Are there any buffet restaurants in Madrid? Please give names and experiences.

Hopefully some of the Spaniards on-board can answer this one (or those who have spend sufficient "quantitiy-time" there), but I don't think they're common in Spain at all.

As a side not: When my ladyfriend came to the USA to teach 1.5 years ago (she returns to Madrid this summer) this was something she was SO surprised to see; the great number of buffet-style restaurants here. She said, very quickly, "No wonder you Americans are so fat!" hehehhee.. I had to laugh....in total agreement. (I'm referring to the all-you-can-consume-until-you-explode type restaurants here in the USA and not the one-pass cafeteria style restaurants of course. Maybe you meant the latter and not the former. If so, I'll stop blabbering now and let others comment... )

Saludos, MadridMan

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[This message has been edited by MadridMan (edited 03-06-2001).]

Thank you. I was actually referring to the first option, but only to try as many Spanish dishes in one setting as to the quantity of food (I'm not quite sure if I believe this myself...)

The only bufé that I'm aware of is the Restaurante Diamantino, Calle Atocha, 67 Metro Antón Martín

It is next to the Teatro Monumental and located between Calle León and Calle Amor de Dios. Typical fare is paella, morcilla, salad and vegetable dishes, tortilla española, gambas, chorizo, and calamar.

I've been there twice and there is always a line to get in. You can also watch VH1 on their big screen while you eat.

Maybe someone else has been there too...

(another note to John316)

Please get yourself a free email account at one of the above/or-wherever places and then go to your PROFILE - see link at the top of any page, and enter your new email address. I'm going to delete your username and you can re-register under the same name with your new email address. Thanks!

Saludos, MadridMan

Yes the Restaurante Diamantino is the most convenient. the buffet starts at 2 in the afternoon. In general food is cheap in Spain, very good, but you have to be very carefull in what you order. One day I went to a restaurant with a friend we were looking at the door and the prices were ok,
we ordered and the guy kept asking if we wanted something to drink and finally we decided for 2 Sangrias, at the end the check was 15 dollars for the food and 35 dollars for the sangria. If the drink is included in the menu it is ok, but never order extra drinks.
Another thing, in Spain they serve small quantities of liquid, you order a Coke and they bring you a mini coke. I ordered a coffee and they brought me an expresso. then I asked that I wanted the normal coffee and they brought me a small cup of coffee.

Rafael

If the idea is trying different dishes, I would recommend a different approach. You can go to a good traditional bar and order small tapas "porciones". If you go in group you can order a good variety and it is more in the line of the travel exeprience...

Regarding the Buffet Diamantino. I just happened to have one of their fliers. There were guys all around the Prado and Atocha passing out these yellow advertisements. I took one and put it in my guide book. Here is what the flier say:

1100 Pesetas for all you can eat. 20 different dishes. Meats, fish, salad, chicken, pasta, paella and desserts. Open 1-5 and 8:30-11:30. It is in the plaza right by the Anton Martin metro stop.

We didn't eat there, somehow the idea of an all you can eat buffet just didn't seem like it would be part of the Madrid experience. We did eat in lots of great restaurants, and after a week, I think I sampled everything I wanted, but in a more leisurely, less gluttonous fashion. But now that I am back in the States it's back to the Pizza Hut buffet!

Ed