
Taberna La Carmencita
Madrid's historic Taberna La Carmencita offers traditional Spanish cuisine with a farm-to-table focus, blending old-world charm with fresh, quality in...

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Taberna La Carmencita

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Madrid's historic Taberna La Carmencita offers traditional Spanish cuisine with a farm-to-table focus, blending old-world charm with fresh, quality ingredients.
"Experience the historic charm and elevated traditional dishes at one of Madrid's oldest and most beautiful taverns."
Ask Staff for Recommendations
Friendly staff can guide you to the best choices and share the tavern's history.
Share Multiple Dishes
Enjoy a wider variety of flavors by ordering several dishes to share with your dining companions.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Spanish
Price
$$$
Phone
+34 915 31 09 11
Address
C. de la Libertad, 16, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Website
tabernalacarmencita.es/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Charm & Ambiance
Experience Madrid's oldest tavern, featuring beautiful tiled walls and a nostalgic, welcoming atmosphere.

Elevated Traditional Spanish Dishes
Savor classic Spanish cuisine with a farm-to-table twist, focusing on carefully sourced, fresh ingredients.

The Giant Tomato Salad
A surprisingly simple yet highly praised dish, featuring thick, perfectly seasoned tomato slices with quality olive oil.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Ask Staff for Recommendations
Friendly staff can guide you to the best choices and share the tavern's history.
Share Multiple Dishes
Enjoy a wider variety of flavors by ordering several dishes to share with your dining companions.
Reserve Ahead
This popular spot can get busy, especially during peak times, so reservations are recommended.
Explore Seasonal Offerings
The menu features seasonal options that offer interesting and unique flavor combinations.
Tips
from all over the internet
Ask Staff for Recommendations
Friendly staff can guide you to the best choices and share the tavern's history.
Share Multiple Dishes
Enjoy a wider variety of flavors by ordering several dishes to share with your dining companions.
Reserve Ahead
This popular spot can get busy, especially during peak times, so reservations are recommended.
Explore Seasonal Offerings
The menu features seasonal options that offer interesting and unique flavor combinations.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Taberna La Carmencita is celebrated for its historic charm and traditional Spanish dishes with a farm-to-table approach. While many praise the welcoming ambiance and friendly service, some find the food portions scarce and prices high, with a few reviews noting excessive saltiness. However, specific dishes like the tomato salad and hazelnut ice cream receive consistent acclaim.
"We visited as a family on April 9th. These were the best meals we've ever had. Anna was very sweet and helped us a lot with the service, choices, and the history of the tavern. The other waiters were also equally friendly and helpful. If you happen to be around in Madrid, be sure to come and try their food and wines."
Hazal Şenel
"This is a very pleasant, cosy, historic restaurant, apparently the second oldest in Madrid, with beautiful tiled walls. The service was friendly and helpful. The menu was has a good variety of dishes. I started with the largest slice of tomato I’ve ever seen - it was delicious. My main course was Iberian ham and eggs, also excellent. I finished by indulging in a very good hazelnut ice cream. I recommend all of these dishes, and the rest of the menu also looked great."
Chris Clement
"The ambiance is absolutely charming—old-world elegance with a relaxed, welcoming feel that makes you feel right at home. It carries nostalgic touches that reminded me of childhood visits to relatives and grandparents, yet it still feels refined. Despite being in one of the busiest parts of the city, once you step inside, it feels like a quiet retreat.
I always make it a point to come here for callos a la madrileña, and once again the quality of the tripe was excellent—tender, perfectly cooked, and full of authentic flavor. Callos is hard to find outside Madrid and Spain, and truly good callos is even rarer. This dish brought back many memories of growing up. This time, the callos was more tangy than usual, but still delicious. The rice that accompanied it could have been cooked a bit longer, though those who like a firmer bite may prefer it that way.
We also tried the stuffed peppers. The flavors were enjoyable, though the veal stuffing was a little too soft in texture for my taste—perhaps a different meat would have suited it better. The complimentary pâté at the beginning of the meal, however, was a wonderful touch and very tasty. The white wine selection by the glass is limited, but the few varieties available were very enjoyable.
This was the first time I needed to make a reservation here, likely because of the busy season. The process was easy and flexible, with no advance payment required. Definitely worth planning ahead so you don’t miss out."
Frangelico Gregorio-Thomas
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
It's known for its historic ambiance as one of Madrid's oldest taverns, its traditional Spanish dishes with farm-to-table ingredients, and specific items like the giant tomato salad.
While the focus is on traditional Spanish cuisine, inquire about vegetarian options as ingredients are fresh and sourced locally.
Yes, it's recommended to make a reservation, especially if you plan to visit during peak hours or busy seasons.
The atmosphere is described as charming, historic, and nostalgic, with beautiful tiled walls and a relaxed, welcoming feel.
The giant tomato salad, callos a la madrileña, and the hazelnut ice cream are frequently recommended.
Some reviews mention that portions can be scarce and prices high, but others find the quality of ingredients justifies the cost.
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Though pretty, Taberna La Carmencita feels traditional, with its classic tiling and zinc bar (it's one of the city's oldest taverns). Owner Carlos Zamora introduced a focus on farm-to-table ingredients when he bought the restaurant a few years ago, giving a new lease of life to traditional Spanish dishes such as grilled razor clams with sherry, slow-cooked oxtail stew and roast kid goat. Even the simplest dish is elevated, like his tomato salad: thick, steak-like slabs of perfectly seasoned giant tomato, drizzled with peppery, grassy olive oil.
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The second oldest restaurant in Madrid and one of the most beautiful,La Carmencita’s walls are covered with floral-patterned tiles surrounding a lovely wood and zinc bar. Lorca and hisliterary circle used to hang out here, but the restaurant doesn’t rest on the glories of its past.…
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Painted tiles line the walls, gorgeous ceramic plates dot the tables and the zinc bar at the door is one of the oldest in Madrid. After all, this tavern is the second oldest in Madrid, having first opened in 1854!. Rumor has it that the painter Goya used to wash dishes here.
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