Madrid Airport Hilton- meal options nearby

I recently stayed at the Madrid Airport Hilton and unfortunately I just ate meals at the restaurant at the hotel - which was pricy - about 17 euros for a Club Sandwich.

I wonder if you can eat at any restaurants at the airport - the shuttle is convenient back/forth to the airport

I will tell you it was the most amazing room I've ever stayed in - totally modern and lots of amenities - like tv audio piped in the bathroom, frosted glass walls that are like movable doors for the bathroom.

Unfortunately, you're in a very modern area...lots of high-rises built in the last few years, and none of the ambience of the older parts of Madrid. There is the giant Plenilunio shopping center just south of you across the A-2....fast food outlets and a couple of small restaurants, but nothing to write home about. Lots of high-fashion shops, tho.
If you have time, and if you can hike or cab over to the Alameda de Osuna Metro stop (a 15-20 minute walk from your hotel north, then west across the overpass), you can take the Metro 4 stops to the Suances station....less than 15 minutes. You come out on Calle Alcala...head west along Alcala, and you'll find several cosy little bar-restaurants on the north side of the street. Brush up on your Spanish though....this is a typical Madrid neighbourhood, and your chances of finding an English-speaker are pretty slim. If you have extra time, there's a wonderful park just east of the Suances stop on Alcala filled with almond trees.

P.S. Don't forget that the Spanish don't each much for breakfast (coffee and churros or croissante), have a huge lunch from 2 pm, and eat a lighter dinner around 9 pm. If you want to go for tapas earlier in the evening, take the Metro to the aforementioned Suances stop...and head east half a block. On the south side, you'll find Cafe Sanpas, a noisy local bar-restaurant with a fantastic tapas selection.

Appreciate the suggestions and tips.

I knew my options would be limited... at least close by. If possible I would like to eek out some time to actually see the city of Madrid. I'm meeting some folks so I dont have a lot of flexibility on arrival.

I plan to do a little more research based on the suggestions and try to work out some options. Any direction is better than no direction.

I read there was a "mall" close by. I might consider the my options there. Could be fun just to walk around.

The menu for the La Plaza (hotel restaurant) is a wee bit on the pricey side for my taste but would work in a pinch.

This will be my first time Madrid but not the first time to Spain. A helpful traveler gave me a heads up before my last trip regarding how meal times were structured. I was able to adjust and plan before coming. The rest of the folks I traveled with were starving. HA HA.

As far as breakfast is concerned... just looking a quick bite.

The reviews for this hotel have been positive. It looks uber modern. A stark contrast on where I am staying for the length of my stay. Getting a little of old and new Spain, which is cool.