We know that the best croquettes in Madrid are those of your mother or, failing that, those of your grandmother. But when the “túperes” show their plastic bottom, when the distance is insurmountable or when the monkey shows up, finding croquettes that come close to the level of the previous ones is not an easy task.
Although it is a complicated task, it is not impossible. From the most homemade to the most gourmet, here you will find some of the best croquettes in Madrid that have, perhaps, one of the most valued and difficult ingredients to achieve: that in one bite they make you feel like the ones you eat at home.
1. Santerra
Santerra’s ham croquettes are not only the best in Madrid, but in the world according to those responsible for the IV International Joselito Championship at Madrid Fusion in 2018. And in 2022 it revalidated its title. Aspects such as the bechamel, the point of the ham, the flavor or aroma are valued. In the video you can see the elaboration process of this gastronomic jewel.
📍Location: Calle del General Pardiñas, 56 (Lista)
2. El Jefe
At El Jefe they understand very well what the secret of a good croquette is: creamy inside and crunchy on the outside. To achieve this, they control every detail of their bechamel sauce (especially the temperature) and for the outer layer they use a special panko (Japanese breadcrumbs). In addition to the traditional ham croquettes, they make another specialty, their tiger croquettes, based on a sauce of red bell pepper, carrot and leek, homemade tomato sauce, chorizo bell pepper sauce, chili pepper, salt, pepper and chopped mussels.
📍Location:103 Alonso Cano St. (Ríos Rosas)
3. Melo’s
This emblem of Lavapiés closed and reopened in 2021 to continue a 40-year tradition of history and good food in the neighborhood. The new Melo’s has kept the essence of what it has always been, and that is why in addition to its “zapatillas” its irresistible croquettes continue to be one of the star dishes. Now its famous croquettes can also be tasted in its new location in Moncloa.
📍Location: Calle de Ave María, 44 (Lavapiés) and Calle Andrés Mellado, 16 (Moncloa).
4. La Ardosa
La Bodega de la Ardosa is a renovated classic that has been part of Madrid’s gastronomic landscape since no less than 1892. This is how they define themselves and, precisely, the taste of their croquettes of cabrales or carabineros are the biggest and best example of this already famous slogan. They have croquettes for all tastes and all tastes: from ham, jerky or chorizo to cod or oxtail.
📍Location: Calle de Colón, 13 (Malasaña)
5. Casa Julio
This mythical tavern in Madrid has the flavor of the taverns of a lifetime and homemade croquettes that are made like your grandmother would make them. They are served in portions or half portions, both to take there and to take away, and there is a wide range of flavors to choose from, such as minced meat, spinach, raisins and gorgonzola or black pudding with quince jelly.
📍Location: Calle de la Madera, 37b (Malasaña)
6. Tortilla Fish
The parishioners of its four restaurants know it. It is as classic to order a pincho de tortilla as it is to order croquettes to go with it. Of boletus and truffle, of Idiazábal with tomato, of cheeks with sherry, of baby squid in its ink, of cecina and blue cheese or of grandmother’s stew: whatever the flavor, the croquettes of Pez Tortilla are a scandal. They also have a vegetarian option.
📍Location: Calle Espoz y Mina, 13 (Las Letras); Calle del Pez, 7 and 36 (Malasaña); Calle Cava Baja, 42 (La Latina).
7. El 2 de Sagasta
El 2 de Sagasta is one of those taverns with a red façade that not only survives in Madrid, but still has a good product. Its hearty oxtail croquettes and its vermouth are as good and traditional as its decoration suggests.
📍Location: Sagasta Street, 2 (Downtown)
6. High Bar
Chef Daniel Roca’s project landed in October 2021 in the Salamanca neighborhood, inspired by Barra Alta, his flagship in Barcelona. In his Mediterranean cuisine with international touches there is no lack of nods to his grandmother’s cooking, and without a doubt the croquettes are among the best in Madrid. You can try them with boletus with bacon veil or beef rustida with foie rougié.
📍Location:19 Lagasca Street (Salamanca neighborhood).
7. Arallo Taberna
Arallo is a Galician neo-tavern with a traveling spirit: hence its touch of fusion with other cuisines such as Mexican, Japanese, Peruvian or Indian. In addition to its star dishes, which remain fixed in the menu, there are other market dishes that vary according to the season. In the case of its original seafood croquettes, it is crowned with a grilled shrimp to top it off.
📍Location:calle de la Reina, 31 (Chueca)
8. La Primera
This restaurant of the Cañadío Group (to which locals such as La Bien Aparecida or La Maruca belong), opened in the emblematic Grassy building in 2016. It follows a traditional trail similar to that of its predecessors, but with a more sophisticated air. Its lacón and boiled egg croquettes are a mouthful to take into account, along with other dishes that have become a hallmark of identity such as potato omelette or cod fritters.
📍Location: Gran Vía, 1 (downtown)
9. Zalamero Tavern
Zalamero Taberna is the project of two sommeliers, Ana Losada and David Moreno, in which they serve wines by the glass and market food. Their Iberian ham croquette is among the 7 finalists of the ninth edition of the Contest for the Best Ham Croquette in Spain held by Madrid Fusion and Sánchez Romero Carvajal. They also embroider other classics of Spanish cuisine, such as tripe and mussels in casserole.
📍Location: Calle de Narváez, 67 (Ibiza)
10. Berria Wine Bar
Berria is a wine bar that is also on the list of candidates for best croquettes in Spain. It has a very light bechamel sauce, so it is almost liquid inside. Its special touch is to add the ham at the end to soften it and not give that slight rancid taste that is very common.
📍Location: Plaza de la Independencia, 6 (Retiro)