El Barril de las Letras
El Barril de las Letras
El Barril de las Letras is Grupo Oter's marisquería on Calle de Cervantes, about 50 metres from Lope de Vega's house in the Barrio de las Letras. It pitches an authentic seafood experience: fresh shellfish, fish and traditional raciones given a modern turn, served straight through from 12:30 to 00:30 every day, with a heated terrace, a dining room and high tables.
Social
From elbarrildelasletras on Instagram
Background
About El Barril de las Letras
The Story
El Barril de las Letras belongs to Grupo Oter, whose El Barril marisquerías also include El Barril de Recoletos and El Barril de Alcántara. This one sits in the Barrio de las Letras, framing itself as an authentic seafood experience that fuses tradition with a more modern approach.
The Cuisine
The kitchen works fresh shellfish and fish alongside traditional raciones given a modern turn. It's built for a seafood meal in the centre of the city, good for lunch, dinner or a round of tapeo.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
El Barril de las Letras Ratings & Reviews
Diner Ratings
4.3
2018
TripAdvisor
4.1
1,211 reviews
El Barril de las Letras ranks #830 of 1001 rated restaurants in Madrid. Diners rate it 4.1/5 on TripAdvisor (1,211 reviews).
Reservations
How to Book El Barril de las Letras
Booking
Book online at module.eltenedor.es (eltenedor).
Experience
El Barril de las Letras Dining Experience
A warm, elegant room with three ways to sit: the heated terrace, the dining room or the high tables for a round of tapeo. It runs straight through the afternoon, so it suits a late lunch as much as dinner.
Navigate
El Barril de las Letras Location & Neighbourhood
Address
Calle de Cervantes, 28, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Get directions→Getting There
On Calle de Cervantes, 28, on the corner with Calle de San Agustín in the Barrio de las Letras, about 50 metres from the Casa Museo de Lope de Vega.
Nearby
Cortes sits between the parliament and the museums, so the pavements carry politicians, visitors and locals in roughly equal measure. The eating covers everything from cocktail rooms to serious kitchens, often behind doors that give nothing away. Congreso de los Diputados and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza bookend it.
Nearby landmarks
Landmarks within walking distance of El Barril de las Letras.
Nearby Restaurants
Where to stay nearby
Hotels we rank within walking distance of El Barril de las Letras.
Details
El Barril de las Letras Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12:30–00:30 |
| Tuesday | 12:30–00:30 |
| Wednesday | 12:30–00:30 |
| Thursday | 12:30–00:30 |
| Friday | 12:30–00:30 |
| Saturday | 12:30–00:30 |
| Sunday | 12:30–00:30 |
El Barril de las Letras hours verified 2026-09-18. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Good to Know
Questions
El Barril de las Letras FAQ
What kind of food does El Barril de las Letras serve?
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Seafood. It's a marisquería doing fresh shellfish, fish and traditional raciones given a modern turn.
Where is El Barril de las Letras?
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On Calle de Cervantes, 28, in the Barrio de las Letras, about 50 metres from Lope de Vega's house.
When is El Barril de las Letras open?
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Every day, 12:30 to 00:30, without a break.
How much does it cost to eat at El Barril de las Letras?
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Around €51–100 per person, depending how far into the shellfish you go.
What's on the drinks list at El Barril de las Letras?
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The bodega runs from bottled beers and vermouths (Martini Bianco, Rosato and Izaguirre) to a sherry list: manzanilla La Guita and Solear, Fino Tío Pepe, Fino Quinta, the aged Fino Tradición, Oloroso Río Viejo, Leonor Palo Cortado and Pedro Ximénez Tradición VOS.
Is El Barril de las Letras good for groups?
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Yes, it's good for groups, with cocktails also on offer.
Is El Barril de las Letras part of a group?
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Yes, Grupo Oter, which runs the other El Barril marisquerías around Madrid.