Spanish Food Guide: What to Eat in Spain
Food is one of the most enjoyable ways to get to know a destination. In Spain, what you find on the table changes from region to region, so leave room for local specialties as well as familiar favorites.
This guide brings together foods and drinks you may encounter across Spain, with a special focus on Barcelona and Catalonia. Barcelona sits on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, and Catalan cooking has its own traditions. Here are a few things to look for when you’re deciding what to order.
Here are some of the great foods (and a couple of drinks) that all travelers (and foodies) need to indulge in.
Beverages
If you enjoy wine or cocktails, these are two options to look for on the menu.
Sangria
Sangria is a wine-based drink with fruit, served chilled. Recipes vary, so ask how the restaurant prepares it if you prefer something less sweet.
Cava
Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine made in a range of sweetness levels. It is not necessarily sweet: Brut Nature, Extra Brut and Brut are dry styles, while sweeter options are also available. Check the label or ask your server to help you choose.
Traditional meats
You’ll see cured meats on menus across Spain, served on their own and used in other dishes.
Jamón ibérico
Jamón ibérico
Jamón ibérico is Spain’s prized cured ham from Iberian pigs. It is typically served in thin slices so you can appreciate its texture and flavor. Try it on its own or with bread.
Chorizo
Spanish chorizo is a pork sausage seasoned with paprika. Some varieties are mild and others are spicy, so ask if you’re unsure. Depending on the type, it may be served as cured slices or cooked in a dish.
Cheese
Manchego
Manchego is a protected cheese from La Mancha, made with milk from Manchega sheep. Its flavor and texture change as it matures. Try it alongside jamón ibérico, or ask which local cheeses are available where you’re visiting.
Dishes and other favorites
Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a chilled, tomato-based soup that is especially appealing on a warm day. It may come with chopped vegetables or bread on the side. Garnishes vary, so there is no single required accompaniment.
Bocadillos
A bocadillo is a sandwich made with a crusty bread roll or a section of a long loaf. Fillings vary; ham, cheese, tortilla and fried squid are examples. It can be quite simple, so don’t expect a standard combination of sauces, vegetables or toppings. Madrid is particularly known for its fried-squid bocadillo.
Seafood
Barcelona is on the Mediterranean coast, along the Balearic Sea, which forms part of the Mediterranean. Look for seafood dishes such as fried calamari or grilled squid.
Bombas
A Barcelona specialty associated with Barceloneta, a bomba is a fried potato ball with a meat filling, often served with allioli and a spicy sauce. Sizes and presentation vary by kitchen. It is a local example to look for in Barcelona, rather than a dish to expect everywhere in Spain.
Tortilla española
Spanish tortilla is a thick omelet made with eggs and potatoes, with or without onion. It may be served in slices as a tapa or as part of a meal. Allioli can be an accompaniment, but it is not a required part of the dish.
Pa amb tomàquet
This Catalan staple is bread rubbed with ripe tomato and finished with olive oil and salt. The bread may be toasted, and garlic is sometimes added. It is a simple accompaniment to many meals in Barcelona and Catalonia.
Croquetas
Croquetas have a crisp breadcrumb coating and a creamy filling, commonly based on béchamel. Ham is a familiar choice, but fillings vary. Cheese is one option, not an essential ingredient. Unlike potato-based bombas, classic Spanish croquetas rely on that creamy interior.
Tapas, pintxos and ordering portions
Spain rewards a little curiosity at the table. Try something familiar, add a regional specialty, and leave time to enjoy it.
Tapas are small servings that can be enjoyed with a drink or combined into a meal. Pintxos are especially associated with the Basque Country and may be served on bread or as other small bites. These words are not a fixed small-versus-large sizing system.
Portions vary by establishment. Ask your server how much a dish serves and start with a few choices. You can always order more.
About Lavishly Travel
Lavishly Travel plans custom trips around your interests, pace and priorities. Whether food and wine are the focus of your vacation or part of a wider journey, Jeanine helps bring the destinations, accommodations and travel logistics together.
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