Spain

What to eat in Spain: top 10 dishes

Traveling to Spain? These are the ten dishes it is best known for, from everyday staples to festive classics, with a short background and a tip on where and when to eat each one. Ranked by how widely they are known around the world.

01
Paella
Paella is a rice dish originally from the Valencian Community. Paella is regarded as one of the community's identifying symbols. It is one of the best-known dishes in Spanish cuisine.
Travel tip Traditionally a weekend lunch dish, especially in Valencia, usually cooked for a group in a wide pan. Be wary of places advertising it all day for tourists, and order it for at least two people.
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02
Gazpacho
Gazpacho or gaspacho, also called Andalusian gazpacho (from Spanish gazpacho andaluz), is a cold soup and drink made of raw, blended vegetables. It originated in the southern regions of the Iberian Peninsula and spread into other areas.
Travel tip A cold soup that is most popular in the hot summer months, served in restaurants and bars. It is often drunk from a glass or eaten as a starter.
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03
Churro
A churro is a type of fried dough from Spanish and Portuguese cuisine, made with choux pastry dough piped into hot oil with a piping bag and large closed star tip or similar shape.
Travel tip A classic breakfast or afternoon treat found at dedicated churro cafés. It is traditionally dipped in thick hot chocolate.
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04
Spanish omelette
A Spanish omelette or Spanish tortilla is an omelette made with eggs and potatoes, often including onions. It is often served at room temperature as a tapa. It is one of the most popular dishes in Spanish cuisine.
Travel tip Found in almost every bar, often as a slice on the counter or in a sandwich. It is eaten as a tapa, for lunch or for dinner, hot or at room temperature.
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05
Tapas
Tapas are appetisers or snacks in Spanish cuisine. They can be combined to make a full meal and are served cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or hot.
Travel tip Order a few small plates at a bar and move from place to place, as is the local custom in many cities. In some regions a small tapa even comes free with a drink.
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06
Madeleine
The madeleine is a small traditional cake that originated in Commercy and Liverdun, two communes of the Lorraine region in northeastern France.
Travel tip Originally a French cake, it is also sold in Spanish bakeries and cafés, where it is eaten as a snack with coffee. Many Spanish supermarkets sell packaged versions.
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07
Snail as food
Snails are eaten by humans in many areas such as Africa, Southeast Asia and Mediterranean Europe, while in other cultures, snails are seen as a taboo food.
Travel tip Snails are a traditional food in parts of Spain, served in small bowls with a broth or sauce at bars and traditional restaurants. They are typically eaten with a toothpick.
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08
Turrón
Turrón, torró or torrone is a Mediterranean nougat confection, typically made of honey, sugar, and egg white, with toasted almonds or other nuts, and usually shaped either into a rectangular tablet or a round cake.
Travel tip A traditional Christmas sweet that appears in shops and supermarkets in the weeks before the holiday. It comes in hard and soft versions, so you can try both.
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09
Fabada asturiana
Fabada asturiana, often simply known as fabada, is a rich Asturian bean stew, originally from and most commonly found in the autonomous community of Principality of Asturias, but widely available throughout the whole of Spain and in Spanish restaurants…
Travel tip A hearty, slow-cooked stew best enjoyed in colder months, especially in Asturias. It is a filling main dish, so many people follow it with a light dessert.
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10
Quince cheese
Quince cheese (also known as quince paste) is a sweet and tart, thick jelly made of the pulp of the quince fruit. It is a common confection in several countries.
Travel tip Usually served as a slice alongside cheese, as a dessert or snack. The sweet paste pairs well with salty, firm cheeses.
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Description: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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