Prices and Hours

As a rough guide, those on a budget will be able to get a three-course meal with drinks in Madrid for under 8€ if you're in a working-class neighborhood, 12€ for most areas and no more than 16€, even in the most touristy parts of town.

Lunchtime is a very good deal, as many Madrileños are given "tickets" from their employers, to pay for their lunch. The menú del día provides you with 3 or more choices for the entree, sides and desserts. Almost always, you'll eat for much less than you would expect.

Restaurant meals are taken very late: few madrileños will start lunch before 2pm or think of having dinner before 9:30PM. If you turn up much earlier you may find yourself alone, eating with other tourists or the restaurant won't be ready to serve you. People do arrive for dinner by 10.30PM and if your body's time clock is still confused, you can always find something to eat. Many restaurants close on Sundays and/or Mondays and the month of August.

If you're accostomed to paying for your meals with a credit card, be sure to look and/or ask -- many restaurants do not accept credit cards (tarjetas).

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