L'Albufera
L'Albufera
L'Albufera is a Levantine restaurant inside the Meliá Castilla hotel on Calle del Poeta Joan Maragall, in the Castillejos barrio of Tetuán. Rice is the whole point, paellas from valenciana to senyoret and seafood, mellow rices and fideuás, plus starters, meats and fish. By its own account it's been at it for more than 35 years.
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From lalbufera_melia on Instagram
Nuestra propuesta líquida también forma parte de la experiencia. Lágrima de Farina, un vino de D.O. Toro pensado para acompañar la mesa y realzar cada sabor.
En L’Albufera, sabemos que una gran comida empieza desde el primer plato. Prueba nuestros entrantes y déjate aconsejar para la combinación perfecta.
La tradición empieza por respetar los ingredientes. Nuestra paella valenciana con pollo, judía verde y garrofó, cocinados con tiempo y un arroz que recoge todo el sabor. Un clásico de la gastronomía valenciana que forma parte de la historia de L’Albufera.
Años de cocina enseñan a reconocer un buen producto con solo mirarlo. Enrique, nuestro jefe de cocina, conoce cada materia prima y sabe cómo tratarla para sacar lo mejor de ella. Porque detrás de cada plato de L’Albufera hay producto, pero también experiencia y conocimiento.
En L’Albufera seleccionamos materia prima de calidad y pescado fresco para dejar que cada ingrediente hable por sí mismo. Cocina mediterránea y arroces en Madrid, con el producto como protagonista.
Reserva una mesa para comer con tu persona favorita en nuestros rincones más especiales. 👉🏻 Abiertos de lunes a domingos en horario de comidas 👉🏻 Reserva en nuestra web o por teléfono 915 67 51 97 #food #Madrid #Melia #MeliaCastilla #Albufera #Valencia #arroz #producto #restaurantes #restaurantes
Background
About L'Albufera
The Story
L'Albufera is the restaurant of the Meliá Castilla hotel and has cooked Levantine food and its rice dishes in Madrid for more than 35 years by its own account. In 2026 its chef of more than four decades, Enrique Paños, is stepping away from the stoves, and the restaurant is marking it with a homage menu.
The Cuisine
Rice runs the menu: paellas from valenciana and senyoret to seafood and a house version with lobster, alongside mellow rices and fideuás, with vegan and vegetarian rices too. Around them sit starters, meats and fish, and a wine list drawn from Spain's main regions.
Enrique Paños's farewell menu
From 21 September to 31 October 2026 the Menú Homenaje gathers dishes tied to the restaurant's early years and Valencian tradition: esgarraet and clóchinas a la marinera to share, then a choice of fessols i naps, the winter rice of beans and turnips, or a mellow rice of leeks and clams that started with leftover clams and became one of the most requested. Natillas with cuajada close it, at €58 per person including drinks, bread and an aperitivo. A separate list of 'Enrique's favourites' runs from esgarraet at €19 and red prawn a la plancha at €35 to rossejat at €28.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
L'Albufera Ratings & Reviews
Professional Ratings
decor 7.0/10, service 7.5/10, typical spend 55€
Diner Ratings
4.4
1772
TripAdvisor
4.2
992
L'Albufera ranks #650 of 1001 rated restaurants in Madrid. Diners rate it 4.2/5 on TripAdvisor.
Reservations
How to Book L'Albufera
Booking
Book online via TheFork.
Experience
L'Albufera Dining Experience
A roomy hotel dining room inside the Meliá Castilla, set up for groups and families, with games for kids at weekends. There's a cellar of wines from Spain's main regions, and cocktails too, around a menu that's centred on rice for more than 35 years by the venue's own account.
News
L'Albufera in the News
Navigate
L'Albufera Location & Neighbourhood
Address
Calle del Poeta Joan Maragall, 43, 28020 Madrid, Spain
Get directions→Getting There
L'Albufera sits inside the Meliá Castilla hotel on Calle del Poeta Joan Maragall, in the Castillejos barrio of Madrid's Tetuán district.
Nearby
Castillejos is northern, plain and residential, and the restaurants are the reason to be there rather than the scenery. The cooking is honest and regional, at prices that would be higher further south. Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and Cuatro Torres Business Area loom over the whole area.
Nearby landmarks
Landmarks within walking distance of L'Albufera.
Nearby Restaurants
Where to stay nearby
Hotels we rank within walking distance of L'Albufera.
Details
L'Albufera Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 13:00–16:00 |
| Tuesday | 13:00–16:00 |
| Wednesday | 13:00–16:00 |
| Thursday | 13:00–16:00 |
| Friday | 13:00–16:00 |
| Saturday | 13:00–16:00 |
| Sunday | 13:00–16:00 |
L'Albufera hours verified 2026-09-18. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Good to Know
Questions
L'Albufera FAQ
What is L'Albufera known for?
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Levantine rice dishes. Paellas are the centrepiece, from valenciana to seafood and a house version with lobster, alongside mellow rices and fideuás.
Where is L'Albufera?
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Inside the Meliá Castilla hotel on Calle del Poeta Joan Maragall, in the Castillejos barrio of Madrid's Tetuán district.
Does L'Albufera have vegetarian or vegan options?
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Yes. The rice menu includes vegan and vegetarian paellas and fideuás, built around seasonal vegetables.
When is L'Albufera open?
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Every day, holidays included, for lunch from 13:00 to 16:00.
What can you order at L'Albufera?
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Paellas run from the classic valenciana (26€) to a seafood version (31€) and the house L'Albufera with lobster (39€); there are also mellow rices and fideuás priced from about 26€ to 39€.
How much does it cost to eat at L'Albufera?
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Around €30–70 per person.
What hotel is L'Albufera part of?
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The Meliá Castilla hotel.
Does L'Albufera have activities for kids?
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Yes, weekend activities for kids are on offer.
How long has L'Albufera been serving rice dishes?
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By its own account, more than 35 years.
Who is the chef at L'Albufera?
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Enrique Paños has led the kitchen for more than 40 years and is retiring in 2026; the restaurant is marking it with a €58 homage menu until 31 October.