The Spain trip of your dreams is finally happening – you’ve just checked into your hotel, and you can’t wait to go out and gobble up some authentic Spanish food. But, hold on! Before that, we think you must know a few things about Spanish food culture to avoid embarrassing moments during your trip to Spain. Plus, a little information about the local food will only make your experience better and help you enjoy the food more. So, here’s team unstumbled to guide you on the food & dining tips every Indian traveler needs in Spain!
Food & Dining Tips: Spanish Food Culture, Tapas, Best Foods To Try, And More
Spanish Tapas Culture: What Is It?
You must’ve heard of words like a ‘Tapas Bar’ or ‘Tapas’, especially if you are a keen foodie or keep a tab on the newest restaurants opening in the city. But, do you know what exactly it means? We’ll help you out!
‘Tapas’ refers to the practice of having small bite-sized food dishes in a social setting, usually in a bar or a pub, and often accompanied by alcoholic beverages. Yes, you might think of it as the Spanish cousin of our beloved ‘chakhna’ foods! Tapas, however, are not the same as appetizers, contrary to popular belief. In fact, they ARE the meal and an invitation to gather, socialize, and unwind with family and friends.
Spanish tapas culture is a seamless part of the lives of the people here. You’ll find tapas bars and pubs in almost every corner of Spain’s cities and towns. To put it in a few words would mean doing injustice to the heartwarming and deeply personal tapas culture, but we hope you got a gist of what it exactly is!
Tapas Food: How To Get It Right?
First things first, and as said earlier, tapas are not appetizers! Tapas foods are usually of two varieties – the ‘tapa’ and the ‘raciones’.
Tapa is the smallest food portion you’ll find at any pub or bar and is just enough for one person. Tapa can be either hot or cold, depending on what it is.
On the other hand, raciones offer larger portion sizes that are often shared among others. When the Spanish suggest you join them for a tapas night, they’d be most likely referring to the act of having raciones and not tapas.
The tapas menu is often quite extensive but here are a few terms you should look out for when ordering:
- Tostas: Refers to a toast-like or open-toast-like sandwich
- Tablas: Refers to cheese or charcuterie plates, best enjoyed shared
- Conservas: Canned goods similar to anchovies and sardines served with a variety of sauces.
- Surgencias de la Casa: Chef’s suggestions
When you’re at a Spanish bar or pub, always check if the establishment allows you to order food at the table. If you plan to just grab a few drinks, you might have to just stand instead of grabbing seats. Go through the menu, ask the waiter if they serve free tapas with drinks (many places do), and if they don’t, go ahead anyways and order your food at the table.
If you’re planning to go bar-hopping (a common practice in tapas culture), make sure to not stuff yourself with too much food or drinks at the first stop itself! Since you’ll be visiting a few places, we recommend grabbing just a few light snacks and a few drinks in each of these places to avoid feeling ‘full’ within hours.
Best Spanish Foods To Have: Our Top Picks
Paella Valenciana
Originating from the fields of Valencia, it is arguably the most famous food dish to have in Spain. It is a dish made traditionally with rabbit, chicken, green beans, saffron, and rice. Although seafood is also added in the coastal regions of Spain, many still like their paella without seafood.
Tortilla Espanola
As the self-evident name, these beloved Spanish tortillas are consumed all across the country. They’re golden, thick, and stuffed with the juiciest caramelized onions and potatoes. It is served as a tapa in many bars and pubs but it is also a complete meal in itself! Easy to make and oh-so-delicious, you must definitely have it for your morning breakfast in Spain!
Patatas Bravas
The Spanish love their potatoes more than anything else – and the hundreds of potato dishes in Spain are a delicious proof of that! Among them, patatas bravas stand out the most – crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside! They’re often seen on tapas menus as well as side dishes in lunch and dinner. But, on their own, patatas bravas are an enjoyable indulgence – no doubts on that!
Padron Peppers
Did you know that your beloved fried chillis – those that come with vada pav – have their very own Spanish cousin? Yes, it might sound surprising, but padron peppers is a popular bar snack that is essentially chilli peppers fried in olive oil and rubbed with salt. Best had with chilled beer, these salty peppers are crunchy, salty, and quite spicy!
Gambas al ajillo
If seafood gets you drooling, you would love this Spanish dish called gambas al ajillo. It is a shrimp-based dish cooked in loads of garlic and olive oil. The result? A smooth, buttery, and garlick-y shrimp dish that packs the right amount of flavor in each bite. It is easily prepared in a few minutes and a few ingredients – when are you trying it?
Summing Up
Spanish food is quite similar to Indian food – full of flavors, oils, spices, and traditional cooking methods that bring out all essential flavors of the dish. But, knowing a few tips and tricks about their food culture will definitely earn you some brownie points. So, how useful did you find our guide on ‘Food & Dining Tips Every Indian Traveler Needs in Spain’?
