Leaving Madrid on the weekend to eat in one of the charming towns of the Community is becoming more and more common among Madrid residents.

Not only to disconnect from the city and spend a day in nature or doing rural tourism, but also to taste good gastronomy in renowned restaurants.

Hand in hand with

TheFork

, the reservation platform, we propose five places to make a gastro getaway a few kilometers from the capital (some can even be reached by suburban train).

MORALZARZAL

At the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama, in the heart of the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares Regional Park, about 46 kilometers from Madrid, this small town is a popular summer resort and to spend weekends thanks to its natural environment, surrounded by hills and mountains of important heights and rivers that invite you to do many excursions on foot, on horseback or by bike.

It also stands out for its well-kept historic center, where traditional houses and various monuments are still preserved, such as the 16th-century church of San Miguel Arcángel, or the Town Hall building, with the 1886 clock on its façade, a gift from the matador of bulls Salvador Sánchez Frascuelo.

For lunch or dinner, we recommend the famous restaurant

El Cenador de Salvador

(Calle de España, 30; tel.: 918 57 77 22), located in a luxurious serene villa with a terrace with gardens that also houses a hotel school.

The refined cuisine of chef Salvador Gallejo Jiménez pulls from tradition, closeness and seasonality.

Saint Lawrence of El Escorial

The Madrid town, famous for the imposing Royal Monastery, a World Heritage Site, does not need excuses for a getaway.

Just by walking through its streets and visiting said monument, it is worth it.

The royal site is divided into two terms, on the one hand San Lorenzo, where the overwhelming historical and artistic heritage is found and, on the other, El Escorial, less touristy.

In it, however, the Granjilla de La Fresneda are famous, where Felipe II ordered the construction of a palace and some Renaissance gardens, the Monasterio de Prestado, a mansion, long before the construction of the Royal Monastery, where Felipe II lived while the works on this building, or the Casita del Príncipe, built by Juan de Villanueva, from 1772, which was used as a recreation pavilion by Carlos IV.

In this part of the town is

ValhallaExperience

(Peregrinas, 21; tel.: 675 31 73 30), a restaurant with highly elaborate cuisine in which traditional recipes are reinterpreted, combining exotic flavors with local culture.

Its name refers to the paradise associated with Norse mythology that is embodied here in a prodigious hall.

MEDIUM COLLAR

In the middle of the Sierra de Guadarrama, on the hill formed by the Cerro del Castillo, Monterredondo and El Chaparral, and about 47 km from Madrid, is located this town that houses numerous monuments that give a good account of its long history, from the Chapel of San Juan to the Town Hall passing by its refreshing fountains that even make up its own tourist route, about 15 km long, or its Roman ruins.

The idyllic boutique hotel La Torre Box Art Hotel houses

Koma

(Pº de los Rosales, 48; tel.: 918 55 85 58), a gastronomic space based on traditional cuisine with avant-garde touches by chef Rubén Amro.

GALAPAGAR

A few kilometers northwest of the capital is this municipality crossed by the Guadarrama River.

It is famous for the Canto del Peso rock formation, for its bridges and churches and for being the gateway to the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares Regional Park and the regional park of the middle course of the Guadarrama River and its surroundings.

There are many hiking lovers who have this town as a starting point for their excursions.

To regain strength is

Titi y la Tormenta

(Concejo, 4,; tel. 914 44 09 98), a gastrobar that blends informal tapas with modern touches.

It features a weekly menu of daily chef's dishes including fun bites.

PEDREZUELA

55 km from the capital, next to the homonymous reservoir and very close to the border with Guadalajara, lies this historic shepherd village surrounded by waterfalls and gorges drawn by the Guadalix River.

The options to spend a day of active tourism in the surroundings are almost endless.

The municipality is also famous for its roast kid, so it is recommended to make a reservation at

Los Nuevos Hornos de Ángel

(Carretera de Burgos, km 45.8, service road; exit 47 of the A1; tel.: 918 43 33 38), an on-site institution that has been preparing it for over 35 years.

You can also enjoy its roasted churro lamb, spoon dishes and a wide variety of raw dishes, such as sashimi and carpaccio.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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