Food in Spain: A Guide to Spanish Tapas

Whether you’re propping up the bar in a hole-in-the-wall tavern, grabbing a light lunch in a rustic cafe, or sitting down for an extravagant feast in a high-quality restaurant, tapas is a social affair. Served in small portions, you can order a plethora of delicious tapas dishes to share with fellow travellers and savour all of the different flavours of Spanish food. 

It’s also not unusual to be served complimentary tapas in Spain. Bars compete with one another to lay on the best tapas to accompany your beverages. So, sit back, enjoy your drink and tuck into some delicious homemade cuisine. And, if you’re impressed and want to try more, most eateries will have an extensive paid-for tapas menu from which you can order. 

A far cry from the processed omelettes you’ll find in the supermarket, a traditional Tortilla Española is lovingly handmade from sauteed potatoes and onions mixed into a bowl of whisked eggs and gently warmed in a smouldering skillet. Walk into any bar or cafe in Spain, and you’ll likely see a tower of pre-prepared tortilla on the counter ready to go. Combine with a fresh green salad for a delicious light lunch or have it as a pre-dinner snack. 

Although not the most healthy option on the tapas menu, Patatas Bravas are guaranteed to please. Small cubes of potato deep-fried and served with lashings of garlicky aioli or a spicy tomato sauce, this tasty appetiser is an excellent pairing with a refreshing glass of beer, and it is a common sight in traditional Spanish bars. 

Boquerones en Vinagre is a delicious small plate of marinated anchovies that is a very popular tapas bar snack throughout Spain. Bathed in vinegar, olive oil, garlic and parsley, these silvery little fish can be eaten on their own or with crisps and olives. The fried version, boquerones fritos, is also a must-try - the sumptuous crispy batter compliments the salty meat of the fish perfectly. 

Crispy on the outside and deliciously gooey on the inside, Croquetas are a classic Spanish tapas favourite. The traditional filling of Serrano ham mixed with a thick bechamel sauce that is chilled, rolled in a layer of egg and breadcrumbs and then deep-fried to perfection, can be found in most bars and restaurants in Spain. Look out for other flavours too, including spinach, mushroom, pulled chicken and shrimp.