Casa Alberto

Casa Alberto is one of the classic old taverns of the Barrio de las Letras, the literary quarter between Puerta del Sol and the Paseo del Prado. It was founded in 1827, as a plaque from Madrid City Council at the entrance records, and the current building stands on the site of an earlier 16th-century house where Miguel de Cervantes lived. It began life as a simple tavern serving wine with hard-boiled eggs and dried cod, and it has kept its traditional character ever since.

The front bar is the soul of the place, with a long counter, old fittings and a lively crowd of regulars and visitors. This is the spot for a vermouth and a tapa or two before lunch or in the early evening. Behind it, the restaurant dining room serves traditional Madrid cooking at proper tables, with separate menus for the bar and the restaurant. Expect the kind of home-style dishes found in the city's old taverns; check the bar and restaurant menus on the website for current dishes.

Casa Alberto suits anyone who wants to eat in a setting that feels authentically old Madrid without the formality of a grand restaurant. Couples and small groups fit easily, and families are welcome in the dining room. The bar can get crowded at peak times, which is part of the atmosphere, but if you want a calmer meal, book a table in the restaurant.

The tavern is closed on Mondays. From Tuesday to Saturday the bar is open from midday to 23:00, and on Sundays from midday to 16:00. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch from 13:30 and dinner from 20:00. Reservations for the dining room are recommended, especially at weekends, and can be made by phone or email.

Calle de las Huertas is one of the main streets of the literary quarter, lined with bars and with quotations from Spanish writers set into the pavement. Antón Martín and Sol metro stations are both within about five to ten minutes' walk. The Plaza de Santa Ana and Lope de Vega's house museum are nearby, and the Prado is around ten minutes on foot.