Taberna del Alabardero Madrid - Restaurante Palacio Real — Restaurant in Madrid

I recently had dinner at Taberna del Alabardero, tucked near the Royal Palace in Madrid. As soon as I entered, I was drawn in by the timeless elegance—rich wood panels, vintage artwork, and ornate light fixtures that transport you to a refined yet comfortable era.

I began with creamy croquetas and a glass of vermouth at the bar—classic, indulgent, and deliciously comforting. For the main course, I chose their slow-cooked oxtail stew: tender, richly flavored, and perfectly paired with crisp vegetables and buttery jus. The garlic prawns arrived sizzling, aromatic, and full of depth. To finish, I savored a delicate crème catalana—silky with a crisp caramel top.

Service felt professional yet genuinely warm. The staff guided me through the menu thoughtfully, kept my glass refill prompt, and maintained just the right pace—attentive but never intrusive.

The atmosphere strikes a splendid balance between stately and inviting. It’s the kind of place where you can linger over dinner, enjoy good conversation, and feel you’ve stepped into a refined piece of Madrid’s culinary history.

Taberna del Alabardero delivers satisfying, well-executed Spanish dishes in a richly atmospheric setting—ideal for a special meal near the heart...

My parents’ favorite restaurant in Madrid, a place that never disappoints me. Whether it is the food, the atmosphere or the excellent services, Taberna del Alabardero has been my place to go in Madrid and one of those places that makes me call this city my home. The food is excellent, being the dishes a master piece of flavor and detail. If you come only for an aperitif, the tapas (appetizers) served with your drink are always good and the barmen are kind to the point of serving you what you would feel like having. Yesterday I took two friends from Macedonia visiting Madrid for the first time and they praised the kindness of the Barman, who thanked our patience waiting for our order with a bonus tapa. A true Madrilean experience of good food...

Located near the palace, we missed the last available patio table by 10 seconds, so we purposely returned the next day for ‘proper’ tapas. NOT a tourist trap! Perfect patio lunch in the sunshine: authentic Spanish tapas - well-priced and prepared, along with red vermouth. Mago was the perfect hostess - pleasant & warm, she offered delicious recommendations - making us feel welcome. Food was timely and well-prepared. We overheard a group of four from New York debating whether they should stop - we insisted they must and they did! Perfect experience - add this one to your...