Tucked into a quiet corner near the Royal Palace, Taberna La Bola has been serving up traditional Madrilenian cooking since 1870. Four generations of the same family have kept the kitchen running on the same principles: slow-cooked, honest food prepared the way it always has been, in a dining room that still carries the character of old Madrid.

The house specialty is the cocido madrileño, a hearty stew of chickpeas, meats and vegetables, simmered for hours in individual clay pots over holm oak charcoal and served in the classic two-course style, broth first, then the rest. It's a dish that rewards patience and turns a simple lunch into a proper occasion, best enjoyed at an unhurried pace with good company.

With a menu built around a handful of well-executed classics, including hearty chops and traditional egg dishes, this is the kind of place locals return to again and again and visitors seek out for a genuine taste of the city's culinary heritage. Given its small size and popularity, booking ahead is strongly recommended, whether dining in or ordering to take away.