La Castela
La Castela
La Castela is a traditional Madrid taberna on Calle del Doctor Castelo, in the Ibiza barrio behind the Retiro, holding a Solete in the Guía Repsol. It stands on a 1929 tavern, was refounded in 1989, and still pours vermouth and beer from an old-style cooling coil over a tin counter. Tapas at the bar, a market kitchen in the back dining room, and it's hard to book.
Background
About La Castela
The Story
La Castela stands on an old taberna founded in 1929 as the Bodega de Méntrida, and was refounded in 1989 in the Ibiza barrio behind the Retiro. It keeps the traditional architecture of Madrid's tabernas, a tin counter, stucco shelves, mirrors and marble, and from its old-style cooling coil pour the vermouth and beer generations have come for. It holds a Solete in the Guía Repsol.
The Cuisine
Traditional Madrid taberna cooking served as tapas at the bar, strict with the city's classic dishes and generous with the tapas, plus a market-led kitchen rooted in the Madrid recipe book in the back-room dining area. The carta runs to ventresca, milhojas, garbanzos, rabo de toro and arroz meloso, with coquinas, navajas and croquetas of prawn or cecina. The house keeps two cartas, one for the bar and one for the dining room, plus set menus for groups.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
La Castela Ratings & Reviews
Professional Ratings
decor 6.4/10, service 6.7/10, typical spend 40€
Diner Ratings
TripAdvisor
4.3
1296 reviews
4.6
6764
Reservations
How to Book La Castela
Booking
Reserve through the booking widget on the venue's own site (http://restaurantelacastela.com/reservar).
Experience
La Castela Dining Experience
Lively, classic and cosy, with efficient, attentive service. The cooking sits squarely in the traditional register, and it's hard to book, which tells you most of what you need to know about how full it gets.
Navigate
La Castela Location & Neighbourhood
Address
Calle del Doctor Castelo, 22, 28009 Madrid, Spain
Get directions→Getting There
Calle del Doctor Castelo 22, 28009, in Ibiza, the residential barrio on the edge of the Parque del Buen Retiro. It eats like a neighbourhood that doesn't need to impress anyone: taverns, grills and seafood at prices that reflect regulars rather than visitors.
Nearby
Ibiza is the residential edge of Parque del Buen Retiro, and it eats like a neighbourhood that does not need to impress anyone. The rooms are taverns, grills and seafood done properly, at prices that reflect regulars rather than visitors. Palacio de Cristal and the park are the reason to come early.
Nearby Restaurants
Where to stay nearby
Hotels we rank within walking distance of La Castela.
Details
La Castela Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12:30–17:00 & 20:00–00:30 |
| Tuesday | 12:30–17:00 & 20:00–00:30 |
| Wednesday | 12:30–17:00 & 20:00–00:30 |
| Thursday | 12:30–17:00 & 20:00–00:30 |
| Friday | 12:30–17:30 & 20:00–00:30 |
| Saturday | 12:30–17:30 & 20:00–00:30 |
| Sunday | Closed |
La Castela hours verified 2026-08-10. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Good to Know
Questions
La Castela FAQ
Does La Castela have a Michelin star?
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No. It holds a Solete in the Guía Repsol, which is a Solete and not a Sol. It holds no Michelin distinction.
Where is La Castela?
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Calle del Doctor Castelo 22, in the Ibiza barrio of the Retiro district, on the residential edge of the Parque del Buen Retiro. There's terrace seating, and the entrance, restroom and seating are wheelchair accessible.
Do you need to book at La Castela?
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Probably. It's hard to get a table, and reservations run through CoverManager, so walking in and hoping is the risky option.
What are La Castela's hours?
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Monday to Thursday 12:30 to 17:00 and 20:00 to 00:30; Friday and Saturday 12:30 to 17:30 and 20:00 to 00:30. It's closed on Sundays.
What should I order at La Castela?
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The carta runs to ventresca, milhojas, garbanzos, rabo de toro and arroz meloso, plus coquinas and navajas when they're on, and croquetas of prawn or cecina.
How old is La Castela?
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It stands on the Bodega de Méntrida, a taberna founded in 1929, and was refounded as La Castela in 1989, keeping the old tin counter, stucco shelving, mirrors and marble.