Valencia is the undisputed birthplace of paella, but the residents of Madrid sure do give the coastal city a run for its money! I’ve been asked where to find the best paella in Madrid a bunch of times on my Madrid food tours, so I thought it was about time I ran through my picks for the top spots in the city.
Read on to discover the top paella restaurants in Madrid, all of which I’d happily revisit!
What Makes Paella in Madrid Special?
Considering paella is a quintessentially Valencian dish, you’ll likely notice that versions made outside of this region taste a little different. For starters, the original recipe calls for rabbit, chicken, and snails, while most types of paella in Madrid focus on mussels, squid, and prawns, though some swap seafood for chicken and chorizo.
In both regions, bomba rice, broth, saffron, paprika, and an assortment of vegetables are typically cooked in a paellera, which is a shallow pan, over an open flame. Because many restaurants in Madrid stick to this technique, the city has become a hub for tasty spins on traditional paella.
Best Places to Eat Paella in Madrid
D’stapa
Photo credit: D’stapa
Hiding in the La Latina district, D’stapa is one of the best restaurants in Madrid to try paella. This spot is renowned for serving a variety of different types of rice dishes, as you’ll notice on the menu. I enjoyed the atmosphere here; it’s quite laid-back with brick walls and curtains, yet the food is at a Michelin-star level.
My buddy and I couldn’t resist getting the Valencian paella. The order for two people was huge and tasted like it was straight from the homeland; the meats gave it a gamey element, while the rice was loaded with floral aromas.
D’stapa – 28005 Madrid – Closed every Monday, open Tuesday to Friday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 8:00 pm to 11:45 pm, Saturday from 1:00 pm to 11:45 pm, and every Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Arrocería Marina Ventura
Photo credit: Arrocería Marina Ventura
One restaurant that can be found in the heart of Barrio de Las Letras that does delicious paella is Arrocería Marina Ventura. There’s such a cozy ambiance the moment you walk through the door with the gorgeous wooden interiors and bright lighting.
After sitting myself up at the bar and ordering a drink, I decided to go for the salty, umami-flavored black rice paella. Luckily for me, it came with some chewy, lightly sweetened cuttlefish and squid that had a mild, briny tang.
Arrocería Marina Ventura – 28014 Madrid – Open every day from 1:00 pm to 11:30 pm.
La Barraca
Photo credit: La Barraca
La Barraca sits around the corner from Gran Via and, for over 80 years, has been a standout in Madrid’s dining scene for paella. Between the intimate lounge with elegant seating arrangements and the Valencian decor dating back to 1935, you won’t find another restaurant like this.
On my trip to La Barraca, I was lucky enough to enjoy a portion of their saffron-infused bomba rice. It was easily one of the best paellas in Madrid that I’d tried and came with a few pieces of tender and rich duck and sliced earthy mushrooms.
La Barraca – 28004 Madrid – Open every day from 1:30 pm to 4:15 pm and from 9:30 pm to 11:15 pm.
Taberna el Sur de Huertas
Photo credit: Taberna el Sur de Huertas
Taberna el Sur de Huertas has a few locations in Madrid, but my favorite is its lively location on Calle de las Huertas. It’s super casual with more of a bar vibe, but that’s the beauty of it. More than that, they whip up some of the best paella in Madrid.
While you might be initially tempted by all the tapas on the menu, you’ll regret not ordering the seafood paella. My portion was loaded with oceanic-tasting shrimp, but the lemon on the side provided a nice balance to them, which paired nicely with nutty-flavored rice.
Taberna el Sur de Huertas – 28014 Madrid – Open every Monday to Wednesday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 12:30 am and every Thursday to Saturday from 12:00 am to 1:00 am.
La Taberna de Peñalver
Photo credit: La Taberna de Peñalver
Being a lover of Mediterranean cuisine, I had to swing by La Taberna de Peñalver’s, among the best locations for paella in Madrid. Complete with a charming outdoor area, this eatery is situated near the Diego de León subway station.
With so many rice options on the menu, I decided to stick with what I knew and ordered the version with shellfish. It had a firm consistency with a delicate salty flavor profile.
La Taberna de Peñalver – 28006 Madrid – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am.
Taberna del Olivo
Photo credit: Taberna del Olivo
Taberna del Olivo in the Salamanca neighborhood is a low-key restaurant that has been serving paella for more than 30 years. I found this place one day when I walked past on a quiet afternoon. Fortunately, it wasn’t too busy, so I managed to grab a table out front without having to wait.
As a first-timer coming here, I recommend going straight for the rice with the chicken and vegetables. It’s a colorful mix of savory rice paired with fresh veggies and juicy chicken that’s bursting with flavor.
Taberna del Olivo – 28006 Madrid – Open every Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Tips for Enjoying the Best Paella in Madrid
- Because paella was originally crafted as a sharing dish, most restaurants serve it in portions large enough for two or more people.
- One of the most common mistakes when ordering paella is choosing establishments that display photos of the dish outside. This is often a sign that the eatery caters to tourists rather than locals.
- Paella is typically enjoyed at lunchtime. If you opt for restaurants that only serve it during the day, chances are, it’s a more authentic, non-touristy spot.
- Spain is famed for its incredible wines, but the type of paella you order will determine which pairs well with this iconic dish. Albariño is an excellent choice for seafood paella, while tempranillo is a gorgeous red to team with meatier varieties.
Sources:
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Madrid food tour: A complete guide to eating in Madrid. Eating Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/madrid/
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Best restaurants in Madrid: A food lover’s guide. Eating Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/best-restaurants-in-madrid/
Arrocería D’Stapa Madrid. (n.d.). Home. Arrocería D’Stapa Madrid. https://arroceriadstapamadrid.com/
Arrocería Ventura. (n.d.). Home. Arrocería Ventura. https://arroceriaventura.com/en
La Barraca. (n.d.). Home. La Barraca. https://www.labarraca.es/en/
Taberna El Sur. (n.d.). Taberna El Sur de Huertas. Taberna El Sur. https://www.tabernaselsur.es/taberna-el-sur-de-huertas
La Taberna de Peñalver. (n.d.). Home. La Taberna de Peñalver. https://www.latabernadepenalver.com/
Taberna del Olivo. (n.d.). Home. Taberna del Olivo. https://tabernadelolivo.com/en/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp
- Daily
- 3.5 Hours
- Small Group
