food you have to try in spain

one of my favorite things about travelling is getting to try the local cuisine. i love food and never skimp on tasting new things when in a new place.

we both really enjoyed the food in spain and tried a lot of different things.

first things first, i want to make one thing clear. spanish food is not mexican food. i don’t know how many people think this, but i know this thought is very common in the US. i love mexican food and could eat it every day, but that is not the type of food to expect while in spain.

here are some of the most popular dishes in spain that you have to try while you are there!

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tortilla

this is not your mexican tortilla. a tortilla in spain is more like an omelet. the simplest ones are just eggs and potatoes, but still completely delicious. you can even get these with ham or other additions.

these tortillas are very simple but very tasty. this food can be eaten at any time of day. we had some at breakfast and also as tapas at dinner time. some were eaten warm and some cold. i recommend trying one during your time in spain!

sangria

most people know sangria and how popular it is as a warm weather drink. order a pitcher to share while you sit and enjoy the early afternoon hours in the sun!

tinto de verano

a very popular drink among locals, this summery drink is similar to sangria. it is red wine mixed with a sparkling lemonade and i think i liked it even better than sangria!

again order a glass to enjoy in the sun and drink in the spanish pace of life.

iberian ham

this special ham is a cured meat that is very popular in and around madrid. there are a few different grades, and you can taste the difference. in the most expensive type, the pigs are fed only acorns for the last month of their lives, and the flavor is much stronger!

you will find this everywhere from sandwiches to tapas to nice restaurants. a lot of locals buy a whole leg for the christmas season and enjoy eating it as a family for the holidays.

enjoy as much of this has as you can while in spain, because you cannot bring any back with you to the united states. since it is cured and not cooked, it isn’t allowed to be brought through customs.

paella

this is a very popular spanish dish that i recommend you try if you haven’t. you can get multiple different flavors, but the traditional one has chicken and a lot of different sea food.

a lot of places we went had these huge pans of paella and required it to be split by at least two people.

churros and chocolate

this dish is famous in madrid. you get fried churros and hot chocolate to dip them in. they are similar to the churros you may have seen before but are not coated in cinnamon and sugar.

the hot chocolate is not sweet like we would expect in the united states. it is also very thick and perfect for dipping churros! this is a popular breakfast pasty in madrid, but i have to say it wasn’t my favorite dish. i really liked the chocolate because it wasn’t overly sweet, but the churros tasted a little to fried for my liking.

vermouth

i have never had vermouth before our secret food tour in madrid. our tour guide was great and we had a lot of fun on this small group tour. we tasted so many popular and tasty dishes it was a great introduction to madrid!

this is a very popular before dinner drink in madrid. it has a pretty high alcohol content and a strong flavor.

i thought it tasted a little like christmas, and nick wasn’t a fan so i got to drink both!

calamari sandwich

one surprising food in madrid, a landlocked city, was the fried calamari sandwiches. these are very popular with locals and because of how inexpensive, easy, and tasty they are i can see why. a lot of shops fly the seafood in fresh every day.

menu del dia

this is not a specific food, but a great deal available in a lot of different spots.

this is normally a lunch time deal where you get an appetizer, main course, drink, and dessert for a very good price. we did it at a few different places and always got plenty of food and tried a lot of different things.

there will be a few choices for each course or even just one, but trust the menu and go for it at least once during your time in spain!

tapas

again tapas is not a specific food, but rather a style of food.

small plates of lots of different foods is a great way to eat like a local. we ate at a lot of different delicious tapas restaurants, and it is something you have to try while in spain.

when eating tapas take your time and enjoy like the locals. don’t be afraid to stand around a table or bar instead of sitting for a meal.

eating out in spain

when eating out in spain, there is not the normal rush like there is in the united states. you are welcome to sit at a table long after you have finished your food and continue to enjoy the sights and people. a waiter won’t rush you out, but this also means you will probably have to flag them down to order or get another drink.

people in spain eat dinner very late at night. a lot of restaurants don’t even open until 8pm, and locals won’t be out until 9. it is not uncommon for kids and families to be out eating dinner at 11pm! when in spain try to eat like a local and don’t eat before 8 for sure!

summary

there are so many delicious local favorites for every town you visit in spain. i recommend breaking out of your comfort zone to try local dishes and eat at the local time.

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what was your favorite food in spain?

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