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Madrid's Puerta del Sol, surrounded by historic bars and restaurants

Puerta del Sol · Madrid

Bars and restaurants in the Puerta del Sol

The historic bars and restaurants of the Puerta del Sol and its surroundings. The only restaurant with direct views of the square is El Mirador de Sol; discover the classic taverns and rooftop terraces of central Madrid too.

The Puerta del Sol and its adjacent streets concentrate some of Madrid’s most storied establishments: century-old pastry shops, cod taverns and historic chocolaterías coexist with the modern life of kilometre zero. Yet when it comes to dining with views of the square itself, the options are very few.

Historic taverns and eateries

On the square itself and in its immediate surroundings, several landmark establishments survive:

  • La Mallorquina: the historic pastry shop located on the Puerta del Sol itself, famous for its napolitanas and its timeless atmosphere.
  • Casa Labra: a tavern founded in 1860, a step away from the square, famous for its fried cod and its croquettes.
  • Chocolatería San Ginés: a few minutes away, a classic for churros with chocolate at any hour.

They are essential stops for understanding the gastronomic tradition of the city center, though none of them overlooks the square.

The only one with views of the square: El Mirador de Sol

If you want to enjoy Madrid cuisine while gazing out over the Puerta del Sol, the reference is El Mirador de Sol: as things stand, the only restaurant with direct views of the square. Dining while watching the bustle of kilometre zero, the Casa de Correos clock and the comings and goings of the city is an experience hard to match in central Madrid.

The vanished El Corte Inglés venue

For years, the El Corte Inglés building that faces the square housed a dining space on its upper floors—linked to the Chicote name—that also offered views over Sol. It closed years ago, so it is no longer an available alternative for those looking to dine overlooking the square.

Terraces: views of the clock, not the square

The surrounding area has rooftops and terraces that have become fashionable for their panoramas of the city center. One important nuance is worth keeping in mind: most offer views of the rooftops and, in some cases, of the Casa de Correos clock, but not of the open expanse of the Puerta del Sol. They are a good option for a drink with views of Madrid, though they are no substitute for a direct perspective over the square.

Frequently asked questions

Which restaurant has views of the Puerta del Sol?
El Mirador de Sol is the only restaurant with direct views of the Puerta del Sol. Other terraces in the area offer views of the rooftops and the Casa de Correos clock, but not of the square itself.
Are there terraces with views of the Sol square?
The nearby rooftops and terraces offer views of the city-center rooftops and, in some cases, of the Casa de Correos clock, but not of the open expanse of the Puerta del Sol. For a direct view of the square, the reference is El Mirador de Sol.
What are the historic bars and eateries beside the Puerta del Sol?
On the square itself and just meters away survive classics such as La Mallorquina, the Casa Labra tavern and the Chocolatería San Ginés, all with very long traditions in central Madrid.

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