From this Wednesday, April 1, eating at the Congress of Deputies is more expensive. The Lower House debuts a new catering service after the change of concession. The daily menu goes from €6.45 to €8. For its part, coffee also experiences a rise of 30 cents and stands at €1.40.
To date, Cafestore, a subsidiary of Sacyr, is the one who held this concession and has been in charge of the catering services of the Lower House since 2019. From now on, the company Mediterránea will be responsible for offering these services in the 2026-2028 period, although a possible extension of the contract for the years 2029 and 2030 is contemplated.
The concession includes operating the three cafeterias, the two self-service restaurants, the main restaurant and various vending machines located in the parliament's facilities.
Additionally, it must provide the so-called 'parliamentary support services,' necessary for the committees and other meetings, as well as for the institutional residence of the Congress located on Casado del Alisal street.
What do the deputies eat
But not only do prices go up, the "healthy" offer is also expanded. For example, the cafeteria's new menu includes the "protein" breakfast: turkey sandwich with cream cheese and arugula + yogurt bowl with fruit and seeds (€4.50).
Another of the novelties is the "veggy" breakfast: kefir with honey or panela + hummus or guacamole with crudités + infusion (€4.50).
On the other hand, after a controversy in 2013 related to the low cost of high-proof alcoholic beverages, Congress decided to remove them from the list of regulated prices. These beverages continue to be offered, but at prices established by the concessionaire company, without subsidies. With Mediterránea the national mixed drink is at 8€.
New times
Last August, the Lower House launched a tender for the management of its restaurants for the next three years, with an estimated budget of 6.4 million euros.
As part of the conditions, the specifications established that the winning company must keep in their positions the workers who currently perform these restaurant services, where more than 2,000 people work.