Sundays are for taking it easy! After all, the next day is a long way from the following weekend. It’s best to end the week with a good taste in your mouth, so what better than to go searching for the best paella in Madrid? Madrid just so happens to be the region in which the largest paella in history was cooked – so it’s not necessary to hop on a train to Valencia to eat good rice. Who knew?
1. Paellitas Tradición
Paellitas Tradición recently opened in the Nuevos Ministerios area and it solves an age-old problem: the impossibility of dividing a paella in the same way as a pizza. Their paellas seem to have been made with health in mind, as they dish up individual servings of exactly 80 grams of rice. The restaurant has a lovely Mediterranean vibe, typical of the Levantine coast, and it boasts affordable prices both to eat in and for delivery! If you can only try one, our recommendation is el arroz negro, or ‘black rice’.
💶 Individual paellas: from €12.90
Calle de San Germán, 11 (Tetuán)
2- Los Arroces de Segis
Los Arroces de Segis is to die for, and they have two unique selling points. Firstly, the total price per head of the paella includes a selection of starters. And secondly, the paella is made over a wood fire in a glass-enclosed kitchen that’s completely visible to diners.
💶 Set menu: €37
Calle Infanta Mercedes, 109 (Valdeacederas)
3. Socarratt
To say that eating quality paella is only possible in Valencia would be as absurd as saying that the only way to enjoy the best pizza is by traveling to Italy (and, believe us, these pizzas in Madrid prove that wrong). Socarratt is the best option to order paella from home, although you can also pick it up yourself or eat it in the restaurant. They prepare several rice dishes daily and sell them in portions. You can also order complete paellas and baked rice for six people or more. They have a vegetable paella, a Valencian paella, black rice, arròs a banda, or fideuá (the last two are made with pasta instead of rice).
💶 Paella portions: €9 if you pick it up from the restaurant and €12 if it’s to go. Whole paellas from €100.
Calle San Marcos, 2 (Chueca); Calle Manuela Malasaña, 5 (Malasaña); Paseo de la Esperanza, 23 (dentro de licores Caché) y calle Galileo, 34 (Argüelles)
4. La Barraca
La Barraca is a very traditional restaurant and many believe that their paella is one of the «best in the capital» – and they’re probably right. They serve an authentic Valencian paella, which, accompanied by its sangria, goes down an absolute treat.
💶 Paella for two people: from €17.90
Calle de la Reina, 29 (center)
5. Samm
With more than 40 years of history, Samm’s baked rice tastes just as good as it always has. It’s not one of the cheapest on the list, but you have to go (if only to be able to try their socarrat).
💶 Average price: €40 per person
Calle de Carlos Caamaño, 3 (Chamartín)
6. Casa Benigna
This is a traditional but very peculiar restaurant, due to its crockery and even the way it serves the paella. Both reflect the restless spirit of its founder, Noberto, who is also behind the first restaurant with a Michelin star in Alicante. At Casa Benigna they present it in a patella – a container that somehow manages to improve its texture and flavour.
💶 Paella portion: €28
Calle Benigno Soto, 9 (Prosperidad)
7. Larrocería
Never has a name been so appropriate. Larrocería (or rice-eria, I suppose?) gives exactly what it promises: rice, of course – but of a quality comparable to that of very few restaurants in Madrid (and almost in the entire Valencian Community). Their dishes have an intense flavour, are the perfect size, and offer both daring and classic combinations. At Larrocería they know exactly what they are doing: when they are taking risks and when they are playing it safe. The biggest shame is that they’re only open when the market is open – but they will deliver to your home!
💶 Paella portion: from €12.50
Mercado De Guzmán El Bueno (calle de Andrés Mellado, 43)
8.Bar La Gloria
Every Sunday since 2013, Bar La Gloria has cooked a Valencian paella that has earned them a spot on the list of best Valencian paellas in the world. The chef’s care for the ingredients—all purchased in local shops—make his paellas an irresistible dish.
💶 Paella portion: €15.50
Calle del Noviciado, 2 (Noviciado)
9. El Madrileño
El Madrileño won the title of best Valencian paella in the world in September 2021—the recipe for which, by the way, can be found in the BOE (the official gazette of the Kingdom of Spain)—awarded by the Sueca International Paella Competition. The «60+1» edition of this contest recognised the team work of Óscar de la Fuente and Javier Hernández, chefs at this restaurant in Guadarrama.
💶 Average price: between €35 and €45
Calle del Dr. Palanca, 3 (Guadarrama)
10. Restaurante Berlanga
José Luis García Berlanga, son of the filmmaker of the same name, is the chef of this restaurant overlooking the Retiro. The spaces between each table are narrow (although they also have an outdoor terrace), but there is always enough space for the small side table where their paellas are served from. Paellas are for a minimum of two people, and are the star dish of their long menu.
💶 Rice for two people: from €24.30
Avenida de Menéndez Pelayo, 41 (Ibiza)