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Café Botánico, C Ruiz de Alarcón 27. Metro Banco de España. 1100-2200. Just behind the Prado and a step away from the botanic gardens, this relaxed café-bar has tables outside on the pavement in summer. Hotel Ritz, Plaza de la Lealtad 5, T 91 521 28 57. Metro Banco de España. Open for breakfast 0730-1100, tea 1630-1930, drinks and tapas 1930-0100. Treat yourself to tea at the Ritz; sink into a plush wicker chair in the enclosed gardens and forget the hoi polloi outside. Café Salón del Prado, C Prado 4, T 91 429 33 61. Metro Sol. Open until 0200. Elegant, spacious café full of mirrors and potted palms. Classical music concerts on Thursday evenings. Miau, Plaza Santa Ana 6, T 91 429 22 72. Metro Sol. 0930-2400. Right on the square, with a few tables out on the pavement, this is a strange mix of old and new. Good for breakfast, as its one of the few places in this area to open early. La Luiza, Plaza Santa Ana 2, T 91 521 08 11. Metro Sol. Mon-Thu 0700-2400, Fri-Sat 0800-0200, Sun 0800-2400. Delightful, old-fashioned pastry shop with just a few tables. A great place for breakfast a creamy café con leche and a sweet croissant or ensaïmada. Sherazade, C Santa María 6. Metro Antón Martín. 2000-0300, until 0430 Fri-Sat. Step into this Moroccan tearoom through the horseshoe arch doorway and sink languidly onto a low stool or a pile of cushions. Cocktails and tea are served. Café de los Austrias, Plaza de Ramales 1, T 91 559 84 36. Metro Opera. Mon-Thu 0900-0130, Fri-Sat 0900-0230, Sun 0900-2400. Large, old-fashioned café-bar with marble columns and mirrors which is very popular with locals. A perfect spot to while away an afternoon. Café de Oriente, Plaza de Oriente 2, T 91 541 39 74. Metro Opera. 0930-0130, until 0230 on Fri and Sat. Famous, chic café with a large terrace overlooking the square and the Palacio Real. Theres an expensive restaurant, too, if you want to splash out for a special occasion. Chocolatería San Ginés, Pasadizo San Ginés. Metro Opera. Tucked down a passage off Calle Arenal, this is the classic place to finish off a night out on the town, with churros con chocolate at dawn.
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