Madrid’s regional president has called on hospitality businesses to cut a little slack for hungry international visitors who have trouble adjusting to Spain’s late lunch and dinner times.
Spain is known for lunches that start at 2 or 3 and late evening dinners, with many restaurants not opening until 8 pm, while most visitors are used to lunch around midday and dinner times starting at 6 or 7.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso says she’s not planning to force restaurants to change their hours, but says “we have to adapt to those who grace us with their visit and trust us.” Her plea is directed mainly to places in tourist-heavy areas such as Gran Via or Plaza Mayor.
Díaz Ayuso’s concern for visitors is a seeming contrast with many others in Spain who are less happy with the throngs who visit Spain, a number that is on track to set new records, with 21.8 million in July and August alone.
