Return to the taste of always
Beers poured like in 1970, in a place full of history.
Welcome to
Bar Cruz
The website of Bar Cruz, La Casa de las Navajas, aims to show with warmth and a castizo (authentic Madrid-style) touch the essence of a lifelong Madrid bar, run by the same family for over 50 years. A bar of shouts and counter, of jokes, open doors and a kitchen without secrets —except for the homemade brava sauce.
Specialists in grilled razor clams, calamari sandwiches and tapas like baby squid, pig’s ear or snails, we keep working like in the old days: fast, with good ingredients and that lively bustle of ours that turns every visit into an experience hard to forget.
Since
Haven’t tried our sharing plates yet?
Discover the flavor of Madrid in every bite. Grilled razor clams, calamari sandwiches, bravas with homemade sauce… Come to Bar Cruz and see why this neighborhood bar has been filling tables and hearts for over 50 years.
We’re waiting for you in Cascorro. There’s always room in the back.
House Specialties
Forget gourmet. At Bar Cruz, it’s honest food, done right.
Grilled razor clams
Our star dish, the crown jewel of the house. Garlic, good olive oil, fresh parsley… and the secret that never fails: each razor clam washed by hand, one by one, until there’s not a grain of sand left. Pure butter from the sea. Once you try them, you’ll be back for more.
Small scallops
The latest little gem to join the menu. Lovingly seared on the grill and finished in their shell with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and parsley. A simple, tasty delight that tastes like the real sea.
Snails
A true classic among classics. Slowly stewed with chorizo, ham, and onion, just like the traditional castizo way. They’re so good they don’t need a season — we serve them all year round.
Spicy potatoes
The icon of Madrid-style tapas. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and topped with our homemade brava sauce… whose recipe, by the way, we won’t give up even under threat. Warning: not suitable for celiacs, but definitely for the brave.
Griddled mushrooms
Stuffed with bacon and cooked with care: toasted underneath while steam, garlic oil and parsley work their magic on top. A juicy, flavorful… and irresistible bite.
Squid
If you’re from Madrid (or want to feel like you are), this one’s a must. No pre-fried squid here: we cut and batter them by hand, just like tradition demands. Crispy, tender, and 100% castizo.
Galician style octopus
One of the all-time favorites. Perfectly boiled, served over cachelos (Galician-style potatoes) on a wooden board, and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and paprika. Simple, flavorful, and always irresistible.
Pincho Moruno
Five pieces of marinated pork loin with paprika and spices, seared on the grill and served on a skewer. Not spicy, but full of flavor. Suitable for all ages… and palates.
Padrón peppers
Some are hot… and some are too (though not always). And no, we don’t know which one will betray you, and we don’t take complaints. But if you get the fiery one, skip the water—what you need is a glass of “casera” (soda water), which at least fools the taste buds.
Much more than just good tapas
Here, it’s not just about good food. Here, we talk loud, laugh hard, and live slow. Between beers, tapas, and the sounds of the neighborhood, Bar Cruz isn’t just a bar — it’s a way of understanding Madrid.
Come in, order the usual… or let yourself be surprised.
Spicy Chorizo Crumble
One of those dishes that tastes like home cooking. Marinated pork loin, perfectly seasoned and sautéed with just the right touch of garlic. It goes straight from the pan to your bread or your spoon. Perfect for dipping, seconds… and asking for extra bread.
Griddled pig’s ear
A timeless classic. We simmer it with bay leaf and salt until it’s perfectly tender, then slice it and sear it on the griddle for that irresistible crispy finish. Add our signature brava sauce, and you’re playing in a whole new league.
Fried chorizo
Chopped, fried, and full of flavor. It’s not too spicy, just enough to keep you coming back for more. Simple, classic, and always satisfying.
Burgos-style blood sausage
The classic one with rice, fried and served in chunks. Intense flavor and a crispy outside with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth inside. It never disappoints.
Callos
With chorizo, blood sausage, and lots of love. Perfect for cold days (and for the brave, all year round). Our own recipe, authentic flavor, and a piece of bread on the side to wipe the plate clean.
Lacón with boiled potatoes.
Tender slices, boiled potatoes, good olive oil, and quality paprika. A simple dish, but one that never disappoints.
Grilled prawns
White Huelva prawn, seared on the grill with just the right touch of coarse salt. A Madrid classic that always hits the spot.
Tuna salad
Fresh, simple, and satisfying. Lightly salted, with a few olives and that classic touch that makes it the perfect starter—especially on warm, sunny terrace days.
Ham croquettes
The classic ones. Homemade, creamy, and filled with bits of ham. And yes, that legendary line gets repeated every week: “And an order of croquettes for the kids”… though the grown-ups always end up eating them too.
Zarajos
For offal lovers —or the brave willing to discover it. Marinated lamb tripe, rolled on a vine shoot skewer and fried until crispy. Three bold, traditional bites with a story behind them.
Sweetbreads on the grill
The gland that regulates growth and, in calves and lambs, becomes a true delicacy. We cook it slowly on the grill so it simmers in its own juices, achieving a tender, flavorful texture. A different kind of bite — but deeply ours.
Chopitos
Battered in flour and freshly fried. In other parts of Spain they’re known as *puntillitas*, but here at Bar Cruz, we always serve them crispy and ready to enjoy in every bite.
Grilled baby squid
Grilled naturally, without any frills, so you can enjoy the true taste of the sea in every bite. Simply delicious.
Bienmesabe
The classic “Bienmesabe,” marinated with flour, vinegar, and oregano. A perfect dish to share in good company.
Fried anchovies
Directly from Málaga, hand-picked at Mercamadrid. Delicious fried anchovies, coated in flour and perfectly crispy.
Anchovies in vinegar
A classic since 1970. Prepared with the proper process to ensure maximum safety, our anchovies in vinegar are a fresh and beloved delicacy, especially on hot days.
Cockles
A classic that has always been with us. Steamed on the griddle, with just enough heat to make them open. Important: during the months without an “R” (May to August), the females spawn and the quality drops, so we take them off the menu.
Grilled sardines
Every day we select the best sardines to grill. A simple dish packed with flavor—healthy, delicious, and perfect for enjoying the true taste of the sea.
Spanish omelette skewer
A true classic: Spanish potato omelette, juicy and slightly undercooked—just the way it should be. A skewer that goes fast, so come early before it runs out. We’ll be waiting for you!
