The ham arrives paper-thin, allowing the salt and complexity of the curing to shine. The toasted bread provides textural contrast and absorbs the rendered fat.
Tips from diners
Order this — it's a Madrid essential and Alabardero's ham selection is among the city's finest.
The tenderloin is sourced from Castilian farms and aged properly before cooking. The port reduction adds sweetness and depth, while bone marrow enriches the sauce to coat the meat without heaviness.
Tips from diners
Request it medium-rare — it arrives perfectly pink and tender. Ask the waiter to bring the sauce on the side so you can control the coating.
Alabardero makes house-made croquetas with a ratio that balances creamy interior against crisp shell. The filling uses jamón ibérico mixed with béchamel, creating richness without greasiness.
Tips from diners
Order multiple plates to share — these disappear fast from the table.
Gambas al ajillo is a Spanish classic, and Alabardero executes it with precision — the garlic infuses without burning, and the shrimp stay sweet and tender. The dish arrives still sizzling in a hot earthenware dish.
Tips from diners
Order it as written — don't ask for modifications or additions. The simplicity is the point.
The hake comes from the restaurant's suppliers in Galicia and is cooked until just set. The clams add brininess and texture, while the sauce is built from white wine reduction and reserved clam juice.
Tips from diners
Spring through autumn, when hake is at its sweetest. Avoid winter renditions which can be less vibrant.
Taberna del Alabardero opened in 1974 in the grand townhouse across from Madrid's Royal Palace in the Austrias neighborhood. Named after the 16th-century royal guards (alabarderos), the restaurant became a political landmark during Spain's democratic transition in the 1970s-80s. Chef Javier López leads a kitchen focused on seasonal Spanish produce, with their own orchard in Aranjuez supplying vegetables at peak ripeness.
Reserve 2-3 weeks ahead for dinner; lunch is more accessible. Request a table in the main dining room overlooking the palace courtyard.
The restaurant sits two blocks from the Royal Palace and Teatro Real — perfect for a pre-show lunch or post-show dinner.
The wood paneling, white tablecloths, and historically significant setting make this Madrid's best spot for formal occasions. The service matches the ambiance.
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