Top 10 Family Restaurants Madrid

Everyone knows Madrid is rich with culture and history, but what you may not know is that it is also one of the most family friendly destinations in Europe.  Here are our top 10 picks for family friendly restaurants in Madrid:

Le Pain Quotidien: Yes, this is a chain, but it also features a menu in English, and high chairs. The menu features organic foods as well as vegetarian options. It’s also a safe bet for those with dietary restrictions. 

La Panza es Primero: Colorful, lively and anything but formal, La Panza es Primero is a great place for kids and groups. This Mexican restaurant has various locations in Madrid, check for live Mariachi on the weekends.

San Gines: Churros for breakfast? Why not? There are not too many opportunities for you and the little ones to indulge in this classic Spanish breakfast; so take advantage of it while you are in Spain. If you’re going to enjoy churros and chocolate, make sure you do it right at Chocolatería San Gines.

Baby Deli: This modern deli is the brain-child of 3 Madrid based moms. Baby Deli offers healthy food options in an upscale yet warm atmosphere catering to kids.  In addition to wholesome food, they also offer kid-friendly workshops, a back yard to play in and a retail store.

Mercado de San Miguel: The Mercado de San Miguel is an incredible feast for your eyes and your taste buds. Getting your kids to try new foods is a bit easier when they get to pick it out for themselves from one of the many food stands inside this bustling market.

Peggy Sue’s: Enjoy a taste of home, 1950’s style. Peggy Sue’s American Diner. Here, you’ll find American classics like hamburgers, fries and shakes as well as the decor and music to match.

El Jardín de las Mariposas: A restaurant designed especially for kids that serves up a tasty menu as well as daily activities. During the summer months there are music and theater performances, as well as games and contests.

La Mucca: You can find a little bit of everything here. Their dishes range from Spanish to Asian fusion. You’ll be certain to find something for even the pickiest of little eaters here.

El Mundo de la Pizza: This local favorite offers endless varieties of pizza, but also lets you create your own. Kids love making up new creations, especially when it comes toppings. For best pizza slices in Madrid click here.

Panadería Harina: This fabulous bakery is located directly across from the most famous park in Madrid. You can enjoy any of their fresh and healthy sandwiches, salads and breads inside or take it to go and make a picnic at el Retiro.

By Alondra Palomino

Creative Family Bonding: Rhythm and Movement Workshop

Hats off to The Casa Encendida for always extending their artistic offerings to children! Whether you are a traveling family or settled in Madrid, you and your child will greatly benefit from this feel-good activity.

The workshop offers a time and space for children (and adults!) to be creative and expressive through dance and rhythm. Daily objects (pens, keys and spoons, to name a few) will transform into percussion instruments, so that everything learned in the workshop can be re-created from any house (or hotel room). The objective of the 3 hours is to create an atmosphere that emotionally brings together parents and children, reinforcing and enriching family ties through musical expression and dance. The experience will undoubtedly benefit the creative and corporeal world of children.

Pilar Parea, the workshop leader, stimulates and encourages the active participation in musical and artistic processes through loosely instructed ‘games.’ The workshop approaches different styles of dancing from around the world through movement, physical expression and rhythm games with daily objects. Experimentation and improvisation is subtly but surely encouraged.

Pilar Perea is a piano and art instructor from Madrid whose teachings have strong roots in the Waldrof pedagogy.

To sign up, reserve a space online or over the phone (+34 902 43 03 22). The maximum capacity is fifteen families per class. For each child, one parent must also attend. Families with children 7-11 years old are welcome.
Where: La Casa Encendida
Address: Ronda de Valencia, 2
When: June 26^th and July 3^rd
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 14:00 p.m.
Cost: 15 euros

By Chloe Nash

Visit the Mercado de San Miguel

If you have been in Madrid for longer than 3 days chances are you’ve visited the Mercado de San Miguel. If you haven’t been there yet, time to scold your so called Madrid-experienced friends and make your way to the Plaza de San Miguel to enjoy the many flavors, colors and smells of this historic market.  Inside it is well kept and filled with the first class foods, from the most traditional of Spain—smoked pork, olives, paella—to spectacular sushi to fresh fruits and vegetables. A lot of the food may be for your eyes only though: the market is anything but cheap. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

By Daniel Sznajderman

Magic Show at Houdini Sala de Magia

Houdini Sala de Magia claims to be the only place dedicated exclusively to magic in all of Europe, and although this statement is as implausible as it is impossible to prove, the Sala is nonetheless a rare place. Not only is it used for all kinds of magic shows that are supposed to be top of the line, the locality itself is a stylized museum of magic: it is filled with authentic posters and artwork, some of which are over a century old, and has a collection of old artifacts used in old magic shows and actual rituals (including satanic ones!) from the golden age of superstition and witchery. It is open Tuesday’s to Friday’s, since events and scheduling are subject to change, check out updates here.

By Daniel Sznajderman

Cable Cars in Madrid

For a bird’s view of the city visit the Teleferico de Madrid, around since 1969 and still retaining that old school touch. It is also a convenient way to enter Casa de Campo, the city’s largest municipal park and home to a variety of trees and animal species. A two way ticket is 5.15 Euros, though prices vary depending on the day and number of people per group. For more information go to the website.

By Daniel Sznajderman