Restaurant · Madrid
Taberna La Bola
Choose a day and party sizeInformation
- Price
- €€€€
- Where
- Madrid
A cocido in two servings
La Bola opened in 1870 on the corner of Calle de la Bola, a step from Plaza de Oriente, and is run by the fourth generation of the same family. The red façade with gold lettering is easy to recognise. The house lives on one dish: the Madrid cocido, which each diner receives in their own clay pot, slowly cooked over holm-oak charcoal.
It is served in two vuelcos, or servings: first the noodle soup with the broth, then the chickpeas, vegetables and meats. On the menu it costs €26. The house special menu, at €39.90, adds olives, bread with butter, apple fritters with ice cream for dessert, house wine and water. If you do not fancy cocido, there is tripe (€21), roast lamb (€28.50), croquettes or scrambled eggs. There is a children's menu at €29.60, with noodle soup, escalope or croquettes and ice cream, and a vegetarian menu. The house asks that you order at least one dish per person.
For lunch before an afternoon opera
La Bola is not open at the usual dinner time. On Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays it serves from 13:00 to 16:00, and from Thursday to Saturday from 12:00 to 20:30. It fits with a morning at the Royal Palace, a family Sunday or an afternoon performance at the Teatro Real, which is two streets away. For the weekend, book on its website or on 915 476 930.
Ópera or Santo Domingo
Ópera station (L2 and L5) comes out at Plaza de Isabel II, about five minutes' walk. Santo Domingo, on L2, is a similar distance.
What to order: the cocido, which comes in two servings (soup first, then chickpeas, vegetables and meats); if there are two of you with small appetites, one cocido and some tripe
Practical details
- Phone
- +34 915 476 930
- [email protected]
- Opening hours
- Mon–Wed13:00–16:00
- Thu–Sat12:00–20:30
- Sun13:00–16:00
- Cuisine
- Madrid cooking, cocido
- Bookings
- Book a table on their website
House specialities
- Madrid cocido
- Tripe
- Roast lamb
- La Bola special croquettes
- Apple fritters with ice cream
Tips
- Come hungry The cocido is a complete dish: with both servings, the starters are unnecessary.
- Cocido to take away They sell the cocido for collection; ask when you book.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the cocido cost at La Bola?
€26 on the menu and €39.90 on the house set menu with dessert and wine.
Is La Bola open in the evening?
From Thursday to Saturday it serves until 20:30; on the other days, at midday only.
Does it have a children's menu?
Yes, at €29.60.
As a family
