Ready to discover your Mediterranean Culinary experience?
The gastronomy of Spain is as rich and varied as the country itself, with quality ingredients at a plenty, accomplished and culinary legacies, it’s no wonder that the gastronomy is one of the main reasons why people visit Spain.
In Spain there is a strong culture for dining out and this is a great way to discover its gastronomy and wine. You will always see tables filled with people young and old dining out till late into the evening.
Whilst there are plenty of fine dining restaurants and Spanish dining is renowned to be value for money, if you are looking to stretch your budget and want to sample more authentic dishes, we would advise you to stray away from the beaten track and look for more traditional restaurants and cafes.
As the old saying goes... Eat breakfast like a king!
Breakfast the Spanish way!
With an array of choice when it comes to breakfast it still wouldn’t be complete without a cup of coffee!
Spain has a strong coffee culture, and it is not uncommon to drink four or five cups of coffee a day at all hours of the day. Café con leche, which is half strong black coffee and half milk, is by far the most popular way to drink it in Spain
Here are the most popular things that you are likely to see on the breakfast menu:
- Cafe con leche (Milky coffee)
- Zumo de Naranja (Freshly squeezed orange juice)
- Tostada con Aceite (Toast and olive oil)
- Pan con tomate (Cured ham, toast, chopped tomato and olive oil)
- Croissant Tostada (Toasted Croissant)
- Pinco de Tortilla (Spanish tortila)
- Bocadillo (Sandwich made with Spanish bread, usually a baguette or similar type of bread)
- Huevos fritos con chorizo (fried eggs and chorizo sausage)
- Pastel con cafe (Fresh cake/pastry and coffee)
- Chocolate con Churros. (Deep fried Pastry with a very thick chocolate sauce)
Again, as the old saying goes... Eat lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper!
Lunch and Dinner the Spanish Way = Menu del dia!
A great way to discover the gastronomy in Spain is eating out during the day with a “menu del dia” translated “menu of the day”.
You could say that it covers both your lunch and dinner as they generally offer between two to three courses and are of incredible value for money!
Fine Dining
Gastronomy of Spain, that is fine dining specifically was until quite recently exclusively for the upper classes. The first Michelin guide to Spain appeared in 1973, but it was 1989 before the ultimate reward of three Michelin stars was bestowed on a Spanish restaurant – Arzak in San S/ebastian.
Now some of best restaurants in world can be found here, Barcelona alone has 22 Michelin starred eateries.
The options to eat out in Spain are endless and include restaurants, fast food outlets, cafeterias and great tapas bars.
To get the best culinary experience at the best price without any hidden surprises, be sure to follow these helpful hints;
- Eat where the locals eat, you can guarantee it will be the best food and prices.
- Study the menu first before sitting down, check if certain items come with a menu or our extras.
- Always ask before ordering (if not written on the menu) if IVA (Spanish VAT) is included in the prices.
- There may be a cost to eat on the terrace, check before selecting your table.
- Looking for a great deal? Some “Menu del dia’s” include drinks, check before ordering.
- What to sample as many dishes as possible? Then why not go out as a group and order food to share.
- Don’t be shy… If you are not happy, then complain.
Tapas
Tapas in Spain are as synonymous as Pizza in Italy! and as tourist in Spain this is one not to be missed! These small, snack-sized portions are normally served with a drink and are thought to originated from Andalucía. Traditionally they were dishes to have from 6pm to fill a gap so to speak till 10 pm when typically, Spanish evening meal served.
Now today whether it’s a lazy lunch or evening date they can serve as a small meal, a starter or a simple snack to accompany a cold drink.
Typically Spanish dishes…
Paella
Valencia in Eastern Spain is the undisputed home of paella. It is one of the largest natural ports in the Mediterranean and has been one of the most important rice-producing areas in Spain since rice was introduced by the Moors over 1200 years ago.
It is the most known Spanish dish throughout the world and is cooked in many different variations depending on the region. It can be enjoyed with Seafood, Chicken, Rabbit and even Snails and it is custom to cook huge Paellas during fiestas and festivals.
Black Foot Ham, Meats and Cured Meats
Cold meats, ham in particular is one of Spain’s best known culinary treasures. Their variety of cured meats offer specific flavours and characteristics all of which dependent on many variables, for example, the breed, what the animal is fed, how it’s raised and how the meat is processed and cured.
Its big business in Spain especially the favourite known as “black foot cured ham” and the tasty chorizo sausage. The Iberian pig (“Black foot”) Jamon ibérico which usually comes from black pigs and is more expensive than the Jamon Serrano which comes from white or pink pigs.
There are also many types of pork sausages available these include the more popular like chorizo which is spicy and thin and salchichon which is dry and very similar to Italian salami.
You will not be disappointed with the selection of meats available at local supermarkets. Pork is as ever popular, liked its cured meats, a favourite being pork chops (chuletas de cerdo) often seen in “Menu del dia’s” and plenty of beef cuts.
Fresh Fish and Seafood
There is fish available in abundance throughout Spain. Spain is the home for fish and seafood lovers, whether fried, grilled, in rice dishes or stews there is are so many ways this is served through authentic Spanish cuisine and fine dining alike.
The choice is endless and what you would expect from a country that is surrounded by the Mediterranean and Atlantic sea.
Lobsters, langoustines, crabs, barnacles, shrimps, octopus. oysters, mussels and clams are amongst the favourites on offer all over Spain.
Wine and Sherry
Spain is also one of the top producers of wine along with France and Italy. Over flowing with wine varieties, Spain now has over 70 wine regions.
There are so many delicious wines available red, white, cava and more… there are top end wines but equally some great wines available at a fraction of the price, just as satisfying served cold on a warm summers evening!
And then there’s Sherry, the international wine of Spain. This is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are grown near the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, hence its name. Sherry is available in various versions: dry fino (dry), manzanilla (very dry), amontillado (semi-dry) or Oloroso (semi-sweet).
Last but not least, Sangria, known in Spain as a sort of punch and created by mixing pieces of fruit with either wine or champagne and then drunk any time of day, enjoy!
Spanish Cheeses
There are a large variety of cheeses made throughout Spain. These contain many award-winning cheeses amongst over 100 different varieties.
Some of the Spanish cheeses are internationally renowned, such as the Manchego cheese of La Mancha. One that you will see often served on tostadas with tomato and olive oil.
Every region has its own speciality and cover a full range of cheese types, from fresh to cured and fermented to blue-veined.
Many our manufactured using different types of milks these include cow’s milk, sheep’s or goats’ milk, or indeed a mixture of all three.
