He Great Cafe Gijónan emblem of Madrid’s cultural life since its opening in 1888, continues today to be a point of reference for lovers of letters and history. This emblematic establishment, founded by the Asturian Gumersindo Gomezhas not only witnessed important cultural events, but has also remained a meeting space for intellectuals and artists for more than a century.
After its founder, Gumersindo, the place passed into the hands of Benigno Lopezand later, from his widow, Encarnacion Fernandez, who played a key role in the café’s highlights. Under his direction, the establishment lived its golden years, keeping alive the literary and artistic tradition that characterizes it. Currently, the management of the cafe is in charge of the descendants of Gregorio Escamilla Sacedawho strive to preserve the cultural legacy of the establishment.
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During its more than 130 years of history, this establishment has been the nerve center of Madrid’s culture and literature, thanks to the gatherings that were held daily in their halls. The likes of Canalejas, Ramón y Cajal, Pérez Galdós, Romero de Torres, Ramón María del Valle-Inclán, Gerardo Diego, Torrente Ballester, Sastre, Cela and an endless number of others have spoken at the Gran Café in Gijón. To this day, literature continues to be the protagonist.
He Great Cafe Gijón It is not only known for its history and contribution to the cultural life of Madrid, but also for being the venue for the annual ‘Café Gijón’ novel award. This award, founded by Fernando Fernan Gomezis an initiative that reinforces the café’s commitment to promoting literature and art, something that has undoubtedly marked its history from the beginning.
Over the years, this place has managed to preserve the evocative atmosphere of that time of cultural splendor that Madrid experienced in the 19th and early 20th centuries, thus being a living testimony of the city’s cultural history. To this day, coffee continues Covered marble tables and red seatswith the walls full of paintings as it was in the 19th century.
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This coffee is fundamental part of the history of the city of Madrid, as are other centuries-old establishments such as Lhardy (1839), Casa Labra (1860), Los Galayos (1894) or the Chocolatería San Ginés (1894). In the case of this cafe from Gijon, its menu has been adapted to the multiculturalism that characterizes the city of Madrid, always maintaining some original classics of Asturian cuisine.
Its menu is brief, but currently, it brings together the most iconic dishes and ingredients. traditional Spanish gastronomy. In this way, from the dishes served at Café Gijón you can take a sort of trip around the country, thanks to dishes such as the Cazón en adobo de Cádiz, the Eggplant and cane honey sticks typical of Córdoba cuisine, a version of the Valencian “Señorito” rice, Galician-style octopus or Bilbao-style hake.
But if there is one cuisine that takes absolute prominence in this historic cafe, it is Asturian. Beans are one of their specialties, as well as the delicious Asturian cachopo, made with two white beef fillets, Iberian ham, Payoya sheep cheese from the lands of Cádiz and caramelized onion. On Tuesdays, Café Gijón pays tribute to its city, Madrid, with one of the most iconic dishes of its gastronomy. On this day of the week, it is tradition to serve at Café Gijón Madrid stew.
