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Recommended Reviews - La Campana
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La Campana is a great spot in Madrid and absolutely worth visiting if you are in the area. The calamari is fresh with a lightly fried, crispy exterior and comes with lemon. You also have the option to purchase aioli which pairs really well with it. The bread was warm and fresh and everything together makes it clear why this is their most popular item. At under 5 euros, it is an incredible value. The service is straightforward. The employees do not really speak much English, but they are nice and get you taken care of quickly. The shop is located right next to another nearly identical spot that sells the same thing, but La Campana is definitely the more popular one. It gets crowded very fast so it helps to arrive early or be ready to squeeze in. The interior is pretty bare bones with small tables and chairs that fit about 25 people, but it serves its purpose and keeps the focus on the food.
I got what the hype was about once I tried it after about a 30 minute wait for a table. It's in Playa Mayor with great prices and a fantastic calamari sandwich. I liked it so much I plan to go back. Things I wish I knew before going. 1. They take card, but cash is preferred and faster. My Calamari sandwich & tinto de verano was 7€. 2. Order at the counter, get your food and then go to your seat if you're solo. If you're in a group 1 can order while the rest does to sit. 3. Didn't see a drink menu, but they serve local favorites, including beer. 4. Most importantly ask for sauce or it can be dry. They don't automatically add it.
For 4,50 Euro u get a sandwich loaded with fried calamari. Total deal. I got there when they were closing so I dunno if they have toppings bc I wished I had some sauce to throw on top and a squeeze of lemon. They have other options like chorizo, lomo, morcilla, etc.
When I think of Madrid sitting in this plazita is exactly what i imagine. Its around 6pm and it is no where near dinner time but its pre-dinner wine or sangria time. You are outside at a little table with friends or with your spouse. The waiter brings out your Tinto de Verano, some tapas and you are just enjoying life. We ordered and Entrecote to share. The steak was very flavorful and juicy. It was a perfect pairing with our drinks. The Tinto De Verano is like a Wine spritz and is super refreshing in the summer time. I will never forget the experience's like these that help me to appreciate Spain and the beautiful culture that comes with it.
Located step away from Plaza Mayor in Madrid this place is supposed to have the best calamari sandwich in Madrid. There are other places in the area that serve the exact same thing but this place is the cheapest at 4.50 (Euros). We stopped here around lunch and there was a short wait, which is rare from what we understand. There are 2 lines, 1 for takeout and 1 for sit in. If you get takeout and then want to sit in you have to join the line. Once a table frees up you are allowed in and then have to order at the counter and wait for your food. There is no table service. Tables are small and round seating 3 comfortably or 4 with a little crowding. While in line you will be asked how many people. Menu focuses on sandwiches with various meat or seafood fillings. Everything is a la carte so if you want fries or olives they are extra. You can ask for mayonnaise or aioli to go with your sandwich. We went with the calamari sandwich and a pancetta sandwich and 2 coffees. They also have pop and beer. Generous portions of fresh calamari in the sandwich made the bun warm. Portion of pancetta was less generous. Spruce up your Spanish (or Google Translate) because the menu is only in Spanish. Service can be brusque. When you are done someone will clear your table. Not really accessible as the restrooms are downstairs. Not sure it really warrants a 4, maybe 3.5?
I came here for the famous calamari sandwich and it didn't disappoint. Tender luscious calamari on a bun with some nice mayonnaise and sauce. No wonder if it's a classic.
I walked there and the pick up window is faster. I asked for mayo and the guy didn't include it so if u do ask for it or the aoili check to make sure. He be so distracted and I also got the bacon and it was good I wish I had scrambled eggs in it too w some cheese but the bread was delicious and warm. The calamari was salted just fine to my liking so I'm going back
Could probably go without the bread but the calamari itself was amazing!! I'd get it again if I'm ever in the city. The line to dine in was long but the to go line was shorter.
Damn good calamari sandwich. Not greasy at all on a very nice hoagie roll. Get the picante hot sauce, sprinkle with lemon wedge and garlic aioli. This place is so popular that the shop next door selling the same thing was empty while Campana was bursting with calamari lovers.
After all the hype and seeing the line on 03.01.24, we decided to get the much lauded calamari sandwich to have in Plaza Mayor. This is a ritual for newly arrived visitors to this site. The line was long but moved rather quickly - the staff was making and bagging the sandwiches in anticipation of the orders. We unwrapped our sandwiches in the plaza and after a few pics, dove right in. Whomp whomp. The sandwich wasn't bad, but I would just leave it at that. It was stuffed to the max and the calamari texture was good, but it wasn't seasoned at all and the aioli it came with was just okay. The bread did hold up nicely, and it all stayed together. Maybe we caught them on a heavy rush, but we didn't get the fanaticism surrounding this sandwich - everywhere we looked people were having them. All in all, not bad, but there is so much better food to be had in the area.
I always stop by here whenever I'm in Madrid. Cheap eats for a good price . Calamari sandwich and bacon sandwich for €9. I got it to go this time around
Touristy area right by Plaza Mayor, known for their calamari sandwiches. At rush hour there is usually a long line, but we came around 9pm and there wasn't much of a wait. It was only 4 euros, and comes with garlic aioli/salsa (but we did have to ask for it). Loaded with plenty of calamari, and tastes great with the aioli sauce. (only comes with one packet, any more costs additional) I like the calamari here because it was crispy and more salted with fresh calamari. The bread was also good, not dry and the crust isn't too hard or flakey. This is a perfect grab and go kind of food, and we took it home to eat for a quick meal. Would come again!
Quick service and great food at a good price. The chorizo sandwich was very good and a little spicy. A great spot to try authentic Spanish food right off of Plaza Mayor!
2 years ago
Stopped by this social media famous spot in Madrid by myself and enjoyed it! You don't come here for the ambiance but for the delicious food. The place could've felt cleaner but I think that's the vibe of the restaurant as it feels very in and out. Plus my sandwich + beer was only 6 Euros! Everything was in Spanish (which is fine and more authentic) but I wasn't able to figure out how to order the calamari sandwich with a dressing on top as I saw others with. This would've made the sandwich less dry, but it was still great! Very friendly staff - was nice that it came with olives as well read more
1 year ago
A challenging first stop We just arrived in Madrid today, our first visit to Spain. After a short nap we ventured out to see the city and to get something to eat. We walked past so many places to eat, my wife having done some small amount of research and was heading to La Campana. We found it and it was busy. Busy and confusing to me, not being able to read the signs or understand the language. In my still tired state, I felt frustrated that I didn't know what to order or where to go, and I was too often standing in the way of others. I wanted to bail, but my wife took charge and got us a calamari sandwich that we shared, as well as a couple of drinks. Kudos to her, I would have gone to a less popular and more touristy place. This was a challenging first stop, but we were eating a popular Spanish sandwich with the locals. Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of calamari in general. The sandwich was just calamari in a soft bread roll, no sauces or other sandwich fillers. I was hungry enough that I ate my half of the sandwich and liked it, although my favorite was a dish of olives I believe you get if you order drinks. I can't fairly rate the food, this may have been an excellent Spanish lunch. I also didn't interact with anyone, except my wife. The place was humming and busy places usually offer very good food, and it also seemed quite inexpensive. My wife earned 5 stars. The restaurant did too, while I failed the challenge, I'm very glad in hindsight that we stopped in and ate like a local. read more
This calamari sandwich is undoubtedly a local favorite in Madrid, and it's worth having for sure. That being said, is it a life-changing sandwich? No, it isn't. Is it worth having to get some local, cheap eats while you're in Madrid? Absolutely. The sandwich is incredibly simple, and that's part of the charm. Breaded and fried calamari on a roll. That's it. No lemon. No mayonnaise. No tartar sauce. No cocktail sauce. You pick it up para llevar (to go) for the full experience for 3 euro (as of November 2019), and then take it to Plaza Mayor to eat it while standing next to locals doing the same. You'll eat most of the pieces. You'll drop a few. It's part of the simple process that is this traditional Sammy. While the calamari has good flavor considering how little spice is added to it, it's still not going to change your life. It is amazingly affordable, very filling, and absolutely worth a try to take in the local experience of being in Madrid, but this won't be a top 10 sandwich you've had in your life. read more
4 years ago
Great spot to try local staple sandwiches and also very good price. Tried Calamari and Bacon. Both really great! Tip: ask for some mayo and lemon to add to calamari sandwich for enhanced taste. read more
In Spain and especially in Madrid, the calamari sandwich or bocadillo de calamares is a local favorite. La Campana is one of the best spots in the city to pickup the sandwich for a quick bite. The small shop & bar is located only steps away from Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol in the heart of the city. Although tourists pass by, locals pack the popular shop for this simple sandwich. I visited on an early morning while strolling the beautiful streets. As soon as their gate slid open, I walked in and was met by a mound of golden calamari rings that were lightly fried in olive oil. The shop owner filled up a sandwich with loads of calamari. It was incredible value (3€) even if this traditional version is enjoyed without sauce. No need for that when each crunchy bite is solid seafood. read more
I ate a bocadillo de calamares 3 days in a row. I have no shame admitting that. Around Plaza Mayor, this is the cheapest and best thing you can have for only 3€!! Salty, lightly friend calamari rings loaded onto a semi-soft baguette roll...life cannot get simpler. I personally think no sauce is needed, as it's not as dry as you would think; the bread soaks up the bit of grease. The guys taking the orders are really nice to tourists. They even give you some cherry lollipops once in a while when you order to go. Dining here is tight and the place is always packed. We'd get lucky snatching up limited seats for a late lunch on a weekday. Pro Tip: Order a 6€ ración de calamares to go. Thank me later when you have a giant cup of it to enjoy. Plus you'll save money compared to other overpriced tourist traps that charge more than double that. read more
Very popular place in Madrid that offers up calamari sandwiches that are pretty good. Gets pretty crowded around noon and after as the line ends up out of the door...the place isn't the biggest. Pretty inexpensive and definitely fills you up. Grab a beer or wine to wash it down! A must try when in Madrid ! read more
So excited to try this place out! When in Madrid you must have a calamari sandwich. First off we got our sandwiches to go. Our sandwich came in paper to go bags that got greasy real fast from the sandwich inside. Overall calamari was really good. Fried and seasoned perfectly and lots of it! The bread though was nothing special. There was also too much of it. I wish the sandwich came with a sauce you could slather on the bread to make the sandwich complete. If I got the calamari alone it would be four stars for sure. The calamari within the sandwich... everything was a bit dry for me. Overall a good cheap meal that is super filling. We got our sandwiches and sat in plaza mayor to people watch :) read more
3 years ago
Heard this is the best fried squid sandwich in the area. There's a long line to wait for dine in but we just got one sandwich to go. I would recommend to get the fried squid without bread because it was cold and hard. The fried squid rings portion is good for its price and fresh. You can ask them for Mayo or other sauce as the seasoning isn't as strong for the squid. read more
You're unlikely to find tourists here, despite its super central location, but what you will almost certainly discover is an excellent squid hero and some of the best patatas bravas in Madrid (be sure to wash both down with a cold cerveza.) Far from fancy, expect to occasionally bus your own table. When it's late, you'll hear a bell rung signaling it's time to finish your fried delicacies because they're closing up. read more
11 years ago
I'm a sucker for things between bread. Now, it isn't always a sandwich, but good bread is one of my weaknesses. Of the many times I have had fried calamari, this place takes the crown. I swear, the calamari are as CHUBBY as it gets, cause they're lazily chilling in the Mediteranean sea, waiting to get caught as they are unable to swim away from the net. I mean, there's a reason why the calamari is SO SOFT and SO CHUNKY. We do not have this in the US or Latino America, I haven't had it at least. Our calamari is stressed! BUT! Spanish calamari take naps, lots of naps, before they are fed to us. The bread is also ridiculous. SOFT and perfectly baked, stuffed with more SOFT, just fried calamari that isn't heavily dipped in batter (you see them fry them all day long) and with a pinch of salt. THE END. Simple. Love. Spanish know their food, the simpler the better. Just like pan con tomate. You would think it needs sauce, but honestly, there's a certain amount of oily moisture that works. You don't really need any but you can if you wish. Cheap and delicious, We had to come here twice even knowing we'd be missing out on other foods to discover. That's how GOOD it was. I think I wanna cry right now. read more
7 years ago
There are only a few things in life that beat a fresh 3 euro calamari sandwich. Its truly amazing that Madrid is land locked but has amazing, affordable seafood like this. Their menu is simple, so any lines move quickly. You can watch them fry the squid through the front window. The calamari is so good, we went back the next day. It would be nice if it came with some creamy dipping sauce, but I'm guessing that's not Spanish tradition. In any case, the food is cheap, fresh and delicious. read more
7 years ago
This guys have been around for a very long time, they know really well what they're doing and how to do it. Get there - order - eat - move along. People is really friendly and if they see you wondering they ask, if you have any questions in order to help out. Didn't know anything in a sandwich form is called "Bocadillo" and that did help me a lot ordering in many places. Ordered a Bocadillo de Calamares. Plain and simple. Perfect for that hangover. Since I'm Mexican I had to order some type if salsa to put it all together. Served warm and fresh, comes with a beer (like any other tapas place), and a lolly pop... cool right? 5€ totally well spent. Cheers read more
2 years ago
Came here during a food tour and had a Madrid specialty... The delicious Bocaillos de Calamares at Madrid's most famous snack shop, La Campana. These fried calamari sandwiches are an absolute steal. For only 3€, you get a huge baguette stuffed with the most amazing fresh hot calamari with just the right amount of chew and seasoned perfectly. Make sure to use those lemons as it really brightens up the flavour of the whole dish! The bun is nothing special but if you choose to eat it, it can really fill you up; and you can then spend those savings on some extravagant tapas later on! Plaza Mayor may be a tourist trap, but this place is definitely not! It's not surprising that there's always a huge line out the door filled both locals and tourists. A must eat when in Madrid. read more
8 years ago
A local's favorite and also mine. They are famous for their Calamari Sandwich. I came here around 11AM and there are plenty of locals getting their sandwich and beer. Someone mentioned that you can skip the bread and order the Calamari directly, I would suggest against that. The Calamari is a bit salty on their own, it is better with the bread. Get some beer and olive, you will be in heaven! read more
La Campana was one of those neat little places that everyone should try to get to if you have the chance. For a very cheap price (3 euros or so) you at a large baguette filled with freshly cooked (deep fried) calamari + nothing else but good bread and deep fried fresh calamari with a squeeze of lemon. And it's good, very, very good. You can't ask for anything more simple, but they do it perfectly for hundreds of people a day, which is quite amazing. If you are in the area do yourself a favor and stop in. read more
4 years ago
Love in form of a no frills, fresh calamari sandwich at an unbeatable price. Sit amongst locals & smart tourist that are not afraid to chill and venture. Oh how I wish I could have this sandwich every day although, I am not much of a traditional seafood enthusiast. The freshness and simplicity of this sandwich will make you an appreciate calamari if you don't already. The calamari is mildly fried in front of you as you wait, it is so simple, buttery soft & delicious. This place has a line out the door but an easy and quick service to match for $3 euros, you can indulge in this massive delight that it lightly fried and all you add if you like is a simple squeeze of fresh lemon if you please. We also ordered patatas bravas for $2 which ar potatoes in a simple mild hot sauce. On both visits we were given a free tapas. The first time was a potato omelette which was stellar, the following time were were gifted a simple potato salad & although it does not look like much, but boy are looks deceiving, it was absolutely top notch great. I suggest you either order a cola for a 1 euro to wash it all down, or a $1 cava which is the local beer. This meal is totally sharable but if you are starving, you can have your own sandwich and may not be able to finish it either. So if you find yourself in Madrid Spain and want to try the really real, La Campana is the spot read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
I recently reviewed Oink- a Bocadillo shop also in Madrid that did a great job with cured meat bocadilla. La Campana however, does an amazing job with blood sausage, fried calamari, and chorizo bocadillo. Also a complete steal on the price at 2.70 euro currently (9/2017). Best "hot style" Bocadillo that I tried on my most recent trip to Madrid. They also have some other tapas (sides) that you can sit and eat in. As with all the taps bars in town, a cold beer or wine to wash it all down is very common. I would return. Great cultural experience! read more
7 years ago
Something purely Madrid, this hole in the wall is known for their bocadillo de calamares, or - calamari sandwich. Exceedingly simple, freshly fried squid rings fill a dense crusty roll. Just a squeeze of lemon. For just 3 euros and a stones throw from Plaza Mayor, this institution is worth squeezing through the crowds for. read more
7 years ago
Worth the wait. It's right on the side of plaza mayor. There are two calamari places next to each other, this one has the line. It moves very fast. The calamari is breaded and fried right in front of you. It's delicious! You can taste how fresh it is, not chewy at all. They serve you the sandwich in a plastic bag to take away or there is a limited amount of seating inside. Most people get the sandwiches and eat outside on the streets. I would recommend this place if you like calamari it was the best I've had all trip and a cool experience ordering it! read more
10 years ago
Probably one of my favorite meals in the 4 days I spent in Madrid. Despite my friends' encouragement, I had deferred trying the bocadillo de calamares (fried calamari sandwich) until the last day, which I regret to this day. Upon first glance this place looks like a dive, but once you order your food you'll be glad you overlooked the basic appearance. Each bocadillo was 2.70 Euros and came out within a minute of placing my order. They essentially fry the calamri right as you place your order so it is piping hot when they give it to you. The bread is crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside and the calamari is fried so the outside is nice and crispy. It's over a week later and each day I find myself craving another bocadillo de calamares. Definitely would recommend coming here and ordering one to stay and one to go! We also ordered the patatas bravas which were quite disappointing. The potatoes themselves were nice and crispy however the red sauce was sweet which made it odd and they didn't include the ali-oli sauce that most places include. The patatas are something you can skip. read more
8 years ago
The calamari sammish here is the best! It's only 3 euros too. It was so good that I came here twice. Be sure to ask for the lemon to put on the sandwich because they won't give it to you. If you eat in, they will give you olives. Dinner time can get crazy but the line moves by super quick. If you're craving a quick snack, this is the place to go. Don't get fooled by the other restaurants and go to La Campana! read more
This is the best place for bocadillo de calamares, just off Plaza Mayor. Super freshly fried calamari on top of a soft bread roll. We also got the bocadillo de panceta (pork belly), also super yummy. All their sandwiches are 3 euros. Bar La Campana has huge lines for sit down and take out, but the take out line (cash only) moves quickly, so decide quickly, grab your sandwiches, and take a nice stroll around Plaza Mayor with your meal. read more
7 years ago
This review is for the calamari sandwich only . What more is there to say about this sandwich! Great value 3 Euros and great taste. The calamari is fried fresh , taste fresh and is big and meaty. I went multiple times during my trip to Madrid. Seems like both locals and tourist flock to This establishment. They serve the sandwich on a tasty French roll and that's it . However, I would recommend adding their sauce on it . The reddish sauce taste like a spicy, creamy Marinara sauce. The sauce might be behind the counter so ask for it or it may be at another table in the dinning area so look for it , it is worth it . The food is great , cheap and fast . It's the best. I wouldn't leave Madrid without eating a (or a couple )sandwiches from here. read more
More info about La Campana
Calle de las Botoneras, 6
28012 Madrid
Spain
Sol
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913 642 984
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http://www.calamareslacampana.com
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