People all over the world know Spain for its food culture. Food in Spain to satisfy every palate since we have thousands of dishes and recipes. Each area has different traditional recipes, but you can find the most well-known ones everywhere.
The food from Spain is a type of Mediterranean food. Three main things make this type of food unique: olive oil, bread, and pasta (more for Italian food).
In Spain, we also have classic dishes for holidays like Easter, Christmas, and summer. Spain’s society is based around food, and recipes have been passed down from generation to generation.
If you go to Spain, you must try all these recipes before leaving. Continue reading this blog to know about foods to eat in Spain.
List of Best Foods You Must Try in Spain
1. Gazpacho
A soup from Spain called gazpacho is cold and made with tomato, peppers, and other veggies. It comes from Andalusia in the southern part of Spain. It is a very famous dish in the summer when the heat can be unbearable, and people want something cold to cool down.
Gazpacho from Spain usually has bread crumbs, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, water, vinegar, onions, cucumbers, green peppers, and tomatoes. That is it! Try this food if you want to think about what to eat in Spain. You will love it.
2. Pulpo a la gallega
Spain’s traditional meal, pulpo a la gallega, is served on a wooden plate with sliced potatoes on the bottom and octopus slices on top. Garnish it with extra virgin olive oil, Spanish smoked paprika and sea salt flakes.
Galicia is where this traditional dish comes from, and seafood and sea habits are a big part of the culture there. This is one of the most popular foods to eat in Spain, and you should absolutely taste it.
3. Ensaladilla Rusa
If you go to Spain, you can not miss this other favorite! People love this potato salad, which has carrots, celery, cooked peas, tuna, and mayonnaise. Enjoy! You can find ensaladilla tapas in almost every place in Spain.
There is no such thing in Spain as ensaladilla rusa, but this kind of potato salad is very popular in Russia, Italy, and Portugal. So, if you are looking for things to eat in Spain, give it a try.
4. Jamón Ibérico
Before you go to Spain, you will not fully understand what “jamón ibérico” (Iberian ham) means to the people who live there. Aside from olive oil, jamón is the most essential food in Spain. Jamón is a type of cured ham that comes from either a black Iberian pig or a white pig. It is known all over the world.
It costs the most for the Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. Do not worry—it will melt in your mouth!
5. Gambas al pil-pil (pil-pil prawns)
This dish is prepared and served in a cazuela (Spanish clay pot) and contains a generous amount of olive oil, prawns, garlic pieces, and cayenne.
It is a popular starter meal and a tapas bar staple throughout Spain! So, if you are captivated by food in Spain, give it a try; you will enjoy it.
6. Croquetas
If you ask any Spaniard who makes the best croquetas, they will tell you “my grandmother or my mother,” and do not dare to suggest otherwise!
There are genuine croquette enthusiasts in Spain. We understand what dish cuisine consists: flour, chicken soup or milk, egg, bread crumbs, and chicken! They are highly popular tapas throughout Spain.
The real secret to Spanish croquettes is time, patience, and a strong arm for stirring the bechamel sauce. The most popular croquettes in Spain are Spanish ham croquettes and Spanish chicken croquettes. You will adore it!
7. Tortilla de patatas
Even though a potato omelet might look simple to make, you will need to be a pro to do it right! Everywhere in Spain, this dish is very popular. Moms and dads usually make it before taking their kids to the beach or the mountains.
On a serious note, tortilla de patatas (also known as tortilla española) is great any day. It can be breakfast, a starter before lunch, or the main dish at dinner.
We will also tell you a secret: people have two very different ideas about what makes a tortilla de patatas “perfect”: with or without onion! If you ask any Spanish person about it, they will disagree with you about what they like.
8. Paella
This is likely Spain’s most famous dish. Even though paella comes from Valencia, you can eat it anywhere in Spain. You can add seafood, meat, and veggies to this saffron-flavored rice.
They cook and serve it in a big, shallow pan, and there are different kinds, like seafood paella, meat paella, and veggie paella. But some say that Valencia is where the original paella comes from. This one has round grain rice, different kinds of green beans, rabbit, and chicken cooked in olive oil and chicken broth. If you are unsure and searching for things to eat in Spain, you should try this.
9. Pimientos de Padrón
People from Padrón, a small town in northern Spain (Galicia), grow Padrón peppers.
They are about 5 cm long and green. They have a mild flavor, but some can be very hot. It is funny because you never know when you will eat something hot! But believe me, if you find one, you will immediately understand what it is.
Something that people in Spain say goes, “Pimientos del Padrón, algunos pican y algunos no” (Padrón peppers, some are hot and some are not).
It is easy to make Pimientos del Padrón. Just fry them in hot olive oil until they blister, then sprinkle some ground salt on top.
10. Flamenquín
One of the most well-known meals in Cordoba is this one. When you make flamenquin, you wrap slices of jamón serrano in pork belly, coat them in breadcrumb batter, and fry them in oil. Flamenquín comes in different lengths, and you can find ones up to 16 cm long!
If you enjoy meat, this recipe is for you! This is the most popular food in Spain.
11. Patatas bravas
The most delightful tapa in Spain! Patatas bravas make for a fantastic appetizer to enjoy alongside a refreshing cold beer or a lovely glass of wine.
The secret to this renowned tapas dish lies in its flavorful sauce. The Bravas sauce is vibrant red and has a delightful hint of spiciness.
12. Cocido
This soap is incredibly versatile and has many uses in Spain. Each Spanish region has its own unique characteristics and is prepared in various ways depending on where you enjoy it.
One of the most well-known dishes is the ‘Madrileño’ cocido, hailing from Madrid. It features a delightful combination of chickpeas, beef black pudding, chicken, streaky bacon, and chorizo.
13. Tapas
Even though we are sure you already know about tapas, we will tell you again: eat as many as you can while in Spain! Tapas are tasty snacks and starters.
There are a lot of bars in city centers that serve many of the foods we discussed, such as tapas. Sometimes, the price of a drink comes with snacks. You can get a caña and a tapa for 2€ in Spain. If you are looking for food to eat in Spain, try this. You will love it.
14. Churros
In Spain, churros are the most famous merienda, which is a small meal or snack that people eat all over the country and usually eat between lunch and dinner.
Many Spanish people eat churros for breakfast, and there are many churros food trucks at Ferias (Spanish fairs), where people also eat them.
To make the batter for churros, you need flour, baking powder, oil, and hot water. For the coating, you need cinnamon and sugar. The secret here is to boil churros in heated olive oil until they are crispy!
The Bottom Line
In summary, Spain’s food is just as varied and exciting as its society. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from the hearty soups to the light and tasty tapas. When you visit the busy streets of Madrid, the beautiful coastline of Barcelona, or the quaint towns of Andalusia, do not forget to try some of the country’s best foods. Each food in Spain has a story behind it and a taste of Spain’s rich history. This will make your culinary journey a memorable one.
Spain is well-known for its outstanding architecture, rich culture, and—of course—its cuisine. This nation celebrates cuisine and provides a varied culinary adventure.
Spain presents a great range of mouthwatering cuisine to pique your taste receptors. There is something to satisfy every appetite, from tasty appetizers to substantial main dishes.
Savage traditional Spanish tastes including gazpacho, tortilla Española, jamón ibérico, and paella. For a real gastronomic trip, try local cuisine based on the area you visit.
Do not miss out on churros, chocolate-dipped fried dough pastries, flan, and a creamy caramel custard. Tarta de Santiago, or almond cake, is also a tasty dessert.
Generally, Spanish cuisine is not spicy. The flavors mainly center on fresh ingredients like olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Some dishes, however, may contain somewhat spicy ingredients, such as chorizo sausage.
