I love Madrid food & wine. I run the famous: “Old Town Madrid Tapas Tour” and I am going to share with you the best paella in Madrid. In fact, one of the following restaurants is quite often part of my tapas tour:
MAR MIA – Best Paella in the Center
Heartly recommended by Sezar Blue, the video below has over 200.000 views because this is the best paella restaurant in Madrid.
Paella is not a traditional Madrid dish. The mythological paella restaurants are in Valencia. One of them, Casa Elias, has brought their know-how to Madrid: Mar Mia.
Paellas offered (arroz=paella)
Arroz con Conejo y Caracoles – Rice with Rabbit and Snails
Arroz con Verduras (Rice with Vegetables)
Arroz Meloso con Gambeta Roja (Creamy Rice with Red Prawn)
There must be at least 2 of you to order a paella
For starters order: Tortilla de Papas Trufada
For dessert: Flan de queso Manero
Reservations:
You can book online
Location
Very close to the cathedral and the Royal Palace
Plaza de lsabel II, 7
LOS GALAYOS – Best Paella in Plaza Mayor
Locals will tell you not to go to Plaza Mayor unless you want to be ripped off. I agree but there is one exception, Los Galayos. Founded in 1894 this is one of the best traditional restaurants in Madrid.
They offer 4 different types of paella.
Location
Plaza Mayor, 1
MARINA VENTURA – Best Paella Near Prado Museum
How Does it work?
• There must be at least two of you to order a paella.
Paellas offered
You can check the types of paella they offer here. Prices are per person.
They also offer other types of Spanish rice dishes like the Arroz Meloso.
Reservations:
You can book online
Location
Very close to the Palace Hotel, the Ritz and the Prado Museum
Calle Ventura de la Vega, 13
VINITUS – Best Paella in Gran Via
You will not see their paella dish in their official menu. There is a second menu (picture below) that changes every week and that includes a paella (arroz) dish. If they don’t give it to you ask for it. During the week, at lunch time, you will see on a blackboard outside the restaurant what type of paella is on offer that day. Vinitus does not accept reservations, be early and you will find a table.
Do not miss out on the “torrija quemada de Santa Teresa”, best dessert ever.
EL BUTI – Best Paella Near the Royal Palace – Outdoors Terrace
This tiny bistro was put on the map when the New York Times said: “glass doors offering a peek into the kitchen where Juan Carlos Ramos, the chef and owner, makes magic.”
Paellas
They offer 3 types paella: Ribs, squid or vegetables.
Location
Plaza de Santiago, 1
El Buti is located in the oldest part of the city. Just a minute away from the Royal Palace of Madrid.
Reservations
To reserve call: 915 480 707
METRO BISTRO – Best Paella near Puerta del Sol
They only have one rice dish and it is a seafood one. I am not a big sea lover but I have to say the tiger prawns were delicious!
Location
Calle Imperial, 3