We know that the best croquettes in Madrid are those of your mother or, failing that, those of your grandmother. But when the tubers show their plastic bottoms, when the distance is insurmountable or when the monkey peeks out, 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 in charge of the IV International Joselito Championship at Madrid Fusion in 2018. And in 2022 he revalidated his title. Aspects such as the béchamel sauce, the point of the ham, the flavor or aroma are valued. In the video you can see the elaboration process of this gastronomic jewel.
💸 A kibble: 3€
📍 Calle del General Pardiñas, 56 (Lista)
2. The Chief
At El Jefe they understand very well what the secret of a good croquette is: creamy on the 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.
💸 Croquetas tigre (6 units): 15 € and ham croquettes (8 units): 14,5 €
📍 Calle Alonso Cano, 103 (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 maintained the essence of what it has always been, and that is why in addition to its “slippers” its irresistible croquettes continue to be one of the star dishes. Now its famous croquettes can also be tasted at its new location in Moncloa.
💸 A kibble: 2€
callede Ave María, 44 (Lavapiés) and Calle Andrés Mellado, 16 (Moncloa)
4. La Ardosa Winery
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 cabrales or carabineros croquettes are the biggest and best example of this already famous slogan. They have croquettes for all tastes and all tastes: from ham, cecina or chorizo to cod or oxtail.
💸 Portion of cabrales and ham croquettes (6 units): 12 €
📍 Calle de Colón, 13 (Malasaña)
5. Julio House
This mythical tasca in Madrid has the flavor of the taverns of a lifetime and homemade croquettes that are made as your grandmother would make them. They are served in portions or half portions, both to eat in or 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.
💸 Half portion (6 units): 8€
📍 Calle de la Madera, 37b (Malasaña)
6. Tortilla Fish
The patrons of his four locations know this. It is as classic to order a pincho de tortilla as it is to order croquettes to go with it. Boletus and truffle, Idiazábal with tomato, cheeks with sherry, baby squid in its own ink, cecina and blue cheese or grandmother’s stew: whatever the flavor, Pez Tortilla croquettes are a scandal. They also have a vegetarian option.
💸 La Ración (8 croquettes): 9,5€
📍 Calle Espoz y Mina, 13 (Las Letras); Calle del Pez, 7 and 36 (Malasaña); Calle Cava Baja, 42 (La Latina)
7. The Hooligan Dog
A vegan tavern that cannot be missing in this route of croqueteras references is El Perro Gamberro. As a standard bearer of quality homemade food, her croquettes had to be one of her star dishes. They can be ordered by the unit or in portions of 6 and the flavors change every day: there are stew, eggplant, apple and teriyaki sauce and even omelette. Any one of them is a hit, and we’re not the only ones to say so: Croquettes in Madrid the first croquettes guide of the city, has included them in its “top 10”.
💸 The ration (8 units): 10,5 €
📍 Benito de Castro Street, 4 (Lista)
6. High Bar
Chef Daniel Roca’s project disembarked in October 2021 in the salamanca neighborhood inspired by Barra Alta, its 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 roast beef with foie rougié.
💸 A kibble: 2,90€
📍 Calle Lagasca, 19 (Salamanca district)
7. Arallo Tavern
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 on the menu, there are other market dishes that vary according to the season. In the case of its original croquettes-nigiri: the rice has been replaced by a Verde sauce croquette topped with hake sashimi.
💸 Two croquettes: 9€
📍 Calle de la Reina, 31 (Chueca)
8. La Primera
This restaurant of the Cañadío Group (which owns restaurants such as La Bien Aparecida or La Maruca), opened in the emblematic Grassy building in 2016. It follows in the traditional footsteps of its predecessors, but with a more sophisticated air. Its croquettes of pork shoulder and boiled egg are a snack to take into account, along with other dishes that have become a hallmark of identity as the potato omelette or cod fritters.
💸 Ration of croquettes: 15€
📍 Gran Vía, 1 (center)
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. His Iberian ham croquette is among the 7 finalists of the ninth edition of the Iberian Ham Competition Best Ham Croquette in Spain celebrating Madrid Fusión and Sánchez Romero Carvajal. They also excel in other classics of Spanish cuisine, such as tripe and mussels in casserole.
💸 The croquettes ration (8 units): 16€.
📍 Calle de Narváez, 67 (Ibiza)
10. Berria Wine Bar
Berria is a wine bar which is also on the list of candidates for the best croquettes in Spain. It has a very light béchamel sauce, so it is almost liquid inside. Its special touch consists of adding the ham at the end to soften it so that it does not give that slight rancid taste that is very common.
💸 The croquettes ration (7 units): 17€
📍 Plaza de la Independencia, 6 (Retiro)