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Madrid’s iconic tapas scene is the stuff of legends. Of the various drool-worthy snacking plates related to this communal-style eating expertise, croquetas, or croquettes, need to be my favourite.
These deep-fried delights are all the time stand-outs on my Madrid meals excursions, as their crunchy exterior and creamy filling make for the right pairing. What’s extra, the flavour combos are seemingly infinite, which means there are croquetas in Madrid for each palate.
On this article, I’ll run you thru my picks for the place to safe the Spanish capital’s tastiest croquetas!
The Historical past and Significance of Croquetas in Spain
Croquetas is likely to be a staple in Spanish delicacies, however they’re really a French creation. Many credit score chef Antonin Carême with inventing croquettes à la royale in 18th-century France, who first ready these snacks utilizing leftover meals.
They arrived in Spain within the following century, and the recipes diversified over time. The French tended to stay to potato-based fillings, whereas béchamel sauce, ham, and cheese grew to become fashionable amongst Spaniards.
Completely different Kinds of Croquetas in Madrid
One thing I really like about croquetas in Madrid is the sheer quantity of fillings and taste combos out there, making them a fantastic tapas dish whatever the dietary choices you’re searching for.
Conventional Croquetas: Basic components embody ham, usually the Iberian selection, hen, and salted cod. These meats had been sometimes teamed with béchamel sauce or numerous sorts of cheese.
Fashionable and Connoisseur Croquetas: Because the years glided by, cooks grew to become more and more progressive with their selection of fillings. Modern eateries provide every thing from squid and black truffles to chorizo and oxtail croquetas.
Vegetarian & Vegan Croquetas: Plant-based foodies can discover croquettes with vegan béchamel sauce and cheeses combined with stuffings like mushrooms, leeks, spinach, and pine nuts.
Finest Locations to Eat Croquetas in Madrid
Casa Labra
Picture credit score: Casa Labra
It’s usually the normal, no-frills eateries that serve the best meals, which is undoubtedly true for Casa Labra within the Sol neighborhood. This cozy tavern has been round because the 1860s and is likely one of the finest eating places in Madrid for croquettes.
Having by no means visited earlier than, I, after all, needed to attempt their much-loved cod croquetas. Happily, they had been simply as scrumptious as I hoped they’d be. Whereas the golden breadcrumbs had been completely crisp, it was the flaky, flippantly salted cod that made these croquettes so memorable.
Casa Labra – 28013 Madrid – Open each Monday to Saturday from 1:15 pm to 4:00 pm and from 8:15 pm to 10:00 pm, closed each Sunday.
Pez Tortilla
Picture credit score: Pez Tortilla
Pez Tortilla is a brilliant, homely tapas bar with areas everywhere in the metropolis, and I grew particularly keen on the La Latina department. It was tightly packed inside, however the sensational meals made it value braving the crowded eating space!
I discovered a number of the most delectable croquetas in Madrid right here, however the mushroom and truffle cream selection was on one other stage. Wealthy, velvety, and earthy, each chew was even higher than the final.
Pez Tortilla – 28005 Madrid – Open each Monday to Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am, Thursday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, and each Sunday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am.
El Minibar
El Minibar close to Plaza Mayor got here extremely really useful as a must-try restaurant for croquettes, and I used to be rapidly charmed by the quirky and colourful decor.
I ordered the croqueta choice, my favourite of which was the ham and cheese. There’s simply one thing concerning the mixture of savory ham, gooey cheese, and crackling breadcrumbs that I’ll by no means tire of.
El Minibar – 28013 Madrid – Open each Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 am and each Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:30 am.
Velarde 13
Near Plaza del Dos de Mayo is Velarde 13, a contemporary tapas joint with excessive ceilings and uncovered brick characteristic that boasts a number of the finest croquetas in Madrid.
Ever since I ate right here, I’ve been dreaming about their Iberian ham and béchamel sauce croquettes. As filling as they had been, I couldn’t assist however end every morsel of juicy ham and silky sauce. The beer choice right here was additionally fairly nice, and I teamed my croquettes with a chilly glass of malty Turia.
Velarde 13 – 28004 Madrid – Closed each Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 pm to 12:30 am, Friday and Saturday from 1:00 pm to five:00 pm, and from 8:00 pm to 2:30 am, and each Sunday from 1:00 pm to five:30 pm.
B13 Bar
A good friend of mine launched me to B13 Bar, a vegan eatery only a few minutes stroll from the well-known Gran By way of procuring avenue. Regardless of its trendy, plant-based idea, B13 Bar is as laidback and rustic as any old-school restaurant within the metropolis.
These guys specialise in creating veggie takes on Spanish delicacies and have nailed the traits of a great croquette. I took an opportunity on the pumpkin and leek model. Despite the fact that I used to be a bit uncertain about what to anticipate, the candy flavors and creamy filling had been comforting and hearty.
B13 Bar – 28004 Madrid – Closed each Monday, open Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday from 1:30 pm to five:30 pm and from 8:30 pm to 12:00 am, and each Friday and Saturday from 1:30 pm to five:30 pm and from 8:30 pm to 1:00 am.
How one can Order and Take pleasure in Croquetas Like a Native
- The perfect drink pairings for croquettes will rely primarily on the kind of fillings you select. You’ll usually discover locals having fun with meat-based varieties with pink wines like tempranillo, refreshing lagers, or vermouth.
- Croquetas and different tapas dishes are available at any time of day, however early afternoon or after 8:00 pm are usually the most well-liked instances amongst locals.
- If you happen to’re desirous to attempt genuine croquetas in Madrid, select tapas bars and eating places in neighborhoods like La Latina and Barrio de las Letras. Look out for particular gives and menus of the day, which can characteristic numerous croquette kinds.
Sources:
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Madrid meals excursions & experiences. Consuming Europe. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/madrid/
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Finest eating places in Madrid: An area’s information to eating within the metropolis. Consuming Europe. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/best-restaurants-in-madrid/
Casa Labra. (n.d.). Casa Labra Madrid – Official web site. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from http://www.casalabra.es/en/
Pez Tortilla. (n.d.). Pez Tortilla official web site. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://peztortilla.com/
TripAdvisor. (n.d.). El miniBAR – Restaurant evaluations. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187514-d3688138-Evaluations-El_miniBAR-Madrid.html
Velarde13. (n.d.). Velarde13 – Official web site. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.velarde13.com/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=gmb&utm_id=internet
TripAdvisor. (n.d.). B13 – Restaurant evaluations. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187514-d3836807-Evaluations-B13-Madrid.html
