Reviewers consistently praise these croquetas as some of the best in Madrid. The béchamel is rich and silky, the ham is diced precisely so you get meat in every bite, and the Latxa cheese adds a sharp, aged quality that cuts through the richness. They're fried until golden and served hot enough that the interior is almost molten.
Tips from diners
Order these — they're the standout tapa and worth going back for.
One of the restaurant's most luxurious dishes and a customer favorite. The eggs are cooked until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny, the truffle is shaved tableside or stirred into the warm eggs for maximum aroma, and the fried potatoes provide textural contrast. It's a simple dish refined entirely by ingredient quality.
Tips from diners
Order this as a main or share as a luxury starter — the truffle makes it feel special without being pretentious.
Sourced specifically from Garrucha, these shrimp are renowned for their sweetness and texture. Arzábal sources them daily, and when fresh, they need minimal cooking — just enough heat to set them. Reviewers note these are expensive but worth the splurge for their quality.
Tips from diners
Ask if Garrucha shrimp are in stock — they're seasonal and not always available, but worth tracking down.
Arzábal sources the raw materials for this board with care — aged Spanish cheeses, premium jamón, Cantabrian anchovies, quality preserved vegetables. The board is a celebration of the restaurant's supply chain philosophy and makes a perfect finish or light meal on its own.
Tips from diners
Order this with a glass of wine — it's a complete meal and requires no cooking.
Reviews highlight the quality of the lamb — it's tender, flavorful, and cooked just enough to render the fat. The chimichurri is bright and herbaceous, the fried potatoes are crispy outside and creamy inside. It's a straightforward dish that shows how good sourcing and proper cooking make all the difference.
Tips from diners
Request them cooked to pink — the kitchen respects the request and the result is tender and flavorful.
Arzábal Retiro sits near the Retiro park, part of the Grupo Arzábal chain that sources the finest Spanish and European products — aged Galician beef, Cantabrian anchovies, Iberian pork, red shrimp from Garrucha. The menu balances traditional Spanish tapas (croquetas, grilled meats) with upscale executions: skillet with eggs and truffle, grilled lamb chops, fresh seafood. The restaurant is popular for post-museum lunch, late evening drinks, and casual dinner, with a consistently reliable kitchen and attentive service.
The location near Retiro park makes this perfect for a late lunch after museum-going. Service is efficient and happy hour is 4-6 PM.
The bar is walk-in friendly if you don't have a reservation — you can order tapas and cheese boards while standing.
Order family-style — the tapas are designed for sharing and you'll get a better sense of the menu's range.
Pairs well with an evening stroll through Retiro park. Dinner here then a walk makes for a full Madrid evening.
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