As a gourmet chef in Madrid, I can attest that the city is a hub for mouthwatering culinary experiences. Among the many Spanish delicacies that Madrid has to offer, croquetas are a standout. These small, deep-fried balls of goodness are filled with a variety of ingredients, ranging from ham to seafood, cheese, and even mushrooms. Whether you are a seasoned foodie or a first-time traveler to Madrid, you simply cannot leave the city without indulging in some croquetas.
To help you navigate the endless options, I have compiled a list of the top six places to eat croquetas in Madrid. I have personally visited and tried the croquetas at each of these restaurants, and I can confidently say that they are the best of the best.
Casa Manolo is located in Vicálvaro, a former small town that Madrid’s urban expansion swallowed up in the 1950s. Open your cloth napkin and order the house croquetas to start.
If you like them, don’t keep it to yourself! Manolo is usually walking around the restaurant and won’t shy away from a compliment. Because it’s outside the city center, there’s plenty of space nearby where you can walk off all that béchamel.
Telephone: +34 917 51 21 13
Highly regarded as a go-to option among Madrid’s vegetarian community, B13 has created vegetarian versions of classic local dishes. They even have a veggie-friendly calamari sandwich!
Located in Malasaña just a few minutes from Gran Vía on Calle de la Ballesta, 13, this restaurant offers two different types of croquetas: pumpkin and leek or mushrooms and garlic. Either one will set you back under 10 Euros for an appetizer-sized portion. Yum!
Telephone: +34 911 70 44 35
If you’re culturally curious and unafraid to push your way up to the bar, this place is for you.
You won’t find any bells or whistles in this classic Madrid institution. But Rocablanca (Calle de Fuencarral, 71) serves up famous (and gigantic!) croquetas in a variety of flavors.
It’s to your advantage to sit at—or at least get close to—the bar so you can see what kinds of croquetas are waiting to be devoured. Don’t miss the ham, and if you’re still hungry try the bacalao (salt cod), cabrales (Asturian blue cheese) or fried egg with chorizo. Drooling yet? We are.
Telephone: +34 915 31 12 40
Last but not least: the spot that countless madrileños will name when asked where to find the best croquetas in Madrid.
Located in an unassuming little locale in Malasaña, Casa Julio (Calle de la Madera, 37) is regularly packed to the rafters with locals who know what’s up. Any one of the traditional Spanish dishes on the menu is worth your while, but most people come here in search of one thing alone: the famous (and huge!) croquettes.
If variety is your thing, this is the place to go. Casa Julio’s croquette offerings are delicious and diverse, with several vegetarian options available at any given time, too.
Telephone: +34 915 22 72 74
Located in the Salamanca neighborhood, Santerra is the perfect place to order a plate of highly acclaimed croquetas while standing at the beautiful bar with the locals.
In 2018, these were named the best ham croquettes in the world, based on a variety of criteria. The best part? The homemade breadcrumbs create an extra-crunchy exterior, making that first bite even more enjoyable.
Telephone: +34 914 01 35 80
