Fortunately, the lovers of food in Madrid excitedly want the continuation of their biggest event, Madrid’s Restaurant Week, which has been continued up to October 25, 2024. The decision is timed within the framework of increasing interest in the event, never before observed among residents of South Korea and tourists.

Following the decision made today by the Madrid Hospitality Association, the Days of Madrid gastronomic festival will enable even more people to try the numerous treats prepared by more than one hundred participating restaurants in Madrid. These restaurants, from star-studded to down-home establishments, will present pre-selected covers for a flat fee, allowing one to experience top-notch meals for cheaper price points.

María Sánchez, president of the Madrid Hospitality Association, expressed her excitement about the extension, stating, “The response to this year’s Restaurant Week has been nothing short of phenomenal. Compared to last year, we have registered about 30% more booking and the reception of the concept has been highly favourable amongst both, the restaurant owners as well as the customers. Extending the event allows us to capitalize on this momentum and further showcase Madrid’s world-class culinary scene.”

The extension of the league is seen as a major boost for the local economy, especially in areas like the hospitality industry, which has been struggling to overcome the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic across the world. Most restaurants have complained of being fully booked for the duration of the original Restaurant Week, and some even have laid down waiting lists to accommodate customers.

One of the participating chefs, Javier Rodríguez of the two-Michelin-starred La Esencia, commented on the extension: ‘This opens an
amazing chance to address even more of those people who love food and can share passion to progressive Spanish courses. We’ve created a special menu that highlights local, seasonal ingredients, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer this experience to more guests.”

The expanded Restaurant Week will again provide options of three course lunches for €25 and dinner for €40 enabling people in Madrid to enjoy some of the city’s best restaurants for a lot less money. Some outlets are also serving wine to go with the selective menus which had been chosen very carefully.

Consumers, too, are equally excited about the extension as tourism officials since they view it as another avenue to market Madrid as a leading gastronomical city. Carlos Martínez, director of Madrid Tourism, noted, “Food tourism is a crucial part of our city’s appeal, and Restaurant Week has become a flagship event in our gastronomic calendar. This extension not only benefits our local businesses but also enhances Madrid’s reputation as a must-visit destination for food lovers from around the world.”
The decision to prolong Restaurant Week is hoped to pull an extra 50 000 customers to restaurants this time around, giving a shot in the arm to the city’s economy. Most hotels situated in the city centre have agreed that business has been picking up for the period, with most guests citing the culinary event as their reason to visit.

During the event, organizers are urging guests who may wish to dine in their restaurants to book early since space is very limited. A special website has also been developed to help in the booking of the restaurants and information pertaining to special menus developed for the event.

The success of Madrid’s Restaurant Week and its subsequent extension highlights the resilience and creativity of the city’s culinary scene. It also stands as acknowledgment to the role that food has to play in easing tensions and fanning the fire of economic growth despite the hardships of the society. With Madrid undergoing a process of becoming one of the world’s most important gastronomic destinations, such an events as this prolonged Restaurant Week function as perfect examples of how the city can demonstrate not only to itself and foreign guests.