The Best Budget Paella Restaurants In Madrid

Although it is often called Spain’s national dish, paella is actually a regional speciality from Valencia, on the country’s Mediterranean coast. But if you want to try the tasty recipe in Madrid, it’s worth knowing where to get an authentic Valencian paella, instead of the tourist trap dishes often peddled in the city centre. Follow our guide to find the best – and cheapest – paellas in the city.

1. Socarratt

Restaurant, Spanish

Socarratt, in the cool barrio of Chueca, is run by two Valencians, Jordi and Rafa Ventura. They do a great and authentic Valencian paella (for lunch only, as is the tradition in Valencia) but have a menu of other famous Spanish rice dishes, from vegetable paella to black rice. A full paella is €66 for six people, but diners can also order a portion of paella for €7.90. If you fancy a paella at home, it’s €8.90 to take away.

2. El Caldero

Restaurant, Spanish, Mediterranean

El Caldero, just off the popular Plaza Santa Ana in central Madrid, specialises in the cuisine of Murcia, south of Valencia in southeast Spain. The menu also features some classic paellas, such as Valencian and seafood, as well as another Valencian speciality, fideua, a paella that uses noodles instead of rice.

3. Casa de Valencia

Restaurant, Spanish, Mediterranean, Seafood

This favourite has been making the popular dish for over three decades, and in that time, Casa de Valencia has become one of the go-to places in the city for diners who want to try one of the most authentic paellas available in Madrid. The menu features a range of Mediterranean classics and several rice dishes, including the classic Valencian paella, made with chicken, rabbit and vegetables, a mixed paella, with chicken and seafood, and a seafood paella. Valencian paella is €15.50 per portion.

5. Bar La Gloria

Restaurant, Spanish

This restaurant in Malasaña mainly specialises in cuisine from Andalusia in southern Spain, but every Sunday, instead of brunch, it serves a huge paella lunch. It all started when the restaurant opened in 2013. It was surrounded by hip bars and restaurants offering brunch, but Bar La Gloria’s owners didn’t like the concept and wondered what they could do instead. They happened to have a Valencian chef working with them, and the idea of a paella lunch was born. From €11 per portion, this is a great deal for a brilliant – and much more Spanish – alternative to brunch.

6. Samm

Restaurant, Spanish

To the north of Madrid and the paella tourist traps of the centre is Samm, located in the Chamartín neighbourhood. It specialises in Valencian cuisine, with its pièce de résistance being its paella dishes. The restaurant opened in 1973, and since then, it has built up a solid reputation in the city for its quality Valencian cooking.

7. El Ventorrillo Murciano

Restaurant, Bar, Cafe, Spanish

Tucked away in Lavapiés is this slightly off-the-beaten-track restaurant that specialises in Murcian and Valencian recipes. It is famous for its rice dishes. A top tip is to reserve a table beforehand so that the chefs can get your paella underway before you arrive, as well as guaranteeing a table in the snug little restaurant.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.