Founded in 1870 by Asturian Cándida Santos, this tavern in the Austrias district, located very close to the Royal Palace and the Royal Theatre, offers the possibility of tasting one of the best stews in Madrid, prepared in the traditional way, over a low heat, on oak charcoal and in individual earthenware pots, for four hours.
From the Infanta Isabel "La Chata" to Camilo José Cela, including Ava Gardner, countless celebrities have passed through its tables to taste some of its dishes of Madrid and Castilian cuisine, prepared with the best raw materials and in a traditional and homemade way.
They have several set menus as well as à la carte dishes, serving traditional Madrid recipes. They also have a good selection of cocktails.
La Bola has been awarded many prizes, such as "Alimentos de España a la Restauración", in its 25th edition in 2012, granted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment; the Quality Seal Approved by Quality Service Certification Criteria of China Outbound Tourism; or the "Sagas Hosteleras" prize, called by the Federación Española de Hostelería - FEHR in its 2014 edition, a Repsol Sun since 2023 and the 2024 Platinum Award, granted by the Madrid Hospitality Association, without counting those achieved by its cocido madrileño.