I first discovered La Alhambra about 15 years ago, when an Algerian friend was visiting from London. When she heard about Madrid’s thriving Moroccan community, we went on a mission to find an authentic tasting tagine.
To be honest, I’d scarcely registered this place before, and had never been tempted to walk in. The interior is spotless but Spartan, and during the week there is an almost exclusively male clientele. It’s the kind of place that I might have poked my head into, and then bid a hasty retreat. So I feel really lucky to have been pointed in the right direction that day all those years ago, because the food in La Alhambra is amazing, well-priced and consistent, and the service is great.
They do a really tasty vegetable couscous topped with caramelized onions, as well as chicken, lamb, meatball and liver and fish dishes. Mixed plates come with a choice of either spiced rice, chips and vegetables, or all three. They have traditional harira soup, and maghrebi salad, and hot mint tea and Middle-Eastern pastries to finish off.
I absolutely love this place; there is nothing fancy about it; the food has a home-cooked feel to it, which is just what you want sometimes.
Also, I especially recommend La Alhambra to Muslims; the meat is halal, and they don’t serve alcohol. See you there!
