What is typical Spanish food? That’s exactly what we’ll talk about in today’s article. To Spain we traditionally go to Spain on our car trip to Portugalwe usually stop here for one or two weeks every year.
As far as food is concerned, it tends to be quite problematic for us because there is not much choice for vegetarians in traditional cuisine. That’s also why we have become quite expert in Spanish food. 😁
History of Spanish cuisine
Spanish cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine, which means it is relatively healthy, rich in fruits, vegetables, salads, seafood and good quality olive oil. It was strongly influenced by the Arabs and Jews who lived on the Iberian Peninsula, as well as by the discovery of America and the arrival of new ingredients from the New World.
The Arabs brought rice to Spain, on which the most famous Spanish dish stands today – paella . Their influence is also evident in the use of spices, especially saffron and cumin, sweetening with honey, and the addition of almonds and fruit to traditional Spanish dishes.
After the discovery of America, Spanish cuisine was enriched by potatoes, which became part of two famous dishes – patatas bravas and tortilla de patata.
By the way, we recommend trying the great food tours and tapas tours right in Spain that you can book on GetYourGuide.
What to buy in Spain: traditional Spanish products
If you went to Spain on holiday , you should definitely try some traditional Spanish products. Here we have prepared a selection of the most popular ones.
Spanish olive oil and Spanish olives
Olive oil and olives are an essential part of Spanish cuisine and culture, not only an essential ingredient in many traditional dishes, but olives and olive oil are a symbol of Spanish gastronomy and history.
Spain is the largest producer of olive oil in the world, with most of its production coming from the southern region Andalusia.
Of course, you can buy different types of olive oils in Spain – light and fruity oils ideal for salads to more intense and spicy variants that enrich the flavour of baked dishes.
Olives themselves, whether green or black, are also deeply rooted in Spanish gastronomy. They are served as tapas, added to salads, sauces and are an essential part of many regional specialties, which we will talk about later.
This humble crop, grown on the sunny slopes of Spain, is a real treasure that reflects the richness and diversity of the Spanish culinary tradition. So if you want to take something back from Spain, I recommend investing in a good quality Spanish oil.
Spanish ham
As vegetarians, we didn’t have Spanish ham, of course, but if you eat meat, you should definitely not forget about it when visiting Spain.
In the cities, you’ll find shops with hams hanging from the ceiling, and you’ll often find them in restaurants and bars, served as an appetizer. I find the cafes that are also ham shops the most bizarre. That’s how much they love her. 😁
- Jamón ibérico is made from black Iberian pigs and takes up to 48 months to dry. The Spanish maestros cortadores specialise in cutting ham.
- Jamón serrano comes from white pigs and is more affordable.
Spanish cheeses
Lukáš is a big cheese lover, so he never forgets to try some new interesting ones he finds in the shops when he visits Spain. Spanish cheeses are as varied as the Spanish landscape itself.
Manchego, probably the most famous Spanish cheese, comes from the La Mancha region. It is made from the milk of Manchego sheep and is characterised by its rich and, for me, perhaps too intense flavour and firm texture. It takes between 60 days and two years to mature.
Another important cheese is Cabrales, a strong blue cheese from Asturias. Aged in limestone caves, this cheese has a distinctive savoury flavour and is ideal for lovers of stronger cheeses. Its unique taste is the result of traditional production methods and the specific microclimate of the caves where the cheese is aged.
In Catalonia, we find Garrotxa, a semi-hard goat’s cheese with a mild, nutty flavour, which is a great example of Catalan cheese-making skills. Its grey, velvety rind hides a delicate but distinctive flavour that is popular with gourmets.
For those looking for something truly unique, there’s Queso de la Serena, a soft cheese from Extremadura made from sheep’s milk and renneted with a plant enzyme from thistle. It has a creamy texture and a slightly bitter taste.
Spanish sausages
Spanish sausages are also an essential part of Spanish culinary art, offering an incredible variety of flavours and textures that reflect the richness and diversity of Spanish gastronomy.
Chorizo
One of the most famous is Chorizo, a traditional cured sausage made from porcine meat, which is known for its distinctive flavour and can be quite spicy. Its characteristic red colour and spicy taste are due to the addition of paprika.
Salchichón
Another popular Spanish sausage is salchichón, a smoked sausage that is similar in many ways to chorizo, but differs in that it does not contain paprika, which gives it a milder flavour. This sausage is popular for its versatility and is great both in a sandwich and as part of tapas. At least that’s what the Spanish say.
Sobrasada
Finally, the Sobrasada, from the Balearic Islands, is a soft, spreadable sausage made from pork, bacon and paprika. Its creamy texture and rich flavour make it ideal for spreading on bread or as part of more sophisticated dishes.
Morcilla
Morcilla, the Spanish version of blood sausage, is usually flavoured with rice, onions or pine nuts.
Spanish wine
Spain, a country with one of the oldest wine traditions in the world, is a wine lover’s paradise. With a variety of landscapes from the green valleys of Galicia to the sunny plains of Andalusia, each region contributes its own unique style and character to the rich palette of Spanish wines.
Among the most popular varieties is Tempranillo, the queen of Spanish red wines, which is the basis of the famous wines of Rioja and Ribera del Duero. This variety is known for its dark colour and complex flavours with notes of red fruits and spices.
Another important variety is Airén, widely grown in central Spain, especially in Castilla-La Mancha, and the basis of many excellent Spanish white wines.
For those who love bubbles, there’s Cava, a sparkling wine produced mainly in Catalonia that rivals the best champagnes.
Let’s not forget Sherry, a wine from Andalusia, made from white grapes grown in Spanish Andalusia in the triangle between Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María.
Spanish oranges
Who can resist freshly squeezed orange juice? In Spain, it is available everywhere and can be found on the drinks menu under the name “zumo de naranja naturale”.
And you can also find an orange press in the shops that allows you to squeeze your own juice into a bottle. It works the same way in Portugal. 😁 We always manage to get through it in the month and a half.
Typical Spanish dishes: What to eat in a restaurant
And now we’re finally at the part where we tell you what you should try for typical Spanish food in restaurants in Spain.
Paella – the national Spanish dish
Paella is probably the most famous Spanish dish, which gets its name from the pan on which it is prepared. It is prepared with rice and various ingredients such as vegetables, chicken or seafood. An important spice is saffron, which also gives paella its characteristic yellow colour.
Arroz negro
A variant of paella where the rice is cooked with octopus or cuttlefish and their ink, giving it its characteristic black colour and distinctive marine flavour.
Fideua
A traditional Spanish dish similar to paella, but noodles are used instead of rice. It often contains seafood and is a typical dish for the region of Valencia.
Tortilla de patata
This is a Spanish omelette made with potatoes, eggs, onions and olive oil. Sometimes chorizo is also added.
There’s nothing special about it, it’s a very basic traditional Spanish dish that you can find even in Spanish gas stations in cold form. It is one of the typical Spanish dishes that is meatless.
Tapas
Tapas are one of the most characteristic elements of Spanish gastronomy and culture. The word “tapa” means “lid” or “cover” in Spanish, and one theory is that tapas originated as a small piece of food that was placed on top of a glass of wine or other beverage to keep insects or dust from falling in.
Nowadays, tapas are small dishes that can be very varied, from simple olives, pieces of cheese or ham, to more sophisticated preparations such as shrimp in garlic oil (gambas al ajillo), spicy potatoes (patatas bravas), meatballs (albondigas) and more complex dishes such as small portions of paella.
Tapas are served in bars and restaurants all over Spain and are often eaten as an appetizer, snack or even as a main course.
Tapas are not just about food; they have an important social aspect. Sharing tapas with friends or family over a glass of wine or beer is a cornerstone of Spanish social life.
For Lukáš, tapas is a bit of a dirty word, because for a lot of money you get a single dish. 😁 So we don’t go to them much.
Pintxos
Pintxos (sometimes spelled “pinchos”) are actually a type of snack that is particularly popular in the Basque Country and Navarre in northern Spain, although you can find them all over the country today.
The word “pintxo” comes from the Basque word “pinchar”, which means “to pierce”, referring to the typical way these snacks are often presented – like Czech one-hubky, where you have a piece of pastry with vegetables, cheese, ham or other ingredients and it’s pierced with a skewer.
The main difference between pintxos and tapas is in their presentation and often in their complexity. While tapas can be any small dish served in a small bowl or on a plate, pintxos are usually more focused on the combination of flavours and textures in one small but carefully prepared piece. Pintxos are often visually appealing and can be considered a form of culinary art.
Another difference is the method of consumption. While tapas are often shared between table members, pintxos are usually meant for individual consumption. In many bars serving pintxos, diners choose from a variety of options displayed on the counter, and are charged at the end according to the number of skewers they have on their plate. Often the price is also determined by the length of the skewer.
Patatas bravas
It is fried potato cubes served with red spicy tomato sauce and white garlic alioli.
Croquettes – Croquetas
Small croquettes, which can contain, for example, cheese, chicken, fish or ham.
Empanadas
Deep-fried bags filled with meat, cheese or vegetables.
Gambas al ajillo
Sauteed shrimp in oil with garlic, usually served in a small bowl.
Gazpacho and Salmorejo soups
Gazpacho is a cold vegetable soup made of tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic and olive oil. Salmorejo is prepared in a similar way, but with the addition of a blended baguette, which makes it thicker in consistency.
Calamares a la Romana
Octopus rings coated in batter and fried, often served with lemon or aioli. It is a popular Spanish dish served as tapas in bars.
Fabada Asturiana
This very rich dish of white beans, chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage) and ham is typical of the Asturias region.
Pimientos de Padrón
Small green peppers, lightly fried in olive oil and sprinkled with coarse salt, some are spicy and some are not, which adds to the fun of eating them.
Typical Spanish desserts
As we’ve said before, as vegetarians, it’s hard to choose traditional Spanish restaurants, but when it comes to Spanish desserts, we’re right at home here.
Churros con Chocolate
One of the most famous Spanish desserts is churros, which is a fried dessert often served with hot chocolate for dipping. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s a great little piggy bank, which is also common throughout Latin America, where we first came across this Spanish dessert.
Crema Catalana
Similar to the French crème brûlée, crema catalana is a creamy dessert with a layer of caramelized sugar on top. This dessert originates from Catalonia and is often flavoured with cinnamon or lemon zest.
Turrón
Turrón is a traditional Spanish Christmas delicacy made with almonds, honey and egg whites. There are different types of turrón, from soft and oily to hard and crunchy, and it is an essential part of a Spanish Christmas.
Flan
Flan, the Spanish version of caramel pudding, is another popular Spanish dessert. It’s a simple but elegant dessert with a distinct vanilla flavour and smooth texture and is covered in a layer of sweet caramel.
Polvorones and Mantecados
These traditional Spanish Christmas cookies are popular all over the country. Polvorones are soft, crumbly biscuits, while mantecados are a bit more oily. Both are made with plenty of lard and are usually flavored with cinnamon, almonds or lemon zest. So vegetarians beware of this. They’re not vegetarian. At least not the traditional ones.
Natillas
Natillas is a Spanish creamy dessert – similar to vanilla pudding.
Arroz con Leche
Arroz con leche, the Spanish version of rice pudding, is another classic Spanish dessert. It is a mixture of cooked rice, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon, making it a very popular dessert during the winter months.
Spanish drinks – what to drink in Spain
What is drunk in Spain? Everyone’s favourite sangria probably comes to mind, but traditional Spanish drinks are much more varied.
Coffee
In Spain, as in Italy, they like strong coffee. The most common drinks are café con leche (coffee with milk), cortado (espresso with a little milk, similar to a macchiato) or café bombón (espresso with condensed milk).
On the other hand, “hipster cafes” offering flat white, filter coffee and the like are not as common as they are here, and sometimes it’s very difficult to find a cafe we like. 😁
Sangria
The most famous and perhaps the most popular Spanish drink is undoubtedly sangria, the symbol of the Spanish summer.
This refreshing drink is a mixture of red wine, fruit (such as oranges, lemons and other seasonal fruits), a little sweetener and sometimes a little brandy or sparkling wine. Personally, I’ve never really liked sangria, but it’s all about preference.
Cava: Spanish variation on champagne
For bubbly lovers, there’s cava, a Spanish sparkling wine produced mainly in Catalonia. Like champagne, cava is mainly drunk on special occasions and celebrations.
Horchata
Horchata de chufa, originating in Valencia, is a sweet, non-alcoholic drink made from ‘chufa’ (almonds). It is a refreshing drink, usually served cold, and is very popular during the hot summer months. Horchata is also popular in Mexico.
Sherry from Andalusia
Sherry, or also Jerez, is a roasted wine from southern Spain, from the area around the town of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia. This wine is produced in several styles from very dry to sweet liqueur variants and is an essential part of the Spanish winemaking tradition. If you are going to Andalusia, be sure to book a tour on GetYourGuide.
Kalimotxo
Kalimotxo is an unusual drink that combines two seemingly incompatible ingredients – red wine and cola. This drink is – not too surprisingly – popular among young people. It is supposedly very refreshing, but we did not dare to try it. 😁
Anise
Anís del Mono, a sweet anise-flavoured liqueur, is popular throughout Spain, especially during the winter months. This liqueur is drunk on its own or used as an ingredient in coffee or desserts.
How regional Spanish cuisine differs
Spain is quite large and culturally and geographically diverse, so it’s no surprise that this is reflected in the regional gastronomy. Each region has its own unique specialties and culinary traditions based on the location and culture of the region.
Northern Spain: the Basque Country and Galicia
The Basque Country is known for its high gastronomic culture, including world-famous restaurants and pintxos, a sophisticated version of tapas. Local specialties include fish and seafood such as bakalao (cod) and txangurro (crab). In Galicia, famous for its green landscapes, seafood dishes such as mussels, octopus (pulpo a la gallega) and empanadas dominate the menu.
Catalonia
Catalan cuisine combines elements of both land and sea, known as “mar i muntanya”, meaning “sea and mountain”. Typical dishes include pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomatoes and olive oil) and Catalan versions of cured sausages such as fuet and butifarra. This is where the dessert mentioned above comes from: Crema catalana.
Andalusia
Andalusia is home to gazpacho, a cold vegetable soup that is perfect for hot summer days. Very popular here, as well as in southern Portugal, are fried fish, you can find them under the name pescaíto frito. Andalusia is also the home of sherry.
Madrid and central Spain
Madrid is famous for its cocido madrileño, a stew of meat and chickpeas. In Castilla-La Mancha we find manchego, the world-famous cheese made from the milk of Manchego sheep. Central Spain is also home to excellent red wines such as those from the Ribera del Duero region.
Valencia and the east coast
Valencia is the home of paella, the national dish of Spain. The traditional paella valenciana combines rice with rabbit, chicken and vegetables. The coastal areas offer a wide variety of seafood and this is reflected in the menus of the local restaurants.
Balearic and Canary Islands
In the Balearic Islands, such as Mallorca and Ibiza, we find specialities such as sobrassada, a soft sausage made from pork. The Canary Islands are famous for their papas arrugadas (“mashed potatoes”), which are served with mojo, a spicy sauce.
Spanish eating habits – why restaurants are open “so weird”
If you’re visiting Spain for the first time, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that you can’t just go out for lunch at 12:00. And you can wait for dinner. Why? Let’s take a look at how Spaniards traditionally eat.
Small and quick breakfast – desayuno
Unlike Czech breakfasts, Spaniards enjoy a quicker and smaller breakfast. Most often they have pan con tomate, which is toasted bread with crushed tomato, olive oil and sometimes accompanied by cheese or ham.
If you look closely at the breakfast menu in the hotel, you’ll probably find just the smashed tomatoes you need to enjoy this typical Spanish breakfast.
Morning and afternoon snacks – almuerzo y merienda
Spaniards have almuerzo (morning snack) and merienda (afternoon snack), which include cheese, baguettes, toast and salads. These snacks often appear on menus as bocadillos, tostas or montaditos.
Late and longer lunches
The most important meal in Spain is lunch, which takes place later (about 14 – 16h) and lasts longer than in the Czech Republic. The Spanish, like other southern nations, are in no hurry to get anywhere.
Smaller dinners – comida y cena
Dinner is usually smaller and starts around 20 – 21h. Most restaurants are only open for lunch and dinner, roughly between 13:00 and 19:30. If you would like to eat outside of these times, you can visit the cafés, bakeries or tapas bars that tend to be open. Or go to a fast food joint.
How it works in restaurants in Spain
Now that you know when you’re likely to get to the restaurant, let’s take a look at the tipping situation and whether you have to wait for the waiter to seat you.
Waiting to settle in Spain?
It’s the same as in the Czech Republic, if you find a sign that says you have to wait to be seated, the waiter will seat you, otherwise sit wherever you want. In Spain, there is often a wait for a table in the famous tapas bars, it is normal for Spaniards to buy a drink standing up and wait outside the bar. That explains the crowds of people with a drink in their hand outside the businesses you’re sure to encounter.
The waitress doesn’t notice you
If you feel that the waitress is unprofessional because she doesn’t notice you or ask you if you want anything, it’s not true. It’s quite normal that if you don’t attract the waitress’s attention, they’ll just let you sit at the table for as long as you want.
Paying by card after the pandemic is commonplace
Many businesses had to switch to card or even QR payments during the pandemic, so there are very few businesses in Spain that only require cash.
Do they tip in restaurants?
Tipping doesn’t really work in Spain, so it’s perfectly fine not to tip or to round up a penny. We’re used to giving 10-15% everywhere, but if you give just a few cents, it’s not a problem.
Is the menu in English?
When it comes to English, in tourist areas, it’s a given, but in the countryside not so much, and even the menu isn’t in English. But nowadays it’s not a problem, just download the Google Translator app on your phone and then just point the camera at the menu and it will translate it for you.
Still, if you’re a vegetarian like us, it’s a good idea to learn the Spanish phrase that you don’t eat meat, fish or chicken. Some Spaniards consider vegetarian food to be that which contains only fish. 😁
Frequently Asked Questions
Do they tip in restaurants?
Yes, but just round up. It is not necessary to give 10% or 15% like in the USA.
When are restaurants open in Spain?
Most restaurants are only open for lunch and dinner, roughly between 13:00 and 19:30.
What about the national Spanish dish?
The national Spanish dish is paella, which is based on rice and is usually served with seafood, meat or vegetables.
What are the most popular Spanish tapas?
Popular tapas include patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), jamón (Spanish ham), olives, gambas al ajillo (prawns in garlic oil) and a variety of cheeses and sausages.
Is there a traditional Spanish drink I should try?
You should definitely try the traditional sangria, sparkling cava wine or the soft drink horchata.
What is “tapas”?
Tapas are small appetizers that are served with drinks in Spain. In some businesses, it’s even free.
What are the typical ingredients of Spanish cuisine?
Typical ingredients include olive oil, garlic, saffron, tomatoes, peppers, rice, seafood, various meats and a wide variety of vegetables.
Is Spanish cuisine suitable for vegetarians?
Spanish cuisine is very meat-oriented, but you’ll also find some vegetarian dishes such as gazpacho (cold vegetable soup) and tortilla española (Spanish potato omelette).
What is a typical Spanish dessert?
Typical Spanish desserts include churros with chocolate, flan (caramel pudding), turrón (almond delicacy) and crema catalana.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
