Al fresco dining with a view

Enjoying dinner or a cocktail outdoors in good company is a favourite summer pastime for Madrileños—especially when the setting looks like something straight out of a postcard. Whether they’re at ground level or almost sky-high, you’ll love all of these recommendations. Just don’t forget to share your potos later!

Published in esMADRIDmagazine July/August 2025

LA TERRAZA DEL CAMPO DEL MORO

Paseo Virgen del Puerto, 1. PRÍNCIPE PÍO

Presenting a new summer sensation! An al fresco dining area in Campo del Moro Park that combines three basic ingredients to perfection: nature, history and gastronomy. The menu, which offers a little bit of tradition with a touch of innovation, is ideal for any diner, who can also enjoy direct views of the Royal Palace. Food is served from 10am to 10pm and the menu changes throughout the day. You can try the breakfast options but note that the atmosphere livens up at aperitivo time and around sunset.

The varied offerings range from gourmet tinned food to new takes on classic dishes like potato omelette and torreznos (fried pork belly chunks). If the heat isn’t too much, we recommend “Madrid en un plato” (Madrid on a Plate), which offers a selection of six traditional tapas: Madrid-style tripe, patatas bravas (diced potatoes with a spicy sauce), calamari roll, Padrón peppers seasoned with baharat, tuna and potato salad, and gildas (pickled anchovies, olives and peppers on a little skewer).

PICOS PARDOS SKY LOUNGE

Velázquez, 62. BLESS Hotel Madrid. VELÁZQUEZ

High above Madrid’s Golden Mile, your gaze can drift across Calle de Velázquez and the streets far beyond, taking in sweeping views of the city. A spectacular panoramic vista is one of the big attractions at Picos Pardos, but it’s not the only one, especially now that the good weather is here. The new menu, designed to surprise and featuring dishes perfect for sharing, combines international flavours with quality ingredients.

Fresh food offerings range from yellow ceviche with sea bass and sea bream and jalapeño aguachile to burrata with a tomatillo mojo dressing. Or you can try heartier dishes like rice with seafood and monkfish, grilled T-bone steak, and an octopus and potato skewer with yuzu hollandaise. To round out the menu, a selection of irresistible desserts awaits—think homemade cheesecake and citrus and white chocolate tart—and of course, cocktails. Have no doubt: this rooftop is as close to an urban oasis as you’ll get. Happy times are guaranteed!

BERRIA

Plaza de la Independencia, 6. RETIRO

Located next to the Puerta de Alcalá gate and El Retiro Park, this cosmopolitan wine bar’s outdoor seating area is truly irresistible, and not just because of its fantastic location. It also has a menu which invites us to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience revolving around the world’s best wines: they offer 3,000 different varieties.

Options range from Selosse, Vega Sicilia vertical tastings and a carefully curated selection of Jura wines to famous Barolo vintages and national treasures. As for food, there’s a bit of everything: gildas, cod omelettes, beef tenderloin sandwiches, grilled sea bass, and fried eggs with chips and ham.

CASA SUECIA

Marqués de Casa Riera, 4. Hotel NH Collection Suecia. SEVILLA / BANCO DE ESPAÑA

With Cibeles Palace front and centre and the iconic Pirulí tower in the distance, this rooftop on the 11th floor is nothing short of spectacular. It oozes a charm that would no doubt have captivated Hemingway himself, who frequented the old Casa Suecia located on the same site.

In his honour, let’s have a mojito! Although some may prefer to toast with one of the sparkling wines on the drinks menu. As for dining, it’s all about finger food, complemented by two barbecue options: Seafood BBQ (with mussels, clams, etc.) and Meat BBQ (chicken brochette, Iberian pork flank steak, etc.).

AZOTEA CIBELES

Plaza de Cibeles, 1. BANCO DE ESPAÑA

The views are a big attraction here: both those of the eclectic and neo-Plateresque building itself and the panoramic sights over Cibeles Fountain and Gran Vía avenue. While the vistas encourage us to visit, the snack food and atmosphere make us want to stay.

Cibeles Palace conceals numerous different spots, and one of them is this fantastic rooftop bar with a casual menu of offerings like ham croquettes, cod fritters with roasted red pepper, and crispy wheat cracker with super-creamy tuna and potato salad and salted fish. To drink, try the classic cocktails or the signature concoctions which include fun, original creations.

UMUSIC ROOFTOP CASA CHICOTE

Carretas, 10. SOL

Museo Chicote—the legendary Madrid bar on Gran Vía visited by Tinseltown celebrities in the golden age of Hollywood—has a branch that almost touches the sky. The Telefónica Building, located along the century-old avenue, is one of the landmarks you can see from this vibrant rooftop bar.

Although there are food options available (mussel salad, bluefin tuna tartare), it’s the cocktails which are the big draw, and some of them are named after important dates. The 1899, made with white tequila and crispy banana, commemorates the year Don Perico, barman to the stars, was born.

TERRAZA CLUB DE CAMPO

Ctra. de Castilla, 2

Many believe this rooftop has the most beautiful views of the city. From here, it almost seems like you could reach out and touch the winged victory statue that crowns the Metrópolis Building. Enjoy a carefully designed selection of tapas and cocktails in this bright space.

LA PÉRGOLA

Marqués de Valdeiglesias, 1. The Principal Madrid. GRAN VÍA

Many believe this rooftop has the most beautiful views of the city. From here, it almost seems like you could reach out and touch the winged victory statue that crowns the Metrópolis Building. Enjoy a carefully designed selection of tapas and cocktails in this bright space.

CLUB FINANCIERO GÉNOVA

Marqués de la Ensenada, 14. COLÓN

You’ll have to go up to the 15th floor of this centrally located building, just a stone’s throw away from Plaza de Colón, to get to a marvellous rooftop bar with signature cocktails designed by master mixologist Luca Anastasio. It features a laid-back atmosphere and truly impressive 360° views of Madrid.