Caffé Milano

Caffe Milano is the house cafe of the Instituto Italiano de Cultura and its terrace is one of the best kept secrets in downtown Madrid. The Institute is located in the 17th century [poi=620501]Palacio de Abrantes[/poi] on bustling Calle Mayor just steps from the [poi=70403]Royal Palace of Madrid[/poi]. While the Institue itself is mainly devoted to Italian language classes, cultural events, and Italo-centric exhibits, Caffe Milano exists to promote Italy’s most popular and famous export: good food and wine. The cafe’s menu focuses on traditional Italian classics like rustic pastas, but in all truth there are probably better and more charming Italian restaurants in the capital. No, the real reason to come to Caffe Milano is to enjoy a drink on its shady terrace, located in the interior courtyard of the Palace. When you enter, you immediately feel miles away from the hordes of tourists on [poi=1513]Calle Mayor[/poi] and you’re in a quiet, shaded, and spacious terrace surrounded by potted plants and decorative street lamps. They bar menu has just about everything you can imagine, but since it’s Italian I’d suggest getting a Spritz, a very refreshing combination of Aperol (a low-proof bitter liqueur), prosecco, and soda. It straddles the line between bitter and sweet and couldn’t be more refreshing on a hot day. If you’re looking to take a little break while you’re our sightseeing on Calle Mayor, Caffe Milano is a great place to keep in mind.