Located in the middle of Spain, the vibrant city of Madrid provides you with a little bit of everything. Here you can easily lose track of time as you spend your days admiring the stunning architecture at Plaza Mayor, shopping at Gran Via, feasting on local delicacies at Mercado de San Miguel, and admiring art at the Prado Museum.
However, no visit to Madrid would be complete without a trip to a local arroceria for a taste of paella, a Spanish rice dish considered by many to be the country’s national dish. Made with rice, saffron, and other ingredients like meat, seafood, or vegetables, paella offers a unique combination of flavors that are sure to delight your taste buds.
And while this famous dish may not originate from the Madrid area, there are still plenty of restaurants offering all kinds of paella. Whether you’re craving Paella Valenciana, Paella Mixta, or Paella de Marisco, our recommendations below will help you find the best paella in Madrid.
What makes a good paella?
A good paella should always have the socarrat, a crispy bottom later that can be achieved only through the proper techniques.
Before you start eating your way through Madrid’s paella restaurants, it’s important to do some research on the key characteristics of a good paella. Some basics include:
- Using broth instead of water for full flavor.
- Using short-grain rice like Bomba or Calasparra, as long-grain rice absorbs too much liquid and becomes mushy.
- A crispy bottom layer called socarrat, which can only be achieved with the correct cooking techniques and equipment.
- Balanced seasoning composed of saffron, paprika, and a sofrito base.
Ready to feast on the best paella in Madrid? Check out our 5 favorite restaurants for paella in the city:
1. Arrocería D`stapa
Feast on their seafood paella, which features fresh seafood just bursting with flavor.
Probably one of the most famous Madrid paella restaurants, D`stapa is a must-visit if you want to enjoy this famous rice dish in a casual and laid-back environment. The paella has an incredibly inviting aroma, with each bite offering a wonderful balance of flavors and textures: tender rice infused with layers of rich flavor from the saffron and the broth.
Klook tip: D’stapa also offers an extensive range of vegetarian options for paella and appetizers. This makes it a great location if you want to try paella without any meat.
Address: C. de Segovia, 8, centro, Centro, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Opening hours: Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Saturday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm, 8:00pm - 12:00am
Sunday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
What to order: We recommend the seafood paella for its plump shrimp and tender calamari. Pair it with your appetizer of choice, the house white wine, and the fried eggplants with sugar cane for dessert.
2. La Taberna de Peñalver
A glass of the cold and refreshing tinto de verano perfectly complements their paella, especially on a hot day.
Feast on Alicante-style paella and rice dishes here at La Taberna de Peñalver, a casual tavern located just outside the Diego de León subway station. Their paella recipes originate from the seaside city of Alicante, which means seafood is the star of the dish: the rice is cooked in a savory fish broth before your chosen meats or shellfish are tossed in.
Klook tip: If the weather permits, dine outdoors at the covered terrace. We also recommend making reservations in advance, especially if you’re coming during the rush hours.
Address: C. del Conde de Peñalver, 90, 90-92-94, Salamanca, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 12:00pm - 12:00am
What to order: For appetizers, popular options include the clams, the torrenzos de Soria, and chistorra de Navarra. For your main dish, our preferred combination is the arroz señor with a glass of the tinto de verano. We also recommend a slice of the fluffy and balanced cheesecake for dessert.
3. La Barraca
Squeeze some fresh lemon juice to balance the savory flavors of the paella negra.
Located near Gran Via, La Barraca is an ideal stop in-between shops. Serving some of the best paella in Madrid over 80 years, the restaurant makes you feel right at home with its beautiful Valencian decor. Here you’ll be spoiled for choice as you pick between 18 different types of paellas and rice dishes, all bursting with flavor.
Address: C. de la Reina, 29, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 1:30pm - 4:15pm, 7:30pm - 11:15pm
What to order: The bread appetizer, which comes with a fantastic garlic aioli, is a must-try. For your main dish, the paella negra with their house sangria can’t be beat! And if you still have room for dessert, the flan de la casa is a fantastic way to end the meal.
4. Arrocería Casa de Valencia
End your meal with their famous cake, made in-house using fresh oranges all the way from Valencia.
Wedged between apartment buildings and office spaces, Arrocería Casa de Valencia is a hidden gem if you’re on the hunt for paella Valenciana. Make sure to bring your appetite during your visit, as the generous servings of paella are accompanied by a serving of dried fruits with a dessert liqueur at the end.
Address: P.º del Pintor Rosales, 58, Moncloa - Aravaca, 28008 Madrid, Spain
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 1:00pm - 11:30pm
Sunday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
What to order:
Start your meal with some light appetizers like the bread and olives with the monkfish soup. For paella, the paella Valenciana is definitely a must. And for dessert, you’ll love the naranja de Valencia, a moist orange layer cake made with Valencian oranges.
5. Restaurante Casa Benigna
Restaurante Casa Benigna is the perfect restaurant if you’re in search of a cozy ambience.
Known for their warm and personal service, Restaurante Casa Benigna is the place to be if you’ve been craving a home-cooked meal. A snug space located in the northern suburbs of Madrid, open tables are a rare occurrence, as reviews constantly rave about the amazing food. And while the menu might be short compared to other arrocerias, with just 5 starters and 7 main courses, all of them are sure to impress.
Klook tip: As seats are limited, we recommend placing a reservation well in advance, especially if you’ll be dining during peak hours from 2:00pm - 4:00pm and 8:30pm - 10:00pm. For walk-ins, it’s best to arrive right as the restaurant opens for lunch or at 10:00pm for dinner.
Address: C. de Benigno Soto, 9, Chamartín, 28002 Madrid, Spain
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 1:30pm - 4:00pm, 8:30pm - 11:00pm
Sunday: Closed
What to order:
The house smoked salmon with an ultra crispy skin, along with the eggplant and duck confit, is the perfect combination for appetizer. The paella de costilla ibérica (paella of pork ribs) is also highly-recommended due to the perfect contrast between the tender meat and the crispy socarrat.
Bring Home A Taste of Madrid by Joining a Cooking Class
Join a paella-making class in Madrid and bring home a recipe you can easily recreate.
If you find that sampling the best paella in Madrid just once or twice during your entire trip isn’t enough, consider joining a paella cooking class so you can bring the taste of Spain back home with you. Some of our recommended classes include:
- Paella Cooking Class with Market Visit: Visit Antón Martín market for groceries, before you make your own paella and share it with the rest of the group, along with some sangria and gazpacho.
- Paella and Sangria Workshop: Mix your own sangria before preparing authentic Spanish paella with fresh chicken and seafood. Vegetarian and allergy-friendly options are available with prior notice.
Now that you know where to go for your fill of delicious and authentic Spanish paella, it’s time to get back to planning the rest of your trip. Before you go, make sure you have all your essentials booked: this includes your Europe eSIM and your Madrid accommodations. Happy travels!
FAQs
1. What is the difference between paella, arroz de mariscos, and other rice dishes in Spain?
While paella does have many similarities to other rice dishes in Spain (such as arroz de mariscos), paella sets itself apart based on:
- The type of rice: Paella uses short-grain rice only, while arroz de mariscos uses long-grain rice.
- Ingredients: Paella uses saffron for flavor, while arroz de mariscos uses ají (Peruvian pepper).
- Preparation method: Paella is cooked in high heat using a wide and shallow pan (called a paellera) to develop a crispy crust at the bottom, while arroz de mariscos is typically cooked using clay pots.
2. Which neighborhoods in Madrid are known for excellent paella restaurants?
While you can find paella restaurants pretty much everywhere, some notable neighborhoods for the best paella in Madrid include:
- Barrio Salamanca: For chic and upscale options in a luxury neighborhood.
- La Latina, Huertas, and Lavapiés: For those who wish to enjoy paella in a busy and lively environment.
3. What time do Madrileños usually go out for paella, and when is the service best?
Madrileños typically eat paella for lunch, as it’s considered to be too heavy for breakfast or dinner. For the best service, order paella before the traditional Spanish lunch rush (2:00pm - 4:00pm). We recommend arriving around half an hour before the lunch rush to ensure you are seated quickly.
4. How much should you expect to pay for a good paella in Madrid?
For a good quality paella in Madrid, you should generally expect to pay between €15 and €25 per person. Prices vary depending on location and the ingredients used. For example, paella using seafood will likely be more expensive than paella with chicken or vegetables. And while it may be tempting to order paella for cheap, note that quality may be inconsistent, especially if they’re advertised for very low prices.
Klook tip: It’s important to remember that paella is typically served for a minimum of two people. This means that a €15 paella will actually cost you €30, even if you’re traveling alone. In this scenario, we recommend just bringing any leftovers home, as it’s unlikely you’ll find a restaurant offering single servings of paella.
5. Do top paella places in Madrid require reservations or have set menus?
While it varies between restaurants, most of them generally do not require reservations in advance and instead operate on a first come, first served basis. Most Madrid paella restaurants typically don’t offer set meals either, though they do require you to order a minimum of two servings of paella.
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