How is the waiting time rated at La Paella Real?

The waiting time at La Paella Real is rated 8.3/10 by TheFork users.

How is the noise level rated at La Paella Real?

The noise level at La Paella Real is rated 8/10 by TheFork users.

How is the atmoshpere rated at La Paella Real?

The atmosphere at La Paella Real is rated 8.7/10 by TheFork users.

How is the service rated at La Paella Real?

The service at La Paella Real is rated 9/10 by TheFork users.

How is the quality of the cuisine rated at La Paella Real?

The quality of the food at La Paella Real is rated 8.9/10 by TheFork users.

Reviews - La Paella Real

Name: La Paella Real
Address: C/ Arrieta, 2, Madrid, 28013, Spain
Price range: €33 (Prices have been provided by the restaurant)
Rating: 8.9

Reviews

8.9
of 10

Fabulous

4114 reviews

Ambience

8.7

Food

9.0

Service

9.0

Real experiences from real diners
Ratings and reviews can only be left by guests who have booked with TheFork.

How do we calculate ratings?

Jackson H. • 3 reviews
March 21, 2026
8.5/10
The paella is very tasty. The appetizers (gazpacho and salad), not so great.
Maurizio B. • 54 reviews
February 17, 2026
4/10
This is a tourist trap. We booked given the good reviews. But first surprise the croquetas were cold inside, so they changed them. 2nd time were ok. The arroz caldoso with bogavante was sad to eat, rice was not properly cooked and bogavante was only the shell. I would not repeat or recommend.
Francesco R. • 6 reviews
February 17, 2026
10/10
great food and service!
Lizzy M. • 3 reviews
January 5, 2026
10/10
The best Paella, excellent service. Everything was wonderful!
Atsushi K. • 1 review
January 2, 2026
10/10
We were traveling as a couple. This was our second visit to Madrid, and our first time at this restaurant. We had mixed paella ,steamed mussels and rosé wine. Both were delicious, and the portions were just right. The waiter was also cheerful and polite. If we have the opportunity to visit Madrid again, we would like to try a different type of paella. Thank you very much.
Monica D. • 7 reviews
January 6, 2026
9.5/10
Espectacular paella and Excelent Service. Worthy
Michel D. • 1 review
January 1, 2026
4.5/10
I everything could be improved Food quality vs price not good Decor outdated
Mauro M. • 1 review
November 28, 2025
6.5/10
The place is beautiful, with a charming and authentic atmosphere. However, the service felt rushed and not particularly friendly. The paella was just average for our taste — not bad, but it didn’t really stand out. Overall, it’s a nice spot to visit for the setting, but the experience could be more pleasant with a bit more warmth and attention.
Peter S. • 1 review
October 22, 2025
10/10
We celebrated my daughter's 17th birthday here with a dinner. Take the menu of the day which includes three entradas to share y pan, paella of your choice, a bottle of wine and water for every 2 persons and a superb dessert.
LeeAnn J. • 1 review
October 8, 2025
8/10
Yummy, yummy food, sangria. Quite a large pan of paella for 2. Lovely music, helpful staff. Glad I saw The Fork's promo for La Paella Real! Just the type of setting and food we wanted during our 7-day stay in Madrid (part of 24 days in Spain - 5th trip in 18 yrs - so we know what we want). We love Spain y Mexico!!
Isabella L. • 13 reviews
September 22, 2025
9/10
ok
MAYLENE G. • 1 review
September 24, 2025
10/10
The paella, the place and the service were great.
佳佑謝. • 1 review
September 12, 2025
7.5/10
The smell inside wasn’t that pleasant to me.
Laura S. • 1 review
September 1, 2025
10/10
We had a very pleasant experience and the Paella was delicious.
H.B. L. • 6 reviews
August 9, 2025
10/10
We had dinner at La Paella Real on two occasions during our seven nights in Madrid. Perfect paellas each time (de mariscos first and then de rape y chipirones second) - so flavorful and plentiful at very reasonable prices - in a cozy setting with welcoming and kind staff. We also enjoyed gambas al ajillo each time … the best we’ve tried in Madrid so far. The white wine was nice, too. Thanks to Gerardo and Edwin for their kind service.
Anne M. • 2 reviews
July 17, 2025
10/10
I don’t quite understand the unfavorable reviews this place has received. We thought it was tremendous from start to finish. We’ve been coming to Spain for years and this was undoubtedly one of the very best and reasonably priced meals we’ve had in Madrid. The service was amazing. The croquetas were creamy and crispy simultaneously and the paella mixta was perfectly done with just the right amount of soccarat to give it that perfectly caramelized toasty flavor. We had tinto de verano to drink and the meal came out under €60. We really enjoyed it!
Michele C. • 1 review
July 4, 2025
10/10
We had a great time and delicious food
Daniel R. • 4 reviews
May 26, 2025
8.5/10
The food was great and delivered relatively quickly. However, we had an unpleasant experience when it came to payment. We were a group of nine, and after everyone had paid, the waiter became quite aggressive, insisting that one payment was missing. Each guest showed proof of their card payment, and after some confusion, it turned out the waiter himself had handed the paper receipt to one of the guests — the very reason he thought a payment was missing. It was a disrespectful and uncomfortable moment that overshadowed the meal. Aside from that, the food was good but quite expensive. I ended up paying €30 for my share, which felt a bit much given the overall experience.
Brett B. • 2 reviews
May 13, 2025
3/10
The seafood paella was really poor, the seafood was badly overcooked and overall, the restaurant was very overpriced for the standard of food & service we received. The service waiter on arrival was unfriendly making visit a poor experience. Very disappointing!
Michelly S. • 1 review
April 9, 2025
10/10
Paella was perfect!
Charmaine T. • 24 reviews
March 31, 2025
10/10
What a find! The prawn and asparagus paella was the best we have ever had. It was a perfect evening. Thank you La Paella Real. See you tomorrow!
Victoria B. • 10 reviews
March 18, 2025
10/10
La Paella Real is a lovely restaurant. We chose the fried squid as starters and paella mixta for main. Both very delicious. Good choice of wine too. The service was excellent as well. Highly recommended.
Carry S. • 1 review
December 2, 2024
9/10
We had the lobster paella and the black rice with prawns paella. Both were EXCELLENT. We loved the location (2 minutes from where were staying near the Opera metro) and the restaurant appearance. Our waiter didn't particularly appreciate when we asked what the Valenciana salad consisted of; his answer was obviously 'how do you idiots not know that'. And he didn't pour our wine but did for the neighboring table, a slight my daughter noticed. He did seem to warm up a bit by the end of the meal and we didn't let his gruffness ruin our enjoyment of the excellent food. We had made a last minute reservation and arrived a few minutes before our time and they were accommodating so I will not remove a star for a couple minor issues. If you want great, fresh paella, check this place out!
Federico L. • 18 reviews
October 29, 2024
10/10
Very good black rice
Valeria V. • 13 reviews
October 13, 2024
10/10
Perfect service and super quality food. Top
Gary S. • 1 review
October 17, 2024
6/10
Waiter unfriendly and spoiled entire visit. Would not recommend anyone go here despite good good
Alejandro T. • 1 review
October 10, 2024
9/10
Food is Great
Ralph B. • 3 reviews
September 10, 2024
10/10
The waiter
Victor B. • 1 review
July 11, 2024
10/10
good service
Johm F. • 1 review
June 15, 2024
5/10
Nothing to rave about. A tourist place. Not recommended.
La Paella Real • Owner
Gracias por su respuesta, que todavia seguimos sorprendidos con lo de un lugar de turistas, cuando usted vino con 5 turistas , quizas lo no recomendado es gente como usted para tener en cuenta los restaurantes de la zona
João M. • 22 reviews
June 12, 2024
10/10
The experience was overall very positive. The food was good, both the croquettes and the paella. The employees were nice and the service was fast. It takes a bit for the paella to come, but it's worth the wait for the quality. Overall a very nice experience!
Ronette L. • 13 reviews
May 6, 2024
8.5/10
Their paella is great, although the starters could be better in my opinion
Michael B. • 1 review
April 1, 2024
8/10
A hiiden gem that our tour guide recommended.
Federico A. • 111 reviews
February 18, 2024
9.5/10
Historical restaurant near underground stop "Opera", very well connected. The service was fast and friendly. The paella was the best I've tried in Madrid (not the best overall). Final price is a bit expensive, but really not too much considering the location. With the discount the bill is absolutely fine.
Eric G. • 2 reviews
January 16, 2024
9.5/10
While Madrid is not known for Paella, we wanted to partake in this traditional dish before ending our trip to Spain. One of the guides we utilized suggested this establishment, we wound up delighted! We noticed that we could order it as part of a "Menu" which included starters, a beverage and dessert. All food was presented in an outstanding manor, was well prepared and tasted very good. The Paella was perfect, not overcooked over-seasoned nor greasy. The service was also spot-on. In all, a wonderful experience on our last night in Madrid.
Diana A. • 2 reviews
November 2, 2023
9/10
We had a wonderful time and the food was excellent. Our only little quirk was the waiter who came across as a bit snobbish but he slowly loosened up towards the end
Essential L. • 1 review
October 31, 2023
2.5/10
Abysmal offhand service
Maria A. • 1 review
October 2, 2023
10/10
Cozy small restaurant near Opera House. Food was fabulous but the service was outstanding! The waiter was very engaging and made excellent recommendations. But hats off to the chef for providing such a delicious paella!
Armando A S. • 1 review
September 14, 2023
7.5/10
Paella was very dry and rice was tosted in bottom around oven plate. Taste wss great and, I liked tge tosted rice.
Jehan A. • 1 review
July 13, 2023
8/10
The paella is good! So we highly recommend it!