🦐 Madrid's Seafood Rice Hideaway near Plaza Santa Ana

Taberna el Arco Food Journal 🔍 A Street Corner Paella Treasure Tucked in the labyrinthine alleys of Plaza Santa Ana, Taberna el Arco's wooden sign is unassuming— the door to find cured hams hanging from the ceiling and a kitchen gleaming with copper pans. By 12 PM, the aroma of saffron fills the air～ We met a repeat American couple whose guy looked just like Will Smith, phone ready to film the paella being served 📸 🍲 Must-Order & Budget-Friendly Hits ✅ Classic Seafood Paella (Paella Clásica) 🌟 Authentic Madrid Flavor: ✅ The cast-iron pan arrives sizzling, with prawns curled like roses and squid rings golden rice ✅ Saffron broth cooks each grain al dente, with a crispy "socarrat" crust at the bottom (use a wooden spoon to scrape it!) Price Pleaser: €22/serving, enough for 2, 30% cheaper than tourist areas ✅ Iberian Ham Platter (Jamon Ibérico) 🌟 Premium but Worth It: ✅ Paper-thin ham slices glisten with marbled fat, melting in the mouth with acorn sweetness ✅ Pro Move: Sandwich between fresh bread with cherry tomatoes ✅ Fried Squid Rings (Calamares a la Andaluza) Golden-crisp exterior, tender interior—dip in garlic aioli Perfect with a €3 glass of Madrid red wine 💸 Cost Breakdown & Fun Encounters 3-Person Bill: ✅ Paella + Iberian ham + fried squid + 2 wines = €73 ✅ Compare: Similar quality near Puerta del Sol costs €100+ Chef's Surprise: The cook noticed us taking photos and brought out a fresh paella for styling, teaching us to say "¡Buen provecho!" 📍 Practical Tips & Hidden Perks Address: Calle de los Huertas, 6, 28012 Madrid (200m east of Plaza Santa Ana) Hours: 12:30-16:00 & 20:00-23:00 (arrive before 12 PM on weekends) Secret Order: Ask for "con bogavante" to add lobster (extra €8, incredible value!) Bottom Line: Skip touristy paella joints in Madrid—dive into Taberna el Arco's alley for the same flavor that drew back the Will Smith lookalike couple～ #MadridFoodie #SpanishPaellaGoals #PlazaSantaAnaEats #TabernaElArcoGuide