Last weekend after watching a Real Madrid match at the Bernabéu, my friends and I specifically searched for a paella restaurant near the stadium. I’d like to share our experience.
Actually, there are quite a few places serving paella around the Bernabéu, but the quality varies significantly. We went to an old establishment on Paseo de la Castellana called La Casa de la Paella. This restaurant has been operating for almost 30 years and comes highly recommended by many locals. We ordered a mixed paella, which took about 25 minutes to arrive, but the sight of that golden rice made it worth the wait.
Flavor and Ingredients
This place uses genuinely good ingredients - the prawns, mussels, and squid rings were all fresh. The rice had a distinct saffron aroma, and there was that crucial layer of socarrat at the bottom, which is key to judging a good paella. The seasoning was on the lighter side, unlike some restaurants that make it too salty. The only disappointment was that the prawns weren’t particularly large, though they made up for it in quantity.
Price-wise, a double portion of mixed paella costs 28 euros, and with two glasses of sangria, it came to around 20 euros per person. Compared to those tourist trap restaurants directly opposite the stadium charging 35-40 euros per portion, this place offers much better value. Remember to book ahead on match days - we were lucky to find an available table, but later saw many people waiting at the entrance.
Comparison with Other Nearby Options
I’ve also compiled information about several paella restaurants near the Bernabéu for those interested in Madrid seafood:
| Restaurant Name | Price Range | Specialty | Recommendation | |
|---|
| La Casa de la Paella | 25-30€ | Traditional preparation, popular with locals | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| El Rincón Valenciano | 22-28€ | Valencian-style | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Restaurante Castellana | 35-45€ | Nice ambiance but pricey | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Casa Carmen | 18-25€ | Budget-friendly option | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
If you’re coming to the Bernabéu for a match and want to enjoy authentic Spanish seafood rice, I suggest avoiding the obviously tourist-oriented places right at the stadium entrance. Walk 5-10 minutes towards Castellana avenue and you’ll find many more options with much more reasonable prices.
One final tip: Spaniards typically eat paella at lunchtime. Many restaurants don’t serve it in the evening, or the quality may be compromised. If the match schedule allows, I recommend going during the lunch period before the game at places like the Madrid seafood market - this ensures quality and you won’t have to rush.
