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Cafe de OrientevsCasa Lucio
Both restaurants are endorsed by travel writers. Overall, Casa Lucio ranks significantly better than Cafe de Oriente. Casa Lucio ranks #7 in Madrid with praise from 8 publications including Time Out, concierge.com and Condé Nast Traveler.
Cafe de Oriente
Zagat
DK Eyewitness
Michelin Guide
Time Out
Rough Guide
Frommer's
Plaza de Oriente, 2, 28013 Madrid
From $43/night
Zagat3.5
"A "breathtaking" location "in front of the Royal Palace" distinguishes this Basque cafe where you can "sit outside on a sunny day", dine on "delicious" tapas and "watch Madrid pass by"." Full review
DK Eyewitness "Directly opposite the Royal Palace and next to the Opera House, there are few more historically situated places to eat in Madrid."
Michelin Guide "This famous address opposite the royal palace offers its guests several different atmospheres including a luxurious cafeteria."
Time Out "Despite its location, with tables outside on the stunning Plaza de Oriente, the café seems to be as popular with locals as tourists, who are perhaps put off by its air of grandeur." Full review
Rough Guide "Elegant, Parisian-style café with a popular terraza looking across the plaza to the palace."
Frommer's "The ever popular Oriente is one of the most beautifully located cafe-restaurants." Full review
Casa Lucio
Concierge
Travel + Leisure DK Eyewitness Time Out
Condé Nast Traveler Zagat
goop Frommer's
Lonely Planet
Calle Cava Baja, 35, 28005 Madrid
From $19/night
Concierge "When you want to eat nothing that's been deconstructed or otherwise engineered, when you yearn for honest Castilian food in a simple setting, there's nowhere better than Lucio BlÌÁsquez's restaurant near Plaza Mayor."
Travel + Leisure "In 1974, restaurateur Lucio Blásquez opened this eponymous two-story restaurant specializing in Castilian cuisine prepared in a coal-fired oven, and it’s been a Madrid mainstay ever since." Full review
DK Eyewitness "Casa Lucio has garnered a reputation for outstanding Spanish cuisine. House specialities include callos (tripe), its famous egg dishes and a creamy rice pudding."
Time Out "A restaurant unsurpassed by any other in Madrid for its famous patrons: King Juan Carlos, Bill Clinton and Penélope Cruz among them." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "The menu represents quinessential Madrid dining, with a few very special touches like angulas: baby eels flash-fried in olive oil and garlic." Full review
Zagat4.0
""You may encounter a famous matador" or even a "film star" at this "see-and-be-seen" "landmark" (voted Most Popular in Madrid) serving "legendary" huevos rotos." Full review
goop "Casa Lucio is an olive oil soaked slice of the old-world, traditional yet incredibly refined with a classic menu of gastronomical favorites to match." Full review
Frommer's "His meat-heavy menu has barely changed over the years...the bar has a classic Spanish look, with hams hanging from rough-hewn beams." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Lucio has been wowing madrileños (people from Madrid) with his light touch, quality ingredients and home-style local cooking for ages." Full review
