Restaurant Review: La Bola Taberna in Madrid, Spain

It was said that an eatery was on the corner of the street of la Bola, Madrid, in the 1800s. The food joint was small, but even with that, the place always seemed to catch the eyes of workers and students. It was small, alright, but that small eatery’s customers were big. And most of the time, the small eatery was jam-packed with eager customers.

It was in 1870, and the eyes of a matriarch of the Los Verdasco family were also drawn to the street-corner eatery. She took an interest in the small eatery and recognized its potential. Eventually, the woman from the Los Verdasco family agreed to turn the small eatery into a full-fledged restaurant.

Today, the cozy, historic eatery known as La Bola Taberna continues to be a beloved spot, attracting a lively mix of local workers, university students, and curious tourists. Nestled on Guillermo Rolland Street—formerly the street it’s always been on—this charming establishment has preserved its authentic character since the 1800s, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere that keeps its timeless appeal alive.

With the same passion for cooking, the same finesse applied to each dish since the 1800s, with its exact location on the street corner. With its bright red walls that are impossible to miss, La Bola Taberna has indeed taken the definition of a “traditional restaurant” to a whole new level.

This 145-year-old restaurant, renowned for its storied history and exceptional cuisine, is consistently fully booked. With a reputation that spans the globe, securing a reservation requires effort and determination, as it’s a destination highly sought after by visitors from around the world.

I’m grateful that I didn’t have to struggle to secure my spot, as the Spain Tourism Board graciously arranged and sponsored my reservation. Thanks to their support, I was able to enjoy a reserved table at what is arguably one of the finest restaurants in all of Spain, offering an unparalleled dining experience.

I had a short walking tour of Madrid before my booked schedule, and I was able to arrive at the restaurant just in time for my appointment with Mara Verdasco Arevalo, the restaurant’s current manager and a member of the sixth generation of the Verdasco family who transformed the street-corner eatery into La Bola Taberna back in 1870.

We talked a little, and Mara told me about the restaurant’s best-selling dishes, and on top of the list was the Cocido Madrileño. She told me that the Cocido Madrileño has been a customer favorite ever since the 1870s, and I was able to find out for myself the reason why so.

Mara showed me around the restaurant and showed me the kitchen, where everything was made from scratch. After the short tour, she joined me at my table and taught me how to enjoy Cocido- the Madrileño way.

My bowl of Cocido Madrileño was simply superb—it was a stew made of mixed vegetables, mixed meat, and noodles. When I read earlier that La Bola sticks to its centuries-old recipes and cooking style, I learned that they weren’t joking.

The stew’s broth was delicious. You know the meat is simmered over low heat for hours because it shows in the broth. The meat was soft, and the tang of the chorizos made me fully realize why this bowl has been a favorite since the 1870s.

I also savored La Bola’s bowl of Callos a la Madrileña, a rich and hearty stew renowned in Spain. La Bola elevates this classic dish by infusing it with even more passion and depth in its preparation. Never before had I encountered beef tripe soup this flavorful and comforting. A single sip of the fragrant broth transported me back to the days when such traditional soups were a staple on ancient dining tables, steeped in history and tradition.

After savoring two bowls of the most authentic traditional Castilian cuisine I have ever tasted, I concluded my meal with a decadent apple fritter topped with creamy ice cream, creating a perfect harmony of flavors that I doubt I could find anywhere else.

Aside from the great food, the restaurant’s atmosphere is antique and inviting. The restaurant walls were covered in framed works of art depicting Spanish traditions. The dark wood tables and the bright hanging lights were almost like a replica of the old, oak-wood dining tables in Spain in front of cozy fireplaces. Even the waiters were dressed in traditional clothes.

The waiters can’t speak english straight but I loved it that way, their thick accent made the experience even more authentic.

Entering the restaurant made me feel as if I were traveling back in time, and with every sip of the broth bursting with traditional flavors, my journey was complete.

I walked out of the restaurant satisfied, with a smile on my face, just like every other La Bola Taberna customer 145 years ago would.

My Madrid Trip was made possible by the Madrid City Tourism Board and Madrid Destino.

La Bola Taberna
Madrilian Restaurant
Address: Calle Bola, 5, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Phone: +34 915 47 69 30
Operating Hours:
Monday to Saturday 1:30 – 5:30 pm, 8:30 – 11:00 pm
Sunday 1:30 – 5:30 pm

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Read:

• Madrid Travel Guide: Traveling around Madrid
• Top 37 Best Things To Do In La Union Province
• Of the Old and of the New: A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain
• 11 Highest-Rated Airbnbs in Madrid, Spain