Appetizers in Madrid

These traditional Spanish fritters are usually prepared with a buttery béchamel base that is well chilled and formed into round or cylindrical patties, which are then coated in egg wash and breadcrumbs, and finally fried until crispy and go... READ MORE

Croquetas de bacalao are Spanish fritters made with cod. Although Spanish croquetas are mainly made with a béchamel base, this popular salt cod variety occasionally replaces béchamel with mashed potatoes. Both options are well-season... READ MORE

A perfect remedy for a hot summer day called gazpacho is a cold soup consisting of crushed tomatoes, finely chopped cucumbers, onions, peppers, croutons, vinegar, and olive oil. With the same level of familiarity as paella to the consumer... READ MORE

Gambas al ajillo is a popular Spanish appetizer consisting of shrimps that are sautéed in a pan with minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, and olive oil. The dish is usually consumed as a tapa. It is recommended to garnish gambas al ajillo w... READ MORE

Patatas bravas is a traditional tapas dish consisting of potato cubes drenched in a spicy tomato sauce with onions, garlic, chili powder, and paprika. This flavorful combination of ingredients is a staple at numerous tapa bars throughout Spain, an... READ MORE

Buñuelos de bacalao is a savory version of the ubiquitous Spanish buñuelos fritters that uses dried salt cod. These soft and crispy snacks are typically prepared with a combination of desalted and flaked salt cod, flour, egg... READ MORE

Crispy croquetas de jamón are small and unusual Spanish fritters, which consist of a crispy outer shell and a creamy interior. As the central ingredient, they employ a thick variety of buttery béchamel sauce, which is formed... READ MORE

This is a traditional tapa dish where whole shrimps are seasoned with salt, then quickly grilled on an iron skillet over high heat. It is recommended to enjoy them simply with a few squeezes of lemon or lime juice on top, while black pepper is opt... READ MORE

Mushroom croquetas are the small-sized Spanish fritters that are prepared with a combination of a creamy béchamel base and diced and sautéed boletus mushrooms. The base is well chilled before it is shaped into round or cylindrical fo... READ MORE

Torreznos are traditional Spanish tapas consisting of pork belly that's marinated, dried, cut into strips, then fried in olive oil. The result is a deliciously crunchy appetizer that's served in numerous tapa bar... READ MORE

Like other varieties of Spanish croquetas, this chicken-based version also starts with a buttery béchamel base, which is later mixed with shredded chicken and shaped into small cylindrical or round patties. Before they are fried, the fritte... READ MORE

Hailing from the region of Asturias, chorizo a la sidra is one of the most traditional Spanish tapas. It's made with fresh or uncured chorizo sausage that's cut into thick slices and fried in olive oil with the addition of Asturian apple cider unt... READ MORE

Soldaditos de Pavía is a traditional dish that's a staple of Madrid's tapa bars, but it's also often found in Andalusia. The dish consists of strips of battered and deep-fried cod that are served with a strip of roasted red pepper wrapped a... READ MORE

Pinchitos is an Andalusian dish with Moorish influences, consisting of marinated chicken, lamb, or pork pieces that are skewered and grilled over charcoals. The meat is usually seasoned with spices such as cumin, coriander, cinnamon, saffron, and ... READ MORE