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 are watching the budget and you only have one day.
Why
- 01
Order cod and a beer through the side hatch and eat standing in the crowd, just as Madrileños have for generations.
Our read - 02
It's tiny, chaotic and cash-friendly — pure old-school tapas ritual.
Our read
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 are watching the budget
On a budget, Casa Labra still earns its price.
You only have one day
Even on a tight schedule, Casa Labra earns the hours.
You are traveling as a couple
As a couple, Casa Labra works.
What to order
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
Ready to plan it?
Booking may earn us a commission. It never changes the verdict.
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 ↗