This Iconic Madrid Hotel has a Michelin-Starred Restaurant, Champagne Bar, Afternoon Tea, and More

It only took a few moments after checking into the Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Madrid, with a slice of tarta de Santiago in one hand and a glass of cava in the other, to know I was somewhere special. 

Yes, the hotel offers a range of amenities, such as a spectacular location (situated in the Golden Triangle of Art, which features three iconic museums: Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Reina Sofia Museum of Modern Art), luxurious suites, and a world-class spa. However, I found the most remarkable aspect of the property to be its exceptional culinary offerings.

Before you question me, yes, there are plenty of great dining destinations in Madrid, Spain's vibrant capital city. But the Mandarin Oriental Ritz is arguably the city's most exciting culinary destination, overseen by one of the country's most renowned chefs, Quique Dacosta. It's not just travelers flocking to the hotel's dining venues, but plenty of locals too. And they're coming thanks to both its divine food and dazzling ambiance. 

The hotel's five restaurants and bars, curated by Dacosta, each have their own character and decor, including Deessa, the hotel's signature two Michelin-starred restaurant, located in the lavish Alfonso XIII room. There's also Palm Court, the hotel's all-day dining venue, which also serves afternoon tea underneath a crystal canopy ceiling, along with Pictura, its signature bar, Champagne Bar for champagne and opulent light bites, and El Jardín del Ritz for garden-view drinks and dining that, on a sunny day, frequently has a line out the door. 

After dining at Deessa, I can understand how it has quickly become one of the most sought-after restaurants in the city. Combining technique, tradition, and innovation, Dacosta crafted a genuinely spectacular menu that I loved every bite of. Of the standout dishes, I haven’t stopped dreaming about the artistry of the Tomates Frescos y Lomo De Atún con Pilpil de Tomates secos y Tomates Pasificados. The dish is essentially tomatoes in three acts that consist of whimsically plated tomatoes in fresh, dried, and jelly-fied form for an explosion of tomato flavor in every bite. The crème brûléed pork, a soup made in a coffee maker (trust me, it was fabulous), and a chocolate and hazelnut flan were among the other stellar plates that left my taste buds tingling. 

The wine list at Deessa (and the other eateries) is equally impressive, with a selection of Spanish and international wines that have been carefully curated to complement the menu and colorful glassware.  

As for the rest of the property’s dining options, Dacosta describes it as a universe that harmoniously flows together.

"Pictura is pure sophistication, a liquid universe," he shares. "El Jardín del Ritz was conceived as if it were a picnic in Versailles. Palm Court is traditional, a space in which the story is based on the heritage of the Ritz's palatial cuisine, which blends perfectly with the restaurant's Belle-Époque setting. Finally, Champagne Bar perfectly complements any of the other gastronomic universes and is both a proposal by itself and the perfect prelude to later visiting the other gastronomic universes."

Between sipping cocktails at Pictura, devouring croquettes and paella at El Jardin del Ritz, and eating all of Jamón ibérico at Palm Court, I found it hard to leave at first. Then I realized I never had to, as Dacosta's universe was delicious enough.