Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Battered fingers of salt cod, deep-fried until crisp and finished with a strip of roasted red pepper across the top, the militiaman's red sash. The Madrid Easter and Lent classic.
Soldaditos de Pavía were named for the Pavia cavalry uniform of General Pavia, who staged the Spanish coup of 1874; the red pepper strip across the golden batter mimics the regiment's sash. Casa Labra on Calle Tetuan, founded in 1860, is the canonical Madrid reference; the bar still serves them at the same standing counter where the Spanish Socialist Party was founded in 1879. The dish appears across Madrid tabernas during Lent.
2 editor picks for Soldaditos de Pavía in Madrid, ranked by editorial score. All Madrid signature dishes · Soldaditos de Pavía across every city.
Casa Labra near Puerta del Sol in Madrid has fried the bacalao rebozado in iron pans since 1860; the PSOE was founded upstairs in 1879. Located in Centro.
OrderA pincho of bacalao rebozado (1.30 euros) and a tajada de bacalao (boiled and seasoned salt cod) with a cana.
TipWalk-in only at the bar; the inside dining room takes reservations for lunch. Cash strongly preferred.
Bodega de la Ardosa in Madrid's Malasana has poured the vermut de grifo since 1892 from the 30-foot zinc bar, with salmorejo, tortilla de patatas.
OrderVermut de grifo (2.50 euros), a slice of tortilla de patatas, salmorejo. Crawl in via the back door.
TipWalk-in only; the back room takes 8 people max. The historic main bar fills up at 13:00; cash preferred.
Soldaditos de Pavía makes more sense with someone from Madrid explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3h 30m
Enjoy incredible local tapas and a fun, informative, private or shared walking tour of Madrid’s historic city center. Discover how the city’s food and history go together.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Enjoy a delicious initiation to Spanish cuisine at the small, family-owned eateries Madrid locals know and love best.
4 hours
Get immersed in Spanish food culture with a hands-on cooking class led by local chefs. Choose between a paella class with a market visit in the morning or a tapas clas...
