Casa de Julio

Casa de Julio is a bar that's been around forever. It's hidden on a back street so it doesn't attract the same young crowd as on calle Pez or Espirito Santo but that’s not to say it doesn't get busy. Casa de Julio is very small and can fill up in no time. It's best to get there early so you can get a table and let the others suffer trying to find a little ledge to prop their drink on.

Casa de Julio is famous not just because it’s a quaint traditional bar or because the Irish rock band U2 once came to visit. It’s famous for the croquetas which in Spain are a little different from the ones in the rest of Europe. Here they aren't filled with mash potato but rather an extremely thick bechamel (butter, flour and milk). The traditional varieties also contain ham or salted cod.

The great thing about Casa de Julio is that they don’t just stop at the traditional croquetas. They have a large selection and you can pick which ones you want:

Jamon (Ham, I think most of you know this one!)
Morcilla con membrillo (Black pudding with quince which is a sweet jelly almost like marmalade without the bits)
Espinacas, pasas y gorgonzola (Spinach, raisins and gorgonzola)
Queso azul (blue cheese)
Setas con puerros (mushrooms with leeks)
Bonito, huevo y cebolla caramelizada (tuna, egg and caramelized onions
Picadillo (mince meat)