Casa Labra
An 1860s tavern near Puerta del Sol famous for its battered cod fritters and croquetas at the bar.
The call
Worth it if you're watching the budget and you only have one day.
Short answer
Is Casa Labra worth it?
Casa Labra deserves a place on most first itineraries. Go early or reserve ahead. Crowds are part of the cost.
The answer depends on your budget, time and travel style; the breakdown below shows who gets the most value.
Why
- 01
Order cod and a beer through the side hatch and eat standing in the crowd, just as Madrileños have for generations.
- 02
It's tiny, chaotic and cash-friendly — pure old-school tapas ritual.
Is it a fit?
Go if
This is your first trip to Madrid
A perfect, cheap first taste of Madrid's standing-tapas culture right in the centre.
You're watching the budget
Casa Labra earns the spend, even on a tight budget.
You only have one day
Short trip or not, keep Casa Labra.
You're traveling as a couple
As a couple, Casa Labra is an easy yes.
The plates that decide it
- Tajada de bacalao (fried cod fillet) — the house signature; order at the bar hatch
- Croquetas de bacalao — the other classic; reliably good
- A sit-down full meal — skip it — this is a stand-and-snack spot, not a dinner destination
Plan it well
- Cost
- ~€10–15 for fritters and a drink
- Allow
- 30–45 minutes
Sources and method (3)
- Opened in 1860 and still serving its signature tajadas de bacalao and cod croquetas; the PSOE political party was secretly founded inside on 2 May 1879. infobae.com ↗
- The premises on Calle de Tetuán near Puerta del Sol remain little changed for more than 160 years. timeout.es ↗
- casalabra.es ↗