You're at the whim of chef-owner Norberto Jorge at Casa Benigna—and, trust us, that's a good thing. You can start your low-carb diet mañana; the rice dishes, cooked over open flame to al dente perfection in copper pans are a revelation even to seasoned paella lovers. Whether you opt for the traditional Valencian, brimming with romano beans and succulent rabbit; the arroz negro, briny with fresh squid ink; or some other rice dish, save room for the the caramelized socarrat—Spain's answer to tahdig—stuck to the bottom of the pan.

My favorite dinner place in Madrid is Casa Benigna, tucked away in a tranquil and nondescript street in Barrio Prosperidad. This wonderful spot is owned by a Valencian family spanning three generations, renowned for revolutionizing paella with a patented "la patella" pan and exploring various rice styles. Drawing inspiration from Italy, Norberto, one of the owners, spent time in Modena sourcing balsamic vinegar and trained as an olive oil sommelier in Imperia, resulting in exceptional condiments used throughout the restaurant.

This family-owned restaurant has been serving paella for generations and is a local favorite. Casa Benigna is famous for its flavorful rice dishes, including their exceptional seafood paella. The restaurant exudes a warm and welcoming ambiance, making it an ideal spot to savor authentic Spanish flavors.

Come to Casa Benigna for the quirky and eclectic decor; stay for the exquisite Mediterranean rice dishes made with the freshest natural ingredients. Founder Norberto hails from a small town in the province of Alicante and brought the culinary traditions of his homeland to the Spanish capital in 1990. With recipes lovingly passed down from his mother, Carmen, Norberto and his team have created a welcoming haven of great food and great company right here in Madrid.

Casa Benigna specializes in Levante sublime rice dishes, which can be rounded and read as “paellas” for English-speaking. In Spain, the only rice dish named “paella” is the Valencian paella (rabbit and chicken meat-based); all the rest are “arroces” (rice dishes). As the tradition obliges, all of them are cooked and served in patella at the centre of the table – a type of copper skillet without handles that preserves the temperature.

There are plenty of spots in Madrid to eat paella, but Casa Benigna stands above the rest. Alicante native Norberto Jorge’s cozy rice temple lies out of the city’s center, drawing diners to its tables from near and far. Norberto led haute cuisine restaurants in Norway and Spain for years, even earning his home region of Alicante its first Michelin star, before settling in Madrid and returning to his culinary roots.

Located in the Prosperidad neighborhood in the northern part of Madrid is Casa Benigna. On a narrow and somewhat unknown street, you can go to savor their world renowned Paellas since 1990. Owned by chef Norberto Jorge with the help of his mother, this is a restaurant that has positioned itself as a “must visit” in Madrid.

One of the highest rated restaurants in Madrid, Casa Beningna is a small family restaurant that has been serving some of the best Paella dishes in Madrid since 1990. The rice dishes here are actually served in a Patella, similar to a Paella but without the handles. This is possibly the best kept secret in Madrid.

It is one of the best restaurants to eat paella in Madrid but please note that prices are quite high. However, you will definitely dream of those flavors for the rest of your life, as everything is exquisite. Casa Benigna is a family restaurant that has been satisfying the most sophisticated tastes since 1990.

Spain is known for its paella, and while you’re there, you may as well eat the best. Make a reservation for Casa Benigna, and you’ll be presented with a phenomenal paella you’ll be telling people about for years. All the paellas here are cooked to order, so you can expect to wait a while.

Google map the location | Visit their site | Price range: €€€. Most tourists coming to Madrid imagine themselves sipping Sangria while eating a massive plate of paella on a terraza. As dreamy as this sounds, it’s not really what you eat in Madrid.

Offering a warm embrace of Spanish tradition is Casa Benigna. Here, reverence for classic dishes meets innovative touches, making it one of the best restaurants in Madrid. Casa Benigna is a must-visit for those seeking a true taste of Spain.

Casa Benigna – this traditional spot in Madrid specializes in “Arroz en Patella” – rice in patella. Patella is the “plate” where they cook and serve the rice. This place was definitely one of the top three food experiences we had in Madrid.