La Casa del Abuelo — Restaurant in Madrid

My recent visit to La Casa del Abuelo was nothing short of a regrettable experience, tarnished by an unsettling combination of incompetence and indifference.

From the moment we stepped in, the atmosphere was jarringly unpleasant. The waitstaff, rather than being attentive, were vocally loud and attempted to be humorous in a way that came off as rude and unprofessional. Their attempts at levity were misplaced, and their loud banter only added to the discomfort. At one point (after a long time of waiting), a menu was carelessly slammed onto our table, an action that felt more like an insult than service. Their overall demeanor conveyed a complete lack of respect for their guests, making it clear that customer care was far from their priority. Their rudeness was palpable, making it clear that service was the last thing on their minds.

It took an unreasonably long time to even receive the menu—a simple task that was inexplicably delayed, leaving us to sit and wonder if we had been forgotten altogether. Once we finally managed to place our order, another protracted wait ensued, testing the limits of our patience.

When the food did arrive, it was a profound letdown. The dishes lacked any semblance of flavor, each bite as dull as the last. It was as if the kitchen had taken great care in ensuring that every element was stripped of any culinary joy. The bread, a simple staple, was particularly egregious—stale and dry, it bore the distinct texture of something that had been carelessly left out for days, if not longer.

Overall, La Casa del Abuelo failed on every front—service, ambiance, and most unforgivably, the food itself. It is rare to encounter an establishment so wholly lacking in the fundamental qualities that define a dining experience. This is one restaurant I will certainly not be revisiting, and I would advise others to steer...

This place was not good at all. To start, this restaurant does not accept phone numbers from the USA. So when we tried to make a reservation we could not. Even though this happened we still decided to give it a shot. When we arrived at the restaurant my group was seated and immediately a server who looked as if he had been electrocuted walked out. He walked up to us and didn’t even ask half of us for drinks. Then he began making jokes that no one even thought was romotely funny. When he finally took our orders for food instead of letting us order what we wanted off of the menu he said, “let me order you the food. Two dishes of the same thing each for each half of the table.” He brought us the first few dishes which were very small and consisted of simple hams and cheeses which cost 20-30 dollars a plate. The food was not good and as soon as I took a bite I lost my appetite. Then when he brought out shrimp instead of bringing out two plates he brought out a total of 8 plates which were 5 plates of shrimp drenched into greace. They cost a total of 92 dollars, then he brought out some more shrimp (three plates) that cost a total of 135 dollars. This was incredibly rude from the server because he didn’t let us order and he gave us more food then we told him we wanted. We spent a total of 435 dollars which was incredibly ridiculous seeing as we didn’t even get to order what we wanted. As a final note when we were paying someone in our group asked why he gave us so much food when we asked for little and he then proceeded to hand the electrical scanner to pay to another waitress and said she was going to deal with it. I do not recommend this...

I recently dined at La Casa del Abuelo in Madrid, a historic establishment renowned for its gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp). Founded in 1906, this tavern has maintained its traditional charm, offering a glimpse into Madrid’s culinary past.  

The interior exudes an old-world ambiance, adorned with vintage photographs and rustic wooden furnishings. The aroma of sizzling garlic and olive oil fills the air, whetting the appetite upon entry. 

The menu centers around seafood, with the garlic shrimp being the standout dish. Served in a piping hot terracotta dish, the shrimp are cooked to perfection, infused with rich flavors of garlic and a hint of chili. Accompanied by crusty bread to soak up the flavorful oil, it’s a simple yet delectable offering. 

However, some aspects of the experience were less favorable. The house-made sweet red wine, though a traditional pairing, may not suit all palates; some might find it overly sweet. Additionally, while the staff is efficient, the service can feel brisk, likely due to the tavern’s popularity and constant flow of patrons.

It’s also worth noting that the establishment has multiple locations in close proximity. The original spot on Calle de la Victoria offers a stand-up tapas experience, while the nearby Calle Núñez de Arce location provides seated dining. Both maintain the restaurant’s signature dishes and atmosphere.  

In summary, La Casa del Abuelo offers a taste of Madrid’s culinary heritage with its famed garlic shrimp and historic setting. While the experience may have minor drawbacks, it’s a worthwhile visit for those seeking authentic...