This unassuming bistrot-pizzería next to the Teatro Real does a bit of everything — breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, dinner — but what keeps it on the map is its tiny, coqueta terrace right on Plaza de Ópera. The menú del día is a solid deal at around 13 euros, and the artisan pizzas (made downstairs) are small but genuinely good. Service can be hit or miss, so manage your expectations and go for the location, not the polish.
A cozy terrace on Plaza de Ópera where the artisan pizza is small but delicious and the tiramisú is reportedly the best in Madrid.
Go in the late afternoon or evening rather than midday — the terrace gets full sun at lunch, and the vibe is much better when it cools down.
Pizza and tiramisú on a tiny Plaza de Ópera terrace
Café del Real sits right on Plaza de Ópera, next to the Teatro Real, and honestly, the location is the main draw. The terrace is small, cozy, and perfect for a sunny afternoon tinto de verano — but heads up, it gets full sun at midday, so go in the late afternoon or evening when it's more pleasant. The indoor space is tiny, and there's a downstairs area where they make their artisan pizzas.
Food-wise, the menú del día at around 13 euros is a decent deal. The pizzas are small but delicious — don't expect massive American-style pies. The real surprise is the tiramisú, which one reviewer called the best they'd ever had. Beyond pizza, the menu covers ensaladas, tostas variadas, empanadas, and quiches rellenas al horno — solid café-bistrot fare that won't blow your mind but won't disappoint either.
The elephant in the room is the service. With a 3.3 Google rating, you can tell not everyone leaves happy. Some reviewers have had great experiences with friendly, attentive staff; others have run into rude waitresses, especially on the terrace where there's apparently a strict "everyone must order something" policy. So go with the right expectations: enjoy the location, order the pizza and tiramisú, and don't take it personally if the service is brusque.