The guide to eating in Spain, its intricacies, methods and secrets. If you feel you can improve or add to this section please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Eating in Spain is all part of the travelling experience and very varied depending on where you are. Chances are you will meet more local people and get to know more about Spanish culture the more you eat out. There are numerous specialities like tapas, gazpacho and tortillas which are familiar to many Western diners. But Spanish cuisine also includes rich stews, soups, beans, seafoods and meats which have all influenced Latin American cooking as well. Many foods are a speciality in particular regions. Read below to find out more.

Depending on where you travel in Spain too you will find regional differences. For example Moorish rule in southern Spain has influenced Andalusian food where you still find a lot of spices and herbs, oranges and fruit in savoury dishes, almonds and cinnamon with meat and honeyed sweets. In the far north where there is good pastureland you find beans, sausages and veges in hearty dishes and a seafood influence. Eastern Spain, facing Italy, has more pasta but also paella thanks to the rice growing region on its doorstep. While the interior features roasts, lamb and suckling pig. Of course anywhere near the coastline you will always find good seafood.

SPECIALTIES
Gazpacho - a soup made from tomatoes, breadcrumbs, cucumber and/or green peppers and served cold
Tapas - bite sized snacks of different varieties served in bars free with purchases of beer
Tortillas - omlettes in numerous varieties
Cocido – meal in a pot type food with meat, veges, pulses and sausages
Chorizo – cured smoked sausage served picante (spicy) or dulce (sweet). Different regions have various varieites either smoked and unsmoked and they may contain garlic, herbs and other ingredients.
Jamon serrano - cured ham like Italian prosciutto. Often served raw in thin slices.
Pa amb tomàquet - sandwiches made from squashed tomatoes with salt and olive oil (Barcelona)
Xurros amb xocolata - churros with chocolate.
Paella - rice, seafood and often chicken or meat all simmered up with saffron.
Bocadillo de tortilla de patata - roll filled with potato omlette (vegeterian)

HOW IT'S EATEN
Food is always served in a particular order and and as a series of courses. Desayuno is breakfast which tends to be light (coffee and a sweet bun). The main meal of the day is lunch, almuerzo or comida between 1.30pm and 4pm. The cena or evening meal is usually lighter and can be eaten about 10 or 11pm.

HOW TO ORDER IN A RESTAURANT
Most lunch menu's are served between 2pm and 4pm. Dinner starts after 10pm so unless you want to eat alone or find most restaurants closed you will have to train your stomach for late dining. Food is served in courses as outlined above and you can usually order these as you go.

Most restaurants offer a menu del dia (menu of the day) which is great for budget eating and usually a set price 2-3 course meal served at lunchtime. There is also the cheap plato combinado (combined plate) which is a basic one course meal. Bills are usually produced for you as you leave and will normally be brought to the table (ask if it's not). In bars it can be common for the bill to be rounded up to the nearest euro if you had table service or food with drinks.

If you want tapas snacks order small beers and plates of food will be produced as complimentary. Every time you order another beer you get more food. Usually you pay on leaving depending how many beers you have ordered.

SHOPPING FOR FOOD
Little market stalls, small supermarkets and big shopping centres are all available in Spain with fresh produce, cheese, breads and meat. Shopping trolleys are usually available or baskets.

HYGIENE
Travellers should find the standards of hygiene acceptable in this western European country.

FOOD BUDGET PER DAY
If you eat out three meals a day you can budget on:
Breakfast - Euros 3 a coffee and pastry
Lunch - Euros 5 for a sandwhich and drink
Dinner - Euros 15 - 20 for a main course and wine

ALCOHOL
Alcohol is usually consumed with every meal eaten out.
Cerveza is beer but you are better to ask for cerveza de barril or one of the following types:
Cana - draught beer also called Corto and Zurrito
Tubo or Jarra - large beer
Vino is wine and comes blanco (white), tinto (red) or rosado (rose).
Tinto de verano - wine shandy.
Sangria - sweet punch made with wed wine, fruit and spirits

COFFEE
Cafè con leche - 50% milk
Cafè solo - short black
Cafè cortado - short black with a little milkFood and Drinks