Lhardy

Lhardy is one of Madrid's oldest and most elegant restaurants. It was founded in 1839 by Emilio Huguenin Lhardy, who, according to the story, was encouraged to come to Madrid by Prosper Mérimée, the author of Carmen, who felt the city lacked good restaurants. Lhardy is credited with bringing Parisian-style haute cuisine to Madrid, and it has been described as the first luxury restaurant in the city. For more than 180 years it has been a meeting place for politicians, writers and Madrid society.

The building has two distinct parts. On the ground floor, the shop sells pastries, croquettes, cold cuts and prepared dishes, and is famous for its consommé, which locals have long drunk standing at the counter on a cold day; it is now also available to take away. Upstairs are the historic dining rooms, each with its own name and style, including the Isabelino main dining room and the Japanese room.

The restaurant's most celebrated dish is cocido madrileño, the city's slow-cooked stew of chickpeas, meats and vegetables, served in several courses starting with the broth. The rest of the menu covers traditional Spanish and international dishes, and the shop downstairs is known for its pastries and croquettes. This is formal, traditional dining with polished service, and it suits special occasions, business lunches and visitors who want to experience Madrid's old-school grandeur.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday and for lunch only on Sundays. The shop has longer hours, opening in the morning every day, which makes it an easy stop for a quick consommé or pastry while sightseeing. Reservations are recommended for the dining rooms, especially at weekends and in the cocido season of autumn and winter, and can be made through the reservations email on the website. Smart dress feels appropriate upstairs.

Lhardy is on Carrera de San Jerónimo, a couple of minutes' walk from Puerta del Sol and close to the Congress of Deputies. Sol and Sevilla metro stations are both very close, and the Barrio de las Letras, the Thyssen and the Paseo del Prado are all within easy walking distance.