The Best Food to Experience in Spain

Some of the best food to experience in Spain can be found simply by discovering where the locals eat.  Such as with our food and drink tours in Barcelona. After all, mealtime plays a significant part in the Spanish culture.

Many visitors to Spain will be presented with authentic cuisine by visiting popular tapas bars. This is a great introduction to traditional food, especially with a wide choice of flavours available. However, Spanish dishes are much more than just the famous tapas.

One of the most traditional dishes in Spain is paella, having originated from Valencia. It's also worth noting, about 75% of the world's saffron is produced in Spain, which is one of the main ingredients of a paella dish!

There are so many reasons why you should visit Spain. Whether it be for its rich history, world-class artworks or colourful culture. Likewise with its white sandy beaches and just as importantly, the fabulous Spanish food!

The Best Food to Experience in Spain

Discover some of the very best traditional Spanish foods to try on your holiday to Spain. Why not book food and drink tours in Barcelona or food experiences in Madrid?

Gazpacho

Gazpacho can be served as a starter, or a kind of ‘cooling down’ main course, as it is a superb chilled soup. It originates from Andalucía, and combines; cucumber, onion, a lot of garlic, red pepper, tomato, olive oil, and wine vinegar. The gazpacho is then finished off and served with finely chopped cucumber, peppers, onion and ripe tomatoes.

Jamón Ibérico

Nearly every bar and restaurant, in Spain, will always have a leg of ham on view. It is often overlooked by tourists, which is a shame, as it is so flavoursome and succulent! Ask the server to give you a good few slices and enjoy one of Spain’s most amazing taste bud sensations.

Calamari

Calamari is deep-fried, however, well-cooked squid should always be served crispy, light and tender. It is best enjoyed with freshly squeezed lemon juice or gorgeous sweet marinara sauce.

Tortilla Española

This is a wonderful traditional Spanish tapas dish – and is a variation of the Spanish omelette. It can also be known as ‘tortilla de patatas’ whereupon fried potatoes are the major ingredients. Albeit after eggs.

Fabada Asturiana

Chorizo is actually the main ingredient in Asturias' famous dish of fabada and morcilla (similar to black pudding). This is a super white-bean stew and is filled with chorizo, morcilla and pork belly with a smattering of pimentón. It always best to enjoy it with plenty of homemade fresh bread to mop up all the flavours.

Carrillada

This dish comprises of pork cheeks (or sometimes beef cheeks) that are braised to juicy perfection. Carrillada is soaked in an amazing sauce, that can be ‘la Pedro Ximénez’ or with a sweet red wine sauce. The meat then becomes beautifully tender and should just melt in your mouth.

Bacalao

Bacalao is a salted tasty cod that can be cooked in various methods; grilled, fried, or even stuffed into crispy croquettes. It is always served up in the Basque Country in northern Spain, a region that boasts its own culinary tradition.

Pisto

This is actually the Spanish version of ratatouille; onions, courgettes, garlic, peppers and tomatoes are slow fried in of course - olive oil! It is often served as a starter, or as a main, with golden fried eggs or chorizo.

The Best Food to Experience in Spain

From spicy tapas to amazing seafood and traditional stews, food in Spain is about making the most of the best local products.

So, do not leave Spain without trying the amazing food experiences. Book online today and you could be eating out at Michelin Starred restaurants in San Sebastian or joining one of our food and drink tours in Barcelona.