La Castafiore restaurant in Madrid is a unique experience where you get to eat some amazing Spanish cuisine but with a really classy twist.
The concept is that whilst serving you with your food and drinks throughout the evening, the waiters/waitresses who are also professional Opera singers will break out into song during your meal.
It is such a unique experience. We had never been to anything like this before, and as soon as we got our starters, we heard the first singer and go so emotional at how amazing it sounded so close up.
The combination of the amazing food, company, and music was possibly one of my favorite things I have ever done in Madrid. We went in September 2023, and all of the photos ere taken by me on the night so you get a real representation of La Castafiore.
The Enchanting Atmosphere of La Castafiore Restaurant
When you first arrive at La Castafiore, theres a small bar at the front with a few tables where you can wait, and you see all of the awards on the walls the restaurant has won in the hospitality sector over the years.
Once everything is set up, you are directed towards the back where you enter the dining room.
I really liked the way it was set up, like an old Italian restaurant, with wooden tables, crisp white linen sheets, and two large wooden beams overhead supporting the lighting.
The overall atmosphere was friendly, warm, a family restaurant vibe, but classy. The piano in the missile of the room instantly gives you a feel of whats to come.
It was a surprise for my partner, and seeing the piano, then hearing the music was really a pleasant surprise.
Initial impressions were good all around, so that set the tone of the evening and it only got better from there onwards.
The Food At La Castafiore
The food really was amazing, so much flavor in everything we were served.
For starters we chose a plater of cured meat that came with a splash of olive oil, and the flavor of the meat and oil really went together. The olive oil had to be something special because it didn’t taste like anything I have ever tried before.
The second starter we chose was the Salmon and Prawn salad with Gorgonzola and walnuts and a balsamic vinegar. We could taste each individual ingredient on the plate with every bite.
Im no food expert, I mean I eat a lot, but you can really note the difference in quality.
For the main, there were many options like the Duck, Salmon, Hake, but we are both big meat eaters, so we went for the steak and what a good choice we made here.
I have eaten a lot of steaks in Spain, and it’s not easy to say where the best one is as there are so many good ones, but I can tell you, the steak at La Castafiore really stands out among the best. It had so much flavor, and no gimmicks.
The steak was grilled medium rare, basted in butter, and came with a side of blanched potatoes, a perfect meal and I was satiated.
I did have a peak at other tables to see what me may have missed out on, and everyone looked just as happy as we were with their meal.
The Singers at La Castafiore Are Amazing
The singers start of mostly singing by the piano, which by the way plays in the background for the entire three hours. But at moments, they will walk around the room and stop and sing beside tables.
We had two singers perform a duet just feet away from us, and to hear such powerful voices so close is something I have never experienced. It was really a special moment we got to share that we will never forget.
There were times I would realize that I completely forgot about the food and got lost in the moments. Luckily the plate came hot so the food never got cold. You really enhance the dining experience with the live music.
Planning Your Visit to La Castafiore, Madrid
I actually work in Chueca, so I know the area very well and was familiar with the location of the restaurant. The restaurant is really popular locally, so it does sell out almost every performance, so you really want to book this in advance to assure you get a table.
We got off and walked from Alonso Martinez Metro as we were there a little early. The Madrid Metro system is very efficient. But you can get off at Chueca, Recoletos or Colon and be a short walk away from the restaurant.
If you need any extra directions, drop a comment a the end and I’ll be sure to answer and do what I can to help.
FAQs Section
Is there a dress code for the restaurant?
There is no dress code from what we could tell, no explicit instructions. I wore a Henley t-shirt and some chinos, and she wore a nice summer dress.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options on the menu?
There was no menu for vegans only, but we were asked if either of us were vegetarian so we assume they are happy to cater for all diets.
What can I expect from the opera performances?
The opera performances are sporadic and surprising even emotional at times, you forget where you are and really enjoy the experience.
A Night to Remember in Madrid
Living in Madrid for 10 years, I was surprised to have never heard of La Castafiore, and I really look to find unique things to do in Madrid. But I am very glad I have.
Before we left, we had a short talk with the lady that owns the restaurant. She had been walking around all of the tables during the evening having conversations with each table.
By the end of the night, all of the singers got together, and they played some familiar numbers and got the whole restaurant singing. They even broke protocol and played a couple salsa songs as it was the birthday of a lady at a table celebrating with friends.
We were told that the performers and music change regularly, so each time you go back you get a new and unique experience.
I really cannot recommend this enough, one of the best things to do as a couple in Madrid. I would really like to hear your comments if you go there.