Casa de Can (also known as Bar Restaurante San Onofre) is the kind of no-frills neighborhood spot that does exactly what it says on the tin — cheap, cheerful Spanish home cooking in the heart of Universidad. You're not coming here for a culinary revelation; you're coming for a quick breakfast, a menú del día that won't break the bank, and tapas with a caña in a space that feels like it hasn't changed in decades. That's precisely its charm.
A no-frills neighborhood bar where friendly staff serve cheap Spanish home cooking, breakfast, and tapas to a loyal local crowd in Universidad.
Go early for breakfast or before 1:30pm for lunch — it fills up with local office workers and there's no reservation system.
No-frills Spanish home cooking at local prices
If you're wandering around Universidad and want a proper local breakfast without the tourist markup, Casa de Can is your spot. Reviewers consistently call it a "good cheap local restaurant" and praise the friendly staff — this is the kind of place where the guy behind the bar knows his regulars by name and the menú del día is scribbled on a board rather than printed on leather-bound cardstock. You'll get straightforward Spanish home cooking: desayunos, tapas, café, and a decent menú del día that keeps the local office workers coming back.
The interior hasn't been touched by an interior designer, and that's the point. One review describes it as having "a certain cozy, familiar charm" precisely because it hasn't rushed to keep up with trends. Don't expect Instagram-friendly plating or a curated wine list. Expect honest food at honest prices — the kind of meal that costs what a meal should cost in central Madrid, which is increasingly rare in this neighborhood.
It's not going to blow your mind, and at a 4.0 on Google across 150+ reviews, it's solid rather than spectacular. But if you want to eat like a local without spending more than you need to, this is a reliable bet. Go for breakfast or a quick lunch, grab a caña and some tapas, and get out before the afternoon rush.