We have a special treat this week! While I dipped my toes in Europe briefly, I haven’t had the opportunity or pleasure to explore Spain. However, a new friend and awesome fellow travel writer Alex from Backpacking Brunette is sharing her tips and tricks on eating tapas in Spain with us! What do we all love more than traveling? (I know you all thought FOOD right?)
I find this post to be absolutely wonderful because I have personally felt intimidated by the thought of dining out and ordering without coming off as a complete tourist. So what are tapas and how does one order it like a pro? I’ll let Alex enlighten us now with her guide on everything you need to know about tapas in Spain.
Would you like to write a guest post for Here With Dia? Get in contact with me!
You have arrived in Spain…
You’re finally in Spain, and you’re hungry AF. Before you can start sightseeing, you’ve got to eat something. What was everyone telling you about tapas in Spain?
When I backpacked Europe for the first time in 2014, number one on my to-do list was eat tapas in Spain. But, prior to entering my first tapas bar, I had a mini freak out. I didn’t even need to open the door to see it wasn’t like any bar or restaurant I’d ever been in. For as much as I’d researched and planned, I didn’t know anything about tapas etiquette!
If you want to experience Spain, you can’t miss the country’s famous tapas scene. And, to keep you from having your own mini freak out, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about tapas in Spain. From the different types of tapas to how to order them in a restaurant. This guide will help you not just survive eating tapas in Spain but make sure you actually enjoy yourself.
What are tapas?
In English, tapas literally means “top.” The tradition of eating tapas started when bartenders began serving patrons snacks with their drinks. They would place the plate on top of the glass before sliding it across the bar.
Today, people around the world associate tapas with small plates-style eating.
In some tapa bars in Spain, the available dishes are displayed on the bar. Other bars and restaurants have a tapas menu you can order from.
How are tapas severed?
Keeping with tradition, tapas are served to accompany drinks such as a copa de vino (small glass of wine) or caña (the cutest, tiniest beer you’ve ever seen).
Not sure if you’re in a tapas bar? The easiest way to identify tapas is the size of the plate it is severed on. Small plates = tapas.
In Spain, tapas are served in individual portions. For tapas you can share with friends, order a ración (ration size).
What are three popular tapas?
It would be easy to devote an entire blog post—scratch that, an entire BOOK—to all the different types of tapas. For today, let’s highlight three of the most popular tapas:
Tortilla de patata
Spanish omelet made with eggs and potatoes and fried in oil. Served cold.
Croquetas
Small rolls dipped in breadcrumbs and fried. Filled with cheese and bits of jamón (ham).
Gambas al Ajillo
Shrimp sautéed in garlic, olive oil and butter. Served piping hot with bread to get every last drop of that delicious sauce.
Bonus tapa: Of all the tapas in Spain, my absolute favorite is callos a la madrileña. It’s one of the most typical winter tapas in Madrid and an absolute delight with a glass of red wine. So, what is it? Basically…it’s stomach parts. Intestines and whatnot! Oh, calm down. Where’s your sense of culinary adventure?
READ: 2 Days in London | What to See
How many tapas do you order?
How hungry are you? On a typical night out, I order one tapa with each drink. When it’s time for a new drink, it’s also time for a new tapa.
In Spain, it’s customary to move from bar to bar as the night progresses. Heading to a new bar after each drink and tapa is part of the fun!
When you’re in Madrid, head to La Latina for a night of tapas bar hopping along Cava Alta and Cava Baja. Those two streets are the BEST for tasting tapas in Madrid.
How do I order tapas?
Okay, this is kind of a tricky one since the way you order tapas largely depends on where you are in Spain.
In Madrid, you generally need to approach the bar to order tapas—which is easier said than done. Tapas bars in Madrid get packed, especially on Sundays in La Latina. Tapas are traditionally eaten standing up, so getting to the bar will involve some skilled maneuvering.
Once you’re at the bar, don’t be intimidated if you don’t speak any Spanish. Either indicate what you want using a menu or point at something that looks tasty on the bar. Even if you speak fluent Spanish, these methods are often most effective in a noisy bar.
In other parts of Spain, proper tapas etiquette means ordering off a menu or simply eating whatever you’re given. Unclear on how to order tapas? Check out what everyone around you is doing.
Beware: The only real tapas faux pas you can make is grabbing food from the display on the bar. That’s a HUGE no-no. Always wait for a bartender to serve you.
READ: How to Spend the Perfect Sunday in Madrid
How much do tapas usually cost?
Tapas in Madrid generally cost around €3 per small plate. Seafood tapas will usually cost more.
In northern Spain, like San Sebastián, tapas (or pintxos as their known in Basque Country) are often more elaborate and thus more expensive.
In southern Spain, like Granada, tapas are free. That’s right: FREE. You order a drink, and without even asking, the bartender serves you a snack to go with it.
A Note About Paying: Your may want to pay for each tapa as you eat it as It makes perfect sense to you. However if you try to do that, the bartender will give you a look of absolute horror and disgust. Do your best and keep track of what you’ve had to make sure it matches the bartender’s total, and pay before you head to the next bar.
Where are the best tapas in Spain?
Talk about a debate hotter than gambas al ajillo! The types of tapas vary greatly depending on what part of Spain you’re in.
During my two years living in Spain, I ate a lot of tapas. Based on personal experience, I’m narrowing the best tapas in Spain down to these three cities:
Madrid
It’s hard to beat the atmosphere of tapas bar hopping in La Latina on a Sunday. As the capital, Madrid has bars featuring tapas from all over Spain.
Granada
In the old old days, tapas were complimentary with your drink. Granada maintains that tradition. While most of the tapas in Granada aren’t winning any culinary awards, they’re substantial enough to make sure you can drink all night long.
San Sebastián
Unlike Granada, the tapas in San Sebastián do, in fact, win culinary awards. Like so much of this region’s cuisine, the ingredients are fresh and creatively incorporated. While I usually drink red wine with my tapas, it’s all about txakoli (sparkling dry white wine) in Basque Country!
To start planning your Spain itinerary, check out Backpacking Brunette. And, to make ordering tapas in Spain as easy as tarta, download the The Ultimate Spanish Learner’s Resource Guide. This free 10-page eBook is packed with helpful resources and practical tips for learning ANY language.
Meet the guest author: Alex Wittman
Since she started blogging in 2014, Alex has traveled to 14 countries, learned Spanish, taught English and drank a whole lotta red wine. After two years in Madrid, Spain, she decided it was time for a new adventure and traded in jamón for tacos. You guessed it: Alex now calls Mexico home! In line with her Midwest upbringing, Alex approaches travel with a down-to-earth mindset. Check out Backpacking Brunette for practical travel guides, useful budget tips and real talk about life as an expat.
Find her on: Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Blog
📌PIN IT
Hi Dia! Thanks so much for the opportunity to guest post. Such a fun experience, and I hope my tapas guide will help your readers make the most of their time in Spain 🙂
Seriously love this post! You combined my love for travel and food so wonderfully! A pleasure to have you guest post. <3