A Day in Manzanares
Morning
To get to Manzanares,
take bus No. 721 from Plaza de Castilla, alighting at Avenida de
Madrid. There’s a supermarket near the bus stop if you want to take a
picnic. Take Calle del Castillo as far as Calle de Cañada and the
restored 15th-century castle, from where there are good views of the
storks fishing in the reservoir. Return along Calle de Cañada to the old
town square, Plaza del Generalísimo, where you’ll find several nice
cafés and bars if you are ready for a coffee stop.
Cross the tree sheltered Plaza del Raso, passing
a small cemetery, and you’ll come to the 16th-century Church of Our
Lady of the Snows with its elegant Renaissance portico. Walk around the
church for more views of the lake. Return to Plaza del Raso and take
Calle Real, crossing the River Manzanares to the ruins of the old castle
(castillo viejo). Then follow the river to the Chapel of the Holy Rock (Ermita de la Peña Sacra), built on a huge granite slab. Every Whitsun a procession in honour of the Virgin makes its way here from the cemetery.
Cross the river and turn left to Calle del Tranco, where the
El Tranco
restaurant makes a pleasant lunch stop.
Afternoon
Spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying the invigorating, fresh mountain air and splendid vistas of La Pedriza regional park.
Historic Places to Eat
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El Charolés
Considered the best restaurant in town. If you’re here on Wednesdays, all the better because chef Manuel Miguez’s
cocido madrileño
is renowned. Summer terrace.-
Calle de Floridablanca 24, El Escorial
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91 890 5975
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Fonda Genara
Reasonably
priced restaurant also in an 18th-century building near El Escorial’s
Teatro Coliseo, hence the theatre memorabilia. Castilian cooking,
featuring dishes such as rabo de toro (bull’s tail). Set price menu.-
Plaza S Lorenzo, El Escorial
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91 890 4357
-
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Horizontal
Classy restaurant with wonderful vistas of the sierra book a terrace table in summer. First class international cuisine.
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Camino Horizontal, El Escorial
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91 890 3811
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Closed Mon–Wed D in Winter
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Parrilla del Príncipe
Grilled fish is the speciality of this hotel-restaurant
based in an 18th-century palace.-
Calle de Floridablanca 6, El Escorial
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91 890 1611
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Closed Tue, 15–28 Feb
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La Buganvilla
This café-restaurant was once the royal coach house. Castilian fare with bacalao (cod) the house speciality.
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Calle del Rey 41, El Escorial
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91 890 6669
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Closed Sun–Tue D
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El Antigua Convento
Located
in a restored 17th-century monastery, this restaurant serves a range of
sophisticated dishes. Part of a hotel, it is worth exploring the lovely
cloisters and gardens.-
Calle de las Monjas, Bodilla del Monte
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91 632 082
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Closed Aug
-
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La Parra
A traditional restaurant serving heart-warming country fare, such as stew made with beans and hare (fabes con liebre) and roast kid (cabrito asado). No smoking is allowed inside.
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Calle Panaderos 5, Manzanares
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91 853 9577
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Closed mid-Aug–mid-Sep
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Los Arcos
This
Castilian restaurant, with traditional wood fired oven, is as good a
place as any to savour roast lamb, suckling pig or kid.-
Calle Real 14, Manzanares
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91 853 0490
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El Tranco
This pleasant restaurant serves up basic but tasty home cooking including jamón Ibérico. The terrace is open in summer.
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Del Tranco 4, Manzanares
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91 853 0063
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More Places to Eat
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Asador Felipe
This
restaurant in a stone farmhouse is worth seeking out. Chef Felipe del
Olmo is known for his stylish cooking – try the grilled hake in a
delicious squid sauce. During the summer ask for a table on the large
terrace.-
Calle Mayo 2, Navacerrada
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91 853 1041
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Closed Oct–Jun: Mon–Fri
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Las Postas
This
roadside hotel-restaurant serves Castilian meat dishes in an attractive
dining room, the centrepiece of which is a 16th-century retablo. You
can also enjoy live music here on Saturday nights.-
Road N-601, 10.2 km, Navacerrada
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91 856 02 50
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La Balconada
Nicely situated, “the balcony” overlooks Chinchón’s main square. Typical Castilian fare – sopa de ajo (garlic soup), menestra (lamb and vegetable stew) and pepitoria de gallina (chicken in an almond and egg sauce).
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Plaza Mayor, Chinchón
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91 894 1303
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Closed Wed
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Mesón Cuevas del Vino
This old olive oil mill with its wine cellar offers traditional sierra cooking. Try the charcoal-grilled chorizo (spicy sausage), the beans, and almond dessert, before rounding off with the local liqueur, anís.
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Calle de Benito Hortelano 13, Chinchón
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91 894 0285
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Closed Tue, Aug
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Mesón de la Virreina
Spanish and Mediterranean dishes.
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Plaza Mayor 28, Chinchón
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91 894 0015
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Casa José
The cuisine is based on home grown produce including the local artichoke.
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Calle Abastos 32, Aranjuez
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91 891 1488
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Closed Sun D, Mon, Aug
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Casa Pablo
This homely restaurant with bullfighting decor has the feel of an old tavern. Meat and fresh fish are the mainstays.
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Calle Almíbar 42, Aranjuez
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91 891 1451
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Closed Aug
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El Castillo 1806
In the grounds of the Casa del Labrador. The house speciality is faisán a la cazadora (roast partridge).
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Reales Jardines del Príncipe, Aranjuez
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91 891 3000
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Closed Mon
-
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Hostería del Estudiante
One of the dishes to try here is migas castellanas (bread crumbs in garlic with fried eggs). The restaurant is no smoking only.
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Calle Colegios 3, Alcalá de Henares
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91 888 0330
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La Kontxa
If you want a change from Castilian cooking, try this Basque restaurant. Specialities include chuletón de buey (ox steak).
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Calle Tinte 1, Alcalá de Henares
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91 878 9317
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Unless otherwise stated, all restaurants accept credit cards and serve vegetarian meals. |