San Lorenzo de El Escorial Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in San Lorenzo de El Escorial

September 5, 2017 Dorsey Hagwood

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

Calle Floridablanca 24, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Steakhouse, Mediterranean, European, Spanish Lunch, Dinner, Late Night HK$455 - HK$683 +34 918 90 59 75
Excellent
44%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
6%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 620 reviews

Charoles

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

Plaza San Lorenzo 2, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Mediterranean, European, Spanish, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +34 918 90 33 30
Excellent
40%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 402 reviews

Fonda Genara

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

Calle San Anton 4, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Highchairs Available Steakhouse, Mediterranean, European, Spanish, Gluten Free Options Dinner, Lunch +34 910 80 16 74
Excellent
26%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
10%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 230 reviews

La Cueva

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

Calle Dr Mariano Benavente 1, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Television, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards Mediterranean, Spanish, European Dinner, Lunch, Drinks, Breakfast HK$141 - HK$290 +34 918 90 15 19
Excellent
46%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 127 reviews

Taberna Restaurante Madrid-Sevilla

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

Calle Floridablanca n_17, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Waitstaff Mediterranean, Spanish Lunch, Dinner HK$290 - HK$385 +34 918 90 19 12
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 169 reviews

Cava Alta

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

Paseo Alamo 26, 28280 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain Reservations, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol Mediterranean, Spanish, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night HK$314 - HK$432 +34 918 90 04 84
Excellent
47%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 166 reviews

El Paseo

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

Calle Santa Rosa 2 | 28280 El Escorial-Madrid-, 28280 El Escorial, Spain Highchairs Available, Full Bar, Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Validated Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards Mediterranean, Spanish Lunch, Dinner HK$173 - HK$337 +34 696 63 82 24
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 220 reviews

Algora

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

Calle Floridablanca 10, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards Barbecue, Spanish, Grill, Steakhouse, Mediterranean, European, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner HK$196 - HK$385 +34 699 84 00 15
Excellent
49%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 467 reviews

Asador del Rey

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

Plaza de La Constitucion 2, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Mediterranean, European, Spanish, Vegetarian Friendly Lunch, Dinner, Late Night HK$259 - HK$463 +34 918 90 09 86
Excellent
33%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 315 reviews

LAS VIANDAS

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

Plaza San Lorenzo 6, 28200 San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol Bar, Cafe, Mediterranean, European, Spanish Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks +34 918 90 52 82
Excellent
32%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
7%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 267 reviews

Croche Cafetin

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.

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