Croquette is one of the most popular delicacies in Spanish gastronomy. Its origin is centuries ago in France, when food was scarce and you had to manage to take advantage of the leftovers, especially the remains of meat. However, where the croquette reached all its splendor was in Spain.
There are them for all tastes: ham, cod, chicken, boletus, cheese, zucchini ... That is why today it is one of the most requested tapas in Spanish taverns and restaurants., as they are the perfect snack to accompany some refreshing beers or a delicious glass of wine.
What is a croquette?
It is a delicious meat, fish or vegetable paste mixed with béchamel sauce that is coated in breadcrumbs and then fried in a pan. His invention served to alleviate famines, recycling what was still edible and giving it a second life. However, today croquettes have been raised to the category of art to stop being a simple example of the kitchen of use.
The best croquettes in Madrid
There is no tavern that resists croquettes as an exquisite aperitif. In Madrid they are really popular so it is not surprising that there are many places specialized in them. The list would be endless, that's why we have selected six to eat the best croquettes in the capital.
The fifth wine
This traditional tavern located on Calle Hernani 48 has a very popular classic bar and some croquettes that are to die for. They are known as the Esperanza croquettes, not only because they are a divine snack but because that is the name of the cook who prepares them daily at home.
Their secret is that, in addition to being delicious, they are very reminiscent of those that your mother or grandmother could make you, both for its soft and light bechamel and for its shape.
Viridiana
In this restaurant on Calle Juan de Mena 14 we will find unique croquettes with an intense flavor that will delight the most croqueteros. Its secret ingredient is to use latxa sheep's milk, a native breed from the mountains of Navarra with which Idiazábal cheese is also made, which provides greater creaminess and intensity of flavor than others. In addition, there are different ingredients such as cod, ham or squid, so the result is a light batter, a delicious béchamel and a croquette to remember.
Zalacain
Jesús Oyarbide and chef Benjamín Urdiain introduced croquettes in haute cuisine more than thirty years ago as an aperitif that is served to customers while they consult the menu. And they have become a classic.
They are still made with a traditional bechamel with Iberian ham and veal, so the result is very creamy and tasty. In addition, being small they eat in one bite. Surely you will not be able to try just one. The Zalacaín restaurant is located on Calle Álvarez de Baena 4 and they are a benchmark in Madrid cuisine.
The Gastrococreteria
It is the first restaurant in Spain specialized in croquettes, so it deserved to appear on this list. The place is located very close to Gran Vía, on Calle Barco 7, and in its menu you can find from the traditional varieties of ham and cod to the most innovative such as carabineros and kimchi croquettes, sechuán chicken, pisto with egg and ham, etc. The truth is that they are all really good and their presentation is very original. These croquettes bear the stamp of the chef Chema Soler.
dantxari
About to turn twenty years old, Dantxari is one of the references of Basque-Navarre gastronomy in Madrid, and not only for the quality of its dishes but also for the professionalism of its team, making customers feel at home always . On the menu, cod occupies a main place and among the dishes made with fish, its magnificent croquettes stand out, probably one of the best that can be tasted in Madrid. You will find this restaurant on Calle Ventura Rodríguez 8.
Urkiola Mendi
With a capacity for just over twenty diners, those who visit the Urkiola Mendi restaurant do so in part for its delicious homemade croquettes. The Biscayan chef Rogelio Barahona belongs to that generation of Basque chefs who respect the raw materials of the land, giving them a contemporary and personal touch.
What is never lacking in Urkiola Mendi are blood sausage, ham and mushroom croquettes as well as the chef's specialty, cod. Every day the variety is different, so we recommend you go many times to try them all. You will find it at Calle Cristóbal Bordíu, 52.