(What felt like an) Authentic tapas bar experience with a mix of tourists and locals alike, good food, cheap drinks, huge portions, and a friendly staff. This being our first dinner in Madrid, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, and we grossly over-ordered. My friend and I each had a glass of sangria (and the complimentary tapas that accompanied them) and shared a tortilla española, seafood paella, ham croquettes, and bottle of water. The ham croquettes were the only dish we finished (complete with the delicious mini fries on the side). Though the tortilla española and seafood paella were fine, they didn't blow me away, and we were far too stuffed to finish. I was also stunned by how cheap (2.5 euros) and delicious the sangria was; as a disclaimer, I definitely woke up later that night with a headache, so don't expect them to go light on the alcohol just because the drink is so inexpensive! Apart from the food, I also really liked the staff, who I found to be very friendly. read more

Loved the atmosphere; the food, not so much. Perhaps we ordered the wrong items. The sizzling platter of steak was extra fatty and not appetizing. Prices on the drinks were good for a touristy area. read more

See all

We tried both Parilla Alhambra and Alhambra within the same day. Parilla Alhambra is a fairly new restaurant that sits adjacent to the Alhambra and caters to the breakfast and early lunch crowd. The Alhambra have been around for over 30 years and has a slightly different menu and opens at 1 pm. Both were very good so you can't go wrong with either. The grilled octopus is a favorite amongst patrons but a little off-putting when I first laid eyes on it. I guess being from the states, I'm not used to a pile of tentacles being served to me. Definitely very tender and perfectly cooked so no regrets there. The oxtail stew was really rich and flavorful - get the bread to sop up the sauce and you'll know what heaven feels like for those couple of seconds. Grilled prawns were nicely cooked and buttery and I definitely recommend every patron trying it. You also can't go wrong with Sangrias costing about 2 Euros and a fine glass of Rioja for 3.50 Euros. read more

Alhambra - Free chicken wing appetizer; grilled prawns; grilled octopus and ox tail stew. - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

Such an authentic spanish place! We went for dinner before the rush (arrived at around 8 ish). Don't get this restaurant confused with other tapas-style places. The plates were pretty big. I was already half-full from the appetizer and wine... As a starter we got the fried shark, just out of curiosity because we had never had it before. It was a little too much for the two of us, and we were both wishing it wasn't so plain (perhaps a dipping sauce?)... but maybe that's just a spanish custom. For our entrees we got the paella. Super "juicy" and they didn't skimp on the amount of seafood bites like other places that make paella. It's definitely something you can share between two people. We also got the albondigas. Also very delicious, so soft that they fall apart. Personally, though, I wish they didn't top it with so many fries. Weird arrangement in my opinion. Side note: For FREE as a little appetizer they give you little chorizos with crunchy bread strips. Savor them because they're delicious! Would I come back? Yes! Would I order less food? Definitely. read more

See all

Ambiance is nice, waiters speak English which is nice. Came with complimentary meat and bread. Ordered 4 tapas, two were really good (pictured) and one was not very good at all (onion with goat cheese). Was more than enough for two people, too full to finish last tapas plate. Not sure if it's authentic or not, but the meat tasted very high quality. The tuna was very very good. Extremely affordable, got about 4 tapas for $20 read more

Alhambra - Salmon and goat cheese - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

See all

Update: The prawns were that good that we came back a 2nd time during our stay in Madrid. The prawns yet again were spot on. Under 2.50€ per drink (cerveza y tino de verano) Can't complain! Tried a couple new items: tripe stew, ham and loin tapas. Ham and loin come on slices of baguettes and were both good. The tripe stew was salty and took on too much of the sausage flavor that was in the stew. Couldnt really enjoy it because of that. After trying a couple other restaurants serving traditional paella (albeit at higher prices), the one here is serviceable and suites towards what we're used to in America. However, if you want good paella, you'll need to go a little out of the way. 11€ for a plate of 10 grilled prawns! Draft beer for 2.40€ and Tinto de Verono for 2.30€. About 8€ for a single serving of paella. Prawns were the star of the meal! Simply grilled with some coarse salt seasoning. Perfect! Paella was so so. Drinks were good and a free tapas is delivered to the table after shortly being seated. read more

This is one of the few restraunts that serves an American size portion and is very well priced. The ox tail comes with regular gravy and is good however the paella is off the hook. If it tastes like it is half cooked due to some hardness this is how it is made. It comes packed with seafood. The mini sausage and pork or Jarmone is delicious. The Sangria is second best from all the locations I visited. The food and atmosphere was so enjoyable we went two nights in a row. Alhambra is located in Old Town. I say check it out. read more

See all

I came in with a party of 7 and was seated right away. The food was decent, sort of a hit or miss depending on what you order. I ordered the ham croquettes and sangria and they were both delicious. I'm writing this review, however, to mention how creepy the waiters were. Both times I went to use the restroom, my own server would lean into me and repeat the same words to me in Spanish. I know basic Spanish and I know plenty about body language and what guys are like when they try to hit on girls and their behavior made me very uncomfortable. The second time I went to use the toilet, because of the nature of their restroom design, the same server made eye contact with me over the restroom door, in the mirror, pointed at me and said more things in Spanish. Perhaps I'm overreacting but at the same time, the experience made me completely uncomfortable and did not think that dining here was worth my time. read more

Best lunch in Madrid so far. The goat cheese with blueberries was amazing. Great potato frites and garlic prawns as well.

Best place for tapas in Madrid. Big portions for very little €€. Would definitely return next time I am in Madrid. You won't be disappointed in anything you order. read more

Alhambra - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

Escuchenme, eat here! This was the best meal I had in Madrid. The prices are reasonable. The flavors are fantastic. The service was great. Unfortunately, I didn't find it until my last night in Madrid. I spent a lot more on very mediocre food elsewhere. I wish I could rewind and eat here 2 or 3 times. Great atmosphere too. read more

Quality Spanish Meat(and of course other favorites too), this is about as good as it gets for the area. Cheap, delicious, authentic. Also it's open late and the servers are friendly, as they're going for the late night bar sort of feel here. Everything on the menu is fairly inexpensive but comes with huge portions. And this is after the complimentary ham appetizer that they start you off with. I ordered the skirt steak, which came with two sizeable pieces of steak, a bed of fries, and what seemed like a chimichurri sauce, for only 7.5 euro! More than filling, and the meal was so cheap that I actually ordered two glasses of wine so that I could pay with it for my card. This place has a very local bar sort of feel, and you can tell on the weekend nights people come here to relax and knock bar some wine, or after of wandering and partying. None of that holds it back from offering great food at a great value. My last meal in Madrid, and I only wish I stayed here longer so I could eat more. The mi read more

Large Tasty Portions Actually 3.5 stars. We had the oxtails, grilled prawns, and grilled octopus. The oxtails were tender with a chili like sauce. The grilled prawns were excellent and you can tell they were fresh. The grilled octopus was overcooked and inedible at the tapered ends. Nice ambience, but very loud. Line was not long at 8:30 pm. read more

See all

Went to this restaurant tonight for a birthday meal with my daughter following their fantastic reviews. They certainly lived up to the their renowned reputation as the food, hospitality and the ambiance was perfecto!! Ordered the meat balls for my daughter and they were simply moreish, succulent and full if flavour - for a very fussy person she ate until she was full! I ordered the grilled fish and the portion was huge, but so yummy I ate nearly every last bit. I always struggle when visiting a new country for the first time and feel so annoyed when I waste time eating in a restaurant when the food is disappointing so I alway follow reviews now. I was so glad I do this time round too as I knew exactly what to expect and wasn't let down. Thanks to YELP my sat nav navigated me all the way to the door step within 5 mind from my hotel - perfect night! read more

This is what gastronomic Madrid is all about. Delicious, well-prepared food, at very reasonable prices. I have been numerous times to La Alhambra, and I have never been dissapointed. When I am in Madrid, I make sure that I go specifically that day of the week were the "comida del dia" (meal of the day, more like lunch of the day, which is typically two dishes plus dessert, wine, beer and bread for a price fixe) is my all time favorite: for "primer plato" (first course) the "arroz caldoso con bogavante" or soupy rissotto with lobster; for this dish, which is only the FIRST course, you get the most delicious rice with half a lobster (yes, half); then for "segundo plato" (second course) the "cabrito de lechal asado" which is a generous portion of milk-fed roasted goat (if you have never had goat, then start by having the one at La Alhambra. It will convert you!). As I mentioned before, this is accompanied by delicious crusty bread, your own bottle of wine (from which, as customary, in most of Spain, you drink as many glasses as you want), and dessert (flan, fresh fruit, mille fois, whatever they have that day). If you started at the bar waiting for your table (and you will have to wait, because this restaurant is very popular and busy for lunch), you should have had a glass of wine (red or white), which automatically comes with its own mini-tapa (slices of Spanish chorizo, caramelized chicken wings, roasted almonds, slices of serrano ham with bread; whatever is available that day), absolutely free. The restaurant is relatively easy to find, just steps from Sol (just find Calle de la Victoria, next to "Suspiros del querer" another fantastic tapas bar). Remember that "lunch" in most places in Spain really doesn't get going until 2:00pm, it is only Monday through Friday (no "specials" on weekends), and it extends as far as 4-4:30pm, so if you get there at noon, do not expect to find any of these "menus del dia" (daily menus). When in Spain, you will have to adapt to the local customs, and you will have fantastic time...in La Alahambra. Oh, and it's also open in the evenings for drinks and tapas. This is a very typical lunch and tapas place, small, crowded, but with high quality food done the right way. read more

We decided to try this place because it was close to our hotel, relatively inexpensive and had decent reviews on here. I wish we hadn't. The sangria was good and we were served a chicken wing appetizer that was sketchy. Our group had salad and paella which was filling, but unremarkable. I ordered a steak (medium) which was cold and red in places, did not have much meat around the bones and made me ill. Be very careful what you order here. Maybe drinks and happy hour tapas might be ok... but avoid the heavier fare. read more

It looked promising as the place was rather full but everything with fish/seafood was awful and the rest was no more than ok. There was one starter with Cheese and Salsa on Bread that was good, but that's it. We had to return the "Tomatoes with Tuna Salad" because the so-called "Tuna Belly" tasted like not-even-fresh out of a can. They argued with us all way until the bill came and they still charged us. Bad service, bad experience. I really don't appreciate overpaying for mediocre food (at best) and bad service; very disappointing. read more

Great fun - we had a large jug of the punchy and delicious sangria, the free tapas (tasty patatas and spicy chorizo) and some fantastic desserts - a divine tiramisu and and a great cheesecake. The waiters were charming (I think our broken Spanish helped!) and gave us free shots of apple liquor! Will definitely be back to try out more of the menu! read more

If you're looking for affordable seafood with quick service then its a great choice. Food is beyond expectation with the price. I tried a lot but grilled prawn and octopus are my favorite. And the service is so good. Highly recommend it !!! read more

Alhambra - 2 starters and a main course - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

See all

Absolutely love this place. The staff are the best...friendly, welcoming. The atmosphere is relaxed and jovial. The food is amazing, fresh seafood, great tapas, delicious meats. Inexpensive and high quality...definitely not a typical tourist ripoff establishment. Highly recommend. read more

Very welcoming and the food was muy muy bueno! The first restaurant we experienced in Madrid. We will be back!

I'm not really sure where to start here. It's my first night in Madrid and I was looking on Yelp to figure out where to eat. I found this place and thought wow, 4.5 stars with 100 reviews has got to be good. Before even looking further I ventured out super sure it was a safe bet. Anyway I get there and it's beyond packed and loud. Server is awesome and gets me a table without delay, also provided an English menu. I ordered the beef strips and vegetables and from there it kinda just went downhill. It was like America meet Europe. There was very little spirit of the tapa culture as the portion they dished out was massive and borderline for an obese person. I got these raw-like and super chewy beef ribs.. Not just one but 2 of them. It was like I was trying to do a steak eating contest. I took one bite and it was tasteless, extremely chewy, undercooked and that was it for me. My girlfriend was picking away at it, slicing the little edible parts like a laser gun trying to avoid all the fat and tendon. Next up was some haphazardly grilled vegetables. Someone just took a blowtorch and sprayed the vegetables and then proceeded to dabble it in oversized sea salt.. Concentrated sea salt. I didn't finish any of the meals and usually I'm good with that so... The only good thing was the fast service. Wouldn't come back again. The portions are just out of proportions and if I wanted to eat that way, I'd just send myself to the USA and go to a dive bar there. The couple next to us also ordered this meat plate and I swear to god there were 4 sausages and 2 giant "steaks"/beef ribs they had to work through. Same tendony-fatty-overly bloody tough meat. It was 7.5 euros for the beef and it'd make you wonder if they're just throwing it away at you. If you like big portions of things, non-tapa style and just bar food and you're strapped for cash willing to eat whatever, then dine here - it's also in a tourist concentrated area of Madrid so maybe that's why it's so ... read more

Alhambra - Grilled beef strips. A lot of it... 7.5 euros - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

See all

If you're in Madrid and looking for a place with great food, beer and Sangria look no further than Alhambra. Traveling from Miami on my honeymoon I spent under €40 for my wife and myself which including an amazing "Parrillada." Give this place a shot and you can't go wrong! In our 4 day, 3 night stay in Madrid we ate 2 of the 3 nights. read more

See all

Reviews were correct! The food was amazing and the service was excellent! Definitely a place to try!

A great tapas restaurant with fantastic seafood paella and a dozen large grilled shrimp (gambon a la plancha). We loved the atun rojo a la plancha (grilled tuna) served with sweet vinegary salad and amazing melt in your mouth french fries. The juicy tuna was perfectly seasoned. Excellent service too - the staff try to accommodate non-Spanish speakers. The Spanish red wines are excellent and inexpensive. My favorite was Ramon Bilbao Crianza rioja. I can eat seafood this delicious for our entire 14 day trip! read more

See all

One of the best I ever had here!!!! Service+Food!!!! I'm used to travel alone... but in Madrid... it's fill u not alone, specially here at Alhambra!!! read more

Alhambra - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

See all

Disappointed with the yelp review rating. It did not deserve the 4.5 star at all! Alhambra is certainly not a 4.5 star level like its peers that we tried. We went to Alhambra based on the ratings given by Yelpers but it disappointed us. Food we ate: Free tapas (chips and sausage) with our too sweet Moscatel. Paella - DO NOT ORDER. It tasted so bad. Huevos patatas - DO NOT ORDER. It's soggy fries. And egg. Not seasoned properly. Cheese ham croquette - ok, passable. Pork sirloin on bread - delicious. It has sweet mustard sauce drizzled and it's the house special. The only redeeming dish of the whole dinner. If you are desperate and hungry. Just order the pork sirloin sandwich. Otherwise, please look for anything else that is better! read more

Chose this as it was an easy walk from hotel and it was open in the early afternoon. The food and service were great. Our server Alex spoke enough English to make recommendations and we weren't disappointed. We both got the daily special. The portions were very large and price very reasonable. We'll stop here again next time in Madrid. Mike from California read more

I was excited to try this place because it was my first meal in Madrid and because it is Andalusian cuisine. I wanted to wanted to eat authentic Spanish food away from the tourist restaurants, so I did my little research and decided to try out this place! The drinks were good! my friend and I ordered a lamb shank with potables and carrots it lacked flavor and salt! also ordered a grilled ham appetizer I forgot the name, again the meat , flavorless. I would skip this place for food, okay for the drinks. read more

Fantastic ambiance. Sat at the bar for a couple beers and was fed tapas as long as I sat there. At the end of the night, I was only charged for the beers. Great people and more importantly, great food. The location is also nice only being a couple blocks from Sol. I good definitely recommend this restaurant and will be visiting again next time I'm in Madrid. read more

Alhambra - Inside of the restaurant. - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

This was an awesome experience. It was quaint and very warm and friendly ambience. The food was very good and the portions reasonable. But what made it such a good time was the people who worked there. Very engaging, friendly and fun. Someone was celebrating a birthday and they put a hat on her and sang. Everyone clapped so the main guy went to another table and put the hat on them and sang, and so on. It was a wonderful time. Something I will remember and recommend anyone to go visit and eat in Madrid. read more

Awesome Sangria and lamb!!! Waiters were polite and upbeat. Great service! Would come again. read more

Alhambra - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

See all

I was visiting Madrid with my sister and a friend for a week and stopped at Alhambra on a whim after leaving another tapas restaurant that gave us a weird vibe (forgot the name). Everyone was super friendly. We ordered the paella which was divine and we got some sausage thing and a couple of sangrias. I told the waiter it was my sisters birthday and he brought us all complimentary sangria and later he brought us all tequila shots. The best part was when the waiter and some of the others came by and put a mariachi hat on my sister and gave her a (microphone) to say some words. If anyone has been there for a birthday you know what I mean. I almost died laughing. It was hilarious. Everyone was incredibly nice and fun. Shoutout to FELIPE the waiter who was incredibly hospitable and very funny. One of the best experiences I've had at a restaurant in a long time. He went above and beyond. If I'm ever in Madrid again, i will definitely return. read more

Alhambra - Paella and patatas bravas - Spanish Near Me - Madrid, M

We went to Alhambra No. 7 because the waiter was friendly. But throughout the meal, he continued to provide personalized service and advice. In addition to the free sausage appetizer, he also gave my kids sour candies at the end of the meal. Service was impeccable! Regarding the food, he recommended their most popular dishes, but the best was probably the oxtail stew followed by the meat sampler, which was very generous portions. I'm a foodie so I didn't love the paella because I know they didn't use saffron or very little saffron in their dish, but it was still tasty. The garlic prawns were ok too. All in all, this restaurant was a good restaurant that is worth going to. read more

I don't even know where to begin! We loved loved loved the place. They were out of the Paella by the time we got our table, but we managed to get the shrimp and a couple of other dishes. The shrimp in the garlic butter sauce was just divine! The other dishes were also pretty good, portion size is great. We shared about 3 dishes between the two us and left feeling pretty stuffed! Will definitely go back for the Paella when I am in Madrid. read more

So amazing from the minute you enter this quaint bar/restaurant. Service was friendly and helpful. Food was delicious and abundant!! The ratatouille with sausage or smoked cod on bread is a must, goat cheese with onions and blueberry sauce such a delicious surprise!! Seafood paella wonderful!!! So good and affordable!! Will definitely be on my go to list for future visits. read more

this is quite an amazing bar! the prawns are amazing, only 9 euro! they are so big and flavorful. paella is delicious as well and only $7.5 the prices are amazing for such killer food. drinks are dirty cheap too - 2 euro for sangria, 1.7 euro for vermouth on tap .... beers are 2/3. Seems like a great find in a touristy area. read more

A very lively place with good and reasonably priced food. We had the parrillada de carne and almost couldn't finish it between the two of us. Staff was super friendly and responsive. The food, two beers (local), two wines (Ramon Bilbao - very tasty) and coffee came to less than $30euro. Great deal! read more

Order the plate of meat! I don't remember the exact name/translation. It was delicious. It is plenty for 3, or at least it was for my cousin, sister and I. Great service, which is almost rare in Spain. And the price isn't bad at all. read more

I'll admit that it was partly due to the spontaneity of finding this place, but it had the best jamón and paella we had while in Madrid. I'd go back again and again. read more