julio Martínez Zapata and José López Sallaberry in 1918, with the best views of the neighbouring Telefónica skyscraper (1929) or the iconic Carrión (1933). Chef Manuel Berganza has designed a menu suitable for the general public with fish and meat dishes with a "smoky flavour" as one of its hallmarks. The very tempting lunchtime set menu is €42 with rice as the main course. If you want to extend the evening, Luca Anastasio's cocktail bar is the best excuse.
Edén Gastrobar and 360º Rooftop Bar: tapas in heaven
No terrace gets more likes. Selfies from the 360º Rooftop Bar, located in the Riu Plaza España hotel, do not go unnoticed, especially from its panic viewpoint – a glass platform suspended 100 metres above the ground!
After the terrace bar experience, you can go down to the 26th floor to visit the Eden Gastrobar, which shares the same views, albeit from behind glass. You can enjoy brunch from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and menu recommendations such as Iberian pork cheeks, glazed shallots, mushrooms and mashed potato (€22), or cod confit in Biscay sauce served with roast peppers and potatoes (€23.50) are sure to please any palate.
And all in this unique building dating from 1953, when the architect Julián Otamendi designed this skyscraper that immediately became a traditional icon. Its status was recovered in 2019, following the Mallorcan group's commitment to enhance a unique rooftop with views over the centre of Madrid, the Royal Palace and the Temple of Debod.
Oroya: a Peruvian jungle in the heart of Madrid
On the top floor of The Madrid Edition hotel is one of the city's most unexpected restaurants in a setting to match its Peruvian cuisine, the work of chef Diego Muñoz.
The renovation of the former Monte de Piedad de Caja Madrid into a luxury hotel has won Sleeper magazine's AHEAD Award for the best architectural transformation. Ian Schrager (Studio 54 founder) and the British architect John Pawson (who designed the lobby of the Puerta de América hotel in Madrid), are behind this project in a building with a baroque façade by Pedro Ribera.
More than the views, Oroya's two main spaces - the terrace and lounge - have their strong point in a striking jungle decoration, said to be inspired by the Majorelle gardens, Yves Saint Laurent's famous residence in Marrakech. A unique setting to enjoy dishes like sea bass and octopus ceviche or steamed mussels, aji panca and coconut with fried bread (both €23), as well as the Pisco Bar's creations.
Club Financiero Génova: a secret in plain sight
Exclusive and impressive, this rooftop terrace in the Plaza de Colón is the brainchild of the aforementioned Azotea Grupo in association with Familia La Ancha, a benchmark on Madrid's food scene for over a hundred years.
We're talking about the endless views of Madrid's Ensanche from the rooftop of Centro Colón, where Club Financiero Génova is located, which are now shared with the public thanks to this new restaurant. Please note that visitors must respect the business casual etiquette for access, which includes a blazer for men and prohibits sports shoes.
Alejandro Pombo's studio was commissioned to design the 2,500 m2 space, and Nino Redruello is responsible for the gastronomic concept. A great European club atmosphere and the aromas of a menu that is committed to the quality of the raw materials in its two restaurant spaces and, more informally, on the rooftop.
Séptima: a balcony at sunset
On sunny evenings, from the Séptima terrace of the Only You Atocha hotel, you can admire one of the most beautiful Velázquez skies in the city. Strategically located at Paseo Infanta Isabel 13, this restaurant, signed by Grupo Palladium, offers relaxing views of the northwest.
Its menu invites you to share the moment with friends over a plate of Iberian ham (€29.90) or croquettes (€14.90). If you prefer to enjoy a more traditional meal, there are seafood dishes such as monkfish with kombu pesto and spicy lemon butter (€24.50) or different meat dishes. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can also opt for a brunch at €39 from 12:30 am to 3:30 pm.
The Hat Madrid: a corrala with views
We end this tour with an original and interesting proposal. Almost in the shadow of the Plaza Mayor is The Hat Madrid, a hostel with spectacular views over the photogenic rooftops of the most traditional Madrid that claims the dome of neighbouring San Isidro church: "After 100 years in the dark, we lit it ourselves in 2017".
It also claims an atmosphere of corrala camaraderie rather than a fashionable rooftop, with accents from all over the world. Tacos with pork cheek with jalapeños (€13), ricotta ravioli with spinach cream and a touch of caramel (€12) or grilled octopus with smoked mashed potato (€16), are some of the suggestions to enjoy on this rooftop on any sunny morning in Madrid.
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