Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Cocido Madrileno
Melon Or Water Melon
Soup, Ropavieja. Bread, Wine And Apple Fritters
Apple Fritter With Ice Cream
About
LA BOLA
Welcome to the culinary haven known as LA BOLA, located in the heart of Madrid at C. de la Bola, 5. With over 150 years of history, this Spanish steakhouse is renowned for its traditional dishes and authentic ambiance. The moment you step in, the rich aromas and vibrant atmosphere promise an experience steeped in Madrid's culinary heritage.
LA BOLA specializes in Spanish cuisine, particularly celebrated for its Cocido Madrileño, a hearty stew simmered for hours in a clay pot over oak wood. This dish embodies comfort, featuring tender meats, chickpeas, and fresh vegetables—a true representation of warming Spanish flavors. Many reviews sing its praises, highlighting how it evokes nostalgia and tradition, akin to meals lovingly prepared by grandmothers.
- Vegetarian Delights: Not just for meat lovers, LA BOLA offers a variety of vegetarian options that everyone can enjoy.
- Excellent Service: The staff is welcoming and eager to guide you through your meal, making first-time visitors feel at home.
- Reservations: Given its popularity, advance reservations are highly recommended to secure your spot!
The menu is a treasure trove of tasty selections. For meat enthusiasts, the Chuletas De Cordero Lechal and Lomo De Buey A La Plancha are must-tries, delivering robust flavors and satisfying textures. On the sweeter side, the Bunuelos De Manzana Con Helado serves as a delightful ending, perfectly complimenting the savory courses with its fruity freshness.
For those who fancy a drink, the full bar serves an array of choices to complement your meal. With outdoor seating available, you can soak in the energetic atmosphere of Centro while enjoying a jug of wine—or perhaps the refreshing Sorbete De Limón Al Cava, a perfect palate cleanser.
LA BOLA is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience, a fusion of taste and tradition that leaves a lasting impression. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this establishment deserves to be on your culinary bucket list. Relish the nostalgia, savor the flavors, and let the warmth of this remarkable eatery envelop you on your next visit to Madrid.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ 3.5/5 stars Made a reservation and was seated quickly. Got the cocido madrileño and the prawns to split with my boyfriend. It first comes with this noodle soup, and then they pour out the chickpeas, veggies, and meat on a separate plate. It was my first time having this dish so I thought we were supposed to put the veggies and meat in the soup ourselves oops! It was so delicious and flavorful. There wasn't much meat though. The stewed beef was so tender, but there was only 1 piece. The chicken was a little dry. The sausage was just all right. The prawns were pretty good, but kind of sandy. This was a fun experience for authentic food, but def on the pricey side for what you get. ”
“ 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. ”
“ 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€! ”
“ 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. ”
“ 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. ”
“ 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. ”
