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    La Bola

    3.6 (65 reviews)
    ModerateSpanish, Steakhouses, Tabernas
    Closed 1:00 pm - 4:00 PM

    La Bola Photos

    LA BOLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - La Bola

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    Reviews With Photos

    Marc D.

    La Bola is a classic tavern in the Austrias district of Madrid. 150+ years La Bola has been serving Madrid. Their Cocida a la Madrileña is amazing. Cooked in a clay pot for over 4 hours over oak wood it is amazing. The service is fantastic and as a first timer will help you each step of the way to enjoy this classic dish. We loved our visit and will make sure to stop by every time we are in Madrid. Fyi make sure to grab reservations well in advance. They are booked out and only accept reservations.

    I can already smell it!
    Cesar S.

    La Bola is one of the best examples of tradition. The "Cocido Madrileño" is what they are famous for, and they are well deserving of this distinction. I went to four other places, including one un the Michelin guide. La Bola for me, has a flavor of tradition, (if you ever had this on some spanish grandmas house , you'll understand) Served in a terracotta special dish, boiling and and filled with Spanish aromas and flavors, that are only enhanced by your surroundings of traditional colors , tiles, decor and pictures of famous personalities from all over the world. This is definitely a must in Madrid. (Beware, can only pay with CASH) reservation not need it, but very much recommend.

    How soup is made
    Huong L.

    Came here as part of our food tour and it did not disappoint. This is a typical lunch spot for the locals here at Madrid. We had a sample of their soup and also was able to see how it was made and it was amazing. The ingredients we're simple yet the flavor was delicious. When you first look at the soup, you think it's like a tomato soup cause of the color, but once you start stirring the soup around, you notice it is a lot lighter. My first sip of the soup brought me to a surprise. It was bursting with flavors. It was like fancy chicken noodle soup. The pieces of noodle in the bowl was so smooth that all you do is swallow, you don't need to chew it or anything. I was just amazed because I was able to see how it was made and it was so simple, yet the complexity of the soup was there.

    Cocido Madrileño

    Anyone who gives this place less than 4.5 stars is sorely mistaken! Admittedly we were skeptical after reading some not so great reviews but so glad we stopped in anyway! The main attraction without a doubt is the Cocido Madrileño (authentic Madrid stew) perfect for a cold rainy night. We also got the roasted lamb and mixed asparagus, egg, and ham appetizer. Both were absolutely amazing. The roasted lamb was tender off the bone and flavorful; and the appetizer was also a perfect mix- eggs cooked perfectly not overdone so they acted almost like a sauce keeping everything together. Pro tip: don't be a fiend like me and eat ALL of the complimentary bread and olives that you get so you save room for everything else We were too full for dessert but we were offered complimentary lemon sherbet with vodka. So refreshing! Total bill for half a jug (yup... wine comes by the jug here), sparkling water, one appetizer and two entrees: 77€!

    Madrileño Caldo de Cocido
    Jason B.

    Wow. My wife and I are super impressed. Today is our 6th day in Spain (Barcelona then Madrid), and hands down the best restaurant we have enjoyed. My wife got the traditional soup "Caldo de Cocido" (TONS OF FOOD, Come Hungry!), and I got the Peppered Beef (Perfectly cooked, in a delicious cream sauce). This place oozes old world tradition with amazing food. We can't recommend enough. - Two Texans.

    English menu.
    Michael W.

    On my search for a old fashion spanish restaurant I came by that place yesterday. Like many of the other reviewers I had the Cocido and it was really authentic, good and plenty. As it consists of the soup with noodles first and afterwards the stew, I found the price of 20€ quite cheap for a restaurant that's ranked with $$$ here. I added the English menu hanging outside to the pictures, but I had the feeling, that the menu inside had a few more dishes as it was two pages.

    Been here since 1870
    Joyce Y.

    Beware of a few things - 1) They will not let you share the pot of soup - even though the portion could easily feed 2 people, it is against their rule. So your companion has to order something else. 2) The soup is great but it has about 4 bites of meat (or maybe my jar was really skimpy on the meat for some reason) and an enormous amount of chickpeas. But hey - at least those things are good for you. It's still a cool concept and i would recommend it to any tourist - but if i were a local, i wouldn't pay 20+ euros for this.

    Soup from the Cocido, with some noodles inside.
    DanDan W.

    Food was delicious! Service was good, and our waiter has his humor. We went there for dinner at 20:30, made a reservation by our hotel reception. It was not necessary to make reservation. There were not that many people at that time nor by the time we left. Soup was very yummy! Food was a little too much for us, it was too much meat. We also used the coupon from Yelp, got three glasses of sorbet drinks in the end. Delicious! Perfect ending for heavy meat dinner with a cup of coffee! They close at 23:30, for us, that was dinner alright. :)

    Dan C.

    Polite and informative wait staff. Our waiter took time to explain everything to us. We ordered food to share and again, the staff made paced everything out appropriately. Food was alright, everything seemed to be prepared with fresh ingredients and care. The cocido is enough for two to share.

    Apple fritter with ice cream
    Jen W.

    We sampled this place on our foodie tour of Madrid and decided to go back to try the cocido. I didn't have a reservation and the waiter, in true Spanish form, was super laid-back and welcoming and sat us at one of the special tables by the front window. It was a pleasant surprise. When we looked over the menu we decided to go with the menú del día which consisted of a three course meal of noodle soup (using the delicious cocido broth), ropa vieja, and an apple fritter for dessert plus a glass of wine for 27€pp. We enjoyed every morsel of our meal in this iconic restaurant. They even made some patatas fritas for my son even though it wasn't on the menu but is typical in most restaurants in Spain as they love children. This is definitely a spot that everyone should experience in Madrid.

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    7 years ago

    Food is ok but very overpriced. Place is clean. Many other places to eat at a much better price like El Sur

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    Page 1 of 2

    La Bola Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - La Bola

    The traditional "cocido Madrileño" is just like your abuela was in the kitchen preparing this delicious stew!

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    El Sur - Chipirones a la Plancha... ¡Muy fantastico! =)

    El Sur

    4.5(970 reviews)
    1.4 kmLavapiés y Embajadores
    €€

    This was the first dinner meal my mom and I had in Madrid and let's just say it completely exceeded…read moremy expectations. When we walked in we were welcomed by such warm service! I truly have to highlight Pepe, Franco, and Grace for taking the time to speak to us and get to know us. The food was FANTASTIC. We ordered the seafood paella, jamon iberico, garlic shrimp, and sangria. The paella was filled with a ton of flavor which was DELICIOUS. Everything was fantastic, but the Sangria was spectacular, (probably one of the best sangrias I've ever had). At the end of our meal, Pepe brought us two liquor de Limon shots, which made our whole night!! Definitely recommend this place in the La Latina neighborhood. You won't regret it!

    El Sur is a charming little spot in Madrid, tucked right into the wall of a narrow street. The…read morespace is very small and they manage to fit a surprising number of people inside, so you immediately notice how tight the squeeze is. It has that classic bustling tapas bar energy where everyone is close enough to feel like part of one big conversation. The food was the highlight. The clams were flavorful and fresh, the octopus was cooked beautifully and the paella was delicious. It is a great place to stop in for a drink and a quick bite, especially if you want something authentic and lively. When we visited, it was packed to the point where you were shoulder to shoulder with other guests and close enough to easily hear the party next to you. It adds to the charm if you enjoy that classic crowded European dining atmosphere, but it is something to keep in mind if you prefer more space.

    Photos
    El Sur - Cool Old Movie Posters

    Cool Old Movie Posters

    El Sur - Paella de Mariscos...

    Paella de Mariscos...

    El Sur - Sangria...

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    Sangria...

    Entre Santos - Grilled octopus

    Entre Santos

    4.8(75 reviews)
    1.0 kmChueca

    My mom and I found this gem on TripAdvisor and decided to give it a try, and wow, we are so glad we…read moredid! From the moment we walked in, the staff was beyond friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere was vibrant, lively, and fun. I ordered the sangria, which was honestly the best I had in Madrid, while my mom enjoyed a lovely glass of wine. We started with the padrón peppers, burrata with tomato salsa, and patatas bravas -- every single dish was packed with flavor and absolutely delicious. For the main course, we had the beef with chimichurri and butter, and OMG... it was phenomenal. Everything was cooked perfectly, and all the flavors complemented each other so well. To finish the night, we shared the chocolate dessert and the "Love Chueca" cocktail, which was incredible and the perfect ending to an amazing meal. Couldn't recommend this restaurant enough. Amazing food, fantastic drinks, wonderful staff, and such a great atmosphere. We'll definitely be back next time we're in Madrid!

    My favorite meal/experience during our visit to the wonderful city of Madrid. Many reviews highly…read morepraised the tapas so we decided to see if we could get in. As foreigners, we arrived earlier than the locals which worked out well. By the time we finished there was a crowd waiting outside. We loved the casual atmosphere and the elevated flavors of the tapas. The wine was perfect and we chose just the right amount of dishes that complimented one another. We felt like this was someplace special and were happy to have experience it.

    Photos
    Entre Santos - Bartender makes killer drinks

    Bartender makes killer drinks

    Entre Santos - Stuffed portobello mushrooms with goat cheese and crusted with coconut with a mango purée

    Stuffed portobello mushrooms with goat cheese and crusted with coconut with a mango purée

    Entre Santos - Rose and verajo

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    Rose and verajo

    Angelita

    Angelita

    4.8(62 reviews)
    0.9 kmChueca
    €€€

    Angelita Madrid, tucked into the city's cozy Chueca neighborhood, is the shared invention of…read morevisionary restaurateurs David and Mario Villalón. Its cocktail venue is one of Madrid's most subtly invigorating places to drink. In a restaurant scene that is constantly reinventing itself, 'Angelita' doesn't chase trends. It defines its own universe. Finding the bar is part of the experience. Entering through the dining area upstairs, one is guided down an almost secret staircase to what might be called, Center Stage. This is where cocktail magic unfolds in a profound yet personal way. Instantly the house lights soften. A cacophony of curiously muddled voices rises and falls in palpable anticipation of what comes next. In a comfy blend of separate yet united, the bar and restaurant deserve their own spotlights. The menus evolve constantly. Angelita's wine list can reach five hundred bottles. The motif is as thoughtful, expansive, and provocative as the impeccable dishes with which it is paired. Oh, the food! So worthy of distinction, yet we will save it for another review. In the meantime, cherish a seat at the bar. It offers the most captivating view in the house: front-row access to the choreography behind the counter. For it is here where libation artists distill genius from wildly enchanting ingredients. Rather than relying on commercial bottles, Angelita cures and concocts its own spirits and infusions. Many elements are harvested from the family farm. They are rendered, blended, mixed, and tuned in exacting ways as much akin to science labs as gourmet kitchens. Fresh-milled breadworks, savory almonds, fragrant herbs, just-pulled vegetables, and hypnotic botanicals are part of the alchemy. Nothing is off limits if it adds texture, depth, or aroma. The room reinforces this point. Angelita's bar is assembled with a mad scientist's mindset: shelves lined with labeled jars of organic infusions; stainless-steel work surfaces burnished to a mirror-sheen; precision tools that appear to be of surgical grade; and beakers with rubber tubing. And then there is the centerpiece: a rotary evaporator, or "Rotovap", replete with condenser and flask. It is a serious instrument of culinary crafting that signals exactly what Angelita intends: Precision Perfection. The device allows distillation under vacuum at very low temperatures. In practice, this means Angelita can capture and condense fragile aromatics. Citrus peel. Basil. Rustic spices. Floral notes. All without cooking them into acidic bitterness or diluted dullness. What ends up in the glass is absolutely clean, vivid, and true to the original ingredients. Think: flavor in hi-def. Such standards carry through to presentation. The bar serves no ice in any of its drinks. Rather, cocktails arrive in exquisitely chilled glassware to avoid watering-down their preciously procured ingredients. Everything is measured on a digital scale, not rushed through casual pours and bar jiggers. Each offering is intentional. Deliberate. Repeatable. Yet nothing feels clinical because the result is raw and primal pleasure. After the first sip an all-sensory message is received loud and clear: 'This isn't an ordinary cocktail bar.' Angelita's drinks are born on the family farm, expertly developed in a working lab, and refined out in the open for all to witness and savor. Come ready to be mesmerized. Techniques will marvel. Flavors will enchant. Senses will exalt. At Angelita, craft meets captivation as mixologists explain the science that elevates liquid to Life.

    Such a wonderful experience! Great food, great cocktails and great service. I have to give them a…read moreshout out as it's the first time I've truly had craft cocktails and I've been in Europe since 9/5, bouncing between countries. Now ,for the facts. There's a stuffy restaurant upstairs and an awesome speakeasy downstairs where you can get great cocktails and food. Granted it's a smaller menu than what's offered upstairs, but was fine on my solo visit. They also have a private dining room called the Hibiki that can be booked for parties of 6-10 and offer the full menu, including a chef's menu with wine or cocktail pairings. Wowed!!! Shout out to Victor and his crew for the 411 and a great experience.

    Photos
    Angelita - Wine bar

    Wine bar

    Angelita - Rice (I am not sure of the name it wasn't on the menu)

    Rice (I am not sure of the name it wasn't on the menu)

    Angelita

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    Botín - suckling pig

    Botín

    4.0(881 reviews)
    0.7 kmSol
    €€€

    Sobrino de Botín is the oldest recorded restaurant in the world according the Guiness Book of World…read moreRecords at over 300 years old. What foodie would pass up the opportunity to dine here? When I found out I was coming to Madrid I had to book a table. First things first, my suggestion is book way in advance. This place fills up fast. My friend and I waited too long and the only seating we could get was at 11:15 PM. No big deal though there's plenty of places you can get a light snack in the surrounding area while exploring the city. Walking in, the architecture immediately hits you. Low ceilings, gorgeous old brick, tight dining rooms, it really feels like you stepped back in time. The whole atmosphere is elevated without being stiff. Staff was super friendly and made the experience feel smooth from start to finish. There's also apprently a really nice wine cellar at the bottom I overheard other patrons bragging about. Food wise, I will keep it real, it was good, just not my favorite meal in Madrid. The sangria was solid, definitely one of my highlights. The croquettes were fire. Crispy, creamy, exactly what you want. My friend's seafood casserole was actually really good too, I lowkey wish I went that route. Now the misses. The sautéed vegetables with Iberian ham didn't do it for me. The veggies needed seasoning bad, and the ham leaned a little too salty, so together it just felt off. The suckling pig, the signature dish, was good, but I was not blown away. If I find myself returning here, I would explore other options. After dinner, there was a little show and they let you keep a souvenir menu, which was a nice touch and made the night feel more memorable. Overall I had a solid 3.5 star experience rounded up to 4. Sobrino de Botín is history, it is iconic, and it is worth saying you have been. Just do not expect it to be the best meal of your trip. Hit Botín, soak it in, then go explore the rest of Madrid's food scene, because that is where things really start to shine.

    This was more about the experience of dining in the oldest restaurant (established 1725) according…read moreto the Guinness book of World Record. The restaurant itself has a lot of character, dark woods and brick. The place is known for its suckling roasted pig and lamb. We also ordered this soup that was being brought to other tables. History aside, the food was underwhelming. It's the type of place you try once when visiting Madrid.

    Photos
    Botín - We got to wait right in the meat prep area

    We got to wait right in the meat prep area

    Botín - Roasted Suckling Pig

    Roasted Suckling Pig

    Botín - Bottom level

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    Bottom level

    La Mi Venta - Black Pudding

    La Mi Venta

    4.7(165 reviews)
    0.2 kmPalacio
    €€€

    Came here for a delicious and leisurely lunch. The grilled squid with caramelized onions and squid…read moreink was a fantastic starter; the squid was not too chewy, and the saltines paired very well with the sweet onions. The grilled Iberian "secreto" was tender and juicy and flavorful. The paella had plenty of squid, prawn, clams, and mussels, and the rice itself had a very strong (in a good way) seafood aroma. The waiters are friendly, and you are not rushed through the meal. Highly recommend.

    La Mi Venta is a small, warm family restaurant tucked away on a quiet side street in Madrid, and it…read moreturned out to be a wonderful surprise. We hadn't planned on eating there but decided to drop in. The interior is cozy and inviting, while outdoor seating is available if you prefer to dine al fresco (though it can get a bit windy outside). In fact, our water glass toppled over with one gust of wind. Reservations are recommended, as the place seems popular. The menu features a wide variety of traditional Spanish dishes, and everything we tried was delicious. Our T-bone steak arrived perfectly cooked, served with grilled peppers and sliced golden potatoes, it was simple, flavorful, and satisfying. The squid was also very good, but the standout dish was the asparagus in tempura with almond mayonnaise. Perfectly fried and incredibly light, it was absolutely outstanding. Another highlight was the homemade Iberian ham croquettes served with candied pepper sauce which were creamy and rich on the inside with a delicate crisp on the outside and a wonderful balance of flavor. To accompany the meal, we enjoyed a few glasses of Rioja Azpilicueta Crianza (Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo, 12 months aging, 2021). It was a bit on the dry side, but helped take the edge off the chilly wind while we sat outside enjoying a late lunch. The staff were friendly and accommodating, even indulging my enthusiasm for photographing the slicing of the Iberian ham. All in all, La Mi Venta delivered a fantastic, authentic Spanish dining experience with great food, good wine, and welcoming service in a charming setting. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Madrid.

    Photos
    La Mi Venta
    La Mi Venta - Hake

    Hake

    La Mi Venta - Spanish wine rivals Santa Barbara County

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    Spanish wine rivals Santa Barbara County

    La Bola - spanish - Updated May 2026

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