9 Low-key rooftop bars in Madrid to enjoy year round

This city may be landlocked, but the sky’s the limit when it comes to rooftop bars in Madrid. From fancy restaurant-hotels like Picalagartos and Hotel Óscar, to emblematic buildings like Palacio de Cibeles and the picture-perfect Tartan Roof at Círculo de Bellas Artes, the options seem endless. And if you’re in the mood for something a little more casual, we’ve got you covered.

Here are our top picks for rooftop bars in Madrid that are low key and winter friendly.

1. The Hat

Photo from The Hat Madrid

Photo from The Hat Madrid

This popular rooftop bar is located atop one of the city’s coolest hostels, right off Plaza Mayor. It provides a great escape from Madrid’s crowded center. Pop up for a few drinks with friends or a full meal, whatever you fancy.

Check out our full post on The Hat Madrid

2. Mercado de San Antón

This is a perfect place to start your evening with friends. As you enter Chueca’s beloved food market, Mercado de San Antón, first you’ll walk through various food stalls and tapas stands. Then make your way up to the fourth floor for a drink any time of day, any time of year.

 

3. El Viajero

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This plant-laden rooftop bar has been a staple in La Latina for years. Situated atop El Viajero restaurant, it offers a laidback atmosphere, plus a full bar and food options. It’s a great place to spend a winter evening with friends.

4. Gymage

Photo from Gymage

Photo from Gymage

Gymage is a multi-level recreation center located in Plaza de la Luna, just off Gran Vía. Inside you’ll find everything from a full-on gym to a health food store. But the best part is the two-level rooftop lounge with a bar, restaurant, and pool! Although you don’t get to take a dip in winter, you still get to take in that chill Ibiza vibe and enjoy those gorgeous Madrid sunsets.

5. Forus Barceló

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This spacious rooftop restaurant is a green oasis in the middle of Chueca and Malasaña. Situated atop the Barceló food market, here you can enjoy creative and healthy cuisine, in a friendly urban garden environment. It’s also open every day of the week.

  • Website, Facebook & Instagram: @azoteaforus
  • Address: Calle Barceló 6
  • Metro: Tribunal and Alonso Martínez

6. Doña Luz

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This is one of the newest rooftop bars in Madrid, situated right in the heart of Sol, on Calle Montera. The street-level entrance is tiny, so it’s easy to miss. But once you enter the Doña Luz Hotel, squeeze through the door and take the elevator to the top floor. There you’ll find plenty of room to enjoy a nice break on the roof. There’s an indoor and outdoor area, plus a full restaurant and bar.

7. Jardín Secreto

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This rooftop is also situated on Calle Montera, and it’s called Jardín Secreto (although it’s not that much of a secret anymore). Step inside the accessories store, Salvador Bachiller, and take the elevator up to the top floor to discover a small yet charming rooftop absolutely covered in plants and flowers. Although you won’t find much of a view, you will discover a nice change of scenery from the busy city center.

8. Mercado de San Ildefonso

Mercado de San Ildefonso by Naked Madrid

This isn’t exactly a rooftop bar, but it still deserves a spot on our list. This outdoor terrace is located inside an ultra modern food market in Malasaña, Mercado de San Ildefonso, right on Calle Fuencarral. So once you grab a drink and a bite to eat from the array of food stalls, find a seat in this fun patio area.

9. Casa de Granada

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In Tirso de Molina, you’ll find Casa Granada situated on the top floor of an unassuming residential building. This rather old-school restaurant has been around for ages and is definitely the least “chic” option on the list. The menu features traditional Spanish dishes, from croquetas to patatas bravas. It’s well insulated during the chillier months of the year and when the awnings are up, you get great views of the heart of the city.

  • Website, Facebook
  • Address: Calle del Doctor Cortezo, 17
  • Metro: Tirso de Molina

Did we miss any other low-key rooftop bars in Madrid open year round? Let us know and we’ll add them to the list!



Picalagartos, dine sky high on a stunning rooftop overlooking Gran Vía

This year myself and one of my best friends have been on pretty different trajectories. Whilst she’s been globe trotting galore having taken a sabbatical, I’ve never felt more aware of putting down “roots” – having finally become a home owner, cue quite the case of FOMO.
After 11 months of not being able to enjoy so much as a glass of fizz together in person, last weekend we were finally reunited for the puente in my adopted city of Madrid. This called for a special venue for a special lunch.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

Now I love a rooftop. I’m not sure if it’s something to do with being a city dweller who’s constantly on the search for cleaner air, but I feel it’s probably more to do with the “grammable” views that are pretty much guaranteed when you head sky high.

Having done my research, Picalagartos was booked, the restaurant perched atop the NH Hotel on Gran Vía, boasts 360 views of the city. Not too shabby, eh? Now most hotel restaurants have a bad rep, often found to be overpriced and underwhelming, but not the case here. The standard of food matched the view, to be summed up in a word, it was stunning.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

Feeling the kind of giddy high that I can only imagine toddlers feel at soft play, we started with a cocktail to toast our reunion. This was the start of a true Spanish sobremesa, with neither of us keen to leave until the sun had well and truly set over Gran Vía.

My friend’s a veggie (no I don’t know how we dine out together either, being a self-confessed carnivore Queen) but it was pleasing to find that this wasn’t an issue – the menu offering a variety of veggie options, all of which were more tempting than the standard offering of tortilla.
Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

We split a mille feuille of patatas bravas that is in the running for being the best carb that’s ever passed my lips. Layers of buttery potatoes formed into giant “chips” were served with a piquant bravas sauce and a mouth-wateringly good aioli. They were so downright divine, case in point, we ordered a second portion and not one part of me regrets having to work them off the following Monday at spin.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

I plumped for a steak (cooked perfectly), while my amiga sampled the delights of a vegetable garden – which looked so temptingly tasty that it could almost have lured me away from my meaty marvel, but not quite.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

A couple of chocolate soufflés later, gin and tonics sunk – our vows of friendship reaffirmed, there was nothing left to do but harass the waiter to take (multiple) pics of us with Madrid in all her dusky delight in the background – luckily he obliged, I have a feeling we weren’t the only ones bowled over by the vista.

Picalagartos rooftop restaurant Madrid

Picalagartos is the kind of “oooh and aaah” inducing spot that will have you falling in love with Madrid all over again (in case your affections have ever waned). The food, and in my case, the friendship, were faultless and it was the perfect place to spend a free Friday afternoon that combined both gorgeous grub and plenty of glamour.

Picalagartos