If you’re planning a trip to Madrid, you must be wondering if you seat yourself in restaurants or wait to be seated. The answer is not straightforward because it depends on the type of restaurant you’re visiting and the time of day.
Seating in Traditional Spanish Restaurants
In traditional Spanish restaurants, especially those that serve tapas, it’s common to seat yourself. When you enter the restaurant, look for a table that is unoccupied and grab it. If you can’t find an empty table, ask someone who seems to work there if they can help you find one.
Pro Tip: It’s always better to arrive early (before 9 pm) if you want to avoid the crowds and get a table easily.
Seating in Fine Dining Restaurants
In fine dining restaurants, it’s customary to wait for a host or hostess to seat you. These restaurants usually have a reception desk near the entrance where someone will greet and show you your table.
Pro Tip: If you have made a reservation beforehand, make sure to arrive on time or a little early. This way, the host/hostess will know that you’re serious about your reservation and will prioritize seating you promptly.
Seating at Outdoor Cafes
Madrid is famous for its outdoor cafes where people sit and enjoy coffee while watching others pass by. Most outdoor cafes have tables set up on the sidewalk with chairs around them. In these cases, it’s common to seat yourself.
Pro Tip: The best seats at outdoor cafes are those closest to the street because they offer the best views of people passing by.
Seating during Busy Hours
If it’s peak lunch or dinner hours (1-3 pm for lunch and 9-11 pm for dinner), it might be difficult to find an unoccupied table in traditional restaurants. In such cases, it’s better to wait until someone else gets up from their table and then grab it.
Pro Tip: If you’re traveling in a group, it might be a good idea to split up and look for tables independently. It’s easier to find two or three empty tables than one that can accommodate ten people.
In conclusion, whether you seat yourself in Madrid depends on the type of restaurant you’re visiting and the time of day. Traditional Spanish restaurants usually require you to seat yourself, while fine dining restaurants require you to wait for a host/hostess. Outdoor cafes always allow self-seating, while peak hours can make it difficult to find an empty table.