The dish that made Casa Labra legendary. Strips of salt cod are desalted for hours, then coated in a light batter and fried until golden. The texture is crispy outside, flaky inside, and completely fresh-tasting. Served at the tavern counter or in the restaurant upstairs.
Tips from diners
Order at the tavern counter for the full Casa Labra experience. The downstairs is loud, crowded, and perfect.
Visit at off-peak times (mid-afternoon, 3-5 PM) to avoid the lunch and dinner rush. The line moves fast but can be 20+ people at lunch.
The tavern has a separate takeout line — order there if you want to eat standing or walk around Sol with it.
Cold Spanish beer, the standard pairing with soldaditos.
Tips from diners
A small beer with soldaditos and pepper costs under 15€ total — one of the best snacks in Madrid.
Flame-roasted red pepper, served as a side to the soldaditos.
Tips from diners
Don't skip the pepper — it's charred and sweet, the perfect balance to the salty fried cod.
Premium canned seafood selections available for purchase or eating at the counter.
Tips from diners
Casa Labra sells beautiful canned seafood (conservas) at the counter — excellent gifts or snacks to take home.
Crispy breadcrumb shell giving way to a creamy, flaky bacalao filling. These are the second-most famous item at Casa Labra and a worthy alternative if the soldaditos line is too long.
Tips from diners
Order a half-portion if you want to taste both the soldaditos and the croquetas without overdoing it.
Casa Labra opened in 1860 near Puerta del Sol. For 160+ years, the kitchen has perfected one dish: soldaditos de pavía — salt cod fried in a thin, crispy batter, served with roasted red pepper. The tavern downstairs is standing room only, lined with locals and tourists eating at high counters. The restaurant upstairs is quieter, but everyone comes for the soldaditos.
The tavern (downstairs) is standing room only — locals lean on high counters eating quickly. This is the real Casa Labra. The restaurant (upstairs) is quieter but less atmospheric.
Peak hours are 1-3 PM and 8-10 PM. Visit 11 AM-1 PM or 3-5 PM for shorter waits. The line is often out the door at traditional meal times.
Casa Labra is one of the cheapest meals in Madrid's historic center. A plate of soldaditos, pepper, and beer costs less than 15€.
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