Croquetas de jamón is a signature dish of Spain; we have verified places to eat it in Madrid. Cylinders of cold bechamel rich with diced jamón ibérico, breadcrumbed and deep-fried to a crackling shell. Start with where to eat Croquetas de jamón in Madrid.

Croquetas de jamón · Madrid

Cylinders of cold bechamel rich with diced jamón ibérico, breadcrumbed and deep-fried to a crackling shell. Madrid's most-ordered tapa, the test of any tasca.

Spanish croquetas evolved from French croquettes brought to Madrid courts in the 19th century; Spanish cooks deepened the bechamel and folded in ham, the bones from which give a long-simmered stock. Javier Bonet's Sala de Despiece in Chamberi (originally on Ponzano, moved to Alonso Cano in 2024) helped redefine the modern small-batch Madrid tapa; older tabernas at Casa Mariano, La Tape and dozens of vermuterias serve the canonical bar croqueta daily.

Where to eat in Madrid:

Where to eat Croquetas de jamón in Madrid: the editor picks