Average Food Cost in Madrid Per Day

Dining in Madrid offers something for every budget. From affordable tapas bars to high-end Michelin-starred restaurants, the meal prices vary wildly.

For example, breakfast at a casual café might cost around €3–€5 ($3–$5.50), while a casual lunch with a menu del día three-course meal will usually range from €12–€18 ($13–$20). Dinner at a mid-range restaurant can cost between €20–€40 ($22–$44) per person, while fine dining can exceed €100 ($110).

Of course, tapas culture is a staple of Madrid’s food scene, and you could potentially fill up with a meal’s worth of delicious small plates along with a few drinks for €12–€20. With such a wide spectrum, I thought it might help to break down the average food costs you might see on a Madrid food tour.

Average Cost of Breakfast in Madrid

Breakfast in Madrid is typically light and affordable, with a variety of options to suit different budgets. A simple breakfast of churros con chocolate or tostada con tomate with coffee at a local café will typically only cost around €3–€5 ($3–$5.50).

Many of Madrid’s mid-range cafés and bakeries offer bollería (pastries) or a small sandwich with fresh juice or café con leche for €5–€10 ($5.50–$11). Whereas upscale hotels and specialty brunch spots, serving elaborate dishes like tortilla española, smoked salmon toasts, or eggs Benedict, might charge between €12–€20 ($13–$22) per person for breakfast.

Popular breakfast spots include Chocolatería San Ginés for classic churros, Café de Oriente Palacio Real for a scenic breakfast with a view. In this spectrum the average breakfast in Madrid costs €5–€10 ($5.50–$11). By eating at a more casual café, you can save money to splurge on a special meal later in the day.

Pro Tip: By choosing to eat breakfast at a humble Madrid café you’ll likely only spend around €5 to €7 per person. This will leave you plenty of money left over to splurge on an elegant lunch in a tourist area, or a sophisticated supper at one of Madrid’s big-name restaurants.

Average Cost of Lunch in Madrid

Lunch in Madrid offers a wide range of options, from quick bites at tapas bars to leisurely multi-course meals at traditional restaurants.

You’ll often see the phrase Del Dia, which means “of the day” to indicate the discounted specials. It’s basically a fixed-price lunch menu that typically includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert, with bread, and a drink. The average cost usually ranges between €12–€18 ($13–$20).

Casual eateries and tapas bars serving local favorites like bocadillo de calamares. or small plates of tortilla española and croquetas, will charge €10–€20 ($11–$22) depending on the number of dishes you order.

At a mid-range restaurant, lunch will typically cost between €20–€35 ($22–$38) for a full meal. This might include Madrid specialties like cocido madrileño, and other modest fare. Whereas lunch at fine dining establishments and Michelin-starred restaurants in Madrid will often have prices starting at €50 to €100 or more.

However, you can expect the average cost of lunch in Madrid to range from €12–€40 ($13–$44), making it an excellent time to enjoy high-quality meals at reasonable prices.

Pro Tip: One of the best ways to save money on lunch in Madrid is to choose one of the del dia specials at a mid-range restaurant. You’ll only spend around 12 to €18, for a three-course meal with bread and a refreshing beverage.

Many of Madrid’s mid-range restaurants use locally sourced seasonal ingredients in their del dia specials. To give you an authentic taste of the local flavors.

Average Cost of Dinner in Madrid

Dinner at Madrid’s best restaurants is a social affair, often enjoyed late in the evening. Tapas bars are a popular choice for a casual and budget-friendly meal, where sharing small plates like patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo, and jamón ibérico is the norm. A light tapas dinner with drinks can cost between €15–€25 ($16–$27) per person.

A more formal dinner at a mid-range restaurant serving traditional Spanish cuisine, will usually cost between €25–€50 ($27–$55). This includes a full meal such as rabo de toro or bacalao a la Madrileña, and table wine.

Madrid boasts numerous fine-dining restaurants, including Michelin-starred establishments that showcase the best of Spanish gastronomy. A gourmet supper at one of these restaurants starts at around €70 ($77) per person, with premium tasting menus ranging from €100–€250 ($110–$275) or more.

Taking all the different levels into account, you can expect dinner in Madrid to cost anywhere from €15–€50 ($16–$55) for most restaurants, though luxury experiences can go much higher.

Pro Tip: There is no hard and fast rule forcing you to eat at a high-end eatery, or one of Madrid’s Michelin-starred restaurants. You can still have a great meal at a mid-range restaurant for €25 to €50.

Average Cost of Aperitivo and Drinks in Madrid

The aperitivo tradition in Madrid is a cherished pre-meal ritual that’s typically enjoyed in the late afternoon or early evening. Many locals head to their favorite taverns or rooftop bars for a glass of vermut de grifo (draft vermouth), which is often served with a slice of orange and a skewer of olives.

Other popular aperitivo choices include tinto de verano (red wine with soda), sangría, or a crisp glass of Spanish cava. A casual aperitivo with a drink and a small tapa can cost between €3–€6 ($3–$7) at a traditional Madrileño bar. Whereas a mid-range tavern might charge around €6–€12 ($7–$13) for a cocktail or glass of premium Spanish wine.

If you’re interested in an upscale aperitivo experience in one of Madrid’s stylish cocktail lounges and rooftop terraces, you could pay €12–€18 ($13–$20). Many of these come with elevated tapas or some other type of small plate experiences.

Madrid also has many wine bars that boast an extensive selection of Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and local Madeline wines. The average price could be anywhere from €4–€10 ($4.50–$11) per glass.

Pro Tip: One of the tricks here is to order a house wine or one of the featured wines, as they typically come with a special tapa or snack designed to pair perfectly with it. If you ordered something special, you might still get a tapa, but the pairing might not be perfect.

While prices can skyrocket at upscale restaurants and bars, you can expect the average cost of an aperitivo in Madrid to range from €3–€18 ($3–$20) depending on where you are.