La Maruca — Restaurant in Madrid

La Maruca offers a refined yet approachable dining experience, catering seamlessly to the business crowd that fills its stylish yet unpretentious space. The menu is built on quality ingredients and classic flavors, executed with precision, though it left me yearning for a bit more excitement.

We started with the croquetas de carne de cocido, which were impeccably fried—golden, crisp, and yielding to an interior of velvety béchamel infused with the deep, comforting essence of slow-cooked meat. A textbook example of technique, though they didn’t surprise. The tartar of avocado and smoked salmon from "Las Coruñesas", with its creamy richness and delicate smokiness, was well-balanced, further elevated by the subtle tang of cheese. A pleasant dish, but it played things safe.

The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly La Original merluza de rula—perfectly cooked, its flaky, succulent texture speaking to the freshness of the fish, with a restrained preparation that let the quality shine. A dish of quiet elegance, yet one that could have used a touch more boldness to make it truly unforgettable.

Service was professional and attentive, striking the right balance between efficiency and warmth. The atmosphere, dominated by the hum of business conversations, lends itself well to power lunches and sophisticated yet relaxed dining.

Overall, La Maruca delivers consistency and quality, making it a reliable choice. While every dish was executed with care, I found myself wishing for a spark of innovation to elevate the experience from simply enjoyable to...

de tortilla—it’s the crown jewel of La Maruca.

When I Visited: I’ve been a couple of times, both for dinner and breakfast, and it never disappoints.

Food/Drink Details 🍳: The menu leans heavily into traditional Castilian flavors. Highlights? The tortilla, obviously. But also the rabas (fried squid), the creamy croquetas, and their classic ensaladilla. Everything is fresh, simple, and done right.

Service 🤝: Attentive and efficient, whether you’re sitting indoors or out back.

Atmosphere/Decor 🌿: From the outside, the place looks small—but don’t be fooled. Inside, it opens up with plenty of seating and a charming backyard area perfect for a relaxed meal.

Parking 🚗: Street parking can be a bit of a pain, but there are a couple of public lots just around the corner.

Overall Experience ⭐: La Maruca is a local gem in Santander—perfect for a laid-back meal with great food, solid service, and an unpretentious vibe. A must for...

Neat and cozy environment, full of guests, an eye-opening fine restaurant. The attendants were polite and competent. She actively recommended smaller portion of the dishes I ordered. It turned out to be a magnificent decision because I tended to order too much. The fried artichoke, pan-fried clams, porched eggs w/ mushroom were all great in taste and presentation. The leek and shrimp gratin pudding was a bit too much for me, but it was good as well. Wines were great. I was told that I had 1h 30m to finish during booking online. It was not hush since their serving was very efficient. The cost was unbelievably reasonable. Top-tier diet/environment with a mediocre price. Unbelievable. An unforgettable dinner at La Maruca. It is definitely a must you have to...